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Post by pyrojames on Nov 29, 2007 15:47:11 GMT 1
Back to the original poster, as I am some days out of touch, although the ship stuff is interesting, ahem
I met three separate mad swedish couples doing circumnavs in boats of 23-25 feet. Very very small. Two young (early 20s) and one older couple (late 40s?) all having a great time on very small budgets. That was in the Southern Indian Ocean.
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Post by ggt on Nov 29, 2007 18:47:54 GMT 1
Back to the original poster Oh but I was enjoying the really useful real-world practical navigational techniques discussion...
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Post by roach1948 on Nov 29, 2007 20:34:22 GMT 1
Didn't a trans-Atlantic rower navigate on the twice-daily Concorde sonic boom?
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Post by searush on Nov 29, 2007 22:13:40 GMT 1
Caravan sites used to be good around the Welsh Coast, but the councils seem to be insisting they're all painted green now.
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Post by roach1948 on Dec 12, 2007 17:26:16 GMT 1
There is another chap called Marcel Bardiaux that sailed round the world in 8 years in a ill-equipped 25 footer "Quatre Vents" that did not even have lifelines or washboards (it had doors and no bridge-deck). He wrote a book translated into English "4 Winds of Adventure".
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Post by Candide on Dec 20, 2007 15:34:04 GMT 1
Belated thought : there was the parson's son from Bridport who built a dory - Erik the Red - from old floorboards and did a transat. I saw the boat after that in the Exeter maritime museum. Heard something about owner taking her out again across the pacific. Anyone know more and also what his name was ?
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stemar
Newbie... lots of fenders please
Posts: 11
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Post by stemar on Mar 8, 2008 19:45:57 GMT 1
Last August bank holiday, Jissel (Snapdragon 24) finally made it across to Cherbourg. As we went the lenght of the pontoon to find a space, we were the smallest boat by a good 10ft. We could see all eyes on us as we turned into a space and were somewhat relieved that it all went like clockwork: the fenders kissed the side as I stopped the boat and Marie stepped ashore with a line - perfect (for once!)
We were asked where we'd come from and there was a noticeable widening of the eyes when we said Portsmouth.
When I was shopping around, I had someone tell me they wouldn't insure me outside UK coastal waters 'cos 24ft was too small to cross the channel. This had two effects: they didn't get my business and a burning determination to get to Cherbourg!
Next year Dinan, DV.
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Post by jimbuoy on Mar 8, 2008 19:53:40 GMT 1
I think that clearly shows how little importance is actually put on seamanship. Instead size and number of gadgets seems to be what counts. Any chance of a bit of a cruise report so as "beginners" can learn from your experiences. Best regards Jim Last August bank holiday, Jissel (Snapdragon 24) finally made it across to Cherbourg. As we went the lenght of the pontoon to find a space, we were the smallest boat by a good 10ft. We could see all eyes on us as we turned into a space and were somewhat relieved that it all went like clockwork: the fenders kissed the side as I stopped the boat and Marie stepped ashore with a line - perfect (for once!) We were asked where we'd come from and there was a noticeable widening of the eyes when we said Portsmouth. When I was shopping around, I had someone tell me they wouldn't insure me outside UK coastal waters 'cos 24ft was too small to cross the channel. This had two effects: they didn't get my business and a burning determination to get to Cherbourg! Next year Dinan, DV.
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DaveS
Newbie... lots of fenders please
Posts: 16
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Post by DaveS on Mar 8, 2008 23:10:00 GMT 1
My first cruise was on a 18 foot (I think) Caprice. After launching from the beach in Strontian (not recommended) we went down Loch Sunart and round Mull, visited Eigg, the Treshnish, Coll, Iona and Erraid, and finishing at Oban. A great trip, although, with three aboard, a tad crowded.
A couple of years later I bought a Vivacity 20, which was promptly termed a gin palace by my former shipmates on the Caprice! Together with a Seawitch and a fourth small boat (who's type I've now forgotten) we formed a very enthusiastic "race within a race" at the back of the club fleet. (Much to the disgust of the Sailing Secretary who was trying to get the club regarded as a serious racing outfit and who would have much preferred the wee, slow boats to just go away.)
I made some quite reasonable coastal passages in the Vivacity. It took me for my first (and to date only) "foreign" trip to the south bank of the Tweed. A big trip in pretty unfriendly weather in 1985 involved launching at Arisaig and getting to Loch na Keal via Rum, Sanna Bay, Col and Gometra to do Ben More, my final Munro. On another trip Stirling was visited, which is no longer possible with a mast up. The last summer cruise in her involved a round Fife trip, visiting a number of drying harbours, briefly visiting Bridge of Earn and anchoring at Perth. Almost none of that last trip would have been possible in my current boat.
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Post by michaelhomsany on Mar 9, 2008 20:33:58 GMT 1
This gentleman is currently in Vuda Point, on the west coast of Viti Levu, Fiji, aboard S/v Carina www.meder.hu/. I believe it'd qualify as small!
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Post by roach1948 on Mar 9, 2008 20:42:55 GMT 1
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Post by kilter on Mar 10, 2008 12:34:37 GMT 1
This gentleman is currently in Vuda Point, on the west coast of Viti Levu, Fiji, aboard S/v Carina www.meder.hu/. I believe it'd qualify as small! I'd say it qualifies! ;D
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Post by jenku on Mar 10, 2008 12:58:11 GMT 1
This gentleman is currently in Vuda Point, on the west coast of Viti Levu, Fiji, aboard S/v Carina www.meder.hu/. I believe it'd qualify as small! I'd say it qualifies! ;D Eh it's almost half a foot longer than mine! :-)
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Post by NigeL on Mar 10, 2008 13:44:22 GMT 1
The size vs cruise itinery is one that bugs me .... I can remember as a kid - plenty of 20ft .... 22ft etc,. crossing the channel. With compass, RDF and maybe IF lucky a Decca set. In Tudor Club we had a member who regularly did Channel Isles in his Leisure 22. I think it's partly come about because of the "starter-boat" size going up steadily ... now it seems that anything less than 36ft is deemed tiny and unsuitable for anything other than a day trip from marina !
My crossing of baltic in 25ft - when I was refueling at one island stop - a boater noted the flag and aksed if I kept boat in the islands - I said no ... he then asked in an amazed tone - You sailed that from England ?. I wanted to say Of course ! But thought better of it - and told him I sailed across Baltic from Latvia .... he was still surprised.
When I lived in St. Petersburg - I was introduced to a Russian Single-Hander who was famous in Russia for sailing all sorts of boats. He had sailed down the Volga River and into St. Pete's. He was stopping to see an old friend - my Partner and I was sat at table with the guy. The last night before he cast off to complete a single-handed trip to UK. He made it to Solent in fact. Boat - a Russian built 25ft sail boat with very small aux. engine purely as emergency job.
So why the reluctance of small boat owners now to go the distance ? Is it only us ol'farts that have the daring doo to try it ?
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Post by roach1948 on Mar 10, 2008 14:01:12 GMT 1
I think you have hit on a point. I reckon that tow things have happend. Fristly there is less and less free time, combined with a change in direction in the sport to more family orientated cruising as opposed to single-handing.
I think cost has a LOT to do with it too. I would have no qualms taking Roach on an seasons cruising ala Magic of the Swatchways - but the cost of mooring the yacht at each stop and taking the train back to London is really very expensive - even for a 22fter. I reckon that is the reason most 36footers return to their marinas.
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Post by NigeL on Mar 10, 2008 14:22:50 GMT 1
Jimbuoy knows that I am looking at maybe getting bigger boat later - main reason is comfort.
SA for all her age, old looks etc. does me well. She can handle most that's thrown at her. But she is not a spacious volume boat.
Having been based Solent - she was fine as the waters were relatively closed and Channel was a shortish hop to France. I had many times 4 people incl. me on board and because sail trips were short - it was fine.
I don't sail Solent now - except when I cadge a berth on others boats - so my criteria have changed. I need a boat that is large enough to be comfortable for 4 people to cross Baltic in. That means modern 33 - 36ft boat. Even the classic Nich. in that size is still narrow and lacking real volume space.
BUT I say this - the distance to sail and conditions are not against SA's 25ft as proven last year and will again this year. It's the load carrying bit. A boat like SA is good for 2. OK for 3 ... tight for 4 !
So I have to sadly admit I am looking at Lift Keel Jeanneau style or similar ... that's of course if I don't get the 60ft Schooner Milda !!
SA will remain as my "chill-out" on the river boat ...
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Post by malcb on Mar 10, 2008 17:59:04 GMT 1
As far as you like. Virgo Voyagers were sailed, and are still sailed, good distances.
After the first Virgo, apparently although it was made by Newbridge - it was designed by Ron Lunney whose star sign was Virgo, appeared at the London Boat Show; he then sailed it back to, I think Poole, via Cherbourg. Later he sailed one to the Azores and back. We, the VOA, still ahave members in the Med, who have sailed there boats there.
This year, after my epic (well for me it was) voyage to Falmouth and back (from Chichester), my friend (Jan) happened to mention to some Cornish yachties that she had a friend who had done the trip (bearing in mind the weather last year) that she knew someone whoa had done the trip, and half of them said "No way would I do that in a boat that size"
I think it's just the way we are going. I used to take my family (wife and 2 kids) away in a 14 ft caravan, and we used to have a good time. No chance now, the minimum seems to be 16ft and a 2 berth caravan with shower room etc.
Nowadays, everyone wants a 30+ footer boat with all mod cons, and that's just for local cruising, with the occasional overnight.
However I do realise that similar criteria apply to yachts as used to apply to lightweight tents. A 3 man tent was deemed suitable for two, and a dog! A two man tent was deemed suitable for 1 man and his dog, one man tent was just for the dog.
I recently advised an enquirer on the VOA web site that he and his wife plus 3 children might me a bit squeezed on a Vrgo Voyager he thanked me for my honesty ;D
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Post by ggt on Mar 10, 2008 19:00:04 GMT 1
The question that started this thread was in part prompted by an old but reasonably sorted and in-use 19ft Seawitch I know which was potentially up for sale. I didn't really want it but I could see real practical advantages over my boat and it sort of looked fun. Said boat has apparently changed hands recently for around a thousand pounds, about half what I would have guessed.
So while Roach is undeniably right that everyone shoots back to their home berth because of limited time away from work and the expense and hassle of leaving boats on lying around all over on visitor berths, you've got to admit that you've got a lot of nights away inc. restaurant meals thrown in if you're prepared to sail in something small.
Nigel and Malcb are probably right too that it's got a lot to do with comfort, with taking the family along and with things just getting bigger, better and fancier as time goes on (cars, tents, boats, cameras, computers or what have you). In other words, if you can get 26ft or 30ft or 36ft, then why on earth wouldn't you?
I'll admit I wouldn't fancy living with my family in a small yacht for much longer than an few hours (I'm not convinced our house is always big enough) but, on your own or with a close friend, if you can cope with reduced comfort and don't mind being a small boat on a big sea, there's some real bargains to be had...
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Post by kilter on Mar 10, 2008 19:07:20 GMT 1
We find our 24' reasonably comfortable for 2 adults a 13yr old and a toddler. Record was 3 adults and 3 teenagers for a weekend away! The latter was a tad cramped!
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Post by Ken.P. on Mar 10, 2008 19:44:24 GMT 1
I was used to spending up to 2 weeks in a 2 man tent with a climbing mate on regular occasions, the Coromandel seems palatial in comparison! ;D Wouldn't mind another 3 or 4 feet though....
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