LOCK DOWN SLOW DOWN

Gilbert Park takes to the slow lane aboard his Jeanneau Merry Fisher during a West Country cruise

- Gilbert Park

Lockdown gave me the chance to do some jobs on my Merry Fisher 855 that I had fortunately moved to the mooring next to my house. I decided I wanted to become more confident at anchoring, so I researched anchors. Having downloaded the template and made sure it would fit I opted for a Rocna anchor and decided to test it on a trip to the West Country.

I had always wanted to visit the West Country using my Merry Fisher and I decided that I would do the whole trip at no more than 2000 rpm and with a speed through the water of 6.5 knots maximum. This is the boat’s displacement speed and hence the most fuel-efficient. Normally the twin 150hp outboards use 2.7 litres per nautical mile at cruising speed.