Once again I was tempted with a bigger boat; this time by a
junk-rigged Newbridge Virgo Voyager. She was quite the most luxurious yacht I
have owned. Everything was of good quality and she had excellent standing
headroom throughout. Her name of ‘Bumper’ caused some amusement to others, for
whatever reason I never did fathom. She was a comfortable, forgiving yacht that
could tolerate any amount of mishandling; for example if a gybe was not
controlled, or she gybed involuntarily,
nothing woe betide would happen; the boom being very light, simply
lifted a little and swung across to the opposite side of the boat. She seldom
heeled more than a few degrees when on the wind, but at times, particularly if
the water was choppy or the waves short, progress was slow. On the reach and
the run she was pretty fast. Her triple keel configuration was excellent for
taking the ground.
'Faith'
After two years of ownership I sold ‘Bumper’ and set about
building a Paradox micro-sailboat designed by Matt Layden. On reflection ‘Faith’
was perhaps the best boat I ever owned; maybe a trifle small, but so well thought-out
for ease of working. Being able to control and steer the boat from inside a snug
watertight cabin was a huge bonus. The only time I wore waterproofs was when
going ashore if it happened to be raining. I could always be warm and dry
whatever the weather. If it was really cold, I simply put on more layers of
clothing. Sometimes the ventilation system was overpowering, but a towel
stuffed into the incoming vent was enough to keep it under control. Of all the
boats I have owned, ‘Faith’ was the only one I regretted parting with.
'Acadia'
Without 'Faith' I was lost, and to get back on the water I
bought an Acadia decked canoe to which I added a small sail, a leeboard and a
rudder. Appropriately, I named her ‘Acadia’. She was highly portable and good
fun, but I never really felt completely relaxed sailing her because I feared I
might let her capsize. I knew I would have difficulty getting back into her,
and because I have Raynaud’s phenomenon that causes lack of circulation when I’m
exposed to the cold, I thought it was prudent to part with her.
Links
‘Bumper’ - 2005
‘Faith’ – Appraisal of 'Faith'
my Paradox Sailboat - 2007
‘Acadia’ – Acadia Paddling Kayak, Adapted for Sailing - 2009
‘Acadia’ - 2009
1 comment:
Urban Aero Systems is engaged in Aero Boats and Flight simulators, assembly and marketing.
Helipad Design
Inflatable Boats in India
Post a Comment