Wat Tyler Country Park and the Essex Natural History Centre

The Essex Natural History Centre or ‘Green Centre’ is a relatively new resource at Wat Tyler Country Park, which is not far from Basildon. It is the home of the Essex Field Club, members of which are keen on the preservation of natural habitats and animal species dependent upon them.

A great deal of effort has been put into making the Park a popular venue for families. The ethos behind the landscaping has been to make it a friendly place for wildlife and at the same time for it to be inviting to the general public. At first these objectives would appear to be incompatible, because humans usually have a detrimental affect upon wildlife. We often destroy natural habitats by the way we live, because we do not consider the needs of local fauna and vegetation.

Wat Tyler Country Park was formerly a very grim place, because it was badly treated by humans. Large parts of it were damaged by the presence of an explosives factory*.  Inevitably, land was poisoned with devastating effects. However, in recent years the site has been transformed. The old Motor Boat Museum has been replaced with the aforementioned Natural History Centre, which contains exhibits of creatures from the past and from the present. There are diagrams and illustrations on display of creatures currently living in diverse habitats found within the Park. In addition, there are actual examples of fauna from around the world. These specimens of all sorts of insects, bugs, beetles, moths etc. are displayed in cabinets. Ironically, these creatures were killed by those who collected them, with little thought to the preservation of their species. Beside trays of fossils, I saw a large one of an ichthyosaurus, although I doubt it was a real fossil - most likely it was a plaster of Paris replica.

I commend the way in which the parkland has been managed, except for the mechanical trimming of bushes and trees beside some of the pathways. Elsewhere, trees have been lopped and bushes pruned sensitively. The surfaces of footpaths and walkways have been well maintained, and they are suitable for wheelchair users. ‘Nature trails’ give easy access to creatures and plant life. I saw a number of birds, including jackdaws and gulls, but very few smaller birds. From one of the bird hides I saw a duck that I could not identify. As it waddled over mud at the edge of the creek it spooned its bill from side to side in the mud searching for morsels to eat.

I didn’t see many children at the Park, but I noticed a dedicated play area with climbing frames, slides and tunnels for them to explore, plus a picnic spot with tables and bench seats. Light refreshments were available at the Green Centre. Parking was free.

Links

*Pitsea Explosives and Alfred Nobel

http://test.wattylercountrypark.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4995

Wat Tyler Country Park

http://www.wattylercountrypark.org.uk/ 

Wat Tyler Country Park

http://test.wattylercountrypark.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4958

Wat Tyler Country Park Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=c4-feed-u&v=d0TZjNSp9dY

Wat Tyler Revolt 1381

http://test.wattylercountrypark.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4994 

Wat Tyler Country Park Reviews

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g190757-d2444702-Reviews-Wat_Tyler_Country_Park-Basildon_Essex_England.html

Essex Field Club Archive

http://www.essexfieldclub.org.uk/portal/p/Unlocking+the+Natural+History+Heritage+of+Essex

Essex Field Club – Our New Centre

http://www.essexfieldclub.org.uk/portal/p/Our+new+centre

South Essex Wildlife Garden

http://www.wrww.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/s/southessexmarshes/directions.aspx

Wat Tyler Country Park Marina

One of the compounds

Vange Creek

Council Crane

Non-standard Leisure 17

Weather-stained junk-rigged yacht

When it comes to the General Election, there’s a frenzied interest in how ‘Basildon Man’ will vote, because he is thought to represent the middle ground where a swing in any direction to the right or to the left can predict how the Country at large will vote.  I’m not sure this will be the case in the forthcoming election, as UKIP would appear to be making big inroads at Basildon by having ten councillors; thereby reducing the Conservatives to seventeen and Labour to nine.

What is not so well known is that a short distance from Basildon there’s a Country Park that has been established on what was waste land beside the River Thames. A good many websites tell of the Park, but none mention the Marina! Unless you specifically inter the word ‘marina’ and the associated words, ‘Wat Tyler’ into a search engine, you will not discover what the so-called marina has to offer. In fact, it would appear to have very little on offer. Describing it as a marina would be a gross exaggeration. My dictionary defines a marina as, ‘a specially designed harbour with moorings for pleasure yachts and small boats’. No way does it meet this description.

Vange Creek marks the southern boundary of the Country Park, and there on the north bank you can find fenced compounds for securing boats. Basildon District Council has drawn up numerous rules* for governing the activities of users, all of whom have to be licensed key holders. Apart from tenders, vessels may only be launched and retrieved from the slipway with permission of the Council, and assisted launching and retrieval can only be done under the direction of the Council’s authorized tractor operator.

Moorings are strictly controlled by the Council. Rule 2.7.9 states that boats must be moored fore and aft, in line with the direction of the tidal stream. I’ve seen boats at some of these moorings at low water, and a few are positioned on steep muddy banks, which is far from ideal, almost precarious. I wouldn’t want to moor a boat of mine in those places.

While I was there today, I noticed a non-standard Leisure 17 that happens to be for auction on Ebay and I saw a junk-rigged yacht that looked distinctly unloved. She was badly-weather stained. No doubt she could be bought at a bargain price; assuming you could track down the owner.

There doesn’t seem to be any provision for visiting yachtsmen, though I suspect few would want to stay for a night. It would look very uninviting. Even if you managed to land your tender on the slipway, there would be no way of getting beyond the locked gate, unless there happened to be a licensed boat owner to let you through. Once through, you may not get back, without a key, and there is no VHF communication with Council staff.

I was not impressed, but no doubt regular users find it offers what they need at a price they can afford.

Apart from the Marina, if you can call it that, Wat Tyler Country Park has a lot going for it, particularly for families and youngsters. (See links below) Perhaps tomorrow I’ll jot down a few words about the Park’s delights.

Links

Marina and Boat Storage – Wat Tyler County Park

http://www.basildon.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2420

*Wat Tyler Country Park Marina Rules and Regulations (A PDF download)

http://www.basildon.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=1142&p=0

Wat Tyler Country Park

http://www.wattylercountrypark.org.uk/

 

Wat Tyler Country Park

http://test.wattylercountrypark.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4958

Wat Tyler Country Park Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=c4-feed-u&v=d0TZjNSp9dY

Wat Tyler Revolt 1381

http://test.wattylercountrypark.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4994

Pitsea Explosives and Alfred Nobel

http://test.wattylercountrypark.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4995

Wat Tyler Country Park Reviews

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g190757-d2444702-Reviews-Wat_Tyler_Country_Park-Basildon_Essex_England.html

Basildon Man (See the Politics section)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basildon

Basildon Man 2010

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/after-thatcher-and-blair-basildon-man-turns-to-clegg-1956147.html# 

Basildon Councillors

http://www.basildonmeetings.info/mgMemberIndex.aspx?VW=TABLE&PIC=1&FN=  

Hawk 20

This must be one of the best day boats going. There are so many things to be said in her favour. The only thing I’m not keen on is her price tag; but, hey! - Business has to make a profit, and today things can be very tight. With this boat there is no compromise on quality - even her hull is constructed using the best mats and roving, laid up by hand in a temperature controlled factory. Furthermore, instead of using epoxy resin, they use isophthalic resin which is more resistant to osmosis.

Being a strictly one-design sailing boat she can be raced on merit, each crew knowing that they cross the finish line according to their performance. Since she is responsive to the helm and very stable, owing to her near 50% ballast ratio, she’s suitable for newcomers and more experienced sailors alike. With a 7/8^th Bermudan rig she excels to windward and yet her fairly large mainsail provides plenty of oomph downwind and on the reach – enough for her to plane. She’s hard to capsize, and if she is knocked over in a squall, she will self-right, and self-drain. The cockpit if fully self-draining; therefore she will be at home on a mooring without need of a boom cover.

A great feature is her ability to sail in shallow water, since, with the keel and rudder raised, her minimum draught is only 9 inches. A 4 HP outboard mounted in a coverable well which is forward of the rudder gives exceptional directional control to the helmsman. For optimum performance when under sail, removable closure blocks can be inserted into the outboard well to maintain smooth fairing of the hull. Little effort is required to lift and tilt the engine before inserting the blocks, and the procedure can be done in a jiffy.

There are large storage lockers either side of the cockpit and a larger one in the forward compartment under the foredeck. Access to the latter can be gained through a deck hatch. These and other lockers provide buoyancy, in addition to purpose-built sealed chambers that are filled with closed cell foam. She will remain afloat, even if holed.

What more could you want from a day boat? Would you like a good road trailer, which performs well by allowing you to easily launch and recover her? She has exactly that. It has a tilt-back mechanism and nylon rollers to make the process smooth, almost effortless, and without getting your feet wet! (See photos at the Hawk 20 website*)

Yep, she looks very nice.

 Links

*Hawk 20

http://www.hawk20.co.uk/

 

Hawk 20 at YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r-o3C4nQzw

Hawk 20, Sailing, Racing, Cruising

https://sites.google.com/site/hawk20sailing/ 

Hawk 20 Day Sailing Boat Forum

http://hawk20.lefora.com/  

YBW Hawk 20 Forum

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?219275-Hawk-20-any-experiences

Hawk 20 Yacht/Trailer Sailer

http://go-sail.co.uk/hawk20.asp

Hawk 20 (Bursledon Blog)

http://bursledonblog.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/hawk-20.html

Keelboat Index - Hawk 20

http://www.cvrda.org/dinghydata/Keel/Hawk20.htm

Cabin Hawk 20 No 556 for Sale £21,500

http://www.hawk20.co.uk/for-sale/

5 Hawk 20s for Sale between £7,500 and £15,995 (Cabin version)

http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/boats.phtml?id=2103

Atlantic Clipper 36 (‘Duchess of Karabos’)

Some people would consider the Atlantic Clipper 36 to be an ugly boat, but I think most would say her interior accommodation was very comfortable. The hull with a lifting keel was designed by Maurice Griffiths, and I believe her superstructure was contrived by her builders, Philip and Son Ltd., at Dartmouth, Devon.

Bags of information about these 36’ ketches can be had by referring to websites in the Links section below.

My photo is of the SV ‘Duchess of Karabos’ wintering in a mud berth at Burnham-on-Crouch. She should not be confused with ‘October Girl’ currently for sale at Clarke and Carter, but here’s a copy of the description of ‘October Girl’s’ accommodation:

‘6 double berths in 2 cabins with 6'3" maximum headroom. Large double vee berth with infill forward. Saloon with dinette to starboard which converts to a double berth. Galley to port with Plastimo Neptune 3000 gimballed 3-burner gas stove with oven and grill, stainless steel splashback, double galley sink with pressurised hot and cold water supply, top loading fridge and ample storage. Separate heads compartment aft to starboard with Brydon marine toilet, wash basin and shower. Hot and cold freshwater supply to sink, wash basin and shower via calorifier and immersion heater. Holding tank. Separate aft cabin accessed through cockpit with vee berth with infill to form large double, hanging locker and stowage.’

Stats

LOA: 36' 0"
Beam: 9' 6"
Displacement: 5500 kilograms
Min Draft: 3' 9"
Max Draft: 6' 3"
Ballast: 2460 kilograms

Links

Barbicans and Atlantic Clippers

http://www.eventides.org.uk/Barbican.htm

1975 Atlantic Clipper (‘October Girl’) for Sale £16,000 at Burnham-on-Crouch

http://www.clarkeandcarter.co.uk/brokerage-boats/searchfullspecs.php?DocumentID=3260399

Maurice Griffiths Atlantic Clipper 36 for £19,500 on Ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Maurice-griffiths-Atlantic-Clipper-36-Cruising-Ketch-Sailing-Boat-Yacht-/201298878598?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2ede592086

Atlantic Clipper Sold, but good photos

http://dartmouth.boatshed.com/atlantic_clipper_36-boat-75550.html

Atlantic Clipper Forum

http://dartmouth.boatshed.com/atlantic_clipper_36-boat-75550.html

Sailboat Data.com - Atlantic Clipper

http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?CLASS_ID=4746

Philip and Son Ltd

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_and_Son

Southerly 32

Several years ago my wife and I went to the London Boat Show with the express purpose of viewing an expensive yacht, the sort we could never dream of owning. Our intention was simply to look at yacht that only the rich could afford. It was to be a fun day out. We booked a viewing of a Southerly 32, and before going aboard we were politely asked by a member of the sales team for our address. She said she would be contacting us later. In fact, we received plush brochures with details of Southerly yachts for several years after our visit, until eventually someone twigged on that we were not interested in seeing another yacht or in having a test sail.

The Southerly 32 was so very different to the sort of yacht I was used to sailing. For a starter, she was much larger and more luxuriously fitted out. Her gear was of high quality, and it was designed with a degree of sophistication. I loved the open plan interior, which was elegant, spacious and airy. She struck me as being a comfortable yacht for extended cruising. A crew of four could happily live aboard without getting in each other’s way. She had two private cabins, one in the bow section and one at the stern, both having bunks for two people. A roomy heads/washroom by the companionway to starboard was accessible from the saloon and from the aft cabin. To port there was a galley, with an oven and twin basins. Forward of the heads compartment there was a navigator’s area with a chart table at which he could sit. This was sensibly placed amidships where movement would be least. The lifting keel mechanism did not unduly intrude into the cabin, and above it there was a substantial folding table large enough for six to dine. Either side of the table there were comfortable settees.

I’m not keen on wheel steering, but the Southerly 32 does have Whitlock direct rod steering, and it allows the steersman to stand facing forward with a good view of the sails. Wide side decks make for safe deck work and her self-taking, furling jib makes sailing to windward a piece of cake, because there is no need for constant juggling with sheets. Her mainsail can be reefed with a single line that is controlled from the cockpit. In light winds she can be sailed with a gennaker attached to an adjustable bowsprit.

One of the great advantages of the Southerly 32 is that she can be safely beached on soft sand and she is able to sail in shallow water, since she only draws 2’ 4” when her keel is raised. Having no protuberances under her hull, she will sit upright.

There’s a lot to be said in favour of this versatile, liveaboard yacht. The particular boat shown in the photographs has sustained damage to her port side, but not so bad as to be irreparable. She has been left ashore for some time and she has become very dirty. A pressure hose would remove most staining. Although apparently not for sale, my guess is that her owner would part with her if someone made a sensible offer.  She’s at Burnham Yacht Harbour.

Links

Introducing the Southerly 32

http://www.southerly.com/yachts/southerly/32/

Southerly 32 Feedback Forum

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/boat-reviews/79414-southerly-32-owners-feedback.html

Southerly 32 YouTube (Italian) A good illustrative video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S_vsowhQjM

Southely 32 Video (No voice over)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXBQHkPsAmU

3 X Southerly 32s for Sale between £149,500 and £149,950

 http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/southerly/32

Southerly 32 for Sale £149,500

http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/advert/southerly-32-hamble-hampshire/42085444

Sportina 730

This 7.3 metre trailer sailer at Burnham Yacht Harbour was designed by the Andrzej Skrzat* and she was built by Delphia Yachts in Poland. As you can see from the photos, she’s in a bit of a state.

A top-notch second-hand Sportina 730 may be had for about £17,000, inclusive of a four-wheel trailer.  ‘Little Minx’ doesn’t appear to be for sale, but if she were, I doubt you could get her for less than £5,000. One in pretty good nick was recently on auction at **Ebay, but she didn’t sell at the highest bid of £4,100 because she didn’t reach the reserve price. The ‘buy it now’ price was £11,950.

*Andrzej Skrzat: http://www.skrzat-design.pl/01omnie-en.html

**Sportina 730 at Ebay on 11^th February, 2015

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sportina-730-Trailer-Sailer-Cruising-Yacht-for-Sale-/181655755534?nma=true&si=ldZfD5stuYYWkTu7OqPycu%252FQ2PY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Other Links

Sportina 730 for Sale £15,750

http://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats_for_sale/969313/

Sportina 730 for Sale £16,950

 http://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats_for_sale/820491/

 

Sportina 730 for Sale £17,950

http://dailyboats.com/boat/8875-sportina-730-for-sale

Sportina 730 Sold

http://chichester.boatshed.com/sportina_730-boat-110662.html 

Delphia Yachts

http://sailboatdata.com/view_builder.asp?builder_id=332

Aeroskrzat – Similar to a Sportina 730

http://www.skrzat-design.pl/00aeros730-en.html

Delphia Yachts

http://en.delphiayachts.eu/

Delphia Yachts

http://www.sailinginfo4all.co.uk/boattypes/delphia_yachts.htm

Sportina 680 (Smaller than the 730)

http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=7688

Sadler 25

A good general introduction to this David Sadler designed yacht can be found by visiting the first website in the ‘Links’ section below. It appears that there were three versions of the yacht: the Mk 1, the Mk 11 and the Mk 111. See Sailboatdata.com links below for differences between them.

David Sadler first received recognition as the designer of the very successful Contessa 26, a long keel yacht similar in respects to a Nordic Folkboat, but moulded in GRP. The first Mk 1 Sadler 25 came off her moulds in 1974, and a good many that followed were sold in kit form for completion by owners. The Mk 11 had a better interior with integral GRP mouldings for a galley, a chart table and bunk bases. She was also modified with a taller rig and increased sail area. Prospective owners could choose between boats having a fin keel, or a centreboard, or bilge keels.

The Mk 111 made her debut in 1979, and she was replaced by the Sadler 26 in 1981.

Measurements in metres

LOA                                        7.4

LWL                                        5.8 

Draught                                1.4 Fin - 1.2 Shallow Fin - 1.0 Bilge Keels

Links

Characteristics of the Sadler 25

http://www.mikelucasyachting.co.uk/sadler-starlight-boats/sadler-25/sadler-25-brochure.php

Sadler 25 Mk 11 (Sailboat Data info)

http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?CLASS_ID=3311

Sadler 25 Mk 111 (Sailboat Data info)

http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?CLASS_ID=3311

Sadler 25 (Wikipedia description)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadler_25

Sadler 25 (Go-Sail article)

http://www.go-sail.co.uk/sadler25.asp

Sadler and Starlight Owners Association

http://www.sadlerandstarlight.co.uk/

 

Sadler Group

http://www.sailinginfo4all.co.uk/boattypes/sadler_yachts.htm

Sadler 25 fin keel version for Sale £3,500

http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=274668&fx=GBP#contact

David Sadler Yacht Designs

http://sailboatdata.com/view_designer.asp?designer_id=247

David Sadler Contessa 26

http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=601

Contessa 26

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/contessa-26.html

Robber 3E Racer/Cruiser

Some yachts are hard to research. There was obviously an original Robber, and this was most probably designed by Peter Ståhle, a Swede, in 1975. I understand she was called AFIK. I imagine she was a multi-chined plywood boat. I’ve not been able to find anything about Robber 11, but I assume she was in GRP. Robber 3E was a modified version designed by Stuart Jardine. Apparently she has a similar underwater profile, but with less sheer and a narrower transom (by two feet), to gain extra sail area for racing under the IOR. It is also said that Bernt Lingquist designed a Robber 3E.

I read in one of the forums that two Robber 3Es were built by Thames Marine in 1979, and one of them was exhibited that year at the London Boat Show.  Prior to that in 1977, Bebs Marine at Burnham-on-Crouch built a number of them.

Establishing the 3Es exact specifications is not easy, because various sources come up with different measurements, but roughly they are just under 25’ LOA and they have a beam of approximately 10’. The fin keel gives them a draught of about 5’. Some were fitted with 6 berths in 2 cabins.

I remember racing in the same race as a Robber on the River Crouch at Brandy Hole when the wind was gusting. She broached badly and her mast snapped at the spreaders. However, one thing I can vouch, she was by far the fastest boat in the handicap fleet.

Sorting fact from fiction has not been easy. If you can come up with any relevant facts, I would appreciate your input.

Links

Robber 3E Register

http://www.robber3eregister.co.uk/

Download Robber 3E Specs

http://www.robber3eregister.co.uk/pics/robber3e_measurementsa.jpg

Robber 3E Sailboat Data.com

http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=6763

Medway Reefer – Robber ¼ ton Sailing out of the Medway

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUUdk9SOfik

Gybe to Gybe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AlOW9v1T_0

Reefer 6 Knots

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17j0BcGBW8c

Robin Reefer Wednesday Medway

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17j0BcGBW8c

Boat Design Robber 3E Forum

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/robber-3e-design-quarter-tonner-15193.html

Robber 3E Sold

http://essex.boatshed.com/robber_3e-boat-133212.html

Yachts Designed by Bernt Lingquist

http://sailboatdata.com/view_designer.asp?designer_id=207

Leisure 22

I have always liked the Leisure range of yachts, especially their smallest, the Leisure 17*, but the 22 was an excellent family yacht. She was an affordable ‘peoples’ boat’, ideal for pottering, and for doing an occasional cruise, perhaps exploring the East Coast Rivers, or sailing the choppy waters of the Solent. For those with more time on their hands and the competence to do it, they may venture westwards along the South Coast to Devon and Cornwall.

Intrepid sailors might even cross the Channel to Roscoft, Brest or Douarnenez; then circumspectly work their way around the rocky North Brittany coast to the Channel Islands, before running the gauntlet of shipping on a passage homewards and northwards back to Blighty.

For an appraisal of the Leisure 22, visit the first link below.

Links

Leisure 22 Fact and Figures

http://www.leisureowners.org.uk/main/content/index.php/leisure22

Leisure 22 Sailing Yacht Gaia (Restoration Project)

http://www.leisure22.co.uk/  

Leisure 22 for Sale £4,000

http://www.boatshed.com/leisure_22-boat-163374.html

Leisure Owners Association

http://www.leisureowners.org.uk/main/content/index.php/leisure22

Leisure 22s for Sale at Apolloduck ranging from £1,500 to £4,500

http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/boats.phtml?id=59&mi=137

Leisure Yachts

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=leisure+17

*Leisure 17 and Leisure 17 SL

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/leisure-17-and-leisure-17sl.html

Jeanneau Sun 2000

The Jeanneau Sun 2000 is a very smart, lifting-keel trailer sailer. She has a displacement of 1170 kilograms and an overall length of 21’ 9”. This particular boat* is a ‘comfort’ version and she’s recently been re-sprayed. Here is a description of her interior by the broker, Clarke and Carter at Burnham-on-Crouch:

Four berths with sitting headroom. Comfort version. The cabin consists of two saloon berths (6' 7" long) with stowage beneath either side of a removable table. Forward are two galley areas to port and starboard fitted with a sink with manually pumped water supply and water tank with removable single burner gas cooker opposite. The forepeak has a double berth (6' 3" long) with space for a chemical toilet and storage beneath. Light and ventilation are provided by a circular fore hatch, two opening portlights and two adjustable spotlights. Teak fit out with teak veneer sole boards, green velour upholstery and light vinyl fabric hull linings throughout.

Here’s what the broker says of her construction:

Jeanneau Sun 2000 Comfort built by Jeanneau, France in 2002. Green GRP hull (professionally resprayed in August 2014) with style stripes. Self draining cockpit. Port and starboard cockit lockers. Tiller steering to removable and lifting rudder (new frame and bushes 2014). Bow roller. Self draining anchor locker. Aluminium and teak toe rails. Lifting GRP keel with Spinlock clutch in cockpit.

A few thoughts:

She’ll have a lively performance, and she’ll be a good club racer. With a crew of two, who know what they are doing, she’ll be great for coastal cruising. Upkeep will be minimal, and if she is kept at home, the expense of mooring her in a marina can be avoided.

Links

*Jeanneau Sun 2000 for Sale £9,995 (Featured here on 26.02.2015)

http://www.clarkeandcarter.co.uk/brokerage-boats/searchfullspecs.php?DocumentID=4745366

Clarke and Carter – International Yacht Brokers and Main Agents for Jeanneau

http://www.clarkeandcarter.co.uk/

 

Jeanneau Owners Network

 http://www.jeanneau-owners.com/ 

Jeanneau Sun 2000 Presentation

http://www.jeanneau.com/boats/Sun-2000.html 

5 Jeanneau Sun 2000 for Sale between £5,700 and £12,000

 http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/category/type/Jeanneau/Sun+2000

Jeanneau Sun 2000 for Sale £8495

http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/advert/jeanneau-sun-2000-gillingham-kent/42041811

 

Jeanneau Sun 2000 Technical Specs

http://www.guideautoweb.com/boat/specifications/jeanneau/sailboats/sun_2000/2011/  

Not How? But Why?

Big Bang Theory?

Eddie Redmayne is in the news for receiving two prestigious best film actor awards - firstly from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and secondly from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, commonly known as the Oscars Academy. He portrayed Stephen Hawking in the film, ‘The Theory of Everything’.

Stephen is both a physicist and cosmologist. He has devoted his life to working on theories explaining the origin of the universe and the nature of life. As far as I understand it, these theories substantiate his belief that there are four forces underpinning existence. He also believes there is a single, over-arching theory, a ‘Theory of Everything’, upon which the other theories can hang. It has been his quest to discover this fundamental theory. He thinks it will provide a definitive answer to the question of how the universe came into being.

Time is running out for him. Not only is he getting older, but he suffers from a rare and crippling form of motor neuron disease.

Sadly, many people are like Stephen. They spend their entire lives asking wrong questions, and it’s no surprise when they come up with irrelevant answers. Instead of asking, “How?” the question should be, “Why?”  “Why am I here?” Not ‘”How am I here?”

Theories of general relativity, quantum field technology, super symmetry, and the like, will never tell us why we are here. Spending billions on the Large Hedron Collider in Switzerland to discover a missing particle in support of a theory will not tell us why we are here, nor will it tell us the truth that we are more than a collection of chemicals, neutrons and protons. We already know this to be true. We are more than mere matter.

Physicists like Hawkins dedicate their lives to seeking the origin of the universe on the premise that they are rational human beings able to find the answer. At the same time they may acknowledge they have a conscience, and claim to know the difference between right and wrong, but to believe there is life beyond death - that is another matter! To accept they have a soul or a spirit that will live beyond death, they completely deny.

If they know the difference between right and wrong, and if they have a conscience, why do they not ask questions such as: “Why am I as I am?” “Why do I do things I’m ashamed of?” “Why can I reason?” “Why do I have feelings?” and “Why am I here?”? If they are of God’s elect, He will provide them with the answers and He will reveal Himself to them.

He does this through the revelation of His Son Jesus, and by the power of the Holy Spirit who speaks through God’s reference book, the Bible. This is not a dissertation of theories purporting to provide scientific answers as to how the world came into being, but it does give us God’s answers as to why He created it and why He created us. It tells of His wondrous love through the provision of His Son who suffered, died and rose again to bring us to Himself to love and adore Him for ever.

There is nothing theoretical about the words of Jesus. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)