We've done it! Sigma 38

[eastcoastbernie]

How lucky are you!

1. You've bought a great boat
2. You've bought it in the summer
3. You can take loads of time off in the summer 'cos you're a teacher
4. You've got North Sea crossings and the like under your belt so you're not inexperienced

Forget about the 'by road' option. Boats are designed to be in the water, not on a trailor - and what will you learn if you choose the 'by road' option?

I second the direct South route as you may not go that way again.

 

[Koeketiene]

Forget about the 'by road' option. Boats are designed to be in the water, not on a trailor - and what will you learn if you choose the 'by road' option?

If the boat's shipped in by road, he can launch in his home waters. Where presumably a berth is ready for her. And then when the breakdowns come - as they invariably do with pre-owned boats - he will be 'home'. No leaving her somewhere halfway home (travel and extra berthing costs) or dealing with unfamiliar marine 'tradesmen'.

We bought 2 boats on the continent - both delivery trips where Star Trek voyages: 'To boldly break down...'. Overheating engine, lost prop, loss of electrical power, ...

IIRC, not so long ago Lazy Kipper travelled over to Holland to sail his new to him boat home. He also ended up shipping her home by lorry.

 

[Rivers & creeks]

This thread needs pictures!

 

[kacecar]

Good choice - great boat.

If it was me I reckon the road or sail question probabaly depends on my feel for the condition of the boat. If it had been in regular use and well maintained from the "mechanical" perspective rather than the cosmetic one then sailing it down would be my preference. If however, I thought there might be a few unknown problems lurking in there somewhere then I might decide that a road trip would be the wiser option. There again, if I was only slightly worried about the condition I'd sail it back via the Caledonian and then down the East Coast. The Caledonian would offer me plenty of chances for sailing and motoring so any problems might well show up there. If it turned out to be an easy trip and therefore not a good test then I would have the chance to reflect in Inverness (good connections, reasonable facilities). After Inverness I could go for a few day sails in the Moray Firth before going South via, for example Peterhead, Aberdeen, and others before fetching up in the Firth of Clyde. If I wasn't confident of it by then I'd find a lorry . . . or perhaps a broker.

I think the argument about going one way or the other because "you won't go that way again" has less value once you have a boat like a Sigma 38. Your potential crusing range just jumped enormously. You'll be going places, and enjoying it.

 

[eastcoastbernie]

If the boat's shipped in by road, he can launch in his home waters. Where presumably a berth is ready for her. And then when the breakdowns come - as they invariably do with pre-owned boats - he will be 'home'. No leaving her somewhere halfway home (travel and extra berthing costs) or dealing with unfamiliar marine 'tradesmen'.

We bought 2 boats on the continent - both delivery trips where Star Trek voyages: 'To boldly break down...'. Overheating engine, lost prop, loss of electrical power, ...

IIRC, not so long ago Lazy Kipper travelled over to Holland to sail his new to him boat home. He also ended up shipping her home by lorry.

Ok, I see where you are coming from. I've done a few delivery trips taking unknown boats reasonably considerable distances. There were problems on all of these trips as none of the boats lived up to their surveys, but that was all part of the challenge and the learning experience. The trips were great fun even if at times I thought my son was going to come into his inheritance earlier than expected!

Lessons learned - Spend at least a full day going over every inch of the boat before setting out. Go up the mast, or get someone who knows what he's looking at to check it out. Run the engine under load for a decent period without going anywhere. Make sure the first leg of the trip is a short one and that there is a chandler at the end of the first leg so you can buy all the replacement bits you need. Take a decent tool kit with you and bits and pieces for imaginative temporary fixes.

 

[Rivers & creeks]

If the boat's shipped in by road, he can launch in his home waters. Where presumably a berth is ready for her. And then when the breakdowns come - as they invariably do with pre-owned boats - he will be 'home'. No leaving her somewhere halfway home (travel and extra berthing costs) or dealing with unfamiliar marine 'tradesmen'.

We bought 2 boats on the continent - both delivery trips where Star Trek voyages: 'To boldly break down...'. Overheating engine, lost prop, loss of electrical power, ...

IIRC, not so long ago Lazy Kipper travelled over to Holland to sail his new to him boat home. He also ended up shipping her home by lorry.

Very true and after 10 days of the wheelhouse and saloon floors up, we gave up! In the end it became more important to get it sorted properly rather than quickly. When you're keen to get back it's possible to make rash decisions. There's some long passages and rocky coasts on your delivery trip, I would budget time wise to spend two weeks up there testing everything on board. Just as an example we spent two days reviving, cleaning, testing and reinstalling all the working parts of all the seacocks. We left one difficult to reach seacock untouched and that one failed, it came apart in the engineers hand three weeks later when we were back in our marina. If you go for a road trip you get the boat near home and near familiar sources of help, there's no rush to get things sorted and all your shakedown cruises are local and coastal. The sea delivery trip will cost several hundred in marina, eating out and diesel bills. If you're happy doing it though, it's going to be a great trip.

 

[benw]

There are a few known 's ie standing rigging is less than a yr old, engines was out and rebuilt last year, competed in the three peaks yacht race and finished. But since then has not done a lot other than get back from Fort William. Has HD radar and plotter which is a bonus, I want to add AIS but that will be about it. New instruments wise has tack tick wind and I may well bite the bullet and replace old Stowe log unit, autohelm is a must to replace as I think it is caputt.
Have allowed to do all of this including some cruising mods like lazy jacks or stack pack straight away. Wondering whether to replace forestay with a furler but having a full set of cruising and racing sails may well just leave as is.
She needs tidying on the inside but topsides, deck and cockpit great nick. Running rigging may well need a look over but main and jib/ genoa halyards looked serviceable.
It is essential for a couple of trips up to remove and replace etc which could be saved by just getting her down to the Orwell by lorry.
With three kids whatever we do it will be safe and in their comfort zone.'ish.
Great views though from the forum - thanks so much. It is adding to the excitement!

 

[xyachtdave]

Boat name....... if you decide to change .......'Siggy played guitar' or 'Siggy Stardust' ??

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

Proper boat - well done!

I have done a few deliveries with mates and the only comment I would add is to sail it around locally for a couple of days before the big trip. 2k road transport vs a week or two off work and at least a grand in marinas and eating out. You probably won't be back up that way for a while so might as well explore it.

Should show up any potential hassles and give you a chance to get to know her. Enjoy.

I think a grand on marina fees and eating out would be a cruise well spent! I agree with the suggestion that you need a week or so to sort her out and find out any obvious faults e.g. dirty fuel which could be done by sailing around the Isle of Bute to Campbelltown. Then about a fortnight should see you reach at least Dover. I'd stop at Belfast or Peel, Howth or Holyhead, Dale (wp), Padstow, anchor off Penzance, Fowey, Dartmouth, St. Peter Port (because Weymouth is nogo) and then either along the French Coast or back to Gosport, then Brighton/Eastbourne/Dover. A Sigma 38 should eat up the miles, but you need to take a strong crew to have the stamina to keep sailing between 40 and 70 miles a day.

 

[apward]

40 - 70 per day. Come on. Bringing that boat home will eat 130+ with ease. Hopefully you'll be racing eaora next season if not towards the back end of this. How about the buckley goblets in sept, it's made for sigma's.

 

[Koeketiene]

40 - 70 per day. Come on. Bringing that boat home will eat 130+ with ease.

I may be wrong (it has been known ), but I remember reading that OP will be having 3 kids along. I don't know what age they are, but this does not exactly sound like a full racing crew to me.
Another assumption: other half will also be along. And she'll do most of the looking after the kids. Which leaves OP to do most of the sailing/navigating.
In those circumstances, 70NM per day is pretty good going as overnight sailing will most likely be out of the question.
And, we're all assuming he'll be able to sail EVERY day. Given our last few Summers, how likely is that?
Going south (Irish Sea route) will add a lot of miles to the trip. How wise is that?

With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, here's my £0.02:
- the aim of a delivery trip is to get the boat to it's new home as quickly as possible by the shortest route. If sailing, this would be the Canal and down the East coast.
- make sure the engine does not miss a beat, and that the AP works (prio 1)
- get her home, you can always go sightseeing next year.

Of course, OP may well have a crew of rufty-tufty racers along, in which case: ignore everything I've said and enjoy the 'adventure'.

 

[Rivers & creeks]

Sorry, I'd missed the three children bit as well - unless they're three rufty tufty teenagers you'll effectively be singlehanded almost all the way. Nothing wrong with that, but it restricts the number of days you can travel. I don't know what the patience threshold is for three children and primary career for spending day after day at 30 degrees, sailing through waves I suspect it's a lower threshold than mine.

 

[benw]

Thanks for your interest in all of this. Yes indeed this will involve my three daughters, two are teenagers. However I have found their interest is focused on the departure and arrival. In between its usually sleep, iPod plug in, uno or eating their way through all of the goodies stowed aboard, look outs for Dolphin and other wildlife and then keeping their dad company in the cockpit looking up into an ocean of stars during night passages. They cope with nth sea crossings as I invariably choose a night passage and the crew sleep!
My dear wife is susceptible to a bit of mal de mer which eventually passes. So I am used to helming single handed for long periods which if sail changes are not required has not been a problem.

However I know this is a powerful mile cruncher and my crew will be expected to take more of a hands on approach for fear of being keel hauled or perhaps the modern equivalent Blackerries removed with no contact with face bk or the outside world!

Having spent 3 weeks on board our Sadler 32 we / they coped admirably, but we were not pushing 70 nm a day. Marina's, anchorages and some lazy days aboard are definitely part of the deal for my family. They have not been exposed to hard core racing on every tide and I am unlikely to have interchangeable crew.

We will definitely be looking for a series of bigger passages intermingled with short sails and days off to enjoy where we are. Thanks for the stop off suggestions, it appears that the East coast has fewer options re short passages as marinas or suitable ports are more widely spread.
A decision looms with the haul out for survey and then does she go back in or stay ashore for anti fouling etc and lift onto lorry - double lift charge!

 

[photodog]

The other option would be to have her delivered by a crew....

This will probably be cheaper than a lorrie incluing lifts and mast etc...

I would take the opportunity to do some scottish sailing and then have the tough bit done by the pro's...

So take her through the canal which would be a great holiday... And then have her delivered down the east coast.

That would be a great shakedown, and a good delivery crew will give a good report on any issues as well...

Talk to Halcyon of this parish... From inverness to harwich is under five hundred miles... A crew will knock this off in 4 days...

 

[benw]

Yes photo dog, we have considered this option too. The whole trip if done by a delivery skipper would probably work out more but if we enjoyed as much as we want and the remainder completed by a skipper is a good option.
In this scenario do they entertain willing new owners as crew because this would enable some upskilling? Or prefer not to have precious eyes watching every move?
I am not the precious type mind you and would be very happy learn how this boat can really go for it under the skilled hands of a professional.

 

[DavidTav]

There is another option which might be worth considering which would be to take her through the Forth Clyde Canal and then shorter North Sea trip.

 

[photodog]

Yes photo dog, we have considered this option too. The whole trip if done by a delivery skipper would probably work out more but if we enjoyed as much as we want and the remainder completed by a skipper is a good option.
In this scenario do they entertain willing new owners as crew because this would enable some upskilling? Or prefer not to have precious eyes watching every move?
I am not the precious type mind you and would be very happy learn how this boat can really go for it under the skilled hands of a professional.

I am sure that they would be happy for the owner to be on board... And that would bring the costs down a bit i would have thought.

If i was in your place i would definetly do the canal and then have her delivered from inverness by crew. When will you next get a chance to do have a hol up there on your own boat?

Talk to peter at halcyon yachts... They delivered talisman for us from plymouth to shotley with a skipper and two crew in 4 days for well under a thousand quid...

The whole process was painless and the boat arrived in good nick... Much less a pain than dealing with lifts, lorries, mast hoickingetc.

 

[photodog]

There is another option which might be worth considering which would be to take her through the Forth Clyde Canal and then shorter North Sea trip.

I dont think she would fit through there... The max draft is 1.8 meters and height around 9 feet iirc... The sigmas draft is greater than that... And she would have to drop the mast...

 

[eastcoastbernie]

I know a very experienced delivery skipper who I have accompanied on deliveries before. He spent 5 years going around the world with his wife and (very) young children so there ain't much he can't/hasn't already dealt with. I can find out if he is free if you are interested.

On the deliveries I've done with him, it's been him, the owner and me. Longest one I've done with him is from the top of the Kiel canal to Harwich.

I also know another equally experienced delivery skipper who would work on the same basis if he is free.

 

[benw]

Great offer, if you wouldn't mind PM'ng me with the details?

We are really starting to favour a familiarisation week making our way up the west coast to Fort William, enjoying the canal and seeing how far we can get. With a view that a skipper plus me poss wife would be able to knock the rest off fairly quickly.

Just not sure of east coast ports of use to us lower down.