For the benefit of South Coast sailors, I should explain that one of the chief attractions of sailing on the East Coast is that there's hardly any water here. This makes sinking a lot more difficult and altogether more challenging for PBO readers hoping to feature in Learning From Experience.
Nevertheless, in that regard, lifting-keel trailer-sailers such as my Sailfish 18 are particularly well adapted to our local conditions as demonstrated by the owner who sank-trailer and all-in a pot-hole on the A12.
Among the lessons learned' were that the owner had seriously underestimated the length of tow rope needed to tie up to the RNLI inshore lifeboat, and that letting off distress flares on the A12 is frowned upon by the bomb squad.
Apart from Sailfishes, newcomers to these parts will also encounter other vessels of a type no South Coast sailor has ever seen. They're built of a material that quite literally grows on trees, and is used to make the dashboards of your Bentleys, Aston Martins and Sunseekers. I understand on the South Coast that wood is also used for burning, but round here most of us have got central heating for that, apart from the folk out in the marshes who still burn tyres.
Esta historia es de la edición November 2023 de Practical Boat Owner.
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Esta historia es de la edición November 2023 de Practical Boat Owner.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
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A sailor's guide to UK sharks and fish
Genevieve Leaper looks at some of the shark species around the British and Irish coasts and how to spot these fish from your boat
Multihull anchoring
Brush up on your multihull sailing skills before heading off on a holiday charter with Gavin Le Sueur's guide to anchoring
A revolution in fabrics
Marine fabrics are using natural fibres, less harmful chemicals and longer-lasting colours. Jake Kavanagh looks at the cut of the cloth
Shoestring voyage of adventure
Richard King and Serafin Colmenares Jr. look back at the remarkable Pacific voyage of Florentino Das in his 24ft home-built boat
A fine day out with a visitor
Six hours afloat and a guided tour to vindicate a fictional sailing heroine's navigational skills
Boats for Baltic cruising
Duncan Kent picks the best sub-40ft sail and power boats for crossing the North Sea and exploring a Baltic summer
Boatyard life
The tide of the year Is rising. Time for work
Weather or not to go sailing
Ignore the apps: it's much safer to swear by the weather wisdom of a local oracle
The angelic East Coast pocket cruiser
It is 100 years since the first Deben Cherub was launched. Julia Jones looks back at the history of this 21ft river racing class
Best anchor types for varied cruising
Rupert Holmes on choosing the best anchor for your boat, your style of cruising, how you’ll use it and your budget