Ahoy Sailors! Ex- and current boat owners.

[nicholsong]

In my OP post and subsequent, I only included ownership, not crewing.

My best crewing was when I was based in Jersey and was introduced to Graham Godfrey who had bought 'Evaine', an insurance damaged Camper & Nicholson 12 Metre (Racing measurement, but 72' LOA) the old Americas Cup Class. It had had an engine fire and hull damage, so he got it for £2,750 (1968?).

Link here https://12mrclass.com/12mr-database/evaine-k-2/

Graham only had income from a village store and Post Office, so we all mucked-in on maintenance and repairs, including re-seaming 2,000' of deck planking.

We sailed around the Channel Islands and Chaussé. Then over to Norway for Oslo Fjord Race, moored at Norwegian Oceanographic Society quay (Principal was father of a crew member) and we were well hosted at Royal Norwegian Yacht Club. We let Fred Olsen's boat win the race.

Our zenith was at Cowes Week (1972?)(we all, 12 crew for racing, had to chip in for the race fees), where we were looked down on by the semi-professional crews, as we were amateurs, and only had one suite of sails. Despite that we won the Brittania Cup on the Tuesday and nearly took the New York Trophy on the Thursday. Graham was resistant to going to the Royal Yacht Squadron presentation dinner('Stuffy old B*stards), but we got him a bit pissed, borrowed a dinner jacket, stuck his invitation in his pocket and shoved him through the gate portal of the Squadron.

He was sat opposite Prince Phillip and next to Uffa Fox. He had the evening of his life, and well deserved! Buying a wreck, enthusing crew and others, working them up and then achieving his dream of winning at Cowes!

After the race I was having tea in the Island Sailing Club (Very egalitarian) when Ted Heath, seeing my 'Evaine' shirt, came across shook my hand and asked me to pass on his 'congratulations to the Skipper'. Sailing can be a great leveller!

Re-telling this story still brings tears of joy. One of the very happiest experiences of my life.

"Good night, gentlemen, and good sailing".

 

[Razamataz]

OWNING and Crewing… totally different

 

[jollyrodger]

If agent was on commission he must have been pissed off with tender price of £1

Following on from that it came up in conversation that he knew of a couple of boats needing delivery
1, St Cats london -Antibes 42' Gentlmans motor yacht "Amarli"
2,St Cats to Ampolla
24' plastic pig
He came as paid crew on both down though tha F canals

 

[CustomBuild]

Maybe I should have defined 'Boats'

I was thinking of boats that could perform the same as a MH, so able to be slept in and used for touring.

This would of course include narrowboats and any motor cruiser, but not day boats, either dinghies or canoes/kayaks, since they do not perform the same function of touring as a MH.

We have had some replies quite quickly, and I hope we get many more.

Not sure if mine was a day boat, but we slept in it anyway. I saw one chap took a 15 from SF to Hawaii so I guess they qualify.

 

[Grey Fox]

Our first boat was a Drascombe Lugger which we used to tow across to France when our children were young with our tent and our camping gear stored in the boat. Used to head South, stopping of in a B & B on the way with no security clamps and just a canvas cover on the boat. Never had any problems. We then got a Cornish Shrimper which we loved before getting our current Hunter Channel 245 which I sold and bought back again. I love the freedom, tranquility and peace of sailing. Plymouth has beautiful sailing areas within easy reach. I’m sure I will give up sailing before campervanning, but the moment the two passions co-exist.
As Mr Mole said “Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing—absolutely nothing—half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats".
I would include campervanning in his quote, love them both.

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[IRHP]

Seems there's quite a lot of us.
Started at 17 with a little fishing cuddy and 8hp outboard. Moved onto a couple of speedboats and was into water-skiing for a while. Had a jet ski. Mustn't forget the windsurfing years. Then as I got older I bought a Trapper 300 , 26ft fin keel then a Jeanneau 32. Berthing fees were just getting ridiculous at £4000 a year then all the other things like lift in/out, insurance etc. My wife always fancied a motorhome so guess how that went? We keep it at the side of the house so no more mooring fees. First pic is one if the few times she looked happy on the boat.

 

[David BW]

My parents introduced me to sailing when I was about 9 or 10 years old and we used to spend weekends and holidays on their cruising catamarans. To me the dinghies wizzing around the harbours always looked more fun and that’s what I’ve done as soon as I was able to get my own, and for the 50 years or so since then.

The best part of cruising for me was arriving somewhere new and exploring, something that happens in a motorhome much more frequently and faster than in a cruiser.

 

[barryd]

In my OP post and subsequent, I only included ownership, not crewing.

My best crewing was when I was based in Jersey and was introduced to Graham Godfrey who had bought 'Evaine', an insurance damaged Camper & Nicholson 12 Metre (Racing measurement, but 72' LOA) the old Americas Cup Class. It had had an engine fire and hull damage, so he got it for £2,750 (1968?).

Link here https://12mrclass.com/12mr-database/evaine-k-2/

Graham only had income from a village store and Post Office, so we all mucked-in on maintenance and repairs, including re-seaming 2,000' of deck planking.

We sailed around the Channel Islands and Chaussé. Then over to Norway for Oslo Fjord Race, moored at Norwegian Oceanographic Society quay (Principal was father of a crew member) and we were well hosted at Royal Norwegian Yacht Club. We let Fred Olsen's boat win the race.

Our zenith was at Cowes Week (1972?)(we all, 12 crew for racing, had to chip in for the race fees), where we were looked down on by the semi-professional crews, as we were amateurs, and only had one suite of sails. Despite that we won the Brittania Cup on the Tuesday and nearly took the New York Trophy on the Thursday. Graham was resistant to going to the Royal Yacht Squadron presentation dinner('Stuffy old B*stards), but we got him a bit pissed, borrowed a dinner jacket, stuck his invitation in his pocket and shoved him through the gate portal of the Squadron.

He was sat opposite Prince Phillip and next to Uffa Fox. He had the evening of his life, and well deserved! Buying a wreck, enthusing crew and others, working them up and then achieving his dream of winning at Cowes!

After the race I was having tea in the Island Sailing Club (Very egalitarian) when Ted Heath, seeing my 'Evaine' shirt, came across shook my hand and asked me to pass on his 'congratulations to the Skipper'. Sailing can be a great leveller!

Re-telling this story still brings tears of joy. One of the very happiest experiences of my life.

"Good night, gentlemen, and good sailing".

I think I can compete with that story Geoff (as you probably remember)

In 1995 I was "invited" to crew on a Sigma 38 at Cowes week and raced against the Duke of Edinburgh in an international race in what turned out to be his last race. I fear we finished him off! Its a long story but ill keep it as short as possible. The sponsors of the boat (which won the Fastnet in its class) were in bed with a company that wanted to work with the company I was working for and somehow I got an all expenses paid freebee to Cowes week and on the boat

I had just completed my RYA Skippers certificate and I met up with the manager of the boat the night before the race at Hamble Marina (I was kipping on the yacht). When he found out I wasn't just a none sailor and was into it all, after five pints of Stella he said "Do you want to do your night time navigation exam?" which needed to be ticked off on my RYA certificate. So off we went (pissed) into the Solent. I still have the certificate.

Next days racing saw us chasing the Duke from Buoy to buoy. He with is fit crew of 22 year old sailors and us with our crew of 10 drunken idiots but to be fair hardcore international racers also.

I was allowed to helm most of that race when they found out I could sail and eventually we pipped the Duke right in front of the Royal Yacht Britannia and he gave me a wave. Something I will never forget.

 

[nicholsong]

I think I can compete with that story Geoff (as you probably remember)

In 1995 I was "invited" to crew on a Sigma 38 at Cowes week and raced against the Duke of Edinburgh in an international race in what turned out to be his last race. I fear we finished him off! Its a long story but ill keep it as short as possible. The sponsors of the boat (which won the Fastnet in its class) were in bed with a company that wanted to work with the company I was working for and somehow I got an all expenses paid freebee to Cowes week and on the boat

I had just completed my RYA Skippers certificate and I met up with the manager of the boat the night before the race at Hamble Marina (I was kipping on the yacht). When he found out I wasn't just a none sailor and was into it all, after five pints of Stella he said "Do you want to do your night time navigation exam?" which needed to be ticked off on my RYA certificate. So off we went (pissed) into the Solent. I still have the certificate.

Next days racing saw us chasing the Duke from Buoy to buoy. He with is fit crew of 22 year old sailors and us with our crew of 10 drunken idiots but to be fair hardcore international racers also.

I was allowed to helm most of that race when they found out I could sail and eventually we pipped the Duke right in front of the Royal Yacht Britannia and he gave me a wave. Something I will never forget.

I remember the story of the drunken RYA test.

Crew of 10 on a Sigma 38? We only had 12 on the 12 Metre. Are you sure you did not have double vision?

 

[robnchris]

Didn't the armed forces have a few Sigma 38's for training etc?

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[DandG5515]

I was lucky enough to spend all my spare time from the age of 12 sailing on the norfolk broads, when my dad retired we bought this little beauty as our accommodation for the summer while moving from regatta to regatta. After my Dad passed away I was living in Yorkshire but kept the boat for another 10 years as our "weekend retreat" on the broads. when we moved back to Norfolk we starting using a tent and then motorhome for taking part in sailing events around the country.

 

[Ejaydee]

I signed for, and "owned" this beauty while the ink was still wet and until the full title passed to the Fisheries Authority in June 2000 with the impression of the Seal. Afterwards, I was after presented with the Parker pen that was used for the signings (both the contract and the acceptance procedures).

She is 27.17m o.a.l. and was built in Gorinchem, Holland (Damen Yard) and cost £2.1 million. I retired 10 years ago, but she is still on regular patrols and is in very good condition at 25 years old.

Perhaps some Funsters cruising around the SW coastal areas may have seen her and maybe even had her RIB come alongside for a quick check (and yes, her officers can and do board and inspect private pleasure craft on occasions)!

 

[The Wino]

Didn't the armed forces have a few Sigma 38's for training etc?

Otherwise known as a jolly!

 

[enark]

Didn't the armed forces have a few Sigma 38's for training etc?

Recently a whole bunch of Hallberg Rassy 34s that moved from the BFG Yacht Club at Kiel when it closed about 10 years ago.

 

[Brains]

True Sailing Story.
The father of a very good friend was a well known Fleet Street hack.

He had a beautiful Norfolk Wherry bult in the 1920's, no engine, that we sailed around the Broads as teenagers.
Proudly displayed on the wall was his certificate to be a Privateer on the Broads.
It gave him permission to board any vessel he liked, remove all valuables and crew and depose of the vessel as he saw fit.

It was a genuine certificate, signed and sealed with wax, and the only one ever issued by Her Majesty and was valid for as long as she reigned..
Apparently he got it from a very senior member of the Cabinet in exchange for not reporting a story.

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[John Barrett]

Otherwise known as a jolly!

I went on quite a few of those 'JOLLIES' as you call them. It was valuable adventure training and it also kept sappers like me out of the Sqn bar!

 

[jennywren]

Not many boats in at Bowmore, Islay today!

 

[The Wino]

I went on quite a few of those 'JOLLIES' as you call them. It was valuable adventure training and it also kept sappers like me out of the Sqn bar!

It could be said it would be equally useful to have similar team building for NHS staff civil servants in fact the whole population! That's why it's a jolly for those that have it provided and not for anyone else. If it keeps people out of the bar perhaps they ought to offer sailing to drug addicts?

 

[John Barrett]

It could be said it would be equally useful to have similar team building for NHS staff civil servants in fact the whole population! That's why it's a jolly for those that have it provided and not for anyone else. If it keeps people out of the bar perhaps they ought to offer sailing to drug addicts?

Your post sounds like a punt for the return of National Service!

 

[The Wino]

Your post sounds like a punt for the return of National Service!

Far from it although I do think for the long term unemployed some form of community work would be a good idea.

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[John Barrett]

I started sailing when I was at the Army Apprentices School. Chepstow. We sailed 14 ft dingies out of sight of land in a tidal range of 38 feet!
Went on a two week 'Jolly' on the 56' 100 sq m sloop 'Avalanche; round the Baltic Sea when I was just 16. Lots more jollies including the last leg of a round Britain trip on the 35' yawl 'Petard'. Spat out my first taste of oysters when we stopped over in Cherbourg!
No more serious sailing until I met Jan in 1994. Moved from Cheltenham to Hamble, bought a Moody 27, but after a couple of bouncy trips to the Channel Islands I graduated to a Contessa 32!
Finished up with a rather stunning SHE 36 'Legionnaire' which, ironically enough, I kept in Cherbourg for two years: full circle!
Sailing finally became too much hard work and we 'graduated' in 2003 to a 42' Dutch steel river cruiser, but that is another story...

Here SHE is: the boat that is!

 

[dash300]

I was lucky enough to spend all my spare time from the age of 12 sailing on the norfolk broads, when my dad retired we bought this little beauty as our accommodation for the summer while moving from regatta to regatta. After my Dad passed away I was living in Yorkshire but kept the boat for another 10 years as our "weekend retreat" on the broads. when we moved back to Norfolk we starting using a tent and then motorhome for taking part in sailing events around the country.

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Had a couple of Freemans many years ago when we started boating quality mahogany fit out. Now a Classic with a big following. Parts still made and re manufactured by Sheridan Marine at Moulsford on the river Thames. Lovely boats both then and now.

 

[enark]

It could be said it would be equally useful to have similar team building for NHS staff civil servants in fact the whole population! That's why it's a jolly for those that have it provided and not for anyone else. If it keeps people out of the bar perhaps they ought to offer sailing to drug addicts?

I would argue not a jolly, but an important team building activity which also improves self reliance, and leadership, which is a key fundamental for military development.

Sorry drug addicts dont protect the nation, so definately not

 

[ChrisL]

I had a Mk1 Silhouette 17, with bilge keels and Gunter rig, purchased with a trailer for £50 it was cheap because it had a hole in the bottom but it was an easy fix with some new plywood, it was a lot of fun for very little money.

 

[Tonks]

Owned a couple of dinghies, the favourite of which was a lovely wooden Mirror. I made a mistake when I sold it to buy something faster and more modern. It turned out that the Mirror had been much more enjoyable to sail.

Lived on this for two years as a teenager. MV Doulos. Built in 1914. Decommissioned in 2009.
Now a luxury hotel called 'Doulos Phos'.
LHS photo: In the port of Delfzijl, which had frozen over which meant we needed an ice-breaker tug to help us come alongside.
RHS photo: at sea. I think off the coast of Italy but it's a long, loooooong time ago now so I may be wrong.

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[cyberyacht]

As Mr Mole said “Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing—absolutely nothing—half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats".

I think that was "Ratty"

Going back, I recall doing the "Island" race in a JOG boat in the early sixties just after a gale had gone through and we were passed by 'Bloodhound' at the Needles in the next wave trough and all we could see was the top of her mast from the spreaders up. Bit of a bumpy ride and we snapped the spinnaker pole on the leg down to St Catherine's.

 

[cyberyacht]

Lived on this for two years as a teenager. MV Doulos. Built in 1914. Decommissioned in 2009.
Now a luxury hotel called 'Doulos Phos'.

That was the missionary ship wasn't it with links to OM?

 

[The Wino]

I would argue not a jolly, but an important team building activity which also improves self reliance, and leadership, which is a key fundamental for military development.

Sorry drug addicts dont protect the nation, so definately not

So a very good spend to buy a fleet of yachts for NHS staff training then?

 

[John Barrett]

So a very good spend to buy a fleet of yachts for NHS staff training then?

Why not? It would appear from my recent experiences that they are all at sea anyway!

 

[AladinsaneUK]

I was lucky enough to spend all my spare time from the age of 12 sailing on the norfolk broads, when my dad retired we bought this little beauty as our accommodation for the summer while moving from regatta to regatta. After my Dad passed away I was living in Yorkshire but kept the boat for another 10 years as our "weekend retreat" on the broads. when we moved back to Norfolk we starting using a tent and then motorhome for taking part in sailing events around the country.

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That looks like a freeman 23?
Mark 2 - we had Aqua Star a mark 1 23 - they had the step a third along the hull

My dad was a marine engineer and he made the Perkins diesel purr….

I started with a mirror on the broads at 11…. End d up owning an express pirate - dropped the mast and slipped out at Yarmouth and went and played around the gas platforms….

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