I did Hamble to Cherbourg on a 1917 Bristol Clipper in a force 9-10. The boat set it's all time speed record, the seas were 15ft+, a huge yacht race was cancelled after almost every boat capsized. We only saw tankers in the sea.
It was quite an experience but I was very, very sick. Put me off rather a lot.
Simon - fair enough. If stopping at an empty beach on the August Bank holiday when the roads are jammed, if nipping to a seaside/riverside pub for a pint (again not worrying about parking), etc, etc are the "wrong place" then don't get a boat 😉
Being on a stripped-out 40footer surfing the swell with gennnnaker and a foresail up, in the pitch black of the open sea at night, racing between Hong Kong and Manila, doing about 20 knots - thats what its all about.
(Average-ish sized willy well and truly waved 😉 )
Iain - getting a bit old now but still the best looking fighter jet IMO - seen them doing dogfight training with F16s off the coast of Cornwall. Utterly stunning to watch. Bit loud though!
That must have been something to see! Used to be fascinated in jets and would spend hours watching them go over head, one passed so low I could capture every bit of detail on the undercarrage, they don't seam to fly as frequently now but I am still highly anticipating the day an F22 passes over the fence despite the fact they don't look anywhere as good.
Iain
... and that interior. Think of the parties. 😯
Iain Gillam - MemberWhilst you do have excellent taste with the Comanche people of Dorset might not be as impressed as you might think, I quite often get these flying over my back garden:
Sadly, the picture did not display for me, so I will have to guess that it was something awesome that flew...
Ok, I'll admit that I like boats, but I'd prefer to have a gorgeous boat that had sails than something that was sleek, shallow and had a huge engine. When the oil runs out, you'll still be able to use it you see.
Mark my words, the classic clippers will be making a comeback.
Just for marsdenman
bikes on a boat 😯 😉
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Big boats do use a silly silly amount of fuel.
I remember reading a readers test of an 70ft something or other gin palace. The owners were very pleased of it's frugal half a mile to the gallon...!!
My outlaws had a Botnia Targa 35 with two 350bhp diesels. Filling it up? £1200 a go.
I always find it intriguing that (generally speaking) those people who rattle on about material goods being penis extensions are always talking about something they can't afford. I.e boats, Ferrari's, etc.
Can no one be happy for anyone anymore?
I've decided Expedition Yachts are were it's at 😉
Until I have time and money on my hands, i'd go for a sailing yacht around 30ft, one with a suitable category for offshore, but with a view to short hop coastal cruising. One that has a good turn of speed, is predictable in a good blow and reasonably comfortable as somewhere to hang out at weekends too. £25k ought to do it. Nothing flash!
I don't need a penis extension, just a method of escape from the day to day drudge.
Thumbs down to gas guzzling power boats and gin palaces. These are the type of vessels that attract the same sort of immodest "LOOK AT ME" type people who simply must have a big expensive 4WD to show the world how much better thay are than everyone else. It's people like this who are wasting many times more fuel than anyone else, just to massage their egos and vanity. Fortunately, the vast majority of them are stuck ashore. Hooray! 😆
Sailing for me! I like the endless learning involved, the skill required in navigation etc and the peace and quiet.
Spongebob - not always.
Let's take the boat I mentioned, the Targa.
Let's look at it:
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The Thames Police use them, offshore surveyors use them and they look like fishing boats.
Except they do over 40 knots and will blast off most much "sleeker" and "posier" boats costing a lot more.
Not all powered boats are the same - some are practical, seaworthy and rapid. I don't like pure poser boats either but some are just effortlessly cool - usually the useful ones.
