That sinking feeling...

Brian Johnson became quickly and intimately acquainted with his engine’s silencer when it threatened to sink his Westerly Pageant

- Brian Johnson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr Brian Johnson has been boating for most of his life since sailing an RNSA clinker-built dinghy with his brother as teenagers on the Medway Estuary. He now sails the Westerly Pageant Dayspring II with his wife, Caroline Rigby, mainly within Lyme Bay. They have another ‘cult’ boat, a Seahawk 17 trailer-sailer that is seen most summers on the Camel estuary in Cornwall. Brian is a retired geneticist who worked for the government conservation agencies for many years. He is a keen angler who enjoys marine wildlife, some of it on a plate!

We keep our Westerly Pageant Dayspring II in Lyme Regis harbour, enjoying day sails with occasional local cruises. Last year we decided to cross the bay to spend some time in Torbay, having heard good things about Torquay harbour.

Heading south-west from Lyme often means motor sailing, and the beautiful late summer day we chose was no exception.