A pretty successful trip to Hamble, Southampton in the UK. I viewed four J109s and a Beneteau 34.7 (10R). After much number crunching and soul searching I settled on the 34.7 and put in an offer on Monday and we did the deal subject to survey today.
The boat is a 2008 model, launched in 2009 and dry sailed since new, so in superb condition. Sails are racing Elvstrom from 2011 and lots of add ons such as upgraded winches.
So now I need to get the boat home - about 450nm. So a fair weather window required and some free time.
Have sent the liferaft and jackets for servicing. Antifoul will be applied next week - first time - seems such a shame. A furler is being fitted so that we are eligible for Dublin Bay White Sail racing this and next season as we build the team and sails cut to fit.
Now to get her home (need at least one other person aboard particularly if I come direct without stop - a long 48+ hrs trip at best).
... and the previous owner wants to keep the name so I need to think of a new one - that can be harder than the boat search !
Progressing to plan ....
Tuesday 12 February 2013
Friday 8 February 2013
In search of the right boat
I am currently sitting at the Airport in Dublin and will board in a little over an hour for Southampton. I have such fond memories of sailing around the Solent (where I did my Yachtmaster some time ago now).
Today I head for Hamble to view a 2009 Beneteau 34.7 (10R) which has been dry sailed since new, and three J109s (one from 2005 and two from 2006). I am also meeting a rigger from Hamble Yacht services to discuss fitting furling gear to the 34.7 (a requirement for white sail racing in Dublin Bay) - the J109 already has furling as standard.
The 34.7 has a good set of 2011 Elvstrom racing and cruising sails, so I am meeting the Elvstrom rep to discuss options for recutting for a Furler.
I land at 11.30am, should be in the car by 12.00 and in Hamble by 12.30-13.00.
A busy day but Always fun looking at boats.
Today I head for Hamble to view a 2009 Beneteau 34.7 (10R) which has been dry sailed since new, and three J109s (one from 2005 and two from 2006). I am also meeting a rigger from Hamble Yacht services to discuss fitting furling gear to the 34.7 (a requirement for white sail racing in Dublin Bay) - the J109 already has furling as standard.
The 34.7 has a good set of 2011 Elvstrom racing and cruising sails, so I am meeting the Elvstrom rep to discuss options for recutting for a Furler.
I land at 11.30am, should be in the car by 12.00 and in Hamble by 12.30-13.00.
A busy day but Always fun looking at boats.
Sunday 3 February 2013
Day 1 (ish) of 8 year PLAN
So I love sailing but have not been on the water near as much as I would have liked and now as I near 50!! have decided to put a race boat and team on Dublin Bay. Maybe a little mad, and I am not sure if it's possible but thats all part of the adventure.
I have been away working for the last 3 years and am now back in Dublin. Before I left I sold my cruising boat, a Bluewater 58. I want (and need) to get back on the water. My challenge is that I am still as busy as ever. My plan is to get a somewhat smaller boat (about 34-35 foot) that is competitive and to try to get a team together that will work together over the coming years to become one of the top 10 teams in the bay.
I am not a racer myself, but I am competitive and I love a challenge so I am going to try to build the team from scratch and with people who want to learn rather than experienced sailor/racers. I believe that good teams are generally more successful than loose teams of talented individuals.
So today I have no Boat and no Crew - Just Me !
The PLAN : get a boat (good start) and build a crew over two-three seasons (2013-2014/15). Over this period we will learn to sail together, understand each other and know the boat. We will white sail for this period as learning to crew together and depend on and know each other will be key to our success in later years. By the end of the 2-3 yrs we should aim to be in the top 30% of the White Sail fleet. We will move to High Tech and Spinnaker when we have learned how to sail well without them. Within another 2 years I would like be be in the top 30% of the high-tech fleet. We will then start ISORA and the likes of Cowes or Cork Week. Over the next 3 years we will become a boat to watch on the circuit. Well you need a plan !
The BOAT : At the moment I am thinking either Beneteau 34.7 or J109. Both boats will need driver, pit, genoa, mainsail and tactician for white sail and them some weight for weather.
The TRAINING : No one succeeds without practice and a thirst for bettering themselves. I have shelves of books on sailing and racing. Recently I have purchased the NorthU Sail Trim and Sailing Tactics books and Videos. They are fantastic and will form the basis of our education and training.
So now to get that boat ...
I have been away working for the last 3 years and am now back in Dublin. Before I left I sold my cruising boat, a Bluewater 58. I want (and need) to get back on the water. My challenge is that I am still as busy as ever. My plan is to get a somewhat smaller boat (about 34-35 foot) that is competitive and to try to get a team together that will work together over the coming years to become one of the top 10 teams in the bay.
I am not a racer myself, but I am competitive and I love a challenge so I am going to try to build the team from scratch and with people who want to learn rather than experienced sailor/racers. I believe that good teams are generally more successful than loose teams of talented individuals.
So today I have no Boat and no Crew - Just Me !
The PLAN : get a boat (good start) and build a crew over two-three seasons (2013-2014/15). Over this period we will learn to sail together, understand each other and know the boat. We will white sail for this period as learning to crew together and depend on and know each other will be key to our success in later years. By the end of the 2-3 yrs we should aim to be in the top 30% of the White Sail fleet. We will move to High Tech and Spinnaker when we have learned how to sail well without them. Within another 2 years I would like be be in the top 30% of the high-tech fleet. We will then start ISORA and the likes of Cowes or Cork Week. Over the next 3 years we will become a boat to watch on the circuit. Well you need a plan !
The BOAT : At the moment I am thinking either Beneteau 34.7 or J109. Both boats will need driver, pit, genoa, mainsail and tactician for white sail and them some weight for weather.
The TRAINING : No one succeeds without practice and a thirst for bettering themselves. I have shelves of books on sailing and racing. Recently I have purchased the NorthU Sail Trim and Sailing Tactics books and Videos. They are fantastic and will form the basis of our education and training.
So now to get that boat ...
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