I have just taken the plunge and purchased a boat. Everyone said ‘Don’t do it’ but I'm six months in and loving every minute, despite the coronavirus restrictions scuppering any sailing plans. The purchasing process has taught me a hell of a lot about the industry and the sailing community.
After three years of a boat club membership scheme I got fed up of fat, slow cruisers and at peak weekends they were unavailable anyway. I’d still recommend such a scheme for day sailing and the odd overnight but I’d got to the stage where I wanted more.
I’m a racer at heart: inshore, a couple of Fastnets, the Round Britain and Ireland Race (RBI), with some easy long-distance cruising with my partner in between. All my racing was as crew so I wanted to try being the skipper and to learn more.
The first thing I discovered was that there isn’t a boat in existence that ticks every box – at least within my £60,000 budget. I spent weeks looking for something that could do everything and the first reality check was the need to compromise. I looked at 40ft boats around £100,000 thinking I could get a deal at the end of the season. It didn’t work.
It took me a while to understand. Someone selling a boat is not like somebody selling a car or a house; the motivation is not the same. Some owners are happy to leave the boat on the hard at a high price and wait it out because they are not desperate to sell. They don’t need to haggle.
This story is from the Summer 2020 edition of Yachting Monthly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Summer 2020 edition of Yachting Monthly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
TECHNICAL 'OUR BOAT WAS FULL OF WATER'
After an afternoon away, Roger Hughes had to act quickly when he found his schooner-rigged yacht sinking at its Florida marina mooring
HOW IT WORKS OPTIMISING SAIL TRIM
It is difficult to describe ‘correct’ sail shape, but the three most important things to consider are: sail draft (the fullness of the sail), draft position, and twist (controlled by the kicker /vang and leech tension).
HEBRIDEAN HIDEAWAYS
There are some incredible hidden harbours along the west coast of Scotland, many offering 360° shelter, although some may be rather challenging to enter
Mark lines to save miscommunication
This year, I spent my holidays working in the French Figaro class. My role was to be a préparateur – the French name for someone whose job it is to prepare and fix boats before and after races.
It's time for Deliveroo by canoe
Can we agree that it’s an old myth that sailors survive entirely on Fray Bentos pies and ‘pot mess’? Certainly on Skylax mealtimes are something to look forward to as both Rod and I love cooking.
Freak waves are lurking closer than you think
Salvage tug captain Nick Sloane can claim a library of feats of derring-do.
£33m government funding to develop green technologies for ports and ships
Maritime Minister Lord Davies has announced the winners of £33 million of government funding to develop green technologies for ports and ships as part of the decarbonisation of the sector.
Eight bells for C&N yacht designer Raymond Wall
Yacht designer Raymond Wall passed away in November at the age of 91 after a long and illustrious career.
OGR IRC leader returns with severe damage
Translated 9, the leading IRC yacht in the Ocean Globe Race was forced to divert to the Falkland Islands after discovering two cracks on the hull, one of which was big enough to sink the boat in heavy weather.
Celebrating 200 years of the RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) officially celebrates its 200th birthday on 4 March.