FROM COAST ΤΟ CANAL

After years of cruising the Mediterranean in heavy-duty passage makers Martin Craddock decided to give inland boating a try, with a custom-built steel craft fitted out to his dream spec

- Martin Craddock

For as far back as I can remember I've loved boats. Whenever I was on holiday, I'd make a beeline for the nearest marina and wander around dreaming about which boat I'd choose, if only I could. The idea of approaching a beach or a port from the sea while everyone else was busy looking for the nearest car park seemed infinitely preferable to me.

In 2002 I finally got the chance to make it happen. With my business going well, but still knowing very little about actually owning a boat, I took myself off to the Southampton boat show expecting my £250,000 to buy a huge superyacht, only to find that boats are...er...rather  expensive.

When I finally managed to get over my disappointment and began looking for something more realistic, I eventually settled on an 18-month-old Azimut 46 called Drifter. It was for sale in Antibes in the South of France so when the purchase went through I decided to keep it in the Mediterranean for a while.

ΜΕ ERRANEAN DREAMS

Drifter was a good boat. She was fast and fairly easy to handle and I was brimming with confidence, having done my week-long RYA Day Skipper course in flat calm conditions. However, I quickly learned that it's not quite so easy in a blow and within a month (and a couple of bangs), my confidence was shattered. It took a while to regain it but I was determined to learn from the experience and we had some amazing trips up and down the French coast including a memorable trip, for all the wrong reasons, across to Corsica.