20 April 2008

Boat Search




Hello all... hard to believe it is only one week!

We have been to Singapore, Paris, London, Hamble, Ipswich via rental car - and back to Hamble. We have checked out the boats we had marked up on the internet and found one we would love to own. But it will be a slow process as it takes around 3 weeks to book a slip for marine survey and have not settled on a price yet and the owner has gone away for 2 weeks!. We are going back for another look this morning and that will be it for now. We have looked at around 50 boats up and down the country and gone over around 12 for closer inspections.

It has been a wonderful experience to spend some time in Hamble which is a truly lovely destination and the yachting centre of the south of England. We stayed at the Royal Air Force Yacht Club right on one of the many marinas dotted along the Hamble River which flows out into the Solent. The countryside is truly beautiful and the buildings -cottages, manor houses and pubs have obviously been around for the odd century or two.

We are leaving UK tomorrow for Turkey to hopefully catch up with Rupert Wilson and do some sailing for a couple of weeks. We are both very well and enjoying ourselves immensely.

2 comments:

Noel and Kerrin said...

Cap'n

Noel and Kerrin said...

Cap'n Buck and Pippy, I am determined to master this blogging business! Not as straightforward as I thought!Third try! Hope it is successful this time!!
50 boats! How did you decide on the Gibsea 414? Have looked at the various websites . Certainly looks great. I think you are right to go for 41 feet. We would never go for anything bigger. Interested that she does not have a saildrive but probably makes it simpler and you don't have to take it out of the water to replace the oil as we have just done. It takes for ages!
I note the sites refer to it having a speed of 7 knots with a 46HP motor. Matrix does this when she has a clean hull with its 40 hp Volvo Penta after we installed a Volvo 3 bladed prop. The new prop has helped incredibly getting in and out of a marina as it acts immediately.
Glad you like Hamble. I crewed on a Robb designed 50 footer --Ramrod which was berthed there 43 years ago! The skipper belonged to the Royal Southern Yacht Club and I enjoyed having the occaional meal and drinks there.
Look forward to hearing how you get on. Cheers
Noel and Kerrin