That sinking feeling...
Practical Boat Owner|November 2021
Brian Johnson became quickly and intimately acquainted with his engine’s silencer when it threatened to sink his Westerly Pageant
Brian Johnson
That sinking feeling...
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.

This story is from the November 2021 edition of Practical Boat Owner.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 2021 edition of Practical Boat Owner.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PRACTICAL BOAT OWNERView All
A sailor's guide to UK sharks and fish
Practical Boat Owner

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

time-read
10+ mins  |
July 2024
Multihull anchoring
Practical Boat Owner

Multihull anchoring

Brush up on your multihull sailing skills before heading off on a holiday charter with Gavin Le Sueur's guide to anchoring

time-read
5 mins  |
July 2024
A revolution in fabrics
Practical Boat Owner

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

time-read
4 mins  |
July 2024
Shoestring voyage of adventure
Practical Boat Owner

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

time-read
5 mins  |
July 2024
A fine day out with a visitor
Practical Boat Owner

A fine day out with a visitor

Six hours afloat and a guided tour to vindicate a fictional sailing heroine's navigational skills

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
Boats for Baltic cruising
Practical Boat Owner

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

time-read
10+ mins  |
July 2024
Boatyard life
Practical Boat Owner

Boatyard life

The tide of the year Is rising. Time for work

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
Weather or not to go sailing
Practical Boat Owner

Weather or not to go sailing

Ignore the apps: it's much safer to swear by the weather wisdom of a local oracle

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
The angelic East Coast pocket cruiser
Practical Boat Owner

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

time-read
9 mins  |
July 2024
Best anchor types for varied cruising
Practical Boat Owner

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

time-read
10+ mins  |
July 2024