A 1955 Fishing Boat given a new lease of life and a new chapter in her history with two novice sailors
A lifetime dream realised - nearly
After many, many, many months of searching and building comparison spreadsheets we have finally found our new home, together.
When couples get married it's often in a new home they have chosen together, a new start to a new chapter. Well in true bigger-than-bitesize manner we have found what we want to call our home. She's a bit different in as much as she's afloat, made of wood, and old enough for a bus pass.
Built in 1955 by North Sea Boats, she's made of very sturdy wood, but as you can see has undergone some repairs to keep her sunny-side-up.
We could go into the benefits of build, keel shape, rudder construction, rigging and a myriad of other factors we've looked at. All you need to know is you have an open invitation to join us for a day, week, month or even an ocean crossing when we've built up some more experience.
As things progress we'll update this site with work underway, items purchased from our wedding gift sponsors, historical info on the boat, and other stuff we hope you'll find interesting.
Latest update.....
We did our Maiden Voyage and it was hair-raising to say the least. We'd watched the weather forecasts for weeks, planned the lunar cycle to give us the most light for a night passage and got the boat as ready as we could.
We had to set off at night to make sure we arrived during the day for safety and help from the Marinaros (Dock helpers). We had planned the route on paper in case the electronics packed in, told people who could rescue us the plan and then the moment arrived... We had to cast off the mooring lines that had kept us safe for the last months and set sail across open water thousands of metres deep and hundreds of miles apart, together but on our own.
Adrenaline pumped and eyes were peeled for any unlit boats on the open sea and as we passed the Formentor Lighthouse we reached open sea. Slowly the lights of Mallorca shrank behind us and we became a small speck in a vast black inky sea. Dawn was a very welcome sight and was one of the most beautiful ones we've seen.
There was still another 12 hours ahead of us. We didn't realise it was 12 hours at that point but without an autopilot, hand - steering over that sort of distance meant we were off course most of the time and that added a good few extra hours /miles.
As the mainland hove into the binoculars we crossed the shipping lane and saw tankers like fast moving islands of steel crossing our passage - daylight is really useful sometimes.
Navigating by bouy lights we made our way into harbour and then the fun of coming alongside a dock with a 60 foot 50 ton boat without hitting the concrete or the £5million yacht in front having only practiced a few times. Success, no damage, plenty of sweat and stress we are safe and sound - Maiden Voyage complete.... and breathe.
Previously.....
We are still on for the eWedding on 24th of April, due to covid safe distance numbers will still be restricted so there's nothing we can do about having you all over in person. We'll be sending Facebook Live invitations to join us virtually. Please do come, throw confetti, cry, laugh, leave lovely memento messages we can keep forever and whatever else you would do. It'll be the first wedding you can dress up for or come in your dressing gown, just join us please. Help make it as memorable as possible.
There's a good reason for pressing ahead though.... please read on....
The boat has had her inspection and given she's getting on a bit there was nothing untoward or significant surprises so....
We met with Mark, her current owner, discussed our plans and came to an agreement. We are officially taking her on as the new owners, just the paperwork to complete. Wow it really is a new chapter and Sarah wants to start it with her married name, hence the timing of everything.
We are going to stay in The Med for a while as there is some work to do on her and we've got some great boaty contacts based out there who can help us. Speaking from recent experience traveling over is not easy with current restrictions but you know as soon as you want there will be a bed waiting for you on board.
We aim to be afloat in July.
Some of you have asked to see what type of things your wedding gifts will go towards so the little section below from force4.co.uk will give you some idea of the things we are fitting her out with. Everything is marine grade so it lasts longer than its' domestic cousin. Of course you need at least two flares and a battery really is that much!
First job: We are offshore so will need a dinghy to get to shore, pretty critical really. The one below is well below market value as she needs a little bit of work and doesn't have a working engine.
Second job: the generator - the genset that's on board now is a building site type, unbearably noisy, thirsty and completely not suitable for a marine environment and is not working properly so rather than waste money repairing something unsuitable that will probably continue breaking it's better to swap out with a fit-for-purpose genny.
Third job: solar panels - we are aiming to be as green as possible so want to run the genny as little as we can. To do this we'll rely on solar panels to top up the batteries. Currently there is 1 on board but we'll need to add at least a couple more.
Fourth job: composting toilets - the last thing anyone wants is the lingering pong of a loo. Composting toilets are green, don't smell, don't use harsh chemicals..
There is always going to be anti-rust, wear and tear, bits of damage, replacement items, etc.
