Fun Facts!
The Crew
THANK YOU to over 60 people who have helped me crew. I could not have done this challenge without the help of a lot of people.
Some spent a few weeks with me, taught me to sail and helped me through the more tricky waters.
The Boat
Nauticat 331 10.4m / 34ft masthead ketch.
Draft 1.65M / 5′ 6″
Yanmar 75HP Engine
Made in Finland to a very high standard – I love her!
The Seafarers' Charity
My father was a Royal Naval officer in WW2 and served on the Arctic convoys.
This challenge is in his memory.
His favourite charity was King George’s Fund for Sailors – now called The Seafarers’ Charity.
Food & Living
Living in close quarters can also be quite a challenge…
Food is very important for both energy and morale . I am a terrible cook – so I am very grateful for all my crew who can cook.
My favourite saying: “Don’t drop crumbs” (Crew Joke!)
Tips, Tricks & Kit
The best tip for a skipper:
If your crew say they have never been seasick – get them to take a pill!
Here are a few bits of kit which I have found very useful.
Navigation & Weather
Navigating along the coast is fairly simple… apart from the weather, tidal streams, bars, rocks and fog.
6,500 NM sailed and over 200 harbours visited by boat using harbour walls, marinas, buoys and at anchor.
Imray C Charts and Raymarine eS plotter.
Harbour Facts
Who owns a harbour?
Who is in charge of a harbour?
Can anyone just turn up in any harbour?
What does a Harbour Master do?
GallerY
Filming a video when sailing can be tricky, especially when it is blowing a gale.
I have however taken a few videos when the sun is out which are here to share.
incidents & Stories
Despite having had no disasters, I have had a few exciting and interesting incidents.
The first one was a Coastguard Helicopter requesting help with a training exercise off Shetland.
UKHO
Hidden in the centre of Taunton 900 MOD personnel collect, analyse and interpret “geospatial” data from around the world in order to produce the famous Admiralty charts…. and a lot more.
Met Office
1,000 scientists and a very large computer.
A crew visit to the Met Office blew our minds learning about the complexity of how marine forecasts are produced.
First Channel Crossing
Your first channel crossing….
…is a big milestone for an amateur skipper and I am pleased to say it went very smoothly.
With a light northerly wind our colourful cruising chute was the perfect sail to use