Sailing Today With Yachts & Yachting - May 2023

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MULTIHULL REGATTA
GUIDE
MAGIC Plan a
How to find the perfect summer
cruising catamaran
Lagoon 51 and Catana
of fun
Ocean Class on test
Pacific crossing by cat
MENAI
STRAITS
Negotiating
the ultimate
tidal test
NATURAL
NAVIGATION
Find your way
using nature
HASLAR MARINA GUIDE RORC CARIBBEAN 600 CROATIAN CHARTER
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30/03 -02/04
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New
60
REGULARS
8 News
34 Tom Cunliffe
38 Andy Rice
40 Paul Heiney
98 Jess Lloyd-Mostyn
UNDER SAIL
20 Pacific crossing
Planning a Pacific crossing from Panama to
the South Seas by catamaran 20
26 Buying a bluewater
catamaran
One couple’s experience of finding the
perfect boat for a long term cruise
50 Menai Straits
Local expertise on negotiating the notorious
Swellies
56 RORC Caribbean 600
A round up of all the action from an eventful
Caribbean season
72 Charter: Croatia
A look at chartering in this iconic land of a
thousand islands
80 Gull’s Eye
Haslar Marina in sunny Gosport,
86 Summer regatta guide 86
A round up of all the events coming up in an 56
action packed summer
BOATS
16 New boat news
42 Tested: Lagoon 51
A spacious family cruising catamaran
60 Tested: Catana Ocean Class
Speed and luxury on this fast cruising cat
94 Three of the Best
Three of the finest brokerage boats
EXPERT’S FORUM
66 Expert’s Forum
From race tactics to cruising conundrums
50
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Welcome
EDITORIAL
EDITOR
Sam Jefferson
020 3943 9261
sam.jefferson@chelseamagazines.com
Skipper’s View
GROUP EDITOR
Rob Peake
ART & PRODUCTION EDITOR
THE MULTIHULL REVOLUTION CONTINUES APACE AND HAS CHANGED
Gareth Lloyd Jones THE BLUE WATER CRUISING LANDSCAPE IN THE PROCESS
WRITER AND SUB EDITOR
Sue Pelling
PUBLISHING CONSULTANT
Martin Nott
PUBLISHER SOME MONTHS AGO I took a trip long trip across the Mediterranean on a
Simon Temlett
simon.temlett@chelseamagazines.com beautiful bluewater cruiser. The boat really was the final word in monohull
ADVERTISING design in this genre; large, luxurious and a joy to sail. The skipper was a
ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER veteran of the sailing world having worked on top end superyachts, and
Mark Harrington
020 7349 3734 done refit work in yards around the world. He was a true sailor with a real
mark.harrington@chelseamagazines.com
passion for yachts and he talked at length about selling up and going on
SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE
Charlene Homewood one long bluewater cruise once his children had flown the nest. There is
020 7349 3779
charlene.homewood@chelseamagazines.com nothing unusual in this. In fact, I have had this conversation in innumerable
GROUP SALES DIRECTOR
Catherine Chapman
watering holes around the world since I can't remember when. What
HEAD OF SALES OPERATIONS surprised me though was when I asked him what boat he intended to buy,
Jodie Green
he replied that he was probably going to be looking at catamarans in the
ADVERTISEMENT PRODUCTION
Allpoints Media Ltd 45-50ft range. The reason I was surprised by this as that he struck me as
allpointsmedia.co.uk
CHAIRMAN
a purist who had spent a good chunk of our trip waxing lyrical on the superb sailing qualities of the monohull
Paul Dobson beneath our feet that was sailing so effortlessly to our destination.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Vicki Gavin For my own part I was always cynical about cruising multihulls - partly because I tested a couple of the earlier
MANAGING DIRECTOR ones which, frankly, didn't like to go to windward - and partly because I have spent a fair chunk of my sailing
James Dobson
Published by: career trying to shoehorn monohulls into impossibly tight berths in Croatian marinas. Yet the fact is that the old
The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd
Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, feeling of 'them' and 'us' that used to exist between monohull and multihull sailors has gone and, In the process,
London, SW3 3TQ bluewater cruising has been revolutionised. While sales figures for monohulls have remained largely stable, the
Tel: 020 7349 3700
© The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd 2020. figures for catamarans have gone through the roof. The great revelation for me has been test sailing some of
All Rights Reserved. ISSN 1367-5869 (print)
ISSN 2059-9285 (digital) these new generation bluewater cruisers which are often a real joy to sail; generally pointing considerably higher
that my own gaff rigged monohull, while boasting more interior space than my own humble apartment. Of
Subscriptions and course, none of this solves the problem of where to park the damn thing when you get to a marina in, say,
back issues Dubrovnik but to me the natural home of yachts such as these is unquestionably anchored off some turquoise
Tel: +44 (0) 1858 438769 atoll in the South Seas - as narrated in our cruising tale on p20. .
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No part of this magazine may be reproduced without
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LONG TIME BACK TO
JESS LLOYD MOSTYN is TOM CUNLIFFE is an author,

BASICS
ANDY RICE is a journalist and

The joys of
COMING low-tech
cruising
Clyde cutter’s
25-year rebuild
a writer and blue water journalist and TV presenter, veteran dinghy racer who has
FINISHING SCHOOL
Wisdom on paint
and varnish
S&S SLOOP
Two friends,
one rebuild
cruiser who is currently and one of Britain's won championships at both
chelseamagazines.com moored in Singapore best-known cruising sailors ends of a skiff
Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting MAY 2023 5

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News
Ebb and flow

EVENTS | NEWS | TALES FROM THE SAILING COMMUNITY
Lymington wins Club of the Year

Lymington Town Sailing Club was the Year. A massive thank you to
PHOTO: PAUL WYETH
announced as the 2023 winner of the the club volunteers for making this
RYA and Sailing Today with Yachts & happen. Congratulations to the
Yachting Club of the Year, supported by other finalist clubs who are
Gallagher. The trophy was presented by amazing and their stories are
British Sailing Team ILCA 7 sailor, Micky inspiring. It’s an absolute pleasure
Beckett at the RYA Dinghy & to be here.”
Watersports Show on 25 February. Rob Clark, RYA Director of Sport
The award recognises the outstanding Development, said: “Firstly a
achievements of UK sailing clubs and massive congratulations to the
their members across the UK. winner Lymington Town Sailing
Lymington Town SC, located in Club. This year we had the largest
Hampshire in the RYA South region, was number of sailing club nominations,
one of 12 finalists selected by the RYA so even choosing the 12 finalists
Awards Panel. The winner is decided by was a very difficult task. The club
public vote. The RYA and Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting has really shown not only their
The club was awarded for its Club of the Year finalists for 2023: commitment for what they are
“outstanding effort and RYA Northern Ireland - Ballyholme Yacht Club trying to do to develop the club and
accomplishment for the creation of a RYA North West - Bassenthwaite Sailing Club members, but also their ability to
holistic vibrant model for a modern RYA East - Blackwater Sailing Club rally together.”
sailing club that can be reviewed and RYA Northern Ireland - County Antrim Yacht Club Sailing Today with Yachts &
used by other clubs, as a whole or in RYA Wales - Gresford Sailing Club Yachting Group Editor Rob Peake
part”. Changes made at Lymington RYA South - JOG Yacht Racing said: “With an easier entry process,
mean the club is benefitting from higher RYA South - Lymington Town Sailing Club and the chance for anyone to
participation, greater annual income, RYA London and South East - King George Sailing Club nominate a club, this great
and is well-placed to grow in the future. RYA London and South East - London Corinthian Sailing Club competition is more popular than
Club Commodore Tony Evans told a RYA North East - Otley Sailing Club ever. We’ve seen an impressive
packed audience at the show RYA Midlands - Rudyard Lake Sailing Club level of innovation among the
announcement: “We are absolutely RYA South West - Whitefriars Sailing Club entries, showing how sailing clubs
delighted to win this year’s RYA Club of are changing with the times.”
Kirsten aims for historic win

South African Kirsten Neuschafer is on course to
become the first woman to win a solo round-the-
world race, after taking a commanding lead in the
Golden Globe Race.
She took over the lead after British sailor
Simon Curwen (GBR), who had led since the
Atlantic, was forced to divert 1,000 miles and
take a stop for repairs.
Lifetime sailor Neuschafer, who worked as a
skipper on high latitude adventure trips, is racing,
Minnehaha, a Cape George 36 launched in 1988.
She was in the south Atlantic with Abhilash Tomy
350 miles behind as we went to press.
8 MAY 2023 Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting

SBS Boatlife celebrates successful event
SBS BoatLife was a big success as its second edition took place over four coming together in only year two is extremely positive. The team has worked
days at the NEC in Birmingham in February. incredibly hard on the show, and I am immensely proud of what we have
Among the popular exhibits were an angling zone, an activity pool and a collectively achieved.”
number of talks by experienced sailors including Sailing Today with Yachts & Andy Wyer of title sponsor SBS Trailers said: “We are looking forward
Yachting writer Tom Cunliffe and Group Editor Rob Peake. to this being a fixed event in the boating calendar and seeing it go from
A total of 14,000 visitors came to the show and there were 175 exhibitors, strength to strength.”
with RS Sailing and Hartley Boats among the sailing brands. Pete Reeve of exhibitor Marine Power said: “The industry needs to get
Organiser Richard Dove said: “What has struck me is the definite behind shows like BoatLife – it’s very important we don’t get too south-
beginnings of the community that we always wanted to create. To see this coast-centric.”
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News
News
Maiden to race around the world again

An all-female crew will again race the yacht Maiden engaging with schools, charities and organisations to
around the world. educate and empower girls, fundraising for girls’
A young skipper and up-and-coming sailors, yet to be educational projects.
named, will take part in the 2023 Ocean Globe Race, more Edwards, who announced the project with title
than 30 years after Tracy Edwards (right) and her crew made sponsor DP World, in February, said: “We are very
headlines in the 1989/90 Whitebread Round the World Race. excited to take part in the 2023 Ocean Globe Race, over
The famous yacht will be part of the ‘flyer class’ in the race, 30 years since Maiden and the first all female crew
which aims to recreate the Corinthian spirit of the early defied the odds in the 1989/90 Whitbread race. Since
Whitbread round the world races. Maiden will be up against then Maiden has become a Global Ambassador for
other historic Whitbread boats from the 1970s and 1980s. empowerment of girls through education and we have
The boat will take a break from its ongoing world tour, a young skipper and crew who will have the experience
which began in September 2021 and has covered 30,000nm, of a lifetime, just as we did all those years ago.”
Multihull Show is back

The International Multihull Show is due attracted 15,000 visitors and more than
to take place in La Grande-Motte in the 65 multihulls. The 2023 exhibitor list
south of France from 12-16 April. The includes major brands including Bali,
event, founded in 2010, has become a Catana, Dragonfly, Excess, Fountaine
major showcase of catamarans and Pajot, HH, Lagoon, Leopard, Marsaudon
trimarans in the water. Composites (ORC), Nautitech, Neel,
After two editions were cancelled for Privilege, Sunreef, Windelo and more.
the pandemic, last year’s event Visit multicoque-online.com
PHOTO: PAUL WYETH
Close call for GB grinder

Matt Gotrel, the grinder with the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, had a
close call during a race at the SailGP Sydney event. The former Olympic rower
fell between the hulls and spent a few moments being tossed around wildly
on the end of his harness, as the boat slowed from more than 40kts.
Driver Ben Ainslie described it afterwards as “a pretty insane
situation”, adding his first thoughts were: “Oh my god, how are we going
to resolve this one?”
Gotrel was taken to hospital but miraculously suffered only bruising and
muscle strain to his hip and legs.
Ainslie said: “We were in pretty good shape in the race and went into a gybe,
and we had to take some evasive action on Canada — that little bit of
movement on the boat
sent Matt just flying
through the fairing. He
Tall Ships Youth

was like a rag doll at the
end of his tether with
two foils up quite high.
Trust for Fastnet “We managed to

stop the boat, get him
back on board and he’s
Young beneficiaries of the Tall Ships Youth Trust will take part in the Rolex a pretty tough guy —
Fastnet Race this year, after the charity entered three of its 72ft yachts in he said ‘keep going,
the gruelling event. One of its three yachts will be crewed by people aged keep going’, and we
16-25, while the other two vessels will be crewed by adults who are salvaged a sixth place
fundraising to enable the young people to participate free of charge. The from what could have
race starts from Cowes on 22 July. been a last place.”

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News
Q&A
TIM MAYER,
MDL MARINAS
Charter electric
PHOTO: JEAN-MARIE LIOT
What’s your favourite MDL sustainable boating as the way

marina? I love all 19 of them for forward, no longer a separate
Dream Yacht Worldwide and Fountaine Pajot have joined forces to launch different reasons but I do have my conversation. Therefore it made
a line of electric catamarans. The companies said in a statement that vessel berthed at Hamble Point. sense to move Green Tech Boat
they “are proud to be the first global brands to launch electric yachts at Show to Southampton, where we
scale for consumer retail purchase and worldwide yacht charter How easy is it to find a berth with are able to give green marine
vacation”. They said the move is “expected to have a significant global MDL in 2023? Demand for visiting technology and the companies
impact toward more sustainable sea vacation experiences”. yachts remains high. We have producing it, greater visibility.
Fountaine Pajot’s Aura 51 Smart Electric model is equipped with launched an online booking system,
electric motors and an intelligent on-board energy management system. offering our berth holders and How can we vote in the Green
Two lithium technology battery banks provide for as much as a week at visitors the chance to book and pay Innovator Award? The Green
anchor without any emissions. The Aura 51 Smart Electric will be the first for visitor berthing through our Innovator Award, decided by a
electric model introduced to the Dream Yacht Worldwide fleet, available website or their mobile, and in public vote, distinguishes products
for charter in Italy from April this year. advance. It allows people to view and services that are pioneering in
real time berth availability. If a berth sustainability, innovation and
BVIs with skipper

holder books their boat out, when design. Nominations are open to
they’re leaving the MDL network, every company exhibiting at The
they’ll also receive an incentive if the Green Tech Boat Show. People can
The Moorings has launched a new berth is used. vote at mdlmarinas.co.uk/
skippered charter package in the green-award
British Virgin Islands (BVIs). With the increased cost of
Caroline Barbour, UK Marketing materials, how can you guarantee In recent years MDL put on a
Manager for The Moorings, said: the same quality and customer number of different events. What
“Skippered charters open up sailing service for the same price? is the company committing to in
to the inexperienced as your skipper We will always aim to deliver the 2023/2024? Isn’t it great that
will take control of the navigation in highest quality of customer service events are now back to normal? All
your chosen destination. They are but with rising operating costs, the marinas will be hosting a string of
also a fantastic source of local base annual berthing fees have events through the year, from hog
knowledge and best-kept secrets.” attracted an increase, however in roasts, to sunset cruises, used boat
Meanwhile The Moorings and sister company Sunsail are celebrating all cases this is below inflationary shows and meet-the-team
after winning three prestigious British Travel Awards – gold in the levels. We promised we would sessions. All can be found on the
Sailing and Flotilla Holidays category, bronze in the Adventure Holidays keep any increase as minimal as marina pages on the MDL website.
category, and bronze in the Special Interest Holidays category. possible and I am pleased we have
been able to follow through. How can UK marinas support the
The Ocean Race

Despite increasing costs, we have growing interest in multihulls?
continued to invest significantly. We are very fortunate to host lots
of different multihulls from trailer
Team Malizia got a fright when they What’s behind the merging of the sailers, to trimarans, from small
discovered this nasty gash at the top of Green Tech and South Coast Boat catamarans to large ones like the
their mast in The Ocean Race. Shows (21-23 April in Ocean Rapier 550. In fact at the South
The IMOCA’s headsail came off the lock, Village)? The Green Tech Show is Coast Boat Show we have 10
allowing the halyard to tear a fissure designed for boat owners wishing different multihulls on display. I
through the carbonfibre. to switch to greener options, and would say we are a multihull-
The Anglo/German crew took turns up the prospective owners who’d like to friendly marina operator!
mast, trying to glue on sheets of start their boating journey in the
carbonfibre in a sea state that caused the most environmentally friendly way. Is MDL planning on making any
mast to “swing like a pendulum”. When we started the show in 2021 new purchases? We continually
As we went to press, three weeks after we had over 500 people visiting look at options. Some exciting
leaving Cape Town in the race’s longest over two days. Move to 2023 and I developments will become clear in
ever leg, the IMOCAs were sailing within believe manufacturers and the the short and medium term!
sight of each other, with Cape Horn ahead. boat-buying public are seeing www.mdlmarinas.co.uk

12th-16th April
On Display:
Largest Yacht Brokerage in Europe

New Boat Sales | Used Boat Sales | Yacht Maintenance
+44 (0)2380 450 000 ancasta.com

News
South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show

The South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show Jamie Marley said: “Marine
takes place from 21-23 April, at MDL’s Ocean decarbonisation has begun, but in order for it
Village Marina in Southampton. to meet net zero targets we must
MDL is running a combined event this collaborate, and share experiences and
year, in order to bring together the knowledge. In this way, we’ll future proof the
boat-buying experience with the growing marine industry to ride out the ultimate
range of products and services aimed at storm, climate change.”
sustainable boating. The winner of the second Green Innovator
As well as many exhibitors, there will be Award will be announced on the Saturday at
talks on the future of marine fuels, on 12.35pm, in the Innovation Hub. The award
sustainable sails, eco-sensitive anchoring, celebrates products and services that are
low emissions motoring, sustainable pioneering in sustainability, innovation and
boat-building and more. The Green Blue’s design. Voting is open until 21 April at
Kate Fortnam will also giving two talks, mdlmarinas.co.uk/green-award/.
advising on how sailors can make their Tickets to the event are free and can be
boating ‘greener’. Boat owners can sign up to The Green Blue Boating Pledge. booked via mdlmarinas.co.uk/events/boat-show-tickets/.
A Future of Boating panel discussion, with Kate Fortnam, RS Sailing’s Jon Appointments to view specific boats or meet with the individual exhibitors
Partridge, Tim Meyer from MDL Marinas and Jamie Marley from Marine can also be arranged via a booking portal on the website.
Electrification Solutions, with other experts, will take place on the Friday. See our Q&A with MDL’s Tim Mayer, page 12.
Position: The Debate

Passing the time of day when you’re doing
The Ocean Race is no easy feat
What to stream next? You thought blasting
through the Southern Ocean in The Ocean
Race was all about trimming, steering, fixing
and navigating? These days the intrepid
souls who venture south face tougher tasks,
like finding something that an international
crew of five wants to watch together. While
the autopilot handles the course-to-steer
and the waves wash harmlessly over the
decktop, the action is somewhat limited for
these bereft adventurers. The trouble is,
THE OCEAN RACE

everyone was halfway through a different
box-set before the start. Now, with days to
kill as they foil eastwards at 20kts, the
atmosphere is rather glum. There’s a limit
G/
to how many Friends re-runs you can put

AMORY ROSS / 11TH HOUR RACIN
up with over a five-week leg. In between

Whatsapp video calls home and the odd bit
of DIY to pass the time of day, the ocean
miles do stretch ahead somewhat.
There’s a limit to how many Friends DIFFICULTY RATING: 4/5

re-runs you can put up with
Quote and buy online at www.noblemarine.co.uk

or call us on 01636 707606
Authorised & regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

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New boats AT THE MULTIHULL SHOW
A look at the latest launches from around the globe
Bali 4.4
Bali Catamarans has
established itself as a
mainstay of the multihull
world by producing boats
that are unashamedly all
about internal volume, while
also offering surprisingly
sprightly performance. The
new 4.4 sits between the 4.2
and 4.6 in its range of
comfortable cruisers and this
Outremer 52 Olivier Poncin design picks
up where these boats left off,
providing masses of internal
Outremer Catamarans is one of the most recognisable brands on the bluewater
and external volume. Bali
catamaran circuit and its fast, high quality cats have set a benchmark which
was the first designer to
many others have aspired to. Its new 52 picks up where the hugely popular 51
pioneer the tilt/slide ‘garage
left off. The boat is designed with fast cruising in mind and the capable team at
door’ arrangement, which
VPLP design has drawn up a boat that the company hopes will cruise at an
helps blur the line between
average of 10-12kts. As such, they have worked with sister company Gunboat
indoor and outdoor space
to keep weight down by extensive use of carbonfibre in the structure. The aim
while the solid foredeck – as
has also been to improve sight lines for general handling. In common with other
opposed to a trampoline
Outremer’s, the 52 is available with both wheel and tiller steering.
– further boosts the amount
of space.
l Catamaran-outremer.com
l bali-catamarans.com
Nautitech 40 Open
The Nautitech 40 Open has been around for some years but the manufacturer
is presenting a model that has been updated and refined. These Marc Lombard
designed catamarans tread the line between comfort and performance and,
altghough daggerboards are eschewed to keep production costs down, the 40
Open benefits from twin helms situated outboard on the sponsons to provide
good feel for the helmsman. Meantime, interior volume is excellent, making for
a boat that is reasonably fast and fun but also comfortable.
l nautitechcatamarans..com

OTHER NEW MULTIHULLS
HH 48
HH Catamarans is a US based boatbuilder that cut its teeth designing
truly sizeable yachts before moving down the scale to yachts more
accessible to your standard bluewater cruising couple. The HH48 is its
smallest yet and is a fast bluewater cruiser designed by Morelli and
Melvin. She’s definitely a cut above your standard cruising cat, offering
extensive use of carbonfibre in the construction. The aim is to provide
an owner with a yacht that is fast and fun, yet simple to operate and
comfortable to sail. The plans have been around for a while but rumour
has it that the first test boat will be available in European waters this
summer.
 hhcatamarans.com
Excess 14
The Excess 14 was tested in the September

2022 issue of Sailing Today with Yachts and
Yachting and received a favourable write up
thanks to its blend of performance and
comfort. Designed by VPLP. The new boat is
44ft on the waterline and features the now
trademark twin helms aft for better feel Fountaine Pajot 80
compared to the bridge deck arrangement.
The boat features a relatively low freeboard French manufacturer Fountaine Pajot has built a solid reputation as a
compared to, for example, a Lagoon and, multihull manufacturer by producing affordable cruising catamarans in
although daggerboards have been the 40-60ft size bracket. The unveiling of a new 80 footer is, therefore,
eschewed, the keels are relatively deep something of a step change for the company as it catapults the
– pointing to the line being trodden between boatbuilder into a somewhat different market.
speed and comfort. That said, this is Nevertheless, the new 80 embodies many of the features seen in the
definitely a cruising catamaran and the smaller boats in its range, including high levels of comfort and class-
interior is stylish and comfortable with leading accommodation space. At the same time, it’s all just a bit bigger
plenty of space. and more luxurious. The price? A cool €4.9m.
l excess-catamarans.com  catamarans-fountaine-pajot.com

OTHER NEW MULTIHULLS
Balance 580 Privilege Signature 650

Balance Catamarans is a US South Africa collaboration with its Privilege’s new 650 sits toward the top of their range and has been
yachts being the brainchild of former Hobie World Champion developed to offer a balance of bluewater capability and living comfort.
Philip Berman, who is American, and a build team based in South The huge saloon and owner’s cabin combine implressive interior headroom
Africa. The company has won plaudits for its fast cruising and maximum natural light with an elegant, clean design from designer
catamarans, securing many orders for its 442 and 482 models Franck Darnet.
(the 482 was reviewed in the February 2023 edition of this The tall, powerful rig offers plenty of easy-to-control sail options for fast
magazine). The 580 is a larger version on the same theme, passage times. An airy cockpit, huge flybridge and plenty of lounging
featuring lightweight build with carbonfibre reinforcement, sporty space round out the features of a sailing catamaran that looks tailor made
styling and masses of comfort and space aboard. for blue water cruising.
 balancecatamarans.com  inspirationmarine.co.uk
Windelo 50 and 54
Windelo Yachts has cut quite a dash
with its range of fast bluewater
cruisers that also emphasise the
importance of being eco friendly –
featuring all electric propulsion and
basalt fibre construction as opposed
to glassfibre matting. Its Windelo 50
and 54 have both proven popular and
the company has decided that the
time is ripe to relaunch the pair.
These offer something slightly more
than standard MK2 boats by
constructing completely new deck
moulds that are sleeker than the old
designs and give the boats a more
sporty, purposeful look while also
improving sight lines and offering a
host of other refinements besides.
 Windelo-catamaran.com

Photos Gilles Martin Raget
a t io n
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a m dest
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Pacific Crossing

South Pacific
Paradise
Choosing to sail across an ocean is a huge undertaking for
most boat owners, so Jenevora Swann and her husband
Fergus planned carefully before crossing the Pacific

Pacific Crossing
hen we looked Being at sea for so long, it PREVIOUS PAGE it’s typically plagued by light winds,
Tiki on the bay
at the logistics was important to keep fruit and of Nuku Hiva, squalls and thunderstorms. We
of sailing Two vegetables in nets in the coolest Marquesas Islands intended to go through the narrowest
Drifters, our part of the boat to prolong their life. ABOVE LEFT part possible, to avoid having to
Lagoon 440 To be on the safe side, in addition Two Drifters anchored motor for longer than needed.
off Panama City
catamaran, to tinned produce, I also shoe- As it was, our trip coincided
4,000 nautical miles across the horned some frozen vegetables BELOW with the equinox, which caused
Pacific Ocean, the decision to do it and a large bag of freshly cut up Sunset over the an interesting mirror ITCZ,
Pacific Ocean
doublehanded wasn’t made lightly. pineapple chunks into the freezer. south of Galapagos, making the
My husband, Fergus, is an RYA- northerly route our only option.
Yachtmaster and nothing much Passage planning Once through the ITCZ, we
fazes him when sailing. I, on the From Panama, we planned to head expected the trade winds to
other hand, am not as confident a to the Marquesas Islands. The kick in so we could clock-up
sailor, but I have a good instinct, diesel we were carrying in the tanks high-mileage days in beautiful
so we thought we could handle the and jerry cans would only get us a downwind sailing conditions.
expected month-long passage from third of the way, so a good weather
Panama to French Polynesia; which window was essential so we could Sail away
would be the longest sail we’d ever sail as much of the way as possible. The final job was to clean the hull,
done together, by a long shot. We needed to leave on a strong so we stopped for a night in Las
Getting the boat ready in the northerly wind, that would spill Perlas islands on our way out of
Panama City anchorage of La Playita over the isthmus of Panama Panama. The clean, crocodile-free
seemed far less stressful than when from the Caribbean, so we could waters at Contrador and Mogo
we prepared for our first ocean sail on it for several hundred Mogo were the last chance for a
passage, across the Atlantic Ocean, miles before the winds turned quick swim and sense of normality
three years ago. Maybe because light and potentially contrary. before the journey began.
we had a clearer idea of what to We also had to decide the best
expect this time, or were more way to reach the trade winds in
experienced; but it didn’t surprise the South Pacific, taking in the
us when there were the inevitable Humboldt Current that pushes
last-minute mechanical and north from Ecuador, and the
technical issues that needed fixing. Galapagos Islands that straddle
Provisioning consisted of the route, forcing either a north or
endless trips to the supermarkets south-bound route around them.
to stock up on dried food, cans, Our eyes were also firmly on
bottles, milk and juices. Our the ITCZ – the intertropical
final shop, the day before we convergence zone, better known
left, was for fruit and vegetables, as the doldrums, because of its
deliberately picking a selection monotonous, windless weather.
of nearly ripe and totally unripe The ITCZ is an area near the
produce, which we hoped would equator where the northeast and
last us the duration of our trip. southeast trade winds converge and

About the boat:
Make: Lagoon 440
Year: 2008
LOA: 13.61m (44ft 6in)
Beam: 7.70m (25ft 2in)
Draught: 1.30m (4ft 3in)
With our new Iridium Go! ABOVE By monitoring the ocean currents just so happened to be a seven foot
The last pit stop before
activated and working, and the crossing the Pacific; closely, we used them like a conveyer striped marlin – the biggest fish we
inReach tracking our route, Mogo Mogo Island, belt, turning normally light and slow have ever landed on Two Drifters. We
Las Perlas, Panama
our on-board communications conditions into very pleasant sailing cut it into fillets and put as much as
were ready and so were we. BELOW (L-R) days. At times, these favourable possible into an already-full freezer;
As I watched the islands of A Red Footed Booby currents reached 3kts, but on the rest was enjoyed for lunches
pays a visit; reeling
Panama disappear behind us, in dinner; Fergus average across the entire passage and suppers for the next week.
a modicum of panic set in. An celebrates crossing we had a current with us of 1kt. There was an air of excitement as
the Equator
anticipated month at sea, seemed We ran a shift system overnight, we crossed the equator, which is not
to be a very long time with just which started around sunset. I was only the intersection between the
the two of us sharing shifts and on watch for the first five hours of north and southern hemisphere, but
the highs and lows of ocean the evening, usually until midnight; also the home of Neptune. Tradition
sailing. But the challenge of the and then Fergus took over until 5am. has it, boats crossing equator, should
sail and the lure of exploring My favourite part of the day dress up and offer Neptune a tot
the South Pacific islands was so was sitting on the bridge together of the finest beverage on board
enticing; I quickly got over my watching first light appear. With as a thank you for the care he has
concerns and looked forward to a cup of tea in hand, we would shown while sharing his seas.
the adventure that lay ahead. chat through the emails and news We totally got into the spirit of
With the gennaker up, in 11kts that had come in on the Iridium this and a large rum was donated
of true wind and with a knot of Go! overnight. Fergus would over board – and a sip or two for us
current with us, we embarked on then turn in to get some sleep, as we didn’t think Neptune should
our journey with a very relaxed while I enjoyed the magic of the drink alone! Although I hasten to
sail of 7kts, in perfect conditions. sun rising out of the ocean. add that we’re technically a dry boat
We couldn’t have asked for more With the fishing lines out, it wasn’t while sailing offshore, but this was
as we settled into our routine. long before we caught a fish; and it one tradition we had to run with.

Pacific Crossing
A test of endurance confused seas, making our first 48 ABOVE (L-R) test of endurance and the most
Working as a team; big
The weather forecast improved hours in the trades uncomfortable. swells in the Pacific
challenging time of the trip.
daily as we headed south, allowing It became remarkably noisy But once the winds and the sea
us to sail much further than we both inside and outside the boat. BELOW settled down, it became a sleigh ride
Landfall in Nuku-
had hoped possible through the As the waves crashed into each Hiva, Marquesas for most of the trip. It was just the
doldrums. Once we reached the of the hulls; in our cabin, it felt last few days, as we approached the
trade winds, they announced their like a bulldozer had struck, and Marquesas Islands, that we had to
presence with a sudden wind shift to the whole bed shook. It was like cope with some squally weather.
the southeast and a steady 15-20kts being in a washing machine on a When the anchor eventually went
of true wind speed which stayed spin cycle; even with earplugs in, down at the anchorage at Taiohae
with us all the way to the Marquesas trying to sleep off-watch with the Bay in Nuku Hiva, we were euphoric.
Islands. During our fastest day, we noise and the motion wasn’t easy. ABOUT THE Around us were stunning vistas of
AUTHORS
clocked up 183 miles in 24 hours. We didn’t realise quite how Jenevora Swann and mountainous emerald forests and
While we were into a rhythm, of much stamina was needed for her husband Fergus colourful houses scattered along the
Dunipace have been
each managing on two small sleeps in this journey when doing it liveaboards on their shore. It was beautiful and everything
24 hours, (about six hours in total), doublehanded. Just a couple of catamaran Two Drifters we could have wished for from our
PHOTOS: JENEVORA SWANN
since 2014. They sailed

inevitably, tiredness was going to days with less sleep, completely around Europe before first landfall in the South Pacific.
catch up at some point. For us, it was lowered our energy levels and crossing the Atlantic to We sailed 4,157 nautical miles
explore the Caribbean,
halfway through the trip, which was we had to really push ourselves USA, South and Central from Panama City to Nuku Hiva in
when a weather system, far south of hard to keep up the pace. It was America. Facebook.com/ 27 days. During which, we used our
TwoDriftersTravel /www.
our position, caused a large swell and like running a marathon; a total twodrifterstravel.com engine for just 24 hours (using only a
10th of our fuel); the rest of the time
it was all plain sailing, just the way we
like it, at an average speed of 7kts.
Fact Box
There are various ways to receive
weather and ocean current
data while offshore. We used
Iridium Go! paired with Predict
Wind Offshore (predictwind.
com) for weather downloads,
and accessed the Ocean Surface
Currents in Real-Time (OSCAR)
information via s/v Sarana’s
useful email query platform
(svsarana.com).
We also used the services of
Bob McDevitt (metbob.com),
an offshore weather router for
sailors in the South Pacific.

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Buying a Multihull
Choosing
your Cat
Multihulls have changed the game when it
comes to bluewater cruising and there are
many converts. Kate Ashe Leonard talks
through the process of buying a bluewater cat.
Photos by James Hooper
hen I was the island’s green mountainous ABOVE

We worked together on the same
just 20, I had peaks. It’s 6am and a black tip shark Polaris, the author's project and our weekly schedule
my first ever glides underneath the boat visible Catana 47 catamaran
often involved taking several
experience through the most transparent flights either within Europe or to
on a sailing water, iridescent in the morning and from the US. We lived out of
yacht. It was sunlight. Turtles occasionally suitcases in the many hotels we had
on a crewed maxi racing yacht, surface for air. Yesterday we swam to stay in for work and after two
and I stayed onboard with a group with a mother and calf humpback and a half years of airport queues,
of backpackers as mere guests whale just outside the lagoon. These jetlag and an unhealthy lifestyle,
for two nights in the Whitsunday whales migrate to this safe haven we were exhausted. We had our
Islands. Blissfully ignorant about the all the way from Antarctica to give home base, but also a flat in south
seasonality of sailing, my cabin for birth and raise their young before west London which was rented out.
the weekend was suspiciously cheap. returning on their long return One evening we started to discuss
It was January and cyclone season. I voyage. I’m thinking about our whether it might be possible to sell
left the boat two days later resolute own migration, how far we’ve come our home and belongings to buy
about one thing: I would never sail and the very first steps we made. a boat to live and sail around the
or stay on a boat for an extended We’ve sailed over 16,000 miles and world on. We’d use some savings
period again in my life. Sixteen years are almost half-way through our and the rental income provided
PHOTOS: JIM HOOPER
later, I’m sitting with in the cockpit of circumnavigation four years after by the London property to live
our catamaran in French Polynesia. we decided to leave it all behind off and maybe pick up some paid
We are anchored at the island of and buy a boat. It started back in work here and there as we went.
Moorea in its lagoon fringed by August 2017 when we decided we My partner Jim was confident I
coral reef under the backdrop of needed a complete lifestyle change. might really take to sailing despite

ABOVE
we still didn’t know if we wanted a A catamaran Chichester Harbour when he was
monohull or a catamaran. Jim had provides a stable growing up, he had completed a
and comfortable
only sailed monohulls but his friend living space few yacht deliveries in his 20s and
who’d lived on one in the Caribbean later had skippered a couple of
for years felt that, in hindsight, a BELOW bareboat charter holidays. I, on the
Solar panels are
catamaran would have been better an important other hand, had lived by my word
overall for the additional space and source of power and hadn’t been on a boat since the
comfort both at anchor and sailing time in Australia. In the absence
too. Our plan was to complete a of having our own boat to practice
global circumnavigation in three to on and concerned about my lack of
six years so, if we took his advice the experience, weekends were spent
catamaran for us needed to have great doing RYA sailing courses including
performance and safety attributes Competent Crew, Day Skipper,
for the miles of bluewater sailing Engine Maintenance and VHF Radio
that lay ahead. Initially we began to training. We immersed ourselves
investigate the Lagoon 42 and the in sailing related activities and only
Nautitech Open 40. As a result of the spent money on things related to our
Southampton Boat Show we arranged goal to become full time liveaboards.
to test sail a Lagoon 42 in Cornwall.
We also met a Nautitech broker at the Boat shows and
Dusseldorf boat show and our test test sails
my first experience years earlier. sail of the Nautitech was scheduled to We attended two more boat shows,
With few if any other ties we were take place from Hamble, Hampshire. one at St Katharine Dock and the
more flexible than many of our Jim’s family had had a boat in other at ExCel. The dates for both
friends to just up and leave.
Mono or multi?
There were three concurrent areas
of focus to make it all happen:
closing up our soon-to-be former
lives, preparing ourselves to sail
around the world and the search and
selection for the right boat to take
us there. Our work project began to
wrap up and had become entirely
remote, so we were much freer to
make moves towards our dream to
buy a boat. The first thing we did
was to put our home on the market.
Then, when our tenants in London
moved out at the end of their lease,
we transported our belongings
there where we made a temporary
home for ourselves. At that point,

Buying a Multihull
test sails soon came around and dangers inherent in sailing. By ABOVE LEFT were achieving, overtaking many
we attended both. We loved the the end of the holiday though, A shot that illustrates other catamarans on that holiday,
the 'tulip' shaped
outdoor helm positions on the we both knew we wanted to sail hulls of the Catana aware that, in ocean sailing, the
Nautitech Open 40 because we around the world on a boat like ability to go fast becomes a safety
felt more connected to the sailing. that. We loved the access to nature ABOVE RIGHT attribute if you need to outrun
The Catana 47
The Lagoon with its raised helm it provided: being able to dive into features lightweight weather systems. The boat was built
position and covering made us feel the sea off the back steps and we construction and strong but light; the blocks, jammers
daggerboards which
removed from what was going on had visions of kiteboarding from improve windward and winches, running rigging and
outside. The Nautitech had very our own boat in the remote atolls of performance standing rigging were very solid. The
limited space in the saloon though, the South Pacific. Maybe we’d buy interior furnishings were high-end
BELOW
and we were disappointed that a dive compressor too someday. Skipper Jim at and again, we really liked the twin
neither boat had a forward-facing We were attracted to the nomadic the helm aft helm positions for the vantage
navigation station. Alongside lifestyle with the unique benefit of point and immersive experience
these we’d begun to research the always travelling with your home they provide when sailing. Due to
performance end of the market rather than out of a suitcase. From the layout, it was easy to manage all
in greater detail. We kept coming a performance point of view, we the sails from the cockpit where all
back to Catana and Outremer, both were impressed by the speeds we the lines run back to. Theoretically
of which have daggerboards for the only reason to leave the cockpit
better upwind performance. The is to open or close the sail bag and
Outremer 45 had only recently so it felt much safer than some of
come out and the only second-hand the other boats we had been on.
ones available were relatively new,
expensive and had comparatively Catana viewings
less space than a Catana. Arriving home, our holiday blues
were interrupted when things
Chartering in the BVIs began to gather pace. We found
We began to home in on Catana a 2012 Catana 47 called Polaris,
as the front runner and ended up listed online, in France. We had
booking a two-week bareboat charter budgeted for a smaller boat though
on a Catana 42 in the British Virgin and contacted the broker to see if
Islands. We did our first ever big he had any second-hand 42s. They
provision in the local supermarket had two. We flew there the following
and headed out sailing between the week and were driven to see the
beautiful islands there. It was less bigger boat first despite our weak
than a year after hurricane Irma protests. It was an owner’s version
and the sunken boats protruding which had never been chartered and
from the water’s surface as well was in excellent condition. It had
as those strewn across the nearby completed several Atlantic crossings
land provided a stark and constant and was a proven bluewater yacht.
reminder of some of the worst The difference in size between it and

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Buying a Multihull
the four-cabin 42 we’d chartered ABOVE navigation station, a fully battened Although when it came to spares
Anchored off Savan
was attractive to us for the extra Island, St.Vincent and mainsail, a genoa with roller furling, there were few, and Polaris didn’t
comfort and also because longer the Grenadines, in the a gennaker, one of the winches was have a chartplotter, radar or dinghy.
eastern Caribbean
boat length contributes positively electric, as well as all the systems We tried to shake off the spell
to stability in bigger seas. The hulls BELOW you would want on a liveaboard being cast over us and told the broker
The dinghy davit
were made of glassfibre, reinforced system utilises the
boat like AIS, solar, a generator and thanks, but please could we view the
with Kevlar to guard against mainsheet winches watermaker. The davit design was 42s that we had travelled to France
making it practical
puncture impacts and carbonfibre and strong
clever because the two winches for to see. With a shrug of his shoulders,
was used throughout the rest of the mainsheets could also be used to he locked up Polaris and we made
the construction to keep weight raise and lower a dinghy as well as our way in his car back to the Catana
down. It had daggerboards and the having a maximum load capacity of boatyard. Both of the 42s were in
ratio of sail area to displacement 300kg if we wanted to add more solar Catana’s Neo programme whereby
was favourable from a performance panels. The boat itself had beautiful they convert ex-charter versions into
standpoint. It had everything we lines with a high freeboard and three-cabin owner’s configuration to
wanted; fast and light with generous 'tulip' shaped bows that rose nearly sell to private buyers. The insides of
living quarters, a forward-facing seven feet above the water line. both were a work in progress and,
with lots of carpentry underway,
were by no means turn-key.
Contrary to our best efforts we
were only thinking of Polaris and
decided we had to find a way.
Back in London we reviewed our
financial situation as we realised
that these Catana 47s come onto
the market rarely and are highly
sought after. We decided to contact
the broker to schedule a test sail.
Soon we were back in the south of
France and heading out on Polaris in
25kts of wind. But the test sail was
not without drama. The mainsheets
were over tightened on the winches
by the broker to the extent that he
caused the main halyard to snap
and consequently the mainsail and
all its cars came crashing down. He
then tried to furl the genoa, but it
got jammed because the drum had
seized and, in the process, the genoa

Buying a Multihull
sheets began flogging in the wind, We packed the first of our bags – as ABOVE LEFT sails to do and many upgrades to
The Highfield 290 dinghy
smashing the solar on the coach much as we could physically carry – come in the future but for now we
roof and spraying glass all over the and flew back to France. Polaris was ABOVE RIGHT were technically ready to sail away.
boat. In spite of these distractions, now at the dock in the boatyard, and Underway with the On one of the final days before our
spinnaker set
it was hard to ignore how fast we we had the urgent task to, at the very departure we caught the lines of a
were going at times, doing 8-12kts, least, buy a dinghy and come up with BELOW LEFT Catana 65 as it pulled into the berth
AND RIGHT
and how comfortably the boat was an alternative to a chart plotter. We Setting off into
next to ours. It was a French family
handling it all. When the wind would worry about installing radar the unknown with two young children who, only
moderated, we tested the boat’s later. We soon found the perfect three years earlier, had set off from
upwind performance and with the dinghy for us in a nearby chandlery, that same dock and headed west to
daggerboards down, Polaris pointed an Ultralight 290 Highfield with an start their circumnavigation. Today
high – up to 35 degrees apparent. aluminium bottom and a 10hp engine they’d completed it and basked in
The survey that followed brought weighing in total only 81kg, making the glow of their achievement. We
up some points that gave us a basis it light enough for us to pull it up a joined them for celebration drinks
to negotiate the price slightly and, beach. It was also small enough to be onboard their enormous yacht
within one week, we had made an driven between Polaris’ hulls when where they regaled us with stories
offer which was rejected by the docked at a town wall or marina. of their adventures and wished
current owner. We made two further Instead of a chart plotter we began us well for ours yet to come.
offers and by the end of that month, to use Open CPN fully loaded with Three days later, we set
which was July, we transferred the all the world’s charts on our laptop, sail ourselves with smiles on
deposit followed by the remaining which was more than adequate. We our faces and big dreams to
total sum and Polaris was ours. knew we had a lot of shake down sail around the world.

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Tom Cunliffe
Tom Cunliffe
It’s easy to get nostalgic for the good old days when life was less complicated. Yet
it wasn’t all plain sailing as Tom recalls...
ave you ever stopped to it’s not so long since that starting an being aware of ultraviolet
consider some of the auxiliary was a heart-in-mouth degradation in some fibres, we really
things on our modern lottery. Those days are gone, thank can take reliable ropes as a ‘given’, but
ILLUSTRATION: CLAIRE WOOD PHOTOS: TOM CUNLIFFE
yachts that we take for heaven. And what about ropes? it’s still worth sharing a thought for
granted? Items that When did you last have a rope snap what went before.
simply work when we under load? Never? I suspected as Back in the late 1960s I was a very
want them to. Moving parts that much. Since the revolution in young hand aboard a trading ketch
don’t let us down. What about cordage led us away from natural recently bought out of the Baltic.
engines, for example? With one hand products, rope technology has My shipmates and I re-rigged her
firmly gripping the largest piece of moved so far ahead that there is now PODCAST for a transatlantic voyage as cheaply
wood availabe, I can state honestly literally something for everyone on Catch up with Tom’s as we knew how. In those days, flax
columns now and
that I’ve only been disappointed by the chandler’s shelf. Always assuming in the future at
or cotton canvas sails cost more
engines twice in the last 10 years, yet sensible prevention against chafe and sailingtoday.co.uk than the polyester alternatives, so

“Two of us dashed forward to sort out the mess and narrowly
missed being dumped into the sea by the boom”
we went modern, but natural fibre the pinrails and we congratulated ABOVE Spain seemed that much closer. Then
rope was still readily available, both ourselves on a job well done as we The Baltic trader the jib sheet carried away. Two of us
showing off her
new and used, at relatively popular set sail one February night to catch substantial bowsprit dashed forward to sort out the mess
prices. Hemp, the king of natural the tide at the Needles Channel at and narrowly missed being dumped
BELOW
cordage, was off our pay grade, so the entrance to the Solent, outward A nice spot of into the sea by the boom as the
we filled our boots with manila and bound for adventure. The wind off whipping on a mainsheet followed suit. What came
traditional natural
sisal. Compared with the hard-laid, the Isle of Wight gave us a close fibre rope next was a session I’ve often tried to
pricey Terylene three-strand then reach for Ushant, so we trimmed forget, without success. The action on
available, splicing these was a delight. up and set the watch. ‘Three days the bowsprit was alarming. Someone
The manila in particular fell into a to warmer weather,’ we promised let go the jib halyard. If we’d had any
perfect eye as though it was made to ourselves, but it was not to be. We sense and rigged this long-luffed
do it. Perhaps it was. Sisal was a bit were passing between the Bridge sail with a downhaul we’d have had
slacker. It took the splice but it didn’t buoy and Southwest Shingles red can no problem. We could have killed
look so tasty and it was always left when the squall walloped us. Over it from the foredeck. Because we
with a few hairy strands poking out in she lay until the scuppers ran white hadn’t bothered, we now had to claw
protest. Both brands were pleasant to with phosphorescence and for a few it down the stay bit by bit from the
whip as well, because unlike Terylene, seconds we grinned at one another as bowsprit end with the unrestrained
they didn’t fall apart as soon as they canvas trying to brain us as the spar
were cut. They just sat there patiently shook and vibrated unpredictably.
waiting for us to do a proper job. I’d set up some rough bowsprit
We rove up the stuff fresh off the safety netting myself the previous
reel for our halyards and rigged the week and I was glad I had when the
second-hand for sheets and the rest. sail flicked me off the spar into its
It looked fine hanging in coils from welcoming arms. Climbing back

Tom Cunliffe
up again I rejoined my mate and,

totally wet through, we finished the
job. The clew of the sail had blown
out and was hanging on by its bolt
ropes, but the really philosophical
thing was the remains of the sheet.
All semblance of three-strand order
had gone. We were left with a 20ft
length of sisal fibres that looked more
like a giant horse’s tail than a rope.
Back on deck, matters were not
proceeding without incident. It was
still blowing very hard and lashing
with rain. The skipper was at the
wheel, the staysail and mizzen
sheets had mercifully held, so we
were under way, but the mainsail
and its boom had gone berserk. The
halyards had been let run, so the big
sail was partly down. Its unsecured
boom, all 35ft of it, was crashing this
way and that across the hatches in
the darkness, threatening to smash
anything in its path. The mate and
the cook were battling to secure it. I
suppose it was a blessing when the
topping lift showed solidarity with “The unsecured boom, all 35ft of it, was crashing this
the sheets and carried away, dumping
the massive spar on the side deck
way and that across the hatches in the darkness,
between the main cargo hatch and
the bulwarks. We all jumped on
threatening to smash anything in its path”
it while the mate clapped a turn
on the end and lashed it down. ABOVE
concerned. The incumbents of the Nobody, it seemed, had complained
Once the main was stowed, we Six is definitely focs’le played footsie all night long before. I replied that what their other
a crowd aboard customers thought was no problem
gybed round and hacked back a Contessa 32
and the poor soul who drew the ‘drip
against the tide to anchor off tray’ pilot berth in the main saloon of mine. The yacht was crying out
Yarmouth and lick our wounds. was doomed. Those were different for a wire halyard. They came back
Progress back up the channel times and we managed with a good fighting, but I held my ground and
was deadly slow and I remember grace, but it was clear that six-up was the boat duly went back to be refitted.
clearly leaning over the rail, lit just too many on these wonderful I hate wire halyards, but in the days
by the eerie light of the Needles yachts. So a change was mooted, and before Dyneema we really did need
occulting red sector, and being the winner was the Westerly Fulmar. them on any yacht with pretensions
comprehensively seasick. The Fulmar sailed well and had to performance. The halyard supplied
In the cold light of day considerably more internal volume. by the manufacturers simply didn’t
we went to the chandler in She also had a more commodious allow the luff to be properly tensioned.
Yarmouth and bought some of cockpit. The Contessa would eat her Seen in the big perspective of history,
his polyester three-strand. It for breakfast upwind in a nasty blow, these troubles in the period between
held and the trip continued. but other than that she did seem a fragile natural ropes and what we
A rather different issue with better bet. It fell to me to commission have today are but the blink of an
cheap rope came my way when I the first Fulmar, a boat called Shaula. eye. They are long gone thanks to
was an offshore instructor at the She was duly delivered on time and Dyneema which is as strong as
old National Sailing Centre in TOM CUNLIFFE I took her for a trial sail. She went wire, a tithe of the weight, doesn’t
Cowes back in 1981. The centre Tom has been mate on fine, but after an hour or so I noticed stretch and is even nice to handle.
a merchant ship, run
had always used Contessa 32s for yachts for gentlemen, that the luff of the mainsail looked It may not be cheap, but it’s a
cruiser training. We loved them operated charter boats, more like a crinkle-cut chip than an one-off purchase and you can
delivered, raced and
for their sailing characteristics and taught. He writes the example of Mark Ratsey’s finest. The splice it yourself. Peel back the
their good looks, but when asked pilot for the English polyester halyard was stretching. I coat, pop a Brummel eye into
Channel, a complete
to take five students for a one- set of cruising text wound it up. It stretched some more. the core, then milk the coat back
week trip, all living aboard, the books and runs his In the end, the whole thing was so again and stitch it in place. You
own internet club for
rather narrow accommodation put sailors worldwide at tight it was terrifying. The strains can find the splice on the internet.
something of a social strain on all tomcunliffe.com were awful, so I called Westerly. Dead easy. Happy days!

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Andy Rice
The effort to ‘spice up’ the Olympic Games with the final Medal Race format
didn’t really have the desired ending for the sport of sailing
hat is the point of that puts a huge emphasis on

the Olympic Games? the final day of competition.
Does it exist to find The most extreme is the iQFOiL
who is the supreme where the top three riders go
athlete in their into a final three-minute race
chosen discipline, for example? Or with all previous scores wiped
does the Olympic Games exist to off the slate. Whoever wins that
provide entertainment for a mass global mad dash ends up winning the
audience? You could argue that the gold medal. I interviewed Sam
Games should be both, that there is Sills, GBR’s top rider, about this
inherent drama and entertainment in recently. Sam’s winter training has
watching the world’s best battle it out. clearly gone well because, from
The 100 metres sprint final certainly finishing between about fifth and
delivers both. Ten seconds of do-or-die seventh place in most of the major
action, and first past the post wins the international events last year, he
Olympic gold. Simple. Easy to understand. has dominated the first two events
Olympic sailing has never been quite of the 2023 season in Lanzarote.
so straightforward or particularly well In both events he wore the leader’s
suited to TV drama for the masses. yellow bib from day one all the
In place of a straight series of races, way through to the final day.
the Medal Race format was brought In the iQFOiL Games Sam
in for the 2008 Olympic Regatta “...a solid week of race wins was neck and neck with Poland’s
in China. A final double-points, Pawel Tarnowski until the final
non-discardable race for the top 10 in the qualifying counted for few seconds before the finish line
placed boats. There are times when nothing in the three-board final” when Pawel wiped out. Pawel’s
the Medal Race has worked brilliantly, crash caused Sam to flinch which,
but most of the time it’s a bit of a damp squib and hasn’t really at 30 knots of speed, was enough for him to wipe out too.
changed things that much. A number of gold medals at Tokyo Pawel got up and running again soon enough to scrape across
2020 were decided before the Medal Race. It’s disappointing the line in first. Meanwhile French rider Nico Goyard was
that World Sailing hasn’t made formats more of a priority. charging through from a long way back in last place and
Last month in this column I argued about the huge – and in could have overtaken Sam, still swimming back to his board.
many cases – avoidable costs of the equipment used in Olympic But in an act of sportsmanship – and protest against a sudden
campaigning. For the sailors, the equipment is possibly the death format that Nico despises – the Frenchman allowed
biggest issue. For the Olympic Regatta itself, and the viability Sam to cross the line in second while Nico settled for bronze.
of sailing retaining its spot in the Games, formats are more It wasn’t quite so dramatic an outcome at the end of the
important than equipment. Thomas Bach, the president of Lanzarote International Regatta, but again Sam’s significant
the International Olympic Committee, has said as much. points advantage from a solid week of race wins in the
Look at the new events that have been brought in qualifying counted for nothing in the three-board final. Sam
for recent editions of the Summer and Winter Games, finished last, taking a consolation bronze, but was widely
and you can see that the IOC is paying attention to the acknowledged by his peers as the best sailor of the regatta.
more dynamic sports and high-drama formats of the Sam tells me he has made his peace with the format,
X Games and the kind of extreme events supported by although other iQFOiL riders are much more vocal in their
Red Bull. The IOC clearly wants the medal drama to go opposition. “If I win a medal in Paris it will be amazing,”
down to the wire, because that’s what we, the audience, he told me. “But I’m loving every moment of the journey,
want. It’s what gets us on the edge of our seats. the things I’m discovering about myself, the team that are
Think of it from the athlete’s point of view though. At supporting me, it’s a fantastic experience. I think our medal
least four years of your life, more likely eight or 12, and format is a bit extreme, but we’ve got to learn to live with it.”
all that time, dedication, blood, sweat and tears comes ANDY RICE
The iQFOiL riders are the pioneers of this sudden-
down to not much more than the roll of a dice. Compared As a sailing journalist death format, they’re the crash-test dummies. It doesn’t
and TV commentator
with the predictable format of the Medal Race, which all Andy has unparalleled
sit easy with me to see sailors have to submit themselves
the boat classes are still using, the two new events in the knowledge of the to a game of Russian roulette, but it will surely generate
performance racing
Olympic line up – the kitefoilers and the iQFOiL foiling scene, from grassroots
more excitement than the hit-or-miss, half-arsed Medal
windsurfers – have opted for a more extreme format to elite level Race format which is long past its use-by date.

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Paul Heiney
While paying tribute to the late Captain Bungles, Paul raised many an interesting point about
the way we approach seamanship. Not to everyone's taste but definitely worth considering
few weeks back, with drawn. In the meantime, let me tell

the passing of Paddy of one thing that irritated me about
Macklin at 65 years Paddy Macklin’s obituaries; they
old, we lost a sailing repeatedly drew attention to the fact
legend of whom most that he left on his circumnavigation
people have never using only a school atlas as his
heard – but should have done. He has principal navigational support.
much to teach us, and inspire us. Actually, I’m OK with that.
He never attracted sponsorship like Remembering that his ambition was
so many round-the-world sailors these to sail non-stop around the world,
days, although he and a brewery might why would he need much more? I
have been a perfect marriage – he suppose in case of an emergency
died of cirrhosis of the liver. His book, landfall. But thinking about it,
in which he styled himself Captain it’s not all that difficult to spot an
Bungles, I doubt paid him JK Rowling easy landfall from a tricky one. For
riches. However, as bungling goes, example, I would avoid an unfamiliar
he did pretty well. With his stated river estuary because I knew there
aim of ‘recapturing the true spirit of would be shallows and fast tides. But
amateurism in sailing’, and trying if I were approaching, say, an island
to eclipse Robin Knox-Johnston’s harbour, I would be much more
312-day non-stop, singlehanded relaxed with my eyeball navigation
voyage around the world, he left once I’d seen the pier heads, and
Falmouth in late 2009 and returned ‘He shunned ‘gadgets’, so no possibly a navigation mark or two. It
in May 2011 having paused in New was notable that when Macklin had
Zealand for repairs after having emergency beacon, and no sailed all the way to New Zealand, he
every catastrophic experience the
Southern Ocean can offer. For full,
weather forecasts, hence a bit of never needed any kind of rescue and
when in trouble in Biscay it was
stomach-churning details, you need a pasting as he crossed Biscay’ nervous relatives back home who
to read Captain Bungle’s Odyssey. initiated a coastguard search with
His choice of boat, Tessa, was a 50-year-old aircraft support, it was wasn’t Paddy. He just sailed on.
wooden sloop; the sort of boat those of a nervous If you are confident in your navigation, on the
disposition might confine to coastal waters. His open ocean there is no real need for anything much
experience was limited, he shunned ‘gadgets’, so no more than a school atlas. In fact, for several weeks
emergency beacon, and no weather forecasts, hence while sailing north from the south Atlantic, I made
a bit of a pasting as he crossed Biscay on his way do with even less. I used a plotting sheet which is, I
south. His main survival aids seemed to be 600 days- suppose, a DIY chart. It’s a blank piece paper with
worth of food, and a quantity of whisky to match. scales both horizontally and vertically, a bit like graph
Some will condemn him but ‘Good on you, Paddy,’ paper. Out of this you make your own chart, decide
I say, and I don’t hesitate to applaud his eccentricity. I which lat and long your ‘chart’ covers, and your daily
meet so many newcomers to sailing who won’t leave their pencil marks reveal your progress. For fun, you can
front doors without an armful of hastily gathered paper now and again transfer your position to a proper
qualifications, and boxes stuffed with microchips sufficient chart of the entire Atlantic, or onto a page of a school
to launch a space rocket. And, yes, I’ve got some too, we atlas, but it really is only for amusement so you can
all have, but Macklin has made me think again. Do we go say to yourself, ‘Hey! I’m now abreast Senegal!’ It’s
sailing to explore, understand and appreciate the wonderful far more fun than worshipping the plotter which,
and miraculous nature of the waters around us, or are we HAVE constantly reminds you that, for example, you are
playing some computer game? Do we look around us at YOUR SAY still 1,000 hours from the Lizard, if the wind holds.
the ripples on the water, or the swirl of the tides, to guide Do you still keep The mention of ‘navigating by atlas’ is really a lazy way
ILLUSTRATION CLAIRE WOOD
us in our navigation? Or do we quiz our phones and trust a log book? of making him look a fool, but what he achieved called
an electronic reply when everything around us might be facebook.com/ for the heights of seamanship. Captain Bungle’s legacy
telling a different story. ‘Shall we reef?’ The app says no. sailingtoday should give inspiration, not fear, to those who have a
But these philosophical discussions are perhaps best left @sailingtodaymag sailing dream and the urgent desire to fulfil it. Perhaps
to the cabin, late in the evening, when the corks have been sailingtoday.co.uk with rather less whisky than Paddy consumed.

Boat test – Lagoon 51
French
polish
French manufacturer Lagoon
is the master of producing
comfortable, practical cruising
catamarans, and its new 51
certainly doesn’t disappoint

eople occasionally ask
me what is the worst
boat test I have ever
undertaken. It’s a fair
question as in my
career I have probably
tested over 100 boats. Anyway, I
always reply quick as a flash that
it was the Lagoon 42. Now, before
the good people of Lagoon start
getting incredibly angry, let me
explain; the boat test took place in
La Rochelle in the middle of winter
and the boat grounded outside the
marina on an exceptionally low
tide – I was also painfully aware
that it looked like I was going to
miss my flight. We were therefore
compelled to wait for the tide for displacement just shy of 20,000kg – ABOVE to improve circulation around
a couple of hours in temperatures no lightweight flier in other words. The 51 features access the boat by removing the mast
so severe I wanted to cry. On the The boat does not have foils – no to the flybridge compression post from the middle
from both sides
flip side, the boat turned out to be a Lagoon does – and the emphasis is of the saloon, and also allowing
good one to be stranded on waiting on practicality and space. To this BELOW for more space on the bridge deck.
for the tide, and we fired up the end, Lagoon has understandably The wide bathing Down below, you have a range of
platforms are shown
heating and sat in the well appointed stuck with the flybridge on this to good advantage choices when it comes to interior
saloon and enjoyed the panoramic model and it is the smallest Lagoon in this shot layouts but if you’re really keen
views of La Rochelle in February. to have access to the flybridge from you can cram in up to 14 people.
Anyway, just a little aside there both the port and starboard side.
but I have to say that to my mind The styling is very classically Lagoon Space exploration
a Lagoon should be enjoyed in but the boat does differ from some Certainly optimising space seems to
friendlier climes and I’m delighted recent iterations as the rig has be a big priority and that starts from
to say that, this time around, the test been moved further forward. That the moment you get aboard. The aft
PHOTOS: GILLES MARTIN-RAGET

of the Lagoon 51 took place in 35°C has been seen in a number of cat ends of the sponsons are big and low
off the coast of Spain. Hell, we even designs recently. This means that to the water and double as bathing
found time to drop anchor and go the self-tacking jib is out and the platforms. This allows for masses
for a swim. It felt like the ghosts of overlapping genoa is back in. This of space for bathers, plus the access
La Rochelle 2014 were well and truly seems to have been done expressly on and off the boat was absolutely
exorcised. It’s only right too that a
Lagoon should be tested in warmer
climes. Sure, you can sail one of these
boats around the world – and many
have – but to me this Lagoon should
be anchored off some golden beach
in the Caribbean, Mediterranean or
Pacific, bathing ladder down and
barbecue fired up. There is a reason
that Lagoon is the biggest selling
multihull manufacturer over the
past couple of decades: it know what
the people want and it knows how
to deliver it. The Lagoon 51 sits in
the middle of the company's current
range and replaces the 50 and the 52.
The boat is designed by VPLP – as
have most Lagoons in recent times
– while the styling is by Nauta.
The result is a big cat with big
volume clearly aimed at both
the charter market and private
ownership. The boat is 50ft 4in
loa with a beam of 26ft 9in, and a

Boat test - Lagoon 51
excellent either from the side or the Head into the heart of the cockpit ABOVE LEFT starboard hull, and a big sail locker
stern. This question of access is a and there is a large, sociable seating The boat proved a in the port hull. Forward of this is
sprightly performer
perennial problem on big catamarans area with dining table set to port and despite the light a gennaker on a sprit and the jib
and Lagoon seems to have cracked it bigger lounging sofa to starboard. conditions behind, which has a powered furler.
nicely. Between these is a cradle for This has storage beneath and a sink ABOVE RIGHT
the dinghy which raises and lowers area plus fridge forward. The whole Easy access to Bridge over
electrically. It’s a really nifty solution area is both huge and sociable and the bridgedeck troubled water
to an age old problem and makes the large sliding patio doors into BELOW LEFT The forward section of the coachroof
launch and retrieval incredibly easy. the saloon mean that the indoor/ AND RIGHT features two more loungers plus a
In addition, with the dinghy gone, outdoor spaces blend seamlessly. The saloon with good square metreage of solar panels.
table in dining mode
this platform can be lowered down Step out onto wide side decks and (left) and coffee Aft of these is the nerve centre of the
to water level and you can enjoy you arrive on a big foredeck with table mode (right) boat – a single helming position with
acres of extra bathing platform its own seating area plus a short two Harken winches to starboard
space. It all works beautifully trampoline. It’s very comfortable and one to port. From here you have
and, with the dinghy aboard and and a great space for three or four excellent access to everything and a
platform raised, the tender is well people to enjoy a sundowner. There’s good view of the sails. It also offers
clear of any following seas. even a small coffee table that lifts good all round vision for parking the
Stepping into the main cockpit, up to reveal the anchor windlass, boat. There is a long bench seat that
PHOTOS: NICOLAS CLARIS
there is a long latitudinal sofa directly while drinks can be passed out here means three people can sit side by
in front of the tender cradle. This from the main saloon via a small side while one steers. Aft of this is a
sofa has pods either side with the window. Right up at the bow there is big seating area with another decent
obligatory barbecue tucked within. a hatch to a cosy crew quarters in the sized table. Another great spot for

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sundowners. In case you hadn’t Descend into starboard hull and ABOVE LEFT Under sail
PHOTOS: NICOLAS CLARIS
A plethora of
already noticed, this is a boat that can there is a huge master cabin with a comfortable, well Now this is all very well but Lagoons
fit in an awful lot of people without large walk around double berth aft. lit double berths have been fitting in unlikely amounts
anyone getting in the way too much. Forward of this is a desk area with of people in comfort for many years
ABOVE RIGHT
I think during the test sail there a small sofa and, to port is a walk A huge ensuite now but big internal volume and
were 10 of us and it didn’t feel at all in wardrobe – I kid you not – then heads and shower comfort does not always lend itself
in the owner's hull
crowded. The only minor annoyance a massive shower room with twin to sparkling performance. Looking
I noted was when descending from sinks and separate head just aft. BELOW at this objectively, the Lagoon 51 is
the bridge I got fouled up in the Frankly the whole area is palatial She performed well reasonably heavy and does not have
for a big, moderately
gennaker sheet which ran through a and puts many apartments to shame. heavy boat being daggerboards. It was, in other words,
padeye in front of the steps. It’s only a Of course, if you’re going for a more tested in light airs never conceived to compete with
minor irritation and I wouldn’t have charter oriented version then this the likes of, say, Marsaudon’s ORC
noticed if I’d descended the other huge owner's suite is rather sadly range. To add to our woes, the wind
side where the lazy line was slack. divided up into three doubles – was blowing a fitful 5-8kts. Still we
which in the test boat is what I had put up the main and unfurled the big
Inside outside in the port hull, the double aft having Code 0 perhaps more in hope than
It was time to head ‘below’ although its own en-suite heads and shower expectation. The results were pleasing.
this is not really the case as everthing while the forward two berths – one The big cat proved surprisingly
remains on the same level and you in the bow and the second set aft nimble in the negligible breeze and
step inside through patio style doors and offset inboard – shared a well we trucked along pretty reliably at
into a light and spacious communal dimensioned heads/shower. There 7kts which I thought was pretty good
area which is dominated by a huge is also a second freezer down there. going. The steering was hydraulic
communal seating area. The main All in all, this is a boat equipped to which is not my favourite set up and
table serves as a coffee table but can carry a lot of people in comfort. I made the error when I took over, of
be raised and lowered electrically. In not noting that the helm didn’t centre.
the raised position it then folds out This meant that the boat wandered
to double size making for a really slowly further off the wind as I
big dining table. The chart table is chatted to fellow crew. Once I'd dealt
to starboard of this and this table with that, the steering was actually
also features a huge hinged lid that pretty good for this set up and I guess
flips up with a television on the hydraulic steering set ups have come a
underside. It’s a neat, uncomplicated long way recently in terms of feel and
solution to the sometimes intrusive subtlety. Sail handling was a breeze
presence of a TV aboard. The galley and there is always a deep joy in being
area is aft of this and there is a large up high on a bridge deck – master
fridge area to starboard with vertical and commander of all you survey.
and horizontal fridge plus freezer. Lagoons have sailed to the far ends
To starboard is the cooker and sink. of the earth so are tried and tested in
There is nothing fancy about the all sorts of conditions. I would note
PHOTOS: GILLES MARTIN-RAGET
layout but it is very light and the though that I’d be interested to see
lack of a mast compression post how the 51 performed in a heavy head
also opens up the space compared sea with a relatively low gap between
to previous models. The styling is the water and the nacelle, which
smart and the finish is good quality. might lead to slamming in a big sea.

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Cruising – Menai Strait
All’s Swell that

ends Swell(ies)
The Swellies is the narrow channel that runs between
mainland Wales and Anglesey. It’s a challenging stretch of
water and Don Smith helps get you through

PHOTO/CHART: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
he Swellies (Pwll Ceris), lying within Nelson’s
gaze between the Britannia and Menai
Suspension Bridges, is a choke point where
strong tides of 5-8kts run, making it a significant
navigational obstacle, particularly in the days
of sail. This rock-strewn reach, eight cables
long, was formed by fault line activity, glaciation and rising
sea levels, which, about 5,000 years ago, finally inundated
the strait, separating Anglesey from mainland Wales.
In 1693, Captain Grenvile Collins wrote in his
Coasting Pilot “...the rocks at the Swilly are dangerous,
the passage narrow, and the tydes very strong; and
be sure to pass the Swilly at a slack tyde.”
Building the Telford’s Menai Suspension Bridge and
Stephenson’s Britannia Bridge across the strait replaced the
passenger ferry, the fording of cattle across the strait and
provided a rail link to the port of Holyhead. A suitable air
draft allowed continued navigation for sailing vessels of
the day and the work provided opportunities to remedy
some of the longstanding navigation problems.
Between 1824 and 1854, the engineers directed clearance
work to reduce, by blasting, the significant hazards in the
Swellies. These works cleared the south shore and lowered
many of the rocks to low water springs (See chartlet). The
Swelly Rock lost 160ft of its northwest extremity and was
cleared to low water, leaving a vertical face which contributes
to the Swelly wave, best seen mid-flood on a big spring tide.
Despite these efforts, Frank Cowper, writing in Sailing
Tours (1895), “ran the gauntlet,” and he confirmed,
“the best time to run the Swellies is at slack water,
provided there is a breeze.” He was singlehanded, and
considered himself lucky to get through unscathed.
More recently, Henry Glazebrook, in Anglesey and North
Wales Coast Pilot (Yachting Monthly, 1970), described four
passages; the well-known south shore passage along the Welsh
mainland bank; the north shore passage on the Anglesey
side; and the lesser-known passages between Gored Goch
and Cribbin Rock, the middle and beeline passages. Henry
Glazebrook sailed a 14ft dinghy, which is quite a different
proposition to Robert Kemp’s clinker-built yacht (Sarahay),
with a much deeper draft. Robert Kemp’s (1978) view was
didactic, “The Swellies is no place to play about in. There is one
safe, straightforward course: holding to the mainland bank.”

Cruising – Menai Strait
Working the tide for LW slack transits. Yachts with ABOVE RIGHT
Both Menai bridges
There are rocky shallows
The flood tide is divided by the Isle moderate draft can make neap viewed through the extending north of Gored Goch
Anglesey span of
of Anglesey. Passing north and south LW slack passages along the south Britannia Bridge
where rapids form and shallows
about Anglesey, the two streams shore, with two hours tidal height in to the west. Duncan Rock (1.1m),
meet in an area of slack water hand before LW but springs could ABOVE LEFT lying west southwest of it, dries
A Three Peaks
that advances from Puffin Island, be more problematic, particularly Yacht racer about and is seen only on the lowest
down the Menai Strait, reaching nearer local LW. Only the south shore to enter the Swellies tides but can cause local waves.
against a dying ebb
the Swellies two hours before high is marked for night navigation. The passage between Gored Goch
water (HW) Liverpool. The water is At local LW, Cheese Rock (0.4m), a BELOW and Cribbin Rock (middle and
The Swellies tidal
docile during the slack lasting 20-30 westward extension of Cribbin ridge, streams, from Morris beeline passages) is narrow and
minutes and then the westward is a potential grounding hazard on very shallow at low water, but
flow starts abruptly, functionally very low tides but it can be dodged. offers great fun for kayakers.
becoming the ebb tide even though The channel adjacent to the pyramid Swelly Rock is marked with a
the tide continues to rise for another is shallow (~1.0m), as is the spit off south cardinal perch on which
hour and 40 minutes to local HW. Price’s Point and the tail of the Swelly an impressive bow wave forms
While a westward transit is possible Rock, which extends towards shore, in mid-tide and a standing wave
for a while after HW slack, the water but all are well covered at HW slack. forms on big spring floods. It
is moving fast for several hours, dries at low water, as does the
and is full of eddies and sheers, East Swelly Rock just to the north
making it a rollercoaster ride. Any but both are well covered at HW
small boat, particularly one moving slack. To the north, the islands
slowly or with little steerage, can Benlas, Welltog and Tysilio, lie in
find itself doing pirouettes in the shallows at HW and the Benlas-
eddies and is how HMS Conway Welltog Sound provides surfing
was seized and wrecked on the opportunities for both kayakers
Platters in 1953 while under tow. and seals during the flood tide.
To the west, the ridge-like reef East of the islands, Carreg Halen
of Cribbin Rock and Gored Goch dries though is not a problem
Island divide the Swellies into north but sheers onto the Platters on
and south channels, which merge the south shore and will catch
beyond Swelly Rock. The head of the unwary. While strong winds
the Cribbin Rock dries first (4.5m), blowing down the strait can
it enlarges and gently converges produce unpleasant standing waves
towards the south shore where the against the tide, the steep, treed
Cribbin tail lies adjacent to the banks also mask the wind and can
white pyramid, drying to 3.0m. make it both light and fickle.
The channel here marks the close HW slack (Liverpool HW-2)
limit for the white transit pylons is the assumption for the yacht
PHOTO: DON SMITH/ISTOCK
sited under Britannia Bridge. passages described. Large powered

After LW slack (Liverpool HW+4) craft, RIBs and planing craft
the tide falls for a further two have more flexibility against a
hours until local LW, providing a foul tide, while the white-water
useful extra bit of depth above CD opportunities are ideal for kayakers.

SOUTH SHORE ABOVE RIGHT cardinal Swelly Perch. Yachts will have for the white gable-end of Gored
PASSAGE Gored Goch at
Liverpool HW+2,
room to avoid each other around this Goch cottage (263°T) and keep
West to East with Cribbin head bend but larger vessels need your the Anglesey pier of Britannia
Steer for the centre of the mainland just breaking water consideration; listen for their whistle. Bridge open on Price’s Point.
span of Britannia Bridge (26m) BELOW The Caernarfon Harbour Trust website Pass 20m inshore of Swelly
keeping the white pyramid in 1 – Price’s Point provides excellent illustrated details. Perch and continue in that general
transit. When under the bridge 2 – Prices Point Spit Follow the shoreline round, close in, direction until you pick up the
with kelp visible
come close into the shore as the 3 – Cribbin Rock to clear Swelly Rock and its tail, then transit (231°T) at the Britannia
channel is narrowest abeam the 4 – Gored Goch keep the Anglesey pier of Britannia Bridge (BB). To avoid the spit at
white pyramid where the tail of 5 – Swelly Rock Bridge open to Price’s Point and follow Price’s Point in lower states of
6 – east Swelly Rock
Cribbin Rock encroaches. at LW springs this clearing line to avoid the Platters. the tide, delay your turn to port
Once abeam of the pyramid, Once abeam of the bungalow to until you are on the transit. When
pick up the two white pylons under starboard, you will be past the Platters abeam of the white pyramid,
the mainland pier, which, when in and can steer for the centre of the stay close inshore, then pass
transit (051/231°T), keep you clear of Menai Suspension Bridge (29m). under the centre of the mainland
Cribbin Rock and also Price’s Point span of BB, before crossing the
spit at half tide or less., Price’s Point East to West strait towards Indefatigable,
spit. When abeam of Price’s Point Pass under the centre of the and proceeding onwards.
Beacon follow the shoreline round to Menai Suspension Bridge. To Not only do hundreds of
starboard, 20m inshore of the south stay clear of the Platters, steer boats make the transit without
incident every season, a number
of competitive events transit the
Swellies, too. The 65-mile Round
Anglesey Race starts at Menai
Bridge at HW slack so the yachts
sail the Swellies in ideal tidal
conditions but the prevailing wind
often forces short-tacking, in
which case the wind may be better
on the more open north shore.
The annual Great Straits Raft
Run takes the flood tide from Port
Dinorwic to the Swellies, where
they follow the south shore to finish
at Menai Bridge. It is an exciting
race and they clearly have a great
deal of fun helping local charities.
The Three Peaks yachts sail for
this tidal gate as soon as their
runners re-embark in Caernarfon
after returning from their ascent
of Snowden. They would prefer to
make the transit on the flood but

Cruising - Menai Strait
they make do with what they get, tide at half tide or less. Sometimes ABOVE RIGHT unless you have the local knowledge
often rowing for lack of wind and there is damage to hull, steering The Platters and
Swelly Rock at
and experience, I would stick to the
generally they follow the South or propellor, requiring rescue; LW springs South Shore Passage at HW slack.
Shore Passage. Between the slack fortunately, there have been no Timing is key; at HW slack the
ABOVE LEFT
periods, a foul tide, with eddies injuries or deaths reported in recent The South Shore water is quite docile, but afterwards
and sheers, can halt their progress, years. These groundings usually Passage at LW springs it could be home to Charybdis.
with the Cribbin
drag them backwards, push them occur on Cribbin Rock, Price’s Point Rock well-exposed I usually motor through even if I
aside or threaten grounding. It is Spit, Swelly Rock or the Platters have sail set, but that does not stop
not uncommon to see their yachts but the unwary can be wrapped BELOW LEFT me using a favourable wind and
A fun blast on a RIB
in an epic struggle against the tide, round Swelly Perch by the tide. going through the having the engine running, ready. I
Swellies; tides aren’t
probing and weaving for hours, Boats have changed considerably a problem for them
usually go through on the HW slack
trying to make headway but always since 1693 and so too have the but recently made a west bound
aware of exiting, backwards, under Swellies, but the South Shore Passage transit close to LW slack at Liverpool
Britannia Bridge. Meanwhile, more remains the best. It is well marked, HW+3.5 on a spring tide. Getting a
pragmatic crews observing these the shortest and is used safely by yacht from Conwy to Menai Bridge
heroics, moor, relax and enjoy a almost all larger craft (air/water in time for HW slack is a non-starter
hearty breakfast while waiting for draft permitting) at HW slack. With so, arriving late, we moored near
more favourable tidal conditions. care and use of old school leading Menai bridge for a few hours until
There are also races for small craft and clearing lines, the North Shore the tidal stream had abated to about
and rowing skiffs from Beaumaris to Passage is viable, but a chart plotter one knot. Half an hour before LW
Caernarfon, duck races through the or tablet is bound to be at hand slack, it was the quietest passage
Swellies, as well as RIB-rides from these days. Racing yachts often I’ve ever had through the Swellies,
Menai Bridge between the bridges. take this route and even the MV there was still plenty of water and
Various emergency services use the Balmoral has too. Having not yet most of the rocks were still covered.
Swellies for rescue training. Fast taken this passage, I shall refrain The Swellies is a highly dynamic
powered craft can make the south from a detailed description. The waterway and rarely still for
shore passage at almost any time Middle and Beeline passages are long. I do wonder what it would
and kayaks have the most fun when only suitable for shallow-draft craft. be like to transit the Swellies
the water conditions are lively. RIBs and other craft clearly have as they were before clearance
There are mishaps, often related many more options for working in began. Eye opening, I suspect.
to pilotage error, which cause and navigating the Swellies than
grounding, particularly on a falling yachts, and larger craft. However, I am grateful to the Cruising
Association, RNLI Beaumaris,
Three Peaks Yacht Racers, and
the Royal Welsh Yacht Club for
their help and information.
Bibliography
Irish Sea Pilot, David Rainsbury
Cruising Anglesey and adjoining waters, Ralph Morris
Swellies Pilotage, Caernarfon Harbour Trust
Three Peaks Yacht Race Advice 2017, Keith Mander
Anglesey and North Wales Coast Pilot, Henry Glazebrook
(Out of print)
Anglesey and Menai Strait, Robert Kemp(Out of print)
Survey by Captain FW Beechey RN 1846
Sailing Tours, Frank Cowper 1895
Coasting Pilot, Captain Grenville Collins RN 1693

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RORC 600
Showdown in Paradise
TIM WRIGHT PHOTOACTION.COM
Georgie Corlett-Pitt hears from Ned Collier-Wakefield how the 600nm

RORC Caribbean 600 race was won by just 11 seconds, and rounds up the
highlights from an exciting new inshore series…
he RORC Caribbean – leaving Giovanni Soldini’s Italian ABOVE LEFT the Zoulou crew – which includes
IRC Super Zero
600 is known for high team settling for the runners-up startline action
stars the likes of Loïck Peyron and
calibre offshore racing in spot for the second consecutive Thomas Le Breton and which Ned
Champagne conditions, year. As a snapshot finale, it couldn’t describes as “tight-knit but very
attracting a variety of have been more dramatic – so welcoming” – in a season which has
entrants across IRC, close was the action that neither so far included the Rolex Middle Sea
multihull and Class 40 divisions. boat knew the result until they Race and the RORC Transatlantic;
And the 14th edition proved no reached the dock and officials Les Voiles de St Barth regatta and
different, this year drawing 70 confirmed Zoulou as the winner. the Rolex Fastnet Race are yet to
boats with nearly 600 sailors from Sailing with Zoulou’s all-star come, after which the boat will have
30 nations to the startline under French crew was British offshore t-rudders and new lifting foils fitted.
the dramatic backdrop of Antigua’s multihull expert Ned Collier- The foils are identical to another
Towers of Hercules. As the gun Wakefield, onboard as co-skipper MOD70 Argo and the two giants
went, spectators looked down and navigator; it’s the sixth time are expected to line-up for battle in
from the clifftop onto a stunning Ned has taken part in the RORC next January’s RORC Transatlantic.
showcase of boat-on-boat action in Caribbean 600 but he’s never known It’s an exciting time to be involved
18kts of breeze and rolling swell. a finish to be so phenomenally close. in the team, as Ned explains the
You’d be forgiven then for He describes the astonishing decision to go for what are essentially
thinking that the scene at the finish situation: “It was really shifty coming one-design foils will help to “limit
line – some 30 hrs, 55 mins and into the line. We knew if the breeze the arms race in the fleet and
45 secs later – seemed something went five degrees left we’d have it, keep the boat-on-boat element of
of an anti-climax, as the leading if it went five degrees right they’d racing, which is what we love”.
boat, Erik Marais’ MOD70 Zoulou have it. We’d been in sight of each
(FRA), crossed in near-slow motion other the whole way round and Boat-on-boat
to take multihull line honours. it all came down to the last tack. It was the boat-on-boat tactics that
But that was far from the case, as Honestly, on the water, we didn’t undoubtedly cinched the photo-
the giant multi claimed the accolade know who’d done it. When we finish victory for the Zoulou team,
by just 11 seconds after racing 600 heard afterwards, it was amazing their capabilities came to the fore in
complex nautical miles through – although it did feel a bit naughty the very early stages of the race, as
the Caribbean islands neck-and- as Gio had raced incredibly well.” they led their fully-foiling competitor
neck with rival MOD70 Maserati The result was a great victory for Maserati off the line and set the

pace until midnight on the first than any other 600 I have done, so ABOVE LEFT to attack, and they drew Maserati

PHOTO: ARTHUR DANIEL
AND RIGHT
day, well after rounding St Barths. there were lots of sail manoeuvres; Never a dull moment into a tacking dual. With their non-
It was only on the reach to on Zoulou as she takes
I think the reef came in and out off and steams ahead
foiling set-up Zoulou was quicker
Guadeloupe when Maserati was about 20 times and it meant lots of through the tacks and therefore
able to overhaul them in full-foiling peels between the J2 and J1 for us as BELOW confident of a gain each time their
Team Zoulou weighing
mode. Team Zoulou worked hard to well at that sort of wind strength. up tactics at the start rival tacked to cover them. The
claim the distance back on the next “We were seeing see some big wind plan of repeatedly splitting tacks
upwind leg, using their extensive shifts around the clouds. The wind to lure Maserati in to covering
pre-race analysis to identify when range was around 10-20kts them paid and, with the breeze
to attack. While Maserati fell foul but dropping and increasing really dwindling as they neared the finish
of a wind hole underneath a cloud, with 30 or 40 degree shifts every line, the boats were almost equal.
Zoulou picked through the squalls, time. On such a short-legged course “To be honest, I thought they had
closing the gap as the battling where you are trying to minimise it, but we managed to push really
duo now approached Redonda. the distance sailed between the hard through the last two tacks,”
With the intensity notching up marks, it’s really important to recounts Ned. “The pin was the
further as the wind increased to change sail quickly. On Zoulou, closest part of the line and they’d
perfect foiling conditions – 15kts everything is hydraulic and we were left the door open which allowed
and flat water – Ned describes his slightly lacking in man power as us to just get our nose in. At that
awe at seeing Maserati pop up onto we had seven crew to their eight, stage, the race committee wouldn’t
the foils next to them and leap with Loïck carrying a pre-race tell us on the radio, they wanted
powerfully ahead. But despite the injury. It was pretty intense.” to verify it and check the trackers,
formidable sight of their rival surging Regardless, Ned and the team so neither boat had any idea.”
ahead and exhaustion kicking in, kept pushing on through the final In the elation that followed when
knowing they were closing on the stages, reaching the convergence the result was finally confirmed,
final part of the race gave the Zoulou zone behind Antigua where shifty Ned described the race as “magical”
crew even greater determination to conditions gave another opportunity and added: “It proves how
push themselves to the extreme. incredible these boats are, that you
“When it’s boat on boat like that can do a 600-mile race and finish
you’re pushing extra hard, and there with that tight a margin, even in
is so much reaching involved in that such different configuration, to
course, the boat speed is often in the still be that close is amazing.”
high 30s, so you’re constantly in the Zoulou’s Erik Maris said: “It was
power zone,” says Ned. “At that kind as close as it gets; an incredible
of speed, the boat feels like a freight finish and great fun”, while his
train, the whole thing is rumbling Maserati counterpart Giovanni
and it’s hard to stand up so you’re on Soldini reflected: “The whole
your knees; you feel pretty on edge. race was interesting and crazy,
PHOTO: JAMES TOMLINSON
“This race involves lots of turning not just the finish,” before good
marks and rocks to avoid, so there naturedly adding: “This time they
are lots of manoeuvres. This year it have won, but it is no problem,
was pretty squally, much more so next time it will be Maserati!”

RORC 600
Rest of the fleet Hot new inshore series ABOVE LEFT

Zennström admitting he and the

The VO65 I love
It wasn’t until the morning of Competitors had even more to Poland at Redonda crew were “still learning to sail
day three that Gunboat 68 Tosca celebrate at the final prizegiving this ABOVE RIGHT
the boat” after launching early last
(USA) with offshore legend Alex year, as points from a new series Marie Tabarly’s Pen summer. He described the opening
Duick VI finished
Thomson skippering crossed the of five inshore IRC races together second in class
day’s 15kts as giving “Champagne
line, taking the MOCRA class win with the Antigua 360 (a 52nm anti- sailing in perfect conditions, big
after time correction, and putting clockwise race around the island) waves and good competition.”
Maserati second and Zoulou third. and the main RORC Caribbean With the wind gradually building over
Meanwhile, leading the monohull 600 race counted towards a the next two days, an early start for
fleet to take line honours in just new series, the Nelson’s Cup. the Antigua 360 race saw 25kts and a
42 hours 45 mins 06 secs was The series, run by RORC in three metre swell. Rán was once again
Roy P Disney’s Pyewacket 70 association with Antigua YC, showing form, taking line honours in
(USA), a ‘turbo-charged’ Volvo has been dubbed a great success 4 hrs, 1 min, 42 secs, clocking speeds
70; its famous owner notable and is already scheduled to run of high 20s with Niklas on the helm,
by his absence due to knee in the same format next year as a and tussling with Botin 56 Black Pearl
surgery. Their time may not highlight of the Caribbean race (GER) skippered by Stefan Jentzsch
have set the new course record season. RORC CEO Jeremy Wilton for much of the race. Rán’s navigator
they wanted, but it was enough has billed it as a ‘must-do’ warm- Steve Hayles says ‘sub four’ is
to see them win under IRC, a up, saying: “Many of the teams that definitely possible and no doubt teams
double celebration for the crew. competed this year have said it’s a will be upping their game next time!
Scooping second overall no brainer if you want to do well First on IRC for the Antigua 360 went
under IRC was IRC0 winner, in the RORC Caribbean 600, you to RORC Commodore James Neville’s
RORC Vice Commodore Eric de have to do the Nelson’s Cup Series. HH42 Ino XXX setting a provisional
Turckheim racing NMD54 Teasing The regatta prepares teams for the new IRC race record despite the
Machine (FRA). Eric, who is Vice weather conditions and gives them testing conditions. “With the A4 up
Commodore of RORC, described experience in the actual race area and the jib inside it, we topped out at
the race as a “fantastic battle in for the RORC Caribbean 600.” 27kts of boat speed,” said James. “We
IRC0 with four highly competitive The winner of the inaugural had some good sail choices, especially
boats… We finished within 30 RORC Nelson’s Cup was Niklas as the wind speed was at times over
minutes of each other; that is Zennström’s CF520 Rán 8 20, but also down to 12kts and we saw
exciting as well as the sailing itself.” racing in IRC1, who won by a close to 30kts in some rain squalls.”
The first IRC Two-Handed single point from fellow IRC1 But perhaps raising the most
team to cross the line was also entrant Frederic Puzin’s Ker eyebrows as competitors made their
competing in IRC0, the Verdier 46 Daguet 3 Corum (FRA). way around the island was Antiguan
54 Notre Mediterranee - Ville de But if the fight for the overall kiteboarder, Tiger Tyson, who started
Nice (FRA), sailed by Fabien Biron win was close, the margins were his Round Antigua record attempt
and Pim Nieuwenhuis, with an even narrower in deciding IRC2, just after the Multihull start, blasting
impressive time of 02 days 17 hrs where OnDeck’s Farr 65 Spirit of around in 2 hours 38 mins to smash
15 mins 15 secs. Also showing the Juno (ANT) won on countback the outright record – set by Lloyd
variety of boats entered and the from Marie Tabarly’s Pen Duick VI Thornburg’s MOD70 Phaedo3 –
calibre of racing was IRC1 winner (FRA). Some close racing indeed! by six minutes. An amazing feat!
Dan Litchfield’s Hound (USA) The 19-year-old now hopes to
an Aage Nielsen 59 sloop built in Champagne moments qualify for the next Olympics, but
1970, the oldest boat in the race. Rán declared their intentions meanwhile has posted a challenge
Meanwhile it was another USA early as star of the inshore series to see who can beat his record in
boat, Peter McWhinnie’s JPK 1080 with string of first places in the next year’s event… No doubt the
In Theory (USA), winning in IRC2. windward-leeward races, despite MOD70s will have taken note!

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Boat test – Catana Ocean Class
What took you so long?

Catana set the blueprint for fast cruising catamarans but hadn’t launched
a new boat since 2017. Now they are back with the Catana Ocean Class.
Sam Jefferson takes it for a spin
hese days multihulls are market owes an awful lot to one Class, which was first exhibited
such an integral part of manufacturer, Catana, who was there ABOVE at last year’s Multihull Show at La
The Ocean Class
the sailing landscape in the early days of the multihull with her distinctive Grand Motte. This probably owes
that it’s easy to forget boom and, by sticking to a belief that dreadnought bows, a lot to the rapid expansion of Bali
and high freeboard
that it wasn’t so many cruising multihulls could be both catamarans, part of the Catana
years ago that they were fast, comfortable and stylish, helped group dealing with the comfortable
viewed as, well, somewhat esoteric. pave the way for other manufacturers cruising/charter side of the market.
Yet you only have to take a look at to flood the market with the sort of Nevertheless, if the explanation is
yachts such as Donald Crowhurst’s rapid cruisers that have changed the simple enough, the upshot has been
doomed Teignmouth Electron to way we approach bluewater cruising. dismay among followers of the brand
see why they were seen as, um, a It has therefore been something who have grown to love these fast
bit different. The transition to the of a surprise that the company left cruisers. The reaction among these
current state of affairs whereby fast such a significant length of time loyalists to Catana returning to the
cruising multihulls are taking up between launching its Catana 53 in fray with the Ocean Class has been
an increasingly large sector of the 2017 and its latest boat, the Ocean both delight tempered with concern.

This is because, for the first time in some previous designs. That said, ABOVE LEFT for fine tuning the sail but does
The saloon is carried
many years, Catana has eschewed its no expense has been spared to well aft creating a mean you have to use both lines in
trademark twin helm configuration make sure the boat is strong, light large enclosed space tandem when you tack. As you’d
when the weather
and gone for a more comfortable and and stiff, with foam coring in the isn't playing ball. Note expect, the single helm position is
protected single helm position set hulls and carbonfibre reinforcement the helm station to very much the nerve centre of the
starboard with large
inboard. This is a bit of a departure in key areas of high stress. window into saloon yacht with all lines leading back to
for a brand that made a name for The sail plan is a powerful one; these. The clear intention is that the
itself with twin helms and lots of feel in fact she boasts the same sail ABOVE RIGHT boat can be handled by a couple.
In the saloon
and connection with the elements. area as her larger sister, the 53 and looking forward to
you can fly either a self-tacking the nav station Cockpit space
First impressions jib or a larger overlapping genoa BELOW
Multihulls are all about space and
The Ocean Class certainly looks on the twin forestays. This makes The Ocean Class in the Catana is no exception; step
the part with her dreadnought for a very versatile rig on ocean action – she boasts aboard – preferably via one of the
the same overall
bows, high freeboard and angular passages. Like her predecessors, the sail area as her big stern sugar scoops as opposed the
lines giving the boat a muscular, mainsail is controlled using a bridle sister, the Catana 53 rather towering sides – and you
purposeful look. There is a good system that, at first glance seems a find yourself in a broad outdoor
deal of freeboard, meaning clearance bit counterintuitive as both main area with a bench seat stretching
between the nacelle and the sea is winches are used to control the sail. almost the full width of the transom
a generous 90cm. This is important This is because the windward winch and enclosing the space nicely.
on a multihull as it minimises is essentially used as a traveller while This aft area is actually relatively
slamming in a head sea. The yacht the leeward is utilised to flatten narrow but, given that the sliding
is designed by Olivier Poncin and the sail. This is a clever system patio doors that lead you into the
he has gone for a hull shape with saloon blur the line between indoor
minimal rocker, fine waterlines and, and outdoor space, this is less
as you’d expect for a yacht in this noteworthy. Perhaps what is worth
class, daggerboards. The coachroof noting, however, is that in a big
is carried quite a way aft and, with following sea, those big back doors
the sliding patio door into the may seem a bit vulnerable than some
saloon, this creates a big indoor/ other cats in this class. On the other
outdoor space as is the vogue these hand, this set up buys you a whole
days. The big question is, what has lot more interior space, particularly
it done about the helms? This is of if the weather is a bit grim.
course the really big change from Up onto the side decks and, as
previous models and the answer is mentioned, the helm station is to
that the company has offset the helm starboard and is comfortable and
to starboard and it is raised slightly provides excellent all round vision
above cockpit level to provide good, – a big problem on multihulls in
all round vision while not completely general. There is a nice bench seat
isolating the person steering. Indeed, and all four (powered) winches
the boat and the helm are definitely plus the banks of jammers are to
one of a piece because this is a yacht hand. A good deal of thought has
that feels a little less out and out obviously gone into how to keep the
sporty than some of its predecessors helmsman in touch with the cockpit/
with the blend between comfort saloon, so there is a large sliding
and performance, tipped perhaps window just below the helm which
slightly more towards comfort than you can look down into and chat

with people below. If you’re a bit and Commander. To starboard, is ABOVE LEFT Out to sea
more agile, you can actually jump another large L-shaped sofa. The A well appointed I tested the boat off Catana’s home
owner's suite
PHOTOS: CATANA
down into the saloon this way. It’s a forward windows can be opened to base of Canet on a very sultry day
thoughtful solution though perhaps provide a through breeze in tropical ABOVE RIGHT with fitful breezes that maxed out
less sophisticated than the Versahelm climes. The galley is aft of this The nav station at 12kts. Not ideal conditions but
gives you a feeling
on the Balance 482, which can be area and is L-shaped with a decent of being on the nevertheless, it was a chance to see
set at two different heights, while sized sink and plentiful storage. Starship Enterprise how the boat performed in moderate
the Outremer 4x’s use of both tiller Stepping down into the hulls, conditions. First up, leaving the
BELOW
and wheel steering is an elaborate you have a choice of a number The Catana was rapid, berth under motor demonstrated
but fun way of getting around the of layouts. The most popular will particularly when how good the visibility was from
the wind piped up
problem. There is a small bimini doubtless be the owner’s version the helm position. The ability to
above the helm to protect him or with a full suite in the port hull and see all four corners of a multihull
her from the elements. Up at the a big ensuite heads and shower in when parking is vital and this has
bow there is a pleasant lounging the bow. There is another option been achieved by Catana. Hoisting
area and then the trampoline. that features four doubles with two the sails was a breeze thanks to the
heads/shower rooms, and also a four electric winches, and the sail bag was
Down below cabin version with a bunk room reasonably easily accessed despite
Using the term ‘down below’ is a aft plus twin heads and showers the helm station bimini adding a bit
real misnomer given the cockpit/ in both hulls. Whichever option to the boom height. Under sail the
saloon layout but, nevertheless, let's you take, you’ll find the cabins boat proved a willing performer in
stick with sailor parlance. The aft light and spacious. The quality of the sluggish breeze and the helm
part of the saloon is the section that fit out was good, and the general had good feel. Perhaps not up there
would often be ‘outdoors’ on other ambience was very pleasant. with the old outboard twin helms
multihulls and consists of a large but the payoff was that the helm feels
folding table and L-shaped seating well protected and the sail handling
arrangement to port. This provides is arguably easier due to all ropes
ample seating space even if you were leading to one single nerve centre.
entertaining a large party and the The boat pointed well on the wind,
triangular folding table is practical easily getting up to 35 degrees and
and also features storage in the base. sitting comfortably in a groove
To port is the sliding window that around 40 degrees to the wind in
connects the helm station to the most conditions. In the gentle puffs
saloon, and below this is storage plus of breeze, the Catana accelerated
two pull out fridges. Forward of this well. I was later to witness the
is the saloon proper and this features boat in action in more boisterous
a substantial nav station to port with conditions – although sadly I was
fine views out to sea plus the sort testing another yacht – and she
of skipper's chair and layout that is looked to be a very lively performer.
extremely comfortable and pleasing Ultimately, this is a boat that is
because it feels like something both comfortable and reassuring
out of the Starship Enterprise. You but also capable of regularly
could plot your course from here posting runs of 200nm, making
feeling very much like Master for a real mile muncher.

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ALTERNATIVE
BOATS
OUTREMER 4X/4E
French manufacturer Outremer is Catana’s
great rival and its 4X has been around for
a while now. A touch smaller at 48ft loa
but offering a similar blend of sparkling
performance and blue water comfort. The 4E
is the same hull but features electric motors.
catamaran-outremer.com
SAM’S VERDICT
Catana has long been the master thrills while also dishing out high
of producing the fast cruising levels of creature comfort, ease of
cat and the Ocean Class shows handling and fast cruising potential.
it still has the magic touch. The
boat doesn’t offer the blistering
LOOKS: HHHHH
performance of, say, Marsaudon’s WINDELO 50
PERFORMANCE: HHHHH
range of amped-up fast cruisers Like Outremer, Windelo is based in Canet and the
but it still provides plenty of BLUE WATER: HHH HH company has made a name for itself as builder of fast,
stylish blue water catamarans. There is a real focus on
ecologically sustainable methods of production and
the boats also come with electric motors as standard.
THE SPEC windelo-catamaran.com
Designer: Olivier Poncin Engines: 2 x 45cv/HP or 57cv/HP
Hull length: 14.99m (49ft 2in) Fresh water: 800L
Overall length: 15.75m (51in 8in) Price: €915,000 to €1,250,000
Beam: 7.83m (25ft 8in) Contact: catana.com
Draft (boards up): 1.17m (3ft 10in)
Draft (boards down): 2.49m (8ft3in)
Light displacement: 14.5T (19.5t)
BALANCE 482
Conceived in the US and built in South
Africa, these stylish catamarans also blend
performance and comfort into an alluring
package. The 482 was tested in the February
edition of Sailing Today with Yachts and
Yachting and received a favourable write up.
balancecatamarans.com

EXPERTS' FORUM
Unchartered
waters
In the first of a series, Tom
Fletcher reveals an insider’s
advice on how to get the most
out of a charter company,
putting his job on the line to get
you the best value
orking in the to make your enquiry as detailed ABOVE carefully at the yacht specifications
office over as possible, think about what size An ideal anchorage and equipment list. Consider
in Lygia
the winter is a yacht you are comfortable with, and whether things like an autohelm are
blessing. Don’t what is really important to you. Bare BELOW important to you. Solar panels are
get me wrong, minimum; try and include number Think about whether a great benefit, particularly in hot
you want to include
I love the of people/cabins you need, a yacht an SUP in your climates where you’ll be running the
boatyard on a sunny day; maintaining size range you prefer, the ideal dates list of extras fridge a lot. Lithium batteries are a
the charter fleet is great. But even at you want, and anything else vital recent development, and have huge
Sail Ionian, when it’s cold and raining, to you, like slab reefing or in-mast power advantages over traditional
I’ll take the office, and its endless cups furling. The more information AGM batteries. Electric outboards
of tea, any day. I really enjoy dealing you include in your enquiry, the mean no more flooded carbs – a
with potential guests’ enquiries, more accurate the offers will be. god send. And if you’re going to
it’s really all just boat chat, isn’t it? Just as not all yachts are alike, be anchoring a lot, ask about the
And everyone is in a good mood not all charter companies are alike. type of anchor, and length of chain
because they’re sitting at work too, it’s Some charter fleets consist of basic the yacht has. A high specification
raining outside, but they’re booking a yachts, designed to be simple to use charter fleet will offer a lot of extras.
summer holiday! So, here is my low- and maintain, with few extras. Look Don’t be afraid to ask for
down on how to get the best possible recommendations. Hopefully the
deal out of a charter company, person you are speaking with knows
including all the extras you could be their yachts, and can advise which
missing out on – if you don’t ask. boats are very popular, and why. If
Firstly, take your time. Unless you they don’t, find a different charter
are booking last minute there is no company where you’re speaking
need to rush a booking. Send out to the people on the ground, at
enquiries to several companies, and the base. They’re the only people
consider the options available. Try who can really offer good advice.

If you’re looking for an amazing charge extra for final cleaning and ABOVE (L-R) Always, always ask for a discount
An electric outboard
deal, choose early or late season equipment like outboard engines. stowed neatly on
– as a nation we British generally
dates, avoiding half-term weeks. If you’re in need of any assistance the port side stern shy away from talking money, but if
guardrail; Decide
Prices can drop considerably off now is the time to arrange that too. whether you want
you don’t ask, you will just be given
season, and the weather will still be For example, if you’re chartering in to include features list price. Large discounts might not
such as an autohelm;
a lot better than the UK. Probably. southern Europe some companies A yacht manual
be available if you’re coming during
But if it’s the summer you’re looking will include a free stern-to (Med- is a nice touch peak season, but you can usually
for, then consider if you want air mooring) practice session, Sail Ionian get some movement on the price
BELOW
conditioning, or make sure the included. Afterall it’s in our interest A well sorted, colour initially quoted. If they won’t give
yacht at least has fans in all the you bring back a yacht without any coded anchor and you money off, what else can they
chain system. Don't
cabins. The days of a wind scoop scratches! A day or two with a skipper forget to ask about offer? Most charter companies rent
being considered enough to cool a can be arranged too, which is a great the chain length SUPs now, can they include one for
boat are over. If you’re chartering advantage if you’re a bit rusty, or have free? Post Covid-19 many are not
in higher latitudes ask about the crew who haven’t sailed before. providing snorkelling equipment,
heating systems on board. Will the charter company get or lifejackets, but it’s worth asking.
Within an enquiry or two you you out sailing the day you arrive, Remember to check reviews
should be getting a feel for the speed or will you have to wait until the too – Tripadvisor or similar –
and accuracy of the information next morning? Similarly, could may reveal some insights into
you are getting back from various you bring the yacht back the past guests’ experiences. You can
companies. This is probably morning of departure, or will actually search within the reviews
representative of the overall service you be spending the last night ABOUT THE on Tripadvisor – so you can
AUTHOR:
level you can expect, and should of your holiday at their base? Tom Fletcher is a search for a specific yacht name,
hold true for the quality of route Don’t forget to check what veteran of the charter or just look at ‘flotilla’ reviews
market having
plans and yacht handover briefs qualifications you need to charter – worked as a skipper from a specific company. Also,
for example. It’s worth asking what several countries in the EU, and others and instructor for try sorting the reviews by date,
Sail Ionian, based in
additional services the company will worldwide, now require an ICC and Lefkas, for well over and see what people were saying
provide on charter too though. Do that needs to be applied for well in a decade. For more about the area during the month
information, go to
they send any weather forecasts for advance of your holiday, if necessary. sailionian.com you are considering going.
example? Do they give you phone Finally, if you are getting serious
number for marinas, or pontoons about one of the options, ask the
so you can pre-book? What is the company to hold the yacht for you,
emergency breakdown service while you discuss it and deliberate...
like? If your windlass breaks mid- until Friday. I worked in advertising
holiday, will they try to repair it, in a previous life, and we were always
or replace it? Will you be given taught to do a deal late on a Friday
mobile phone numbers for the base afternoon. We used to call our sales
manager, and the head engineer? rep and be very chatty, just as they
Remember to check what extras were trying to get out of the door
are not included in the price you are to the pub! Push for an extra five
being quoted; transfers, yacht fuel per cent off, if you confirm there
and insurance are often not included, and then, it’s known as the ‘buyers
but some old-school companies still close’. I bet you get it. Happy sailing!

EXPERTS' FORUM
Swell Navigation
All’s swell In the second

instalment of our
four-part series
and good with author William

Thomson, we learn
how to navigate by
the swells

here is a myth that Polynesian seafarers could navigate used was to steer a course by the stars at night and tune into how the
with their testicles. While this might seem an over swell moved their boats, then in the daytime they could maintain the
exaggeration, there is in fact method to the madness; bearing by making sure the vessel kept that specific pitch and roll. Too
Pacific navigators were so tuned into the motion of much of one and the navigator would alter course back on track.
their vessels that they could feel subtle changes in the For a modern sailor, you have the advantage of modern technology
canoe, either judging that they were going off course to analyse the swell. When I’m planning passages I use PredictWind
or that an island still out of sight was affecting the swell, giving and check the prevailing swell direction over the coming days –
them a clue which way to steer. In this article we will explore how this means I already know which direction the swell is coming
you can tune into your boat and use many of these techniques to from before I get out on the water and can tune into it quicker.
get a better understanding of what’s happening around you.
Before we get carried away with how you can achieve these remarkable UPSWELL OF ISLANDS
skills, let us start with the fundamentals of swell. When wind blows When a long-period groundswell hits an island, it literally bounces off
over the sea, energy is transferred from the air to water and waves are and travels back the way it came (fig 1). The simplest way to understand
born. They start as ripples, but grow in size if fuelled by three vital this is to think of a swell hitting a seawall and rebounding off; you can
ingredients; wind speed, wind duration, and fetch (the area of water see this on a small scale in many harbours in the UK, especially Dover
over which wind blows consistently). In short, strong winds blowing and Brighton and the effect on your boat is a quicker pitching or rolling
for a long time over a large area of sea will generate powerful swells. motion. On a much larger scale in the Pacific, sailors have noticed it
You can judge the power of a swell by its period, which is the time happening 50nm off the Marquesas, a steep archipelago of islands that rise
between two consecutive waves. Short periods below 10 seconds are precipitously up from the deep ocean and rebound swell that has travelled
defined as ‘windswell’ and typically symbolise low energy and messy all the way from South America, generated by the prevailing trade winds.
conditions. They cannot travel far, have not had time to organise Atlantic shores that experiences long-period goundswells – especially
into clearly defined sets, and are often found in the area where the in Europe where the continental slope is narrower – will experience a
winds are still blowing strongly. But as the period grows over 10 similar effect, especially around steep-rising islands such as Madeira.
seconds it becomes ‘groundswell’ with more energy having been
transferred from the wind so the waves will travel further, contain Above left: A gap in the white water clearly markes the pass
more energy and even grow taller when they reach shallow water. through the reef; Above right: The picture can be less clear
For navigators, groundswell is the most useful of the two. This is approaching from seaward; Below left: How swells interact
because they keep a more consistent direction over time, allowing a and wrap around a small island; Below centre and right; how
navigator to hold a course in relation to the swell. The tactic Polynesians swell direction can help you navigate by day and night
Fig 1
g1 Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting MAY 2023 69

EXPERTS' FORUM
Fig 2 Fig 3
Fig 2: Tidal or ocean currents can have a profound effect on the shape of a swell and this is clearly evident from the deck of your boat if
you are attuned to the waves; Fig 3: The manner in which waves behave can also give strong clues to the undulating shape of the seabed
If you’ve noticed a change in pitch and roll and it’s not because of
DOWNSWELL OF ISLANDS an underwater hazard, in inshore waters it commonly indicates a turn
In contrast to the bounce-back effect on the ‘upswell’ side of islands, in the tide (fig 2). If you are travelling downswell and the tide is with
a very different pattern happens on the ‘downswell’ side. Immediately you, the sea will be calm because the swell and currents are travelling
in the lee, as you would expect, is a swell shadow of smooth water the same direction. But if the sea state becomes choppy – seemingly
that is perfect for anchoring if it coincides with an offshore breeze. without reason – this could indicate that the tidal streams have changed
But what is less known are the areas of turbulent patches known as direction and now the swell and streams are colliding, creating the chop.
‘swell nodes’. This is where refracted swells that have wrapped around Naturally, we have apps and charts telling us when slack water
the island converge on the downwell side, making confused seas (see should be, but it is rarely ever bang on time. Sometimes it is early
Infographic). The effect is similar to a tide race, with a steepening of and at other times it is late – often by up to an hour. The main
waves where they collide, often in a single area. Once you are away from reason for this variation is often wind direction, but there can also be
it, the seas then calm down again – which is why you should be careful geographical quirks that affect the time of slack water. In short, you
coming around the edges of landmasses with a big swell running. never know exactly when it will be – but feeling the change in your
While there will always be confused seas in these areas, the size of boat’s movement can give you a clear idea when it is actually happening,
the sheltered patch depends on the unique geography of the island and helping develop your connection with the environment around you.
what’s around it. A solitary island in an area of long-period groundswells
may find swell refracted all the way around. But this effect is severely In the next article William will explore
diminished if there are other islands and reefs around, creating a bigger how you can navigate with the birds.
barrier to protect from the swell. For example, Captain Cook noted in
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
his journal that when he approached a large archipelago in the Pacific William Thomson – founder of Tide School (www.tide-school.
called the Tuamotos, there was a significant diminishing in swell size. com) and author of Book of Tides – is currently on a long-term
sailing voyage with his young family aboard Luna. Inspired by
Modern sailors have observed a similar change in the conditions in that explorations, William has drawn upon a mixture of practical
same area today and you can apply this to any archipelago in the world. experience and theoretical study to create a series of books and
articles focusing on navigation using our natural resources
LOCAL CHANGES
The techniques explained above are mainly useful when approaching
offshore islands or archipelagos. But these are not the only places
where tuning into the swell is useful; a feel for how your boat
pitches and rolls is equally practical closer inshore, especially in
coastlines with big tides like those we experience in the UK.
If you notice a rapid change in your boat’s movement, the primary
concern should be to check the depth and make sure there is not a
sudden shallowing of the seabed (fig 3). This is especially vital in places
with a sandy seabed, where strong currents and storms can dramatically
change the bathymetry since the last chart was made. The Goodwin
Sands is a notable place where this happens; a catamaran I was once
on showed 1m under the keel when the chartplotter indicated 20m
depth. Lucky we weren’t in a monohull or we’d have run aground.

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Charter Guide – Croatia
Dalmatian coast spots

With uncrowded anchorages, a reliable climate, plus fascinating history,
and culture to discover, Croatia is now considered one of the top charter
holiday destinations writes Sue Pelling
he charter holiday to the popular city of Split, so for ABOVE The area off the Dalmatian coast
Hvar town on Hvar
season in Croatia those travelling with young children Island is well worth is blessed with 1,200+ islands and
typically runs from and/or older family members, this adding to your islets and is known for its ‘line
itinerary, with plenty
May to early October is a location worth considering. of historic places of of sight’ navigation with plenty
and with so much Also because of its northern interest to visit, and of short hops between islands
secluded bays in which
going for it, including Mediterranean location, the to drop anchor and anchorages. As well as the
easy access from the UK, and temperature is generally less intense spectacular sailing and the natural
conditions to suit all abilities, it has early in the season, with an average beauty of the backdrop of verdant
become a new favourite as far as 22°C to 28°C from April to May, mountains, Croatia is enhanced
sailing holiday destinations go. which makes it ideal for those who by architectural jewels in places
Its location in the Adriatic Sea prefer slightly ‘cooler’ conditions. like Trogir, Split, Pula, Korcula,
opposite the eastern coastline of The typical wind conditions Zadar, Sibenik, and Dubrovnik.
Italy and its border countries of throughout the season are generally The more you explore, the more
the Balkan Peninsula (Slovenia, light to moderate up to about 20kts charming harbours and ‘secret’
Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, with fresher conditions when the north anchorages you’ll find, which means
Montenegro, and Albania), offers a westerlies or south/south easterlies – there’s every chance you’ll have
short haul flight of approximately known as the Bora and the Jugo – are to make a return trip to visit the
two and a half hours from Gatwick in force up and down the Adriatic. seemingly endless beauty spots.

What’s on offer friends, and travel companions BELOW: Sailing. Its Dalmatian Island bases
PHOTO: ISTOCK
Croatia’s popularity as a charter free to participate in the sailing as Check out Sunsail for include Split Kastela, Split Town,
its range of sailing
holiday destination means more much or as little as they wish. holiday opportunities Trogir and Dubrovnik, while the
and more companies now offer this As with bareboat charter, most in Croatia Kornati Island option has bases
option. Before booking however, you companies have skippered and in Biograd, Sibenik, Sukosan and
need to decide on the type of charter fully crewed charter possibilities. Zadar. Some companies, such
that suits you and your travelling A company that has one for as Sunsail, Nautilus Yachting
companions’ requirements/skills. largest ranges of bareboat or and Sunscape Yachting, offer
Most companies that operate in skippered holiday bases in tuition too, which means you
the Mediterranean have a Croatian Croatia is Sailing Holidays’ can even combine your holiday
charter, but the following is a charter division – Independent in Croatia with learning to sail.
reminder of what you are likely to
find advertised, and the type of
charter you need to consider.
Bareboat – If you or someone in
your party hold a practical sailing
certificate equivalent to RYA Day
Skipper Practical, or International
Certificate of Competence (ICC) for
example, and have a VHF licence,
it is possible to charter your ‘own’
yacht without a charter company
skipper onboard, and you’ll have the
freedom to plan your own itinerary.
Skippered and fully crewed
charter – Without the appropriate
qualifications the options are
limited to skippered charter (with
company’s qualified skipper aboard),
PHOTO: SUNSAIL
or fully crewed. Fully crewed is

when the yacht is crewed by a
professional team, leaving family,

Charter Guide – Croatia
By the cabin charter – This is

a good choice for solo travellers
because not only does it offer the
luxury of a personal cabin, but
also everything on board is taken
care of, giving you time to enjoy
the sailing, relax and meet other
likeminded members of the party.
Sunscape Yachting, which runs
flotilla, bareboat, skippered and
fully crewed holidays, has a cabin
charter holidays which starts and
finishes in Dubrovnik. It has an
interesting itinerary to the south
taking in Montenegro, with an
opportunity to visit the famous
Yacht charter agents
PHOTO: ISTOCK
walled city of Kotor and beautiful More and more companies are ABOVE:
The quayside in Split
Herceg Novi amongst others historic now specialising in flotillas in this with the Diocletian
There are many worldwide, on-line,
places of interest. The Globe Sailor is area including Seafarer Cruising Palace as an yacht charter, or boat rental agents
impressive backdrop
also worth looking at for its eight- & Sailing Holidays that not only such as Plainsailing, SamBoat,
day cruise aboard a Lagoon 400 sails from Dubrovnik but also BELOW boataround, borrowaboat, Helm,
catamaran, as is Nautilus Yachting. Split. With an increase in demand A sailing holiday Click&Boat, Cosmos Yachting,
in the sun in
Flotilla – If it’s your first for Croatian flotillas last year, this Croatia offers an
Island-Sailing, and The Globe Sailor
time on a sailing holiday and company has reinstated its Split ideal oportunity that have a huge range of yachts
to learn to sail
you don’t a have qualifications, flotilla with its base in ACI Marina, of all shapes and sizes available in
you might like to consider a which is just 10 minutes’ walk or Croatia. This is not only a good
flotilla holiday whereby you a quick water taxi away from this option if you want to go it alone
sail in company of other yachts historic town with highlights that rather than being tied into a more
under constant supervision. As include the Diocletian Palace. package-style bareboat charter
mentioned previously, those Nautilus Yachting, that specialises deal, but also, you’ll find that most
with an appropriate skipper bareboat and flotilla holidays, runs of these charter agents have a
qualification don’t need a hired two flotillas in Croatia which cover skippered or fully crewed charters.
skipper onboard but with a flotilla the coast from Kornati islands Some like The Globe Sailor, have
there’s the advantage of a lead to Dubrovnik. It also has a good a whole range of possibilities,
yacht whose skipper is not only range of yachts to suit all tastes so it’s well worth checking out
familiar with the local area and including Dufour, Jeanneau and what’s on offer, and what deals
its rules and regulations but will Beneteau. The Globe Sailor has are available, on associated
PHOTO: SUNSAIL
also have the local knowledge several flotilla options in Croatia, websites from the list below.
to help plan an interesting ‘off as does Sunsail with its two bases
the beaten track’ itinerary. including one in Dubrovnik.
Useful contacts
samboat.com
dreamyachtcharter.com
moorings.co.uk
nautilusyachting.com
plainsailing.com
sailingholidays.com
independentsailing.com
seafarersailing.co.uk
sunsail.co.uk
sunscapeyachting.co.uk
theglobesailor.com
borrowaboat.com
helm.yt
click&boat.com
boataround.com
cosmosyachting.com
island-sailing.com

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Dinghy & Watersports Show
It’s always a great crowd and this year’s show was no disappointment, as small
boat sailors showed their passion for their sport in all its forms over a buzzing
weekend at Farnborough
expert talks and presentations
he RYA Dinghy & manufacturers and retailers from BELOW: the RYA taking place across the weekend.
Interactive Zone
Watersports Show, across the small boat sailing and was awash with RYA Director of Sport
presented by Suzuki, boardsports community. This year visitors trying out the Development Rob Clark said: “The
windsurfing, winging
was a big success the show welcomed 8,500 visitors, and sailing simulators, atmosphere was alive with passion,
in its second year 160 exhibitors and hundreds of the trapeze rig and enthusiasm and excitement as
360 VR Experience.
at Farnborough boats and boards with some 74 people browsed all the latest boats,
International Exhibition Centre, as boards and equipment, soaked up
thousands of sailors flocked to the expert knowledge and hit the shops
venue over the weekend of 25-26 for some early-season boating
February. There was a buzz in the bargains.
hall as soon as the doors opened “The RYA organises this show
and the event was busy through to to bring together the small boat
Sunday evening, with exhibitors sailing and boardsports community,
showcasing dinghies ranging from and it was absolutely thriving this
a Thames A-rater to a Topper. The weekend. I just loved seeing people
PHOTO: MARTIN KERUZORE
show now encompasses windsurfing, getting involved in the interactive

wingsurfing and foiling, as well sessions, catching up with old
as paddleboarding. It also brings friends and making new ones,
together clubs, training centres, getting inspired to get afloat and
class associations, equipment discovering new ways to do so.”

ABOVE: Olympic gold medal-winning father and daughter Mike and Eilidh McIntyre take questions from a packed crowd, with
SailGP sailor Hannah Diamond hosting. Eilidh recently announced she will not be defending her Tokyo title in the 470.
ABOVE: The Sailing Today with Yachts and

Yachting team enjoyed a roaring trade at the
show, with a subscriber offer of Dartmouth
Gin proving to a be a very powerful draw
ABOVE: the model yacht-racing pool had a long queue, with experienced practioners and newcomers
trying their hand at the sport. A lively compere kept all entertained over the microphone.
ABOVE: club sailor Ken Fowler, who aims to

complete his Yodare challenge this summer, sailing
his RS Aero around each of England and Wales’ 250
islands, attracted one of the biggest crowds of the
show as he talked about his fundraising challenge.
RIGHT: the Show’s three stages (Suzuki Main

Stage, Knowledge Zone and an expanded
Watersports Stage) all attracted big crowds.
Here keen ILCA sailors glean some top tips
from British Sailing Team members Sam
Whaley and Hannah Snellgrove. There were
also winging workshops and plenty more.

Advertorial
New kit
for 2023
What's new at Wildwind beach
clubs this summer
he Wildwind team is looking forward to unpacking ILCA logo sails (which had battens), and on top of that
all the new kit for the season. For us sailors, is there they actually let you go sailing when it’s over 15 knots!”
anything more satisfying than opening a brand-new Positively encouraging and supporting clients to sail in the high
sail? There’s nothing to compare with the pleasure of wind afternoons, rather than grounding everyone to protect the
that lovely crispy feel and sound! The Wildwind team kit, is a USP at Wildwind – thus the name. The bosun is there
promises videos of them happily surrounded by 78 every day to take care of the boats – not to dampen your sailing
new sails: YES you read that right: 78 BRAND-NEW SAILS. The and learning experience. The all-important Wildwind safety boat
company prides itself on providing quality kit for their clients. fleet has also been updated over the winter to make sure that
As Wildwind has always been the sailing holiday help will always be on hand when needed out on the water.
designed and provided for by sailors, this shines through Additions to the fleet this year will include four spanking
with this current investment in new equipment. new Hobie 16s, only used at last year’s World Championships
New sails mean you can really make the most of putting all their and in the special colours for the event. You can watch a
coaching tips into action and perfect your technique without being video of Beach Manager Joe Bennett unpacking one of
held back with saggy old ones, so often found on holiday boats. them just last month: https://youtu.be/VZ2CMnKD6cY
As Niall Peelo, ILCA sailor and UKLA member, wrote in ILCA Hot off the press is the news that there will also
UK news last year: “Having done several ‘dinghy beach club’ type be an RS800 waiting on the beach this year to fly
holidays, I have always been slightly disappointed that the boats round Vassiliki Bay at awesome speeds.
have been old, average condition and the sails had no battens. In the catamaran fleet, the six Hobie Tigers, three FX1
"I checked out the Wildwind fleet of ILCAs first, and single-handers and three Pacifics all have freshly refinished
was honestly amazed. The boats were superb. Some were hulls with rubber grip for comfort and improved traction
brand-new, built by Riotechna, and the sails were all new for trapezing in that famous thermal afternoon wind.
ILCA / Laser Intensive Training titles (also in the RS Feva) and

Clinic - 7 May representing Great Britain at
several World Championships.
Are your thoughts turning to dreams of podium glory in your He then transitioned to the
ILCA/Laser this year? Whether you are relatively new to club Laser 4.7 (ILCA 4), worked his
racing or a seasoned virtuoso, Wildwind offers a week of way up to the RYA Laser Radial
intensive race training in the sun to get your season off to a (ILCA 6) UK National Youth
flying start. The week covers Squad before transitioning to the
everything from boat tuning Standard (ILCA 7), representing
and tactics to boat handling. Great Britain at five World
Specialist ILCA coach Aaron Championships across all three
Smith will be on hand to help rig sizes: so whether you want
improve your high wind race to focus on racing the ILCA 4
boat handling and tactics with (4.7), ILCA 6 (Radial) or ILCA 7 (Standard): he’s your man. Aaron turned
a rescue team as back-up: his hand to coaching in 2011, kicking off in the UK, where he focused
if you approach high wind on the RYA Optimist Zone/Development Squads. With an impressive
gybes with trepidation, this is list of 16 RYA instructor qualifications to his name, he spent five years
the place to tame them. The at Wildwind so he is no stranger to all things Vassiliki from instructing/
light winds in the morning joyriding and “generally drinking too much”. Having spent the last
are ideal for perfecting technique and superb preparation for few seasons as Chief Instructor and Centre Manager at The Andrew
those all too frequent light-wind UKLA and club races when Simpson Centre in Lake Garda, he will be returning to Vassiliki Bay for
patience and technique win the day. As a bit of background two weeks. Those lucky enough to bag the remaining slots on the 7
Aaron started off on the RYA Optimist UK National Squad May ILCA Laser intensive clinic will be the ones unfurling the 23 brand-
with a string of podium positions, three national champion new ILCA sails: any racing sailor’s dream. Visit wildwind.co.uk

S
W
E
GULL’S EYE
N
HASLAR MARINA
50.7904°N 1.1207°W
This Gosport-based, boatfolk-run marina couldn’t be more convienient as a

south coast base for berth holders and visitors writes Sue Pelling
WASHROOM AND
LAUNDRY
THE CREEK
SEALIFT
BLACK PILES WITH ODD

NUMBERS TO THE LEFT
EVEN NUMBERS TO THE
RIGHT
PUMP OUT FACILITIES

BERTHING FOR 650 YACHTS
Pontoon rows A-K plus visitor area
near the Lightship, rows L-M
MARINA OFFICE
VISITOR BERTHS
THE LIGHTSHIP
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Gull’s Eye – Haslar Marina
aslar Marina, in
Gosport is one of
11 boatfolk marinas
based around the
UK and a popular
choice on the
south coast thanks not only to
its convenient location on the
western side of Portsmouth
Harbour, but also the fact it’s
accessible at all states of the tide.
As with all boatfolk marinas,
Haslar is open 24/7 and offers
extensive facilities although it’s
worth noting there is no fuel
berth, which means you’ll need ABOVE recent revamp, Haslar Marina now the marina. Both restaurants
to make plans to re-fuel at nearby View of Haslar offers en-suite accommodation, are open to visitors by boat on a
Marina. One of the
Gosport Marina. Haslar, however, best landmarks for (open this spring) for those free, four-hour short stay basis.
has recently been upgraded and navigation is the who fancy a waterside break. For boatcare and repair, this
Portsmouth Spinnaker
extended with berthing now Tower, seen here Although there is an easy marina is well equipped with lift
possible for up to 650 yachts. directly ahead to access, dedicated visitor and launch services and offers
Berth holders who choose to berth area with plenty of space, a one-stop shop for all boat
become an annual resident can visitors are advised however, to repair and maintenance tasks,
expect a high-end boatfolk package check availability before arrival from deck repairs to rigging and
which, as well as well-maintained because the marina does get busy electronics. Whether it’s a quick
berth in the sheltered waters of particularly in the summer or when lift and scrub on the Sealift (a
Portsmouth Harbour, also includes there are special events taking submersible cradle where they
a sought after national cruising place in Portsmouth, and on the can lift scrub and relaunch in 90
pass, which gives 300 free nights at Solent with regattas such as Cowes minutes), or general repairs or
any of boatfolk’s 10 sister marinas. Week and Round the Island Race. maintenance, Haslar has it all.
Also included in the ‘package’ is up The marina complex includes Once moored up, you’ll find
to six weeks free storage ashore, an the usual high end facilities you’d the area brimming with places
invite to the berth holders’ summer expect from boatfolk with four of historic interest including the
party, and complementary tickets sets of toilets and shower blocks Royal Naval Submarine Museum
to the Southampton Boat Show including disabled facilities, and the Explosion Museum of
in September. As far as discounts laundry, pump out station (on the Naval Firepower close by. Also,
go, you’ll also get 20 per cent off breakwater pontoon), and free just a short hop over the harbour
boat insurance with Towergate wi-fi. There is also the advantage (on the Gosport pedestrian ferry)
insurance, and 10 per cent discount 50.7904°N of having two on-site restaurants you’ll find yourself in the heart
on boatcare and boatyard services. 1.1207°W including Haslar’s signature green of Portsmouth’s Naval Town with
Boatfolk’s Flexi Berthing plan floating ‘landmark’ – The Lightship attractions that include the historic
is another option particularly for – which opens in the spring after Naval Dockyard – home to HMS
those who don’t want to commit recent restoration, and will offer Victory, HMS Warrior, and the
to an annual contract, and/or who fine dining. There is also The Creek remains of King Henry VIII’s Mary
are keen to spread the costs with for breakfast, lunch and dinner Rose housed in a new purpose-
monthly payments. boatfolk say with waterside views overlooking built museum. Gunwharf Quays
this option is ‘no fuss, no contract shopping centre is the place to go
but no extra benefits’ included. for retail therapy, while a visit up
Given the huge array of the imposing 170m tall Spinnaker
incentives, its prime location near Tower offers spectacular views.
the Naval town of Portsmouth, easy
reach of the Solent, and with some Passage planning
of the UK’s most popular cruising Haslar Marina is perfectly located for
grounds on its ‘doorstep’ to the easy access from the Solent, nestled
east and west, it’s not surprising just within the entrance to Portsmouth
Haslar Marina remains a desirable Harbour. Upon entering the harbour
option for both annual berth you’ll see Haslar Marina’s iconic green
holders and visitors alike. It is Lightship located on your port side.
also close to Portsmouth Harbour When entering Portsmouth
railway station, and has a spacious Harbour remember to keep in the
and secure carpark plus, in its small boat channel if you are under

Gull’s Eye – Haslar Marina
PHOTO: ISTOCK
20m, vessels over 20m must call
‘KHM’ (Kings Harbour Master) on
ABOVE
Old Harry Rocks at the
are 29 square miles of local
cruising opportunities within
FACTFILE
southern end of
Ch11 for permission to enter or leave Studland Bay, Dorset, the harbour, with the likes of Haslar MARINA
is a pleasant place to
the harbour by the main channel. anchor for lunch in
Bosham, Birdham and Itchenor Postcode: PO12 1NU
Once you spot The Lightship, fine weather all pretty places of interest with VHF: Ch 80
call on Ch80, call sign ‘Haslar BELOW
attractive villages that offer Call sign: Haslar Marina
Marina’ or ring 02392 601201 to Worbarrow Bay on the plenty to see and do ashore. Email: haslar@ boatfolk.co.uk
request a berth from the friendly Jurassic coast lies just With easy access to the Solent,
to the east of Lulworth
Tel: +44(0)2392 601201
berthing team. As mentioned Cove on the Isle of it doesn’t take long to venture Prices:
previously, during peak season it Purbeck across to the Isle of Wight either, Annual berth: starting from £544 per metre
is recommended you call ahead to with stop-offs in Seaview, and Flexi Berthing: starting from £40 per metre
ensure there are berths available. Osborne Bay – a great place to per month
To make navigating into the drop anchor for lunch and a have Visitor berth: from £4.10 per metre per night
marina as easy as possible, there a swim. Cowes (approximately Short stay: (up to 4 hours) from £15
are black piles at the end of each 9nm) is a popular sailors’ haunt Weekly: £24.60 per metre
pontoon, which are marked with with plenty of restaurants On site services:
letters – odd numbers to the left and pubs to suit all tastes, but Yacht brokers
and even numbers to your right. beware the summer season gets – boatpoint Portsmouth:
extremely busy there, particularly +44(0)2392 414188
Cruising ground during the annual Round the
Boatyard
– boatcare +44(0)2392 584374
Basing yourself at boatfolk’s Haslar Island Race and Cowes Week.
Sea school and yacht charter –
Marina either as a berth holder or a Finally, a bit further towards
Andrew Simpson Watersports:
visitor is an ideal option for making the Needles on the Western
+44 (0)2392 522777
the most of the extensive south Approaches is the delightful Four Seasons Yacht Charter: +44(0)2392
coast cruising ground. There really town of Yarmouth (17nm), 511789
are so many places of interest to which has a marina and well Nearest chandlery:
visit and explore along the stretch worth a visit. It’s a great place You Boat: +44(0)2392 522226
from Selsey Bill to Anvil Point. for dining out, with plenty of Places to eat and drink:
PHOTO: ISTOCK
For those keen on heading further pubs and restaurants, including The Creek: +44(0)23 9400 2461
afield out the Solent, Poole Harbour the Terrace – a waterside The Lightship: +44(0)23 9400 6170
is a delight (approximately 30nm), Michelin star restaurant.
or further still along to the Jurassic
coastline, a World Heritage Site
which extends approximately 95
miles from Old Harry Rocks, near
Swanage in Dorset to Exmouth,
Devon. The coastline is dotted
with anchorages like Lulworth
Cove, Worbarrow Bay, and the
sheltered waters of Portland
Harbour (approximately 58nm).
But you really don’t have to travel
that far from Portsmouth to take
in all the glorious cruising options
with the likes of Chichester Harbour
just ‘around the corner’ to the east
and within an Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty. At high water there

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Regatta Guide
SUMMER REGATTA
GUIDE 2023
It’s nearly summer and to help you plan your calendar, we’ve invited sailing and yacht clubs across the country to
share their summer regatta dates and delights! As ever our annual guide brings you a full range of stunning venues
- river, inland and coastal - and every kind of dinghy and big boat racing. Whether you’re looking to combine with a
family holiday or compete at an iconic yachting regatta, there will be an event for you!
may be available at the club and pitches
NORTH Trophy for club with the most entries? may be available in the members’ club and sailing lessons on a morning
WEBSITE: fileysc.org.uk camping area. and racing on an afternoon. Also on
BASS WEEK offer are opportunities to explore the
5-13 August, Bassenthwaite WEBSITE: ryyc.org.uk
ROYAL YORKSHIRE YACHT CLUB’S lake with the leisure sailing group and
SC, Bassenthwaite Lake, Cumbria 165TH ANNUAL REGATTA fun water activities for everyone. Tents
OVERVIEW: Nine days of racing in ULLSWATER YACHT CLUB HOLIDAY
6-12 August, The Royal Yorkshire YC, WEEK and campervans (sorry no caravans)
the beautiful Lake District, with a great Bridlington, East Yorkshire are welcome on the club’s ‘Birkett field’
family environment in a setting of 7-11 August, Ullswater YC, Pooley
OVERVIEW: Six days of racing and a ‘fun’ Bridge, Cumbria with its stunning lake views.
unrivalled natural beauty. Camping day in and around the beautiful Bridlington INSIDER TIP: Make the most of what
available on site and full social OVERVIEW:: A combination of racing,
Bay, with classes for IRC Cruisers, YTC children’s activities, tuition, leisure beautiful Ullswater has to offer – take
programme for all ages. A mix of fleet Cruisers, Yorkshire One Designs and to the hills, go for a ride on an iconic
and handicap racing, with some races sailing and family fun on and off the
Photos: Martin Allen Photography; Sue Giles; Tim Bees; Holly Hancock
modern dayboats/sportsboats, water, as well as daytime and evening Ullswater Steamer, or simply relax and
run as a series while others are one- supported by a varied and interesting enjoy the stunning scenery.
offs. Excellent value summer race week entertainment and catering. A packed
social programme. five-day programme includes a kids’ WEBSITE: ullswateryachtclub.org
and one of the most popular open INSIDER TIP: Book early, accommodation and ullswatersailingschool.com
events in the north of England.
WEBSITE: bassweek.org.uk
Ullswater EAST
FILEY REGATTA ALDEBURGH YC REGATTAS
20-21 May, Filey SC, Arndale Way, 6-10 August, Aldeburgh Junior &
Filey, North Yorkshire Youth Regatta; 13-18 August,
OVERVIEW: Sailing in beautiful Filey Aldeburgh Regatta, Aldeburgh
Bay. A total of six races, open to all YC, Suffolk
dinghies PY1250 and below, with OVERVIEW: Located between the sea
trapezoid courses for Fast, Medium and and the River Alde, one mile south of
Slow handicap fleets run by national the historic town of Aldeburgh - Junior
race officers. Saturday night social and & Youth Regatta is for children and
camping available. young people up to the age of 21, all
INSIDER TIP: Can your club take home classes welcome; Aldeburgh Regatta
the Filey Town Council Tide Clock
86 MAY 2023
2022 Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting
Brancaster Horning Regatta
then follows with a warm welcome for quick spin around the southern the North West Norfolk Sailing RAMSGATE WEEK
dinghies, keelboats and cruisers. North Sea. Association, visiting the sailing clubs of 6-11 August, Royal Temple YC,
WEBSITE: aldeburghyc.org.uk SPONSOR: DXB Pump & Power Snettisham Beach, Brancaster Staithe, Ramsgate, Kent
WEBSITE: eaora.org.uk Wells, Ouse Amateur, Blakeney, Overy OVERVIEW: Ramsgate Week is widely
BRANCASTER STAITHE SAILING WEEK Staithe and then back to Snettisham recognised as the ‘friendly regatta’ and
7-11 August, Brancaster Staithe SC, HORNING OPEN REGATTA WEEK Beach. Nine races in total, with six to the alternative to Cowes. The 2023 IRC
Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk 31 July-4 August, Horning SC, count, providing a good balance between East Coast Championships runs as a
OVERVIEW: Brancaster Sailing Week is Norfolk Broads sailing and holiday, with short tidal separate series within Ramsgate
a multi-class open regatta with daily OVERVIEW: The annual Open Regatta windows meaning there are no long Week. After a challenging day’s sailing
races at sea for senior fleets and in the at Horning Sailing Club sees the River postponements, so plenty of time for the between the North and South
harbour for junior fleets. Briefing is on Bure at Horning become a hive of family to spend on the beaches. Daily Forelands, you’re a five minute walk
Sunday 6 August and there are social activity with racing from 9am- trophies, weekly trophies, lady and junior from your berth to the Royal Temple
events during the week. Registration is 6pm every day outside the helm prizes - something for all sailors. Yacht Club where you can relax while
online via the website. clubhouse. Races for Dinghies, INSIDER TIP: Be warned - it is extremely enjoying the renowned hospitality.
INSIDER TIP: Competitive and friendly Keelboats and River Cruisers - and addictive. Most people having been once INSIDER TIP: The shifting sands can
racing for all the family. great for spectators too! will return year after year. catch navigators out, pay attention to
WEBSITE: members.bssc.net INSIDER TIP: There are great socials WEBSITE: norfolkweek.co.uk your depth gauges.
taking place every night, come and SPONSORS: Icom, Shepherd Neame,
BURNHAM WEEK get involved. OULTON WEEK Kent Decking Supplies, Ramsgate Town
26 August-2 September, Burnham- WEBSITE: horning-sailing.club 20-25 August, Waveney and Council, Page & Sons Ltd, Miles and
on-Crouch, Essex Oulton Broad YC, Suffolk Barr, North Sails, Riga Marine
OVERVIEW: A friendly competitive MERSEA WEEK
Cruising -regatta
Cotewith
d’Azur
a colourful mix of cruisers, 13-18 August, West Mersea YC &
OVERVIEW: Six days of racing for
dinghies, keelboats and river cruisers.
WEBSITE: ramsgateweek.com
dayboats and dinghies. There is a class Dabchicks SC, Mersea Island, Essex The dinghies are in fast and slow ROYAL BURNHAM YACHT CLUB
for everyone whether IRC, local OVERVIEW: The largest sailing regatta handicap fleets although ILCAs and CADET WEEK
handicap, new to racing or experienced. on the East Coast, Mersea Week is Optimists will also have some class 17-20 August, Royal Burnham YC,
One design classes are a welcoming organised by a team of volunteers and races. Squibs and local one designs The Quay, Burnham-on-Crouch
and friendly group. A variety of courses supported by both West Mersea YC (Waveneys, Broads and Yare & Bures) OVERVIEW: Welcoming youngsters
keeps interest piqued and the race and Dabchicks SC, with both clubs have class races, plus there are mixed with the option of both river and pond
committee listens to competitors offering a host of social events keelboat races. There’s a busy social sailing, a great social programme and
ensuring that needs are met throughout the week. Dinghies and programme and some racing in the lots of fun activities for the youngsters
throughout. Family friendly with a full yachts of all classes are welcome, with evenings. and their parents.
social calendar. A great way to round Mersea Week consistently having over INSIDER TIP: Find accommodation WEBSITE: rbyc.uk/afloat/cadets/
off your summer. 100 boats registered. Join in for a great afloat if possible, such as aboard hire
INSIDER TIP: Book your mooring early week on and off the water. ROYAL HARWICH YACHT CLUB
cruisers - and bring your children -
and ensure you enter when the discount INSIDER TIP: Free moorings for visiting JUNIOR RACE WEEK
they’ll love it. 29 August-1 September, Royal
is valid and follow us on social media @ boats so no extra cost to worry about. WEBSITE: wobyc.com
burnham_week on Instagram or SPONSORS: Week sponsors: Adnams Harwich YC, Woolverstone, Suffolk
Facebook to keep up to date with news. and Marine Store OVERVIEW: Open to competitors born
OVERY STAITHE REGATTA
WEBSITE: burnhamweek.com WEBSITE: merseaweek.com 17-20 August, Overy Staithe, North
Norfolk Coast
EAORA OFFSHORE REGATTA NORTH WEST NORFOLK WEEK OVERVIEW: A series of races for
15-18 June, East Anglian 29 July-5 August, various PYEFLEET WEEK
Offshore Racing Association locations along the north and west
Toppers, Mirrors, 12sqM Sharpies, OKs, 29 July-4 August,
(EAORA) representing clubs on coast of Norfolk
ILCAs, handicap boats. Also some all-in Brightlingsea SC,
the East Coast, principally East OVERVIEW: Competitive but fun family handicap racing. Brightlingsea, Essex
Anglia and Kent regatta week with close racing at a INSIDER TIP: Make sure you have a OVERVIEW: Kick off your summer
OVERVIEW: This year being a Fastnet different venue every day. Organised by lifting rudder and an alarm clock. holiday with a week of sailing on
year, EAORA is running its ever popular WEBSITE: overystaithesc.org.uk the East Coast. Pyefleet Week
Offshore Regatta, a highly sociable as offers great racing for a wide range
well as competitive regatta, which of classes from Optimists to
starts with the 120-mile RORC East Moths, plus a full social
Coast Race (Harwich to Ostend) on Pyefleet Week programme for all ages. With
Thursday 15 June. Racing continues fantastic local shops, a historic lido,
with the Cannonball Trophy (Ostend to its own beach, a campsite on the
Ramsgate) on Saturday 17 June and doorstep, and the beautiful
Graham Wallis Trophy (Ramsgate to Brightlingsea Harbour and River
Harwich) on Sunday 18 June. There will Colne as a backdrop, it’s a great
also be a shorter Haven Combined place to holiday.
Clubs passage race from Harwich to INSIDER TIP: Book
Ostend on Thursday 15 June to accommodation early, pack your
encourage those who do not need fancy dress, bucket and spade
RORC Fastnet Race qualifying miles to and prepare yourself for a good
join in the fun of the regatta. old fashioned regatta week.
INSIDER TIP: Be prepared for serious WEBSITE: pyefleetweek.com
racing and serious socialising on this

Charming Harbour with First Class Mooring Facilities
Only a step away...

Beautiful Georgian Town
New Forest Activities
Fantastic Dining Experiences
Things To See & Do
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NEW IN 2022
refurbished shower & washroom facilities at Town Quay
Find out more:

Let’s get social www.lymingtonharbour.co.uk
info@lymingtonharbour.co.uk
01590 672014
Royal Southern Yacht Club

Summer Series 2023
North Sails May Regatta

7-8 May
Champagne Charlie June Regatta

3-4 June
Salcombe Gin July Regatta

8-9 July
September Regatta
15-17 September
royal-southern.co.uk

Bourne End Cowes Spring Classics
between 1 September 2004 and 31 and entertainment each evening

Tony Ketley; Chris Brown Photography; Paul Wyeth
BRITISH CLASSIC WEEK COWES SPRING CLASSICS

August 2015, sailing monohull dinghies supported by sponsor 15-22 July, Royal Yacht Squadron/ 12-14 May, Cowes Corinthian
of no more than 5m loa with a 2023 holidaycottages.co.uk, all within Cowes Yacht Haven, Isle of Wight YC/Shepards Marina, Cowes,
RYA PY no less than 1000. Racing fleets walking distance of Whitstable’s OVERVIEW: British Classic Week, Isle of Wight
are expected to include: Optimist; ILCA; shops, pubs and restaurants. organised by British Classic Yacht OVERVIEW: Cowes Spring Classics is
Topper; RS Tera; Handicap. INSIDER TIP: Less than 90 minutes Club, is the UK’s leading classic a regatta for classic wooden yachts
INSIDER TIP: On-site camping available from central London, or an hour from yacht regatta and attracts a fleet of designed before 1970, including:
for over 15s. the M25. Lots of accommodation beautifully maintained classic sail Cruisers and Cruiser Racers,
SPONSORS: Royal Hospital School, available in and around the town but and motor yachts from across the Affordable Classic Cruisers around
Fox’s Marina and Barracuda Bay best to book early. UK and Europe. During the six-race 25ft, Gaff Rigged Yachts and Pilot
WEBSITE: royalharwichyachtclub.co.uk SPONSOR: Holidaycottages.co.uk series organised by the prestigious Cutters, Day Boats and Raters,
WEBSITE: wyc.org.uk Royal Yacht Squadron, there is Classic Metre Yachts plus Modern
THREE RIVERS RACE plenty of action on the water and Spirit of Tradition Yachts. Racing
3-4 June, Horning SC, Norfolk WROXHAM WEEK much of the racing can be watched organised by Cowes Corinthian YC.
Broads 23-30 July, Norfolk Broads YC, from the Esplanade. The complex Berthed at Shepards Marina with the
OVERVIEW: A true spectacle, the Three Wroxham, Norfolk tides of the busy Solent deliver Sugar Store as the focus for the
Rivers Race sees upwards of 100 boats OVERVIEW: Fabulous week full of challenging conditions for the shoreside activities.
leave Horning Sailing Club to participate in competitive racing and lively socials. talented sailors racing in the UK’s Non-racing yachts and motorboats
the tough 50-mile endurance race, which Suitable for all ages and abilities, most iconic stretch of water for also welcome.
will see competitors sail through the something for everyone during this competitive sailing. SPONSORS: Classic Marine, West
night, across the Broads, and lowering exciting week. There is a full racing SPONSORS: Spirit Yachts, OneSails, System, British Classic Yacht Club,
their masts under three bridges. programme throughout, as well as Classic Marine, Suffolk Yacht Harbour, Simon Winter Marine, Mermaid Gin,
INSIDER TIP: Great spectator points social events, ranging from fun quizzes Classic Boat, David Murrin Global Classic Boat, Shepards Marina
include the Medieval Potter Heigham and children’s entertainment to rowing Forecaster, Adnams Southwold, The WEBSITE: cowesspringclassics.com
Bridge and Acle Bridge, where exciting races, duck races and the end of Dartmouth Distillery Co, Hattiers Rum
mast lowering/raising can be seen. regatta party. Members and visitors OFFICIAL CHARITY: Tall Ships Youth Trust MUDEFORD WEEK
SPONSOR: Yachtmaster Insurance welcome. WEBSITE: britishclassicweek.co.uk 2-6 August, Mudeford SC,
WEBSITE: 3rr.uk and horning-sailing.club INSIDER TIP: Pre-book your races and Christchurch, Dorset
social events online before the week CHICHESTER HARBOUR RACE OVERVIEW: Family racing and fun
WHITSTABLE WEEK begins, call the office on 01603 782808 for WEEK sailing at a sheltered safe location. The
2-6 August, Whitstable YC, more information or help with booking. 14-18 August, organised by sailing club is right on the edge of the
Whitstable, Kent WEBSITE: nbyc.co.uk Chichester Harbour Federation at race area, giving close-up views of
OVERVIEW: Competitive 10-race, Hayling Island SC the action. Full social programme
5-day racing series on the sea off OVERVIEW: Family Regatta week with including cycle ride, crabbing, fish and
Whitstable - this year Wednesday to
SOUTH class starts for Fireball, Finn, 29er, chips and fireworks.
Sunday. Great racing for ILCAs, General BOURNE END WEEK RS200, 2000, RS Aero 7, RS Aero 5, INSIDER TIP: Have a sail around before
Handicap dinghies including Solos, 26-30 May, Upper Thames SC, Solo, RS Feva, Optimist and RS Elite. racing starts to find out where the
Tasars, Merlin Rockets, Wanderers, Bourne End, Bucks Combined class starts for ILCA 6 and 4, shallows are.
Toppers, and catamarans including Dart OVERVIEW: River racing at its best, on RS Tera Pro and Tera Sport, Hadron H2 WEBSITE: mudefordsc.or]
18s, F18s and Tornadoes. Live music the widest stretch of the non-tidal and D Zero, and RS Aero 9. Handicap
Thames. Featuring the Thames A Rater fleets: Fast PY 1034 and below,
SOUTH WEST
National Championship, Merlin Rocket Asymmetric PY 942 and below,
COWES WEEK River Championships, International OK Medium PY 1035-1220. CAMEL WEEK AND JUNIOR
29 July-4 August, Cowes Week River Championships, class racing for INSIDER TIP: Early bird entry fees CAMEL WEEK
Ltd, Cowes, Isle of Wight Wayfarers, plus Fast Handicap. Camping available from 1 May until 30 June. 10-17 August, Camel Week and
OVERVIEW: Cowes Week is one is just behind the clubhouse, quality Four race areas within Chichester 27 July-3 August, Junior Camel
of the UK’s longest running and catering every evening, with the Saturday Harbour with the Elite course just Week, Rock, North Cornwall
most successful sporting events supper included in the sailing entry. past Harbour entrance. OVERVIEW: Camel Week is an open
and is a key highlight of the British INSIDER TIP: Don’t miss the famous SPONSORS: Event sponsor Bentley regatta for dinghies and catamarans,
sporting summer. The regatta sunset cocktail party, this year on Walker, supplemented by Chichester with separate starts for fast and slow
sees up to 600 boats in up to 40 Sunday, followed by a Harbour Gin, Raymarine, Optimum dinghies and catamarans. Regatta
different classes take part in Caribbean buffet dinner and live music Timers, Marine Superstore combines handicap and pursuit races.
seven days of world-class racing. delivered by These Certain People. WEBSITE: chichesterharbourraceweek. Beach launching close to the racing
To add to the on-the-water WEBSITE: utsc.org.uk sailevent.net areas in the Estuary or Padstow Bay.
action, the lively apres-sail Junior Camel Week is an open
atmosphere at Cowes Week regatta for dinghy sailors between
means there are plenty of social the ages of 8 and 17 (as at
and exciting onshore activities for 1/09/2023). Ideal regatta for a first
the sailors and spectators who ‘open’ event with plenty of support
visit Cowes each year. and help for newcomers. Open for
INSIDER TIP: Be part of the action, dinghies with PY numbers between
enter online or book a spot on 987 and 1649.
a spectator boat. INSIDER TIP: The format for both
SPONSORS: Musto, Mount Camel Week and Junior Camel
Gay, Red Funnel, Seahorse Week combines well with a family
Magazine, Sailing Today with Yachts Cornish holiday.
& Yachting SPONSORS: Camel Week, Sharp’s
OFFICIAL CHARITY: Tall Ships Brewery; Junior Camel Week, John Bray
Youth Trust Cornish Holidays and Anne’s Cottage
WEBSITE: cowesweek.co.uk WEBSITE: rswsc.co.uk

Regatta Guide
Fowey Dartmouth
sailing events in the UK, Falmouth Falmouth throughout the regatta week. programme. Racing includes cup
Photos: Fowey Sailing; Paul Gibbins Photography; Lucy Burn
DARTMOUTH ROYAL REGATTA events plus a regatta series for

SAILING WEEK Classics provides three days of racing SPONSORS: Mylor Yacht Harbour, Hine
and parades for classic craft with a Downing Solicitors, Mainbrace Rum, dinghies, catamarans and gaffers.
20-27 August, Royal Dart YC, WEBSITE: ndyc.org/event/2023-
Plymouth Dinghy
Kingswear, RegattaDevon
Dartmouth, programme of onshore activities and Ancasta International Boat Sales and
coinciding with the Falmouth The Flip Flop Shop; Mylor Chandlery and open-week
OVERVIEW: Dartmouth Royal Regatta is a
family orientated regatta that offers International Shanty Festival. The event, Rigging, Super Yacht Services Falmouth,
PASAB (Penzance Around Scilly
competitive racing in Start Bay and the in its 36th year, takes place in the idyllic Dynamite Valley Brewing Co, Falmouth
And Back)
River Dart, with a wide range of activities sailing waters of the River Fal and Town Council, Paul Gibbins Photography
21-24 July, Penzance SC, Albert
for all the family, including a funfair and Falmouth Bay with moorings provided WEBSITE: falmouthweek.co.uk/
Pier, Penzance, Cornwall
firework display on the Saturday evening. in the heart of the town. sailing-week
OVERVIEW: PASAB is the club’s annual
The Dinghy Regattas start the week’s SPONSORS: Title sponsor Atkins Ferrie
race that has been running since 1978
racing with the Juniors at RDYC 20-22 Wealth Management FOWEY ROYAL SAILING REGATTA
and it is made up of three legs: Leg 1 on
August and Pilot Financial Dinghies at PARTNER SPONSORS: Classic Boat, 13-18 August, Fowey Gallants SC
and Royal Fowey YC, racing in Friday night is from Penzance to St
Dittisham 20-23 August. The yacht Falmouth Harbour Commissioners,
Fowey Harbour, St Austell Bay and Mary’s; Leg 2 on Sunday is a race
regatta follows with the passage race from Falmouth Town Council, Royal Cornwall
passage races to/from Flushing around the Islands (various courses
Brixham to Dartmouth on Wednesday 23 Yacht Club, Teamac
OVERVIEW: A family friendly event dependent on conditions) and Leg 3 on
August and racing in Start Bay 24-27 WEBSITE: falmouthclassics.org.uk
with racing for cruisers (IRC and YTC), Monday is the race back to Penzance.
August. There will be classes for IRC and INSIDER TIP: PASAB is a great way to
SWYTCF rated yachts, one design fleets, FALMOUTH SAILING WEEK Troys, Fowey River Dinghies, Falmouth
Working Boats and dinghy handicap see the delights of the Isles of Scilly.
classics, dayboats and gaffers depending 5-12 August, Falmouth, Cornwall.
fleets with entertainment ashore. One WEBSITE: pzsc.org.uk/pasab/
on the number of entries. OVERVIEW: Seven days of varied
INSIDER TIP: Dartmouth Royal Regatta is racing for over 20 classes ranging from of the UK’s best known sailing events
with a long history. Town events PLYMOUTH DINGHY P P
very popular with visiting yachts so make IRC yachts to dinghies. Starting with a REGATTA
S A
sure you book your accommodation skippers and competitors reception at include fireworks, crab-catching,
10-11 June, Port of
early. Details available on the website. Royal Cornwall YC on Saturday evening classic car show, harbour swim and Plymouth Sailing
SPONSORS: Salcombe Gin, Pilot with complementary cocktails, regatta live music. Association, Mount
Financial, Paradigm Norton, Chatham bags and a jazz quartet playing on the INSIDER TIP: After racing each day Batten Centre, Plymouth
Marine, Savills, Dream Charter Holidays, lawn, with paella options to book. The sailors gather at either Royal Fowey OVERVIEW: Come to
Key Yachting, Rockfish regatta is hosted by six clubs starting YC or Fowey Gallants SC for great Britain’s Ocean City
WEBSITE: dartmouthsailingweek.com with Helford River SC (6th) then visiting food and drink and a good chat about for Plymouth Regatta, with
Mylor YC (7th), Restronguet SC (8th), the day’s events before prizegiving. mixed handicap racing and
FALMOUTH CLASSICS Royal Cornwall YC (10th), St Mawes SC SPONSOR: St Austell Brewery classes offered for more
16 -18 June, Port of Falmouth, (11th) and Flushing SC (12th) for the WEBSITE: foweysailing.org than six boats, this year DINGHY
Cornwall final regatta and overall prizegiving. featuring the Buzz
REGATTA
dinghy-regatta.ppsa.org.uk
OVERVIEW: One of the largest classic Multi class options for entry including NORTH DEVON YACHT CLUB
Nationals. Free storage,
five classes for dinghies. Racing in the OPEN WEEK
facilities and social included.
harbour, Carrick Roads or Falmouth 5-12 August, North Devon YC,
INSIDER TIP: While in Plymouth, visit
SALCOMBE YACHT CLUB Bay. Daily entries, a three-day series Instow, Bideford, Devon
local sailing clubs to see what other
REGATTA and seven-day entry all possible. This OVERVIEW: Located on the beautiful
events they have in store.
6 -11 August, Salcombe Yacht year also includes the IRC South- North Devon Coast, NDYC Open
SPONSORS: Rooster Sailing,
Club, South Devon West Championship. Week is a highlight of the club’s
Kingfisher Ropes, Cattewater Harbour
OVERVIEW: A very special INSIDER TIP: Register early for the best summer season, offering sailing and
Commissioners, Highwater Sails
regatta for members and visitors entry fees. There’s a fantastic social racing for all with a varied
WEBSITE: dinghy-regatta.ppsa.org.uk
with stunning summer sailing, scene shoreside with music events in programme of events and a social
fantastic racing and a SYC PLYMOUTH YACHT REGATTA
friendly welcome. Golden 7-9 July, Port of PlymouthCowes
Sailing
Spring Classics
beaches and quiet creeks to Association, Plymouth Yacht Haven
Salcombe Regatta
explore, the superbly located OVERVIEW: Plymouth Yacht Regatta
yacht club terrace high above the 2023 will include the J/24 National
racecourse has exceptional Championship, 2.4mR Tidal National
viewing of the racing, and there is Championship, IRC and mixed YTC cruiser,
a fun ‘après sail’ social life. It’s a singlehanded and white sail racing, as well
sailing celebration. as a predicted log event for boats under
INSIDER TIP: Book early to enter. motor. Race village and social at Plymouth
Accommodation from camping Yacht Haven, with bands and
and glamping to hotels, B&Bs and entertainment throughout the weekend.
family friendly holiday lets all INSIDER TIP: This regatta has seen sun
available in and around Salcombe. and scorching temperatures the last
Dinghy berthing passes available two years so bring your sun cream.
for Mill Bay Beach with a trolley SPONSORS: Ancasta Yacht Sales,
transfer either end of the week. Hemisphere Rigging, Mount Batten
SPONSOR: Salcombe Gin Boathouse, Plymouth Yacht Haven,
WEBSITE: salcombeyc.org.uk Dart Sails and Covers, Rooster Sailing,
Cattewater Harbour Commissioners
WEBSITE: yacht-regatta.ppsa.org.uk

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Torbay Royal Regatta Abersoch Keelboat Week
Regatta Guide
both Handicap and Class (depending on combination of round the buoys and
TORBAY DINGHY REGATTA ABERSOCH KEELBOAT WEEK passage racing, and an excellent social
50 North Photography; Adam Collinson; Bill Harris
21-25 August, South number of boats) racing. There is also a

7-8 October, Royal Torbay YC, programme. In addition to spinnaker
Caernarvonshire YC, Abersoch, separate Novice event for children. All
Torquay, Devon classes, restricted sail classes are
North Wales taking place in Findhorn Bay. There is an
OVERVIEW: Two day regatta with extensive social programme alongside offered for skippers with limited
racing for PY dinghies (asymmetric and OVERVIEW: South Caernarvonshire YC experience, equipment or crew, which
is delighted to be organising and the sailing which makes this a great
non-asymmetric) and junior classes in holiday for the whole family. are also ideal for young families.
stunning Tor Bay on the English Riviera. hosting AKW again, renowned for 40 INSIDER TIP: Competitors can enter the
years as a fun regatta with a serious INSIDER TIP: A great family week with
Fast and easy access to the sailing lots of sailing and plenty of social whole week, just the passage races or
waters, lots of accommodation within edge. Fleets: Small Keelboats; IRC1; IRC2; individual races throughout the week.
White Sails (non-spinnaker – split into events. Get your accommodation in
easy walking distance, and Saturday Findhorn booked early. Or just one race or a feeder race, before
night social. two fleets); Sports Boats (new fleet). going off on a cruise.
Small Keelboats and White Sails will have SPONSOR: Gale Force Marine
INSIDER TIP: Enquiries from class WEBSITE: rfyc.co.uk/sailing/events SPONSORS: Tunnocks, Tobermory
associations are welcome. YTC scoring. IRC classes: committee Harbour Association, The Majestic Line,
WEBSITE: rtyc.org boat starts. Others: club or committee Moulin Brewery, Treeline Woodlands
boat starts, using club marks. MUDHOOK YACHT CLUB
REGATTA Ltd, Ballachulish Marina
TORBAY ROYAL REGATTA INSIDER TIP: A relaxed atmosphere off WEBSITE: whyw.co.uk
the water complements the 10-11 June, East Patch area of Firth
18-21 August, Royal Torbay YC,
competition on it. Practice race on of Clyde, Helensburgh & Rhu
Torquay, Devon
OVERVIEW: Racing over three days for Sunday 20 August. OVERVIEW: 2023 is an extra special IRELAND
SPONSORS: One Sails (South) year for this historic event, with the
IRC, Cruiser Classes, J/24s and club looking forward to its Saturn Sails VOLVO DUN LAOGHAIRE REGATTA
Sportsboats. Competitors can expect WEBSITE: scyc.co.uk/event/ 6-9 July, Dun Laoghaire Harbour,
keelboat-week Mudhook Yacht Club 150th Anniversary
fun and competitive racing on the fine Regatta. This two-day annual regatta all clubs in Dun Laoghaire
sailing waters of Tor Bay. offers competitive racing for One OVERVIEW: With over 300 sailing races
Free berthing is included in the entry MENAI STRAIT REGATTAS across 30 classes and 2,500
31 July-12 August, Anglesey, Designs such as Etchells, Hunter 707,
fees and, from the sheltered harbour, Sigma 33 and Garelochs as well as competitors ranging from Olympic and
there is quick and easy access to the North Wales
yachts rated under IRC, and others with world-class professionals to weekend
race areas. The town offers an enviable OVERVIEW: Racing on the Menai Strait, a sailors, there is room for everyone in
narrow stretch of water separating CYCA handicaps.
range of accommodation, restaurants, INSIDER TIP: More information on the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2023.
bars and car parks all within walking Anglesey from mainland North Wales. The INSIDER TIP: Spread the enjoyment
majority of the boats racing are classic club website.
distance of the club and harbour. SPONSOR: Saturn Sails Ltd across four clubs.
Competitors and their families can be boats such as the Fife One Design, Mersey SPONSORS: Headline sponsor Volvo;
Mylne One Design and Conway One WEBSITE: mudhookyc.co.uk
sure of a very warm welcome and will Helly Hansen, Rationel, Dubarry, DLRCC,
enjoy a friendly atmosphere, cordial Design. Cruisers and dinghies in handicap Crane Hire, Royal Marine Hotel
fleets also welcome. The event is largely SCOTTISH SERIES
hospitality, and great shoreside 26-29 May, organised by Clyde WEBSITE: dlregatta.org
entertainment. based at Beaumaris towards the northern
end of the Strait but other venues along Cruising Club, racing at Tarbert,
INSIDER TIP: The English Riviera is a
great place to be during August. The NOR the Strait to Caernarfon are included. The Loch Fyne CHANNEL ISLANDS
regattas include the iconic races from OVERVIEW: The Scottish Series has a
is on the website and further information long history of inclusive participation and JERSEY REGATTA
is available from events@rtyc.org Beaumaris to Caernarfon through the 8-10 September, Royal Channel
Swellies and around Puffin Island. offers a variety of yacht racing on some of
WEBSITE: rtyc.org/event/torbay- the most stunning waters in Scotland: IRC, Islands YC, St Helier YC and St
royal-regatta/ INSIDER TIP: There is no charge to watch Catherine’s SC, Jersey.
the racing at any of the clubs along the CYCA, One Design and Two-Handed,
including short course and passage racing. OVERVIEW: Now in its silver anniversary
Menai Strait. year, this ‘flagship’ event is designed to
WALES WEBSITE: menaistraitregattas.org.uk WEBSITE: scottishseries.info
provide three days of fun and
ABERSOCH DINGHY WEEK WEST HIGHLAND YACHTING WEEK competitive racing coupled with a lively
22-28 July, South Caernarvonshire SCOTLAND 29 June-4 July, Craobh, Oban and ‘après racing’ social programme. The
YC, Abersoch, North Wales Tobermory regatta is the largest multi-class event in
OVERVIEW: Racing for all classes of FINDHORN WEEK the Channel Islands area and provides a
3-7 July, Royal Findhorn YC, OVERVIEW: It is the 75th year of this
asymmetric, doublehanded and special event set in stunning very warm welcome to all, locals and
singlehanded dinghies in Cardigan Findhorn, Moray visitors alike. The 25th Jersey Regatta
OVERVIEW: A family dinghy week for surroundings, with a winning
Bay’s fabulous waters. Continuing on incorporates the 10th GBR IRC Channel
with the new format started in 2022: Islands Championship. Regatta classes
committee boat starts with two Jersey Regatta include cruiser/racer, Quarter Ton and
shorter races back-to-back per day sportsboat (IRC), cruiser/racer classes
and varied courses, with the traditional (RYA YTC), dayboat, dinghy, sport
starts from the club line as well, being catamaran and windsurfer classes.
wind dependent. Coached regatta fleet SPONSOR: Headline Carey Olsen; co-
for the novice sailor/new racer. Full sponsor Ports of Jersey - Jersey Marinas
social programme. INSIDER TIP: Book early for ferries and
INSIDER TIP: Abersoch’s golden accommodation, the island really
sandy beaches and the spectacular buzzes in September; visit jersey.com
waters of Cardigan Bay allow SCYC to for a wealth of information; ship
offer a fabulous week of competitive chandlers and refuelling stations at St
dinghy racing. Helier Harbour and St Aubin’s Harbour;
SPONSOR: Abersoch Boatyard early bird discounts for entries received
WEBSITE: scyc.co.uk/event/ no later than 18 August.
dinghy-week Website: www.jerseyregatta.com

Have a great time with your friends and family, competing in Britain’s Favourite Yacht Race
around the stunning coastline of the Isle of Wight on 1st July 2023.
Please visit the event website for race information and to enter.
Follow us on social media for the latest race news.
www.roundtheisland.org.uk
Race Organiser Race Clothing Partner Race Marine Electronics Partner Official Media Partner Official Partner Official Race Charity
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The Sun Odyssey 410 was voted Cruiser of the Year at the British Yachting Awards in-mast mainsail furling, self-tacking headsail,
in December 2019, and it is easy to see why. Clarke and Carter tell us everywhere full B&G suite of navigation instrumentation, AIS
you look on Hull in One are innovative design features from the ‘stepless’ side deck Class B transponder, Eberspacher heating system,
access and inverted bow to increase waterline length, to the radical new layout Dometic air conditioning, a Fischer Panda generator,
below decks, with a superb owner’s forecabin and large forward galley and an and much more, Madfish really is kitted out to
aft storage cabin/workshop. Hull in One is a good option for shorthanded sailing the maximum and ready to go. Among her many
because as well as copious amounts of space below, her systems are well sorted, attributes in terms of accommodation, she has two
and she has a retractable bow thruster, upgraded engine size, heating, and bimini. generous double aft cabins, a day heads and shower,
This fin-keel boat was originally a display model for a UK main dealer, and she was and a suitably luxurious owner’s cabin forward
only handed over to her current owner in May 2021, so has been very lightly used with separate en suite heads and shower units.
for her age. The owner’s change of work circumstances, however, means the boat The brokers tell us she has been lightly used and
is now on the market and represents a great opportunity to acquire a nearly new professionally maintained with only 442 hours on
boat at a good price, ready for the 2023 season. her 57Hp Yanmar diesel engine.
Year: 2019 Year: 2017

LOA: 13m (42’5”) LOA: 14.04m (46’)
Beam: 4m (13’1”) Beam: 4.38m (14’4”)
Draft: 1.6m (5’2”) Draft: 2.25m (7’4”)
Displacement: 7,900 kg Displacement: 11,600kg
Hull construction: Glassfibre Hull construction: Glassfibre
Engine: Yanmar 4JH45CR Engine: Yanmar 57hp
Designer: Marc Lombard Designer: Judel/Vrolijk
Accommodation: 4 berths in 2 cabins Accommodation: 6 berths in 3 cabins
Location: Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex Location: Inverkip, Inverclyde, GB
Contact: clarkeandcarter.co.uk Contact: michaelschmidt.co.uk
craftinsure quote: £739.20 craftinsure quote: £866.39

£1
,00
0,0
00
Tax
no
tp
aid
DISCOVERY 54 | MINOTS LIGHT

Built for extensive bluewater cruising, this immaculate
Discovery 54 first splashed in 2018. Custom specified at
conception with over £300,000 of extras, she wants for
nothing, including all the latest tech and nav wizardry. Her easy
sail handling systems make shorthanded sailing a doddle. With
a practical shoal keel rather than centreboard, she can easily
access those shallow anchorages out of bounds to other
yachts her size. Customary Discovery woodwork below with
raised saloon and a large aft cabin. Minots Light has been lightly
used and maintained by a full time captain. She is turnkey
ready for 2023 cruising.
Year: 2018
LOA: 16.83m (55’3”)
Beam: 4.8m (15’9”)
Draft: 1.84m (6’)
Displacement: 28,000kg
Hull construction: Glassfibre
Engine: Yanmar 150hp 4 cylinder
Designer: Ed Dubois
Accommodation: 7 berths in 3 cabins
Location: Antigua
Contact: berthoninternational.com
craftinsure quote: £POA
Insure your yacht with

Craftinsure - boat insurance
at the touch of a button.
Get a quote online or call
today: craftinsure.com;
0345 2607 888

Classified To advertise call +44 (0)207 349 3787 or email mark.harrington@chelseamagazines.com
BOAT SHARING DINGHY COVERS
YACHT www.rainandsun.co.uk rain
SHARES Dinghy covers .co.uandsun

Tel:
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INSURANCE BOATS FOR SALE
From dinghies to
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24 FT CRUISER QUARTER TONNER.
REDUCED - must GO to pay for
01636 707606 heating bills!!! Fully Restored
www.noblemarine.co.uk (thousands spent) and going fast.
4 berth, fin-keel, open-plan cruiser.
Good family boat, self draining
cockpit. Re-masted, re-rigged, re-
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. keeled, new rudder. Laminate sails
Calls maybe recorded. Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) little used. 3.5hp outboard. Full
recent survey - yard trolley available.
BOATS FOR SALE Must be seen. £5750 Tel 07765 900259
/ (CARDIFF)
HUNTER 707. Year: built 1996, fully

refurbished by Ian Porter, Emsworth
in 2016. Length: 7.07m, beam
Boat Insurance made easy

2.49m, draft 1.5m Outboard engine: CATAMARAN F18 CAPRICORN.
Mercury 2.5hp Located: Nereus Weapon of a club racer, great fun
boat yard, Rhodes, Greece Hull open meetings and nationals - F18s
material: fiberglass Hull no: GB- are the best bang for buck class
HUNHCO54D696 Displacement: going! Conventionally rigged (no
Get a quote in 20 seconds 1080kg Registration: Irish short form.
£7000 Tel +353 85 8611007 / (RHODES,
decksweeper so easy entry into the
class) two suits of sails, one old, one
On cover in 2 minutes GREECE) nearly new. Road trailer (launching
trolley parts - not complete). £4500
Low on-line premiums OASIS 21 (MOD ISIS) SPORTSBOAT.
Refurbished, easy to rig/sail, well-
Tel 07473 174847 / (LYMINGTON)
sorted, fun, fast. Lifting bulb-keel – can TRADITIONAL SELSEY GRP OPEN
dry out. Recent black laminate sails. DAY BOAT . Built in the 80s (clinker)
Carbon bowsprit, big asymm kite, converted to a day boat, 15’-6” long
Get the App - craftinsure.com/app plus conventional option. Carbon
Rudder/tiller. Small cabin (for 2).
6’-3”breath 1’-3”draft. Tohatsu 15HP
four stroke outboard 2018. Central
Super trailer - new brakes/bearings. helm controls. White hull,Blue anti
Competitive on IRC, NHC, YTC and foul. Seating for 8 constructed from
Byron. Can help deliver (at cost). polished Baltic pine. Blue vinyl foam
£6500 Tel 07765 900259 / (CARDIFF) pads. Running lights. Raymarine
craftinsure.com COMET DINGHY C416. Lake sailed
Dragonfly 4pro. GPS. Full canvas
covers. £7000 Tel 07831 489409 /
03452 607888 comet peacock blue hull with sail
centreboard rudder mast, boom
(SHEPPERTON )
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority halyards wind indicator and launching TOPPER TOPAZ UNO. Topper Topaz
trolley kept under cover, log book Uno Race X s/n 4413 Main sail, Jib Sail,
included. £600 Tel 01726 832525 / (ST Spinnaker, Training sail. £1000 Tel 07967
AUSTELL) 813579 / 01749 671456 (CHEDDAR)
www.sailingtoday.co.uk | www.yachtsandyachting.co.uk

To advertise call +44 (0)207 349 3787 or email mark.harrington@chelseamagazines.com
Classified
BOATS FOR SALE KNIVES
PHANTOM 1498. Ovington Phantom, MK2 OSPREY (937). Built early 1970s.
sailed once! Rig & foils used more. 17ft long. White. Robust glassfibre
Paragon mast & HD sail. Milanes foils & construction. Not race-ready but a
Winder stock. Covers & trolley. £11000 Tel useful trainer or dayboat for up to three
07738 984826 / (WEYMOUTH) crew. All basic kit and sails including
ANGLO MARINE WANDERER. Anglo spinnaker. Launching trolley but no
Marine Wanderer. Built 1987 and in road trailer. Whatsapp for photos/
good condition for year; sails are full details. £250 Tel 07516 938394 /
undamaged and perfectly good for (SOUTHAMPTON)
cruising. Comes with boom-up cover, SQUIB 755. Barker Brewer boat,
outboard bracket, furling jib, trailer maximum correctors: Milanes rudder:
and trolley. Currently on a drying original gelcoat, never painted: shaped
mooring in Flushing, which could be keel, no antifoul electric pumps: recent
made available to the new owner. Superspars mast: main: Batt 8/10 and 3
£1750 Tel 01326 617621 / 07596 235901 x Batt club: jib: Batt 8/10 and 2 x Batt
(FALMOUTH) club: spinnaker: Batt 9/10, Hyde 8/10
POOLE AB 36. Varnished mahogany and 2 x Batt club: floor and bearers
finish in good condition. Dry stored for replaced, full epoxy coating: Robbins
last 20 years. Reluctant sale as lady lightweight ply: Brian Mather trailer:
owner ageing. Fast boat with many £5000 ono. £5000 Tel 07881 780267 /
club wins. Elvstrom self-bailer, oars, 2 01248 716821 (ANGLESEY)
suits sails. Original Measurement Cert DEHLER 41DS RIGID WINDSCREEN -
signed By Harry Poole. Launching NEW Brand new acrylic windscreen
trolley. Inspection welcome. £200 Tel for Dehler 41DS. £690 Tel 07714 259616
07752 623550 / 01292 610919 (AYR) / (OBAN)
SCORPION DINGHY 990, INCLUDES 31 FOOT CRUISING YACHT BY SHE.
LAUNCHING TROLLEY. Composite A Sparkman and Stephens designed
construction. Glass fibre hull has small sailing sloop, with a black GRP hull, teak
hole that could be repaired - 2 suits deck, beautiful lines and shape. Fully
of sails, canvas cover only 4 years equipped for sailing, roller reefing and
old, would wash well. Everything in fair GRP/Radar installed 2011. New Nanni 21
condition. Decks need revarnishing. hp engine and seacocks. Down below:
We had a lot of fun racing this boat 4 berths, leather upholstery, cooking
in Chichester Harbour on handicap. galley, separate toilet and washing
£100 Tel 01969 368371 / 07815 643408 area. £9000 Tel 07971 010186 / (NEWRY)
(LEYBURN) MIRROR 14 (MARAUDER). 14 foot
SAILBOAT CONTEST 29. Sturdy build racing dinghy with spinnaker & trapeze.
no nonsense boat in good condition. With launching trolley and boom-up
Good old boat - constructed in 1968 cover. £150 Tel 07913 604 574 / (STAINES)
by Conyplex shipyard. Hull #154. Sitka
spruce spars (genuine). Roller reefing CLOTHING
genoa, main, storm jib - mint condition. MUSTO LARGE HPX OCEAN GORETEX
Mahogany internior in good shape. JACKET. Musto Large size HPX Goretex
Inboard engine Volvo Penta MD2 in Ocean Jacket colour BrightYellow. As FITTING OUT SAILS
working order. On the hard in Greece. New (Worn Twice) Unmarked. massive
£6000 Tel +30 6995483750 / (CORFU) saving on new price. £375 Tel 07754 NEW
337398 / (CHICHESTER)
CATALOGUE
BARBARY KETCH OCEAN RATED SINGLE Rubber seals and trims

HANDED. Captain Nancy is a ketch for the marine industry
motor sailor 9.91 m length. Accom 6 in OTHER EQUIPMENT FREE, fully illustrated catalogue
Please visit our website or call
3 cabins. 1973. Eberspacher heating. BOAT LIFTER FOR DRY BERTHING. SOLVE YOUR
SEALING 01425 617722
Electric windlass. Recon Merc 42hp. Dry berthing boat lifter suitable for
PROBLEMS
Seals+Direct Ltd, Unit 6, Milton Business Centre, T: (01929) 554308
Wick Drive, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 6RH The Sail Loft,
Long encapsulated keel. Scotland Bute RIB/Boston/J24 or Keelboat. Fully
MARINEINDUSTRIALCARAVANAUTOMOTIVE
Email: sales@sealsplusdirect.co.uk
Rothesay Marina plus mooring site adjustable up to 1500Kg. Moor your MARINEINDUSTRIALCARAVANAUTOMOTIVE 16 Sandford
near marina and Kyles of Bute/survey boat on its berth then lift the boat clear www.sealsdirect.co.uk Lane Ind Est,
and photos on request via whatsapp. of the water Approx 25 feet length. BIG Wareham, Dorset,
£22000 Tel 07917 832254 / 01539 433156 REDUCTION in PRICE. Make an offer . To advertise please call BH20 4DY
(ROTHESAY) £2100 Tel 07795 966305 / (WIMBORNE)
Mark on 020 7349 3787 www.kempsails.com
MARINAS LEATHER STEERING WHEELS YACHT DELIVERIES
Arbroath Harbour
“Arbroath Harbour has 59 floating
pontoon berths with security entrance
which are serviced with electricity and LEATHER WHEEL
fresh water to accommodate all types COVERING KITS
of leisure craft. Half height dock gates
with a walkway are located between the
inner and outer harbours, which open
• For all wheel sizes and
and close at half tide, maintaining a sprayhood grab rails
minimum of 2.5m of water in the inner
harbour. • Leather Spinnaker pole covers
Other facilities in the harbour include • Handy Pull Tags to open
free parking, toilets and showers, a crew
room, fueling facilities, on site laundry Shackles
facilities and boat builders’ yard.
• Suppliers of Marine Leathers
The town of Arbroath also offers a
variety of social and sporting amenities to Sailmakers & Riggers
to visiting crews and a number of
quality pubs, restaurants, the famous Clyde Marine Leather
Arbroath Harbour twelfth century Abbey and Signal
Harbour Office • Arbroath • DD11 1PD Tower Museum are located close to the www.clydemarineleather.com
Harbour Master: Bruce Fleming harbour. The railway and bus stations T. 0141 881 4981
Tel: 01241 872166 are only 1km from the harbour with
Email: harbourmaster@angus.gov.uk direct north and south connections.”
www.sailingtoday.co.uk | www.yachtsandyachting.co.uk

Jess Lloyd-Mostyn
Maintenance on a yacht is a year round fact of life and the annual haul out
and refit is always a big deal - though not without its rewards
veryone I know who out and on the hard stand. Wood

owns a boat tends to has such a beautiful warm glow
think of her as their when it is well-maintained and
pride and joy. They reel the whole boat seems to hum
off various statistics with gratitude when any portion
on her as proudly as of this chore is completed. The
parents boasting of their kids’ only problem is, particularly
performance in exams: “she loves on a 33 year old boat like ours,
it upwind”, “I can get 7kts out of no sooner do you sluggishly get
her under spinnaker alone”, “mine round to re-varnishing everything,
was solid as a rock in that sea”. And then the first bit your started
much like the doting classic car needs attending to again.
owner, relishing the opportunity Other things are more plug and
to cover his beauty in suds and play, like for like, consumables to
wax, we boaters take similar be replaced. Water filters, engine
care in maintaining our vessels, filters and fan belts, lines above
as a matter of critical safety as deck and hoses below are all on
well as one of cosmetic charm. our seasonal shopping list. Some
So, whether it’s every week, items, like toilet pumps and 12-volt
once a month, a seasonal or fans, are clearly not designed with
annual round of it, a bit of spit ‘For us, our general round of year-round, constant use in mind.
and polish is a principal element
of boat ownership. For us, our
sprucing up the boat is much like And no one wants a squeaky fan
or a leaky toilet pump on board!
general round of sprucing up the a spring clean in a house or flat’ The big drivers of the boat, her
boat is much like a spring clean sail wardrobe and the auxiliary
in a house or flat. We dust and engine, receive a different kind
wipe down surfaces, vacuum and sweep floors, scrub of care. As they are used most often, their condition is
sinks and toilets, and give the deck a good wash down. also monitored closely. Sail patching, reinforcing, or
The next level up is a less frequent round of meticulous new UV protecting strips and covers are always tackled
stainless steel polishing, gelcoat buffing and waxing and as soon as we are able, geography and infrastructure
teak oiling above deck. Chainplate re-bedding is a bit allowing of course. But there will inevitably come a
of a fiddley one, as it involves a strategy for loosening time when there is only so much MacGyver-ing an old
shrouds and stays in turn but it’s also a very necessary ‘Franken-sail’ can take before you need to cough up
part of keeping your rig in good order. We’ve exposed and replace it. The same is true of inflatable dinghies
these gleaming stainless plates in our saloon, not only and their associated outboards. Whereas a decent
for easy inspection and maintenance but in order to marine diesel engine will see most boats through
celebrate honestly the construction of the boat. several ownerships. They are forgiving workhorses and
Below deck everything is wooden, a mixture of the best approach in caring for them is regular filter
cherry, maple, teak and holly all vying for attention. The changes, running them only with good quality oil and
trouble here is that in order to properly give some love fuel, and keeping the engine mounts in good nick.
to these surfaces, what is called for is a round of sanding So add it all together and yes, of course
and varnishing every so often, which is not all that the costs will mount up. Probably more than
compatible with full-time family life on board. We tend maintenance on a car but less than on a house.
to tackle this periodic task in stages, prioritising the high You won’t necessarily see a return on any of this
traffic areas of our saloon and galley and starting with work, but to keep your boat looking good, running
easy removable objects, like our companionway steps JESS LLOYD- well, sailing at her best, and enjoying your experience
MOSTYN
which can be taken out completely, or our washboards. Jess and James left the
on her; whether that’s one of living aboard full-
ILLUSTRATION HOLLY ASTLE
Convincing our youngest child to fully leave alone UK in 2011 in their time or just playing on the water at weekends, it all
Crossbow 42 and have
any temptingly sticky varnish is no easy duty, and sailed halfway round
seems so very worth it to take the time, spend some
the endless sanding dust beforehand means that this the world, growing hard-earned cash and elbow-grease to keep those
their crew en route.
particular job is one best left for those rare times when Follow their journey
experiences full of happy sails, purring engines,
we de-camp from the boat entirely when she’s hauled at water-log.com gleaming wood and sparkling steel as a backdrop.

Meet us at
LA GRANDE MOTTE
Exceptional
comfort
Thoughtfully designed for long-distance cruising,
a Privilège catamaran offers the ultimate
combination of technology, safety and luxury.
Contact us to arrange an appointment
to view Signature 510 ‘Ona’ at the
International Multihull Show from 12–16 April.
Inspiration Marine Group are the exclusive Privilège specialist for the UK, Channel Islands and Ireland.
+44 (0) 2380 457008 | privilege@inspirationmarine.co.uk | www.privilegecatamarans.co.uk

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WIN!

AWARD WINNI NG OCEAN SIGNAL SAFETY KIT

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