We Survived!!
Firstly an apology to all my loyal readers (Ahem!) for leaving it so long between posts, but I have been a little busy again, and "blooging" is a bit down the list I'm afraid.
The Southampton International Same Show, sorry, Boat Show, has been and gone now, and we managed to make it through without any serious collateral wallet damage. As far as boats were concerned, our big weakness, the First 40.7 wasn't there, so that was easy (even though we had both vowed not to go on it even if it was, VERY close shave last year you see...) so we trotted about looking for something that would catch our eye amongst the acres of white gelcoat. It struck me at this point that an awful lot of boats are the same, just with varying degrees of trim and build quality. There are a few that stand out however: Firstly there are the big boys, the Hallberg Rassey's, the Najad's etc, which ooze quality, even if their styling is a little "conservative". Secondly, there are the Flash buggers, the Oysters, Swans etc which require long distance telephone numbers of folding to buy, and a wardrobe of haute couture to step on board.
Then, there are the "different boats". Most of which are just "odd" or aimed at a specific market niche. For example, I forget the name, but there were a range of motor sailers there, all with pilot houses and canoe sterns, and although lovely I'm sure, really required a skipper of octogenarain years to do them justice. Anyway, I'm rambling, I'll get to the point....
We stumbled across the Cornish Pilot Cutter on our travels, and were invited on board. The boat was truly delightful. The salesman was very attentive (probably as he fancied the mate rotten!) and I was rather taken by the whole thing.
The craft itself was very well put together. Gleaming stainless steel fittings, stunning spruce spars and a colossal ten foot Bavaria mashing bowsprit. She had her faults though too. Firstly she's a smidge too small at 30' LOD, we wanted a little more room, she has a linear galley, which is a bugger in a seaway, and finally, she has a pricetag which would buy you a 40 footer with the "big 3".
Food for thought however... who says you need to buy a brand new boat???
The Southampton International Same Show, sorry, Boat Show, has been and gone now, and we managed to make it through without any serious collateral wallet damage. As far as boats were concerned, our big weakness, the First 40.7 wasn't there, so that was easy (even though we had both vowed not to go on it even if it was, VERY close shave last year you see...) so we trotted about looking for something that would catch our eye amongst the acres of white gelcoat. It struck me at this point that an awful lot of boats are the same, just with varying degrees of trim and build quality. There are a few that stand out however: Firstly there are the big boys, the Hallberg Rassey's, the Najad's etc, which ooze quality, even if their styling is a little "conservative". Secondly, there are the Flash buggers, the Oysters, Swans etc which require long distance telephone numbers of folding to buy, and a wardrobe of haute couture to step on board.
Then, there are the "different boats". Most of which are just "odd" or aimed at a specific market niche. For example, I forget the name, but there were a range of motor sailers there, all with pilot houses and canoe sterns, and although lovely I'm sure, really required a skipper of octogenarain years to do them justice. Anyway, I'm rambling, I'll get to the point....
We stumbled across the Cornish Pilot Cutter on our travels, and were invited on board. The boat was truly delightful. The salesman was very attentive (probably as he fancied the mate rotten!) and I was rather taken by the whole thing.
The craft itself was very well put together. Gleaming stainless steel fittings, stunning spruce spars and a colossal ten foot Bavaria mashing bowsprit. She had her faults though too. Firstly she's a smidge too small at 30' LOD, we wanted a little more room, she has a linear galley, which is a bugger in a seaway, and finally, she has a pricetag which would buy you a 40 footer with the "big 3".Food for thought however... who says you need to buy a brand new boat???
posted by Neraida at 2:54 PM
1 Comments:
She is pretty, but I'm with you guys on the space issue. I am, after all, a tad bit claustrophobic. Course, on a boat, there's always topside isn't there? 'Cept in bad weather.
LOL...now who's rambling?
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