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NEWS<br />
O YSTER®<br />
NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF OYSTER - DOUBLE QUEEN'S AWARD YACHT BUILDERS<br />
ISSUE NO <strong>52</strong><br />
APRIL 2004<br />
OYSTER - WORLD LEADERS IN DECK SALOON CRUISING YACHTS<br />
OYSTER 82<br />
FIRST SEA TRIALS<br />
LONDON<br />
OWNERS<br />
DINNER<br />
ARC 2003<br />
REVIEW
NEWS<br />
O YSTER ®<br />
NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF OYSTER - DOUBLE QUEEN'S AWARD YACHT BUILDERS<br />
OYSTER 82<br />
FIRST SEA TRIALS<br />
LONDON<br />
OWNERS<br />
DINNER<br />
ARC 2003<br />
REVIEW<br />
ISSUE NO <strong>52</strong><br />
APRIL 2004<br />
OYSTER - WORLD LEADERS IN DECK SALOON CRUISING YACHTS<br />
EDITOR<br />
LIZ WHITMAN<br />
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR<br />
ROGER VAUGHAN<br />
CONTENTS<br />
FROM THE EDITOR<br />
We publish <strong>Oyster</strong> <strong>News</strong><br />
four times a year and we<br />
know from our readers<br />
that the articles they most<br />
enjoy reading about are<br />
the contributions from<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> owners. If you<br />
have a story to tell or<br />
information about cruising<br />
in your <strong>Oyster</strong> please let<br />
me know. Photographs<br />
are always welcome with<br />
or without a story.<br />
Email: liz.whitman@<br />
oystermarine.com<br />
FRONT AND BACK COVER PICTURES<br />
The just launched <strong>Oyster</strong> 82, Cygnus, on sea trials<br />
Photos: George Johns<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> <strong>News</strong> is published<br />
by <strong>Oyster</strong> Marine Ltd.<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> <strong>News</strong> is for promotional purposes only,<br />
privately circulated, and cannot form part of any<br />
contract or offer. Views, details and information herein<br />
are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher who<br />
will not be held responsible for the consequences of<br />
any error or omission. Pictures and illustrations are<br />
liable to show non standard equipment.<br />
2 www.oystermarine.com<br />
16 OYSTER 82 BUILDER'S TRIAL<br />
RICHARD MATTHEWS ON THE FIRST SAIL OF CYGNUS<br />
22 CAPE VERDEAN INTERLUDE<br />
STEPHEN THOMAS<br />
28 KEEPER OF THE CASTLE<br />
PROFILE OF OYSTER OWNER LORD AMHERST<br />
ROGER VAUGHAN<br />
36 ARC 2003 REPORT<br />
41 THE 2004 OYSTER FLEET<br />
42 PARALYMPIC SAILING TEAM REPORT<br />
HANNAH STODEL<br />
44 THE ROLLS-ROYCE OF YACHTS<br />
BRIAN LONG<br />
46 CRACKERJACK – THE DELIVERY<br />
EDDIE SCOUGALL<br />
54 JUST LAUNCHED<br />
56 LATE SEASON IN GÖKOVA BAY<br />
ROZLYN WALSH<br />
3 FROM THE CHAIRMAN<br />
RICHARD MATTHEWS<br />
4 NEWS ROUNDUP<br />
8 LONDON DINNER<br />
OWNERS PARTY ON THE THAMES<br />
10 PERSUASION OF A SCEPTIC<br />
KATHERINE SAVAGE
The first voyage of the season for many owners<br />
was aboard the 200ft Thames River cruiser,<br />
chartered for our London Boat Show Party.<br />
The views from the Thames of London by night were only surpassed<br />
by the generosity of our guests who, in less than an hour, helped us<br />
raise £40,000 in support of Hannah Stodel and crew who, sponsored<br />
by <strong>Oyster</strong>, will represent Great Britain sailing in the Sonar Class in this<br />
year’s Paralympics Games.<br />
On 24 February, the <strong>Oyster</strong> crew braved the British winter for very<br />
successful Builder's trials aboard "Cygnus", the first <strong>Oyster</strong> 82<br />
afloat. There’s a report in this edition but for us, with five 82's on<br />
order and a substantial investment in production tooling, it was a<br />
milestone moment.<br />
I can remember doing trials on the <strong>Oyster</strong> 46, our first Deck Saloon<br />
cruising yacht, and thinking "wow" this is a big yacht! Twentyfive years<br />
later, I had that same feeling sailing the new 82, only this time "big"<br />
had moved up a couple of gears.<br />
In over a quarter of a century, the 82 incorporates some huge<br />
advances in design and technology, while some defining features<br />
remain, like a single skin hull, keel stepped mast and a rudder hung<br />
on a fully protected skeg. Speaking of steering, during the Builder's<br />
trials, designer Rob Humphreys snapped me sailing at 8.5 knots to<br />
windward in 23 knots of apparent wind with just two fingers holding<br />
the wheel. How’s that for balance!<br />
It looks like we will have a great turnout for the upcoming UBS <strong>Oyster</strong><br />
Regatta in the BVI in April and we look forward to covering that event<br />
in our next issue.<br />
Our thanks to those owners whose contributions feature in this<br />
edition. Please keep them coming. Meanwhile, as usual, we wish all<br />
our readers fair winds and good sailing.<br />
Richard Matthews<br />
Founder and Chairman<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> Marine<br />
2004 DIARY DATES<br />
UBS OYSTER REGATTA – BVI<br />
5 - 10 APRIL<br />
OYSTER PRIVATE VIEW<br />
ST KATHARINE'S YACHT HAVEN,<br />
LONDON<br />
22 - 25 APRIL<br />
OYSTER REGATTA NEWPORT<br />
10 - 13 JUNE<br />
UBS OYSTER REGATTA – COWES<br />
6 - 10 JULY<br />
IJMUIDEN BOAT SHOW<br />
31 AUGUST - 5 SEPTEMBER<br />
SOUTHAMPTON BOAT SHOW AND<br />
OYSTER BROKERAGE SHOW<br />
10 - 19 SEPTEMBER<br />
OYSTER OWNERS DINNER<br />
ROYAL SOUTHERN YACHT CLUB<br />
11 SEPTEMBER<br />
NEWPORT BOAT SHOW<br />
16 - 19 SEPTEMBER<br />
UBS OYSTER REGATTA – PALMA<br />
29 SEPTEMBER - 3 OCTOBER<br />
ANNAPOLIS BOAT SHOW<br />
7 - 11 OCTOBER<br />
OYSTER OWNERS PARTY<br />
ANNAPOLIS<br />
7 OCTOBER<br />
GENOA BOAT SHOW<br />
9 - 17 OCTOBER<br />
HAMBURG BOAT SHOW<br />
23 - 31 OCTOBER<br />
PRE ARC OYSTER PARTY FOR<br />
OWNERS AND CREW<br />
18 NOVEMBER<br />
ARC START – LAS PALMAS<br />
21 NOVEMBER<br />
2005 DIARY DATES<br />
LONDON BOAT SHOW<br />
6 -16 JANUARY<br />
OYSTER OWNERS DINNER LONDON<br />
8 JANUARY<br />
DÜSSELDORF BOAT SHOW<br />
15 - 23 JANUARY<br />
MIAMI BOAT SHOW<br />
17 - 21 JANUARY<br />
www.oystermarine.com<br />
3
Photo: Jos Vaes<br />
NEWS ROUNDUP<br />
BIGGEST ISN’T ALWAYS BEST BUT…<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong>s are the largest yachts at London and Düsseldorf Shows<br />
The <strong>Oyster</strong> 66 was the largest sailing yacht at the London<br />
Boat Show held in January. Attendance was up by about a<br />
third at the new Excel venue in Docklands and with around<br />
100 new exhibitors, visitors agreed the show was both<br />
bigger and better.<br />
Meanwhile the show at Düsseldorf was bigger still, over twice<br />
the size by visitor numbers and floor space. The two shows had<br />
one thing in common in that again <strong>Oyster</strong> were at the top of the<br />
list with the new 82 being the largest sailing yacht on display.<br />
The 82 "Cygnus" set off under power from our SYS yard in<br />
Southampton, but the fun really started when she reached<br />
Rotterdam at the mouth of the Rhine. Here we heard the<br />
revelation that, due to abnormally low rainfall, there was<br />
insufficient water up-river for the 82 to float! What to do? That<br />
large chunk of carpet was going to look awfully empty with<br />
nothing but a reception desk and a few posters!<br />
Harald Flack - IN MEMORIAM<br />
We were very sad to hear that, during February, Captain Harald Flack from<br />
Hamburg passed away after a prolonged illness.<br />
"Britho", Harald's much loved and well travelled <strong>Oyster</strong> 46, extended to 49',<br />
was the first large cruising <strong>Oyster</strong> we sold into the German market. Harald,<br />
who owned "Britho" for 17 years, taught us a lot about the expectations of<br />
the many German owners that followed.<br />
Harald, his wife Marian, daughter Britta and son Thorsten, are all old friends<br />
of <strong>Oyster</strong> and many owners will recall Britta, who worked for <strong>Oyster</strong> at Ipswich<br />
for two years as a sales consultant. Britta and Thorsten have continued their<br />
relationship with us, helping to staff German boat shows.<br />
To hell with the expense - the show must go on but how?<br />
Schmidt, better known for their fleet of ocean-going tugs, came<br />
to the rescue with a huge flat-bottomed barge. "Cygnus" was<br />
loaded at Rotterdam and made it to "Big Willy" the name given<br />
to the 400-ton travel lift that runs from the bank of the Rhine<br />
straight into the exhibition hall. Thankfully by the end of the<br />
show the water level in the Rhine had risen to allow "Cygnus" to<br />
head home across the North Sea without incident.<br />
Biggest isn’t always best but when it come to the new 82 we<br />
figure size does matter!<br />
The new <strong>Oyster</strong> 82 is believed to be the largest series<br />
production sailing yacht ever built in the UK. A report on our first<br />
sea trial appears on page 16.<br />
Harald, Britta and Thorsten Flack
GETTING A LIFT<br />
Fox’s Marina on Suffolk’s beautiful River Orwell is the <strong>Oyster</strong> home<br />
base and, although no new yacht construction takes place on site,<br />
all new <strong>Oyster</strong>s are rigged, tested and commissioned here.<br />
Fox’s was the first yard in the area to install a travel lift and, following<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong>'s acquisition of the marina in 1985, a second hoist was<br />
installed. To enable the yard to handle the new <strong>Oyster</strong> 82 and the<br />
upcoming 72, which are both too wide for the original lift dock, a<br />
totally new lift dock has just been commissioned and a new travel lift<br />
installed. <strong>Oyster</strong>s are not the only yachts to make use of Fox’s<br />
facilities, since a wide range of yachts and small commercial vessels<br />
are always on site for repairs, refits, spray painting, osmosis<br />
treatments, rigging and electronic upgrades. Non-<strong>Oyster</strong> owners are<br />
welcome and over 200 vessels regularly winter ashore in Fox’s care.<br />
For workshop and general enquiries contact Fox’s Yard Services<br />
Director Ralph Catchpole on +44 1473 689111<br />
Email: ralph.catchpole@oystermarine.com<br />
Westerbeke<br />
and Surrette<br />
to support<br />
US Regatta<br />
Westerbeke, the US maker of<br />
generators, and Surrette, suppliers to<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> of batteries, have joined Raymarine,<br />
Pelagos <strong>Yachts</strong> and Cruising World as sponsors of the inaugural<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> USA Regatta, to be held out of Newport, Rhode Island from<br />
10-13 June. Entries are coming in and we welcome enquiries from<br />
any owners who will be in the area and would like to take part.<br />
Email: liz.whitman@oystermarine.com<br />
NEWPORT<br />
REGATTA<br />
STAFF NEWS<br />
World-class companies never stand still and we are pleased<br />
to announce the following additional or replacement<br />
appointments and staff changes that have all taken place<br />
since our last edition:<br />
JOHN MUNNS<br />
Well known to many owners, John<br />
was our Commissioning Manager<br />
before taking off to sail the world<br />
with his wife Ira as the skipper of an<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 80. John has been managing<br />
Fox’s Marina and is now rejoining<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> to take charge of an "under<br />
wraps" new yacht project that will<br />
be announced later this year!<br />
STEPHEN PARKINSON<br />
With over 16,000 miles as a skipper and crew under his belt,<br />
Stephen joins us as our new After Sales Assistant with a wealth of<br />
blue water sailing experience, having most recently participated in<br />
the 2002 ARC. During that event, Stephen played a key role in the<br />
May Day operation resulting from a fatal man overboard incident<br />
on another yacht.<br />
KIM SOMERVILLE<br />
Joining us as our new Assistant<br />
After Sales Manager, Kim is no<br />
stranger to us as her father is on<br />
his third <strong>Oyster</strong>!<br />
HAMISH BURGESS-SIMPSON<br />
Formerly in charge of warranty, Hamish<br />
continues as second in command of<br />
After Sales, but will use his very<br />
considerable depth of experience to<br />
look behind warranty and unscheduled<br />
maintenance issues and operate as our<br />
Technical Consultant. He will also be<br />
responsible for our Customer Care<br />
Programme and introducing the<br />
new Maintenance Log system for<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> yachts.<br />
HOLLY NEILSON<br />
Our new Sales Secretary has joined us from Linklaters.<br />
Holly sails on an <strong>Oyster</strong> Smack but we don’t expect it<br />
will be long before she gets a taste for our kind<br />
of <strong>Oyster</strong>.<br />
PETER BIRD joins the busy <strong>Oyster</strong> in-house<br />
Design Team, and has a depth of experience. He has<br />
worked in the USA with Robb Ladd, Trinity <strong>Yachts</strong>,<br />
and more recently with Seaway Group in Slovenia.<br />
www.oystermarine.com<br />
5
NEWS ROUNDUP<br />
Bora Bora Raft Up<br />
Bora Bora is one of those Pacific islands that most yachtsmen would want<br />
to visit. Although well developed as a tourist resort and becoming more so,<br />
it still captures the imagination and offers some really nice anchorages. As<br />
an example of making the world their <strong>Oyster</strong> this year, we hear three 66’s<br />
are heading for a Bora Bora rendezvous. David and Linda Hughes with<br />
Miss Molly, Stephen and Catherine Thomas with Magic Dragon and Brian<br />
Hall OBE with Forever Young are all expected to be there. Miss Molly and<br />
Magic Dragon (Hughes & Thomas) are planning to cruise to the Antarctic<br />
via Cape Horn – more of that in future editions.<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 66 Miss Molly<br />
Purple X joins the COA<br />
Chinese New Year<br />
Macau Race 2004<br />
In spite of severe cold weather warnings, 37<br />
yachts turned out to brave the chilly<br />
conditions for this year’s COA Chinese New<br />
Year Macau Race, from Hong Kong to Macau<br />
and back, including the <strong>Oyster</strong> 49 Purple X<br />
owned by Raymond and Carolyn Lee.<br />
Despite a rather severe handicap and with a<br />
family crew on board, which included the<br />
Lee's two young sons, Purple X had a great<br />
race, but didn't feature in the prizes Sailing<br />
is a way of life for the Lee family, as later this<br />
year Joe and Jing Lee (aged 12 and 14) will<br />
be sailing for the Hong Kong youth team in<br />
the Laser 4.7 World Series in Italy and we<br />
wish them every success in that event.<br />
For more information about the Hong<br />
Kong Macau Race see: wwwcoahk.org
Miami Vice<br />
Strictly Sail is the sailboat section of<br />
the long established Miami<br />
International Boat Show. Held<br />
between 12-17 February, it gave<br />
the <strong>Oyster</strong> USA team and a lot of visitors<br />
from the US East Coast and across the<br />
States, a chance to escape the winter and<br />
get some sunshine. This is the show where<br />
you can see 100 mph powerboats and a<br />
selection of fishing gear that would have<br />
Jaws running for cover. The sailboat section<br />
has grown and includes a reasonable<br />
selection of European and US builders who<br />
can be split into two groups – those that<br />
have shoal draft options and those that wish<br />
they had! Most Florida sailors need shoal<br />
draft for the Intercoastal Waterway, the<br />
Bahamas and Florida Cays, which are all<br />
predominantly shoal water areas. And yes –<br />
all <strong>Oyster</strong> yachts offer a shoal draft variant<br />
and you will see a fair number of <strong>Oyster</strong>s in<br />
Florida waters.<br />
20,000 MILES<br />
FOR OYSTER 55<br />
We were delighted to hear from Japanese<br />
owner, Jyunya Hirose, who recently<br />
completed 20,000 miles cruising in his <strong>Oyster</strong><br />
55, Magelen Major VII. Jyunja, who took<br />
delivery of his new 55 in 1996, marked the<br />
occasion with a party, in Japan, for friends<br />
and crew and passed on his gratitude to<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> for "A wonderful sailing yacht, that<br />
has shown excellent performance and<br />
durability on our long ocean voyage".<br />
Thank you Jyunja.<br />
A Lucky Escape<br />
Is Marigot Bay a safe place<br />
for Cruising Couples?<br />
ROBERT AND SUE DAVIS HAD A TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE ABOARD<br />
THEIR OYSTER 406 SUNDAY'S CHILD.<br />
Overnight on 14 February 2004, while at anchor in Marigot Bay, St Lucia, they were boarded and<br />
attacked by two natives who swam to the yacht and climbed aboard while they slept. As a retired<br />
couple, Robert and Sue were overpowered, tied up and robbed of what cash they had on board<br />
at knifepoint. The assailants made off in the yacht's tender, which was later recovered.<br />
Altogether a highly traumatic experience that could so easily have ended in tragedy.<br />
With hindsight Robert offers the following observations:<br />
• Be aware that the boat boys or guys going around on surf boards with a few bananas for sale<br />
are not always selling bananas (Quote from the local constable)<br />
• Our companionway hatch was open. Make it difficult/impossible for these guys to get below.<br />
• We had a reasonable amount of cash on board, I dread to think what would have happened if<br />
we had not had enough to satisfy these guys.<br />
• Do not have a light on in the cockpit; it works entirely to their advantage.<br />
COMMENT FROM RICHARD MATTHEWS<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> <strong>News</strong> aims to be an upbeat publication so we are wary of publishing ‘bad news’<br />
stories but we felt we owed it to Robert and Sue Davis to sound a note of caution to<br />
other owners. If any <strong>Oyster</strong> owner would like a full transcript of Robert’s report,<br />
email: liz.whitman@oystermarine.com. If any owners know of other attacks please let us<br />
know. On a personal note don’t underestimate the strength and determination of Robert's<br />
attackers. As it happens I have known Robert, an ex British Marine, since childhood –<br />
he is not the kind of guy that would just roll over to have his tummy tickled!<br />
The ARC finishes in St Lucia and lots of yachts visit Marigot Bay. The beach, with a palm tree<br />
background, has served for many an <strong>Oyster</strong> photo shoot. It’s the location where Rex Harrison<br />
‘talked to the animals’ in the movie Dr. Doolittle, hence Doolittle’s is the local bar.<br />
www.oystermarine.com 7
With the London Boat show moving to the new<br />
Excel Exhibition Centre in Docklands and<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong>’s 30th Anniversary year at a close, in a<br />
change from our usual Royal Thames Yacht Club venue, this<br />
year's boat show party on 10 January, for <strong>Oyster</strong> owners,<br />
was held aboard the "Silver Sturgeon" a 200ft Thames River<br />
cruiser. Over 250 owners and guests, representing over 50<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong>s, joined the party starting from St Katharine's Pier by<br />
the River Thames' best-known landmark, Tower Bridge.<br />
Matt and Caroline Sheahan,<br />
David Hulston and Naeema Ali,<br />
Kenneth and Lesley Fogg<br />
8 www.oystermarine.com<br />
Andy Green, Hannah<br />
Stodel, Richard Matthews,<br />
Stephen Parks<br />
Hamish Burgess-Simpson, Linda Hellings,<br />
John and Susan Dietz
Alan and Sue Brook, Andy Green, Gavin and Charlotte Stewart, Robert Matthews,<br />
Candice Matthews, Ian and Amanda McCracken, Rupert Knox-Johnston<br />
LONDON DINNER<br />
The evening started with a champagne reception kindly sponsored by Declan O’Sullivan’s<br />
company, Pelagos <strong>Yachts</strong>, who offers a cross border leasing VAT mitigation scheme.<br />
To illustrate the international flavour of the evening, overseas guests included Jonathon and Jane<br />
Edwards, owners of the new <strong>Oyster</strong> 66, Voodoo, on display at the London Boat Show; John and<br />
Susan Dietz, Bill and Linda Hellings, Tom and Stephanie Poynter, Robert and Mallika De Haven,<br />
John and Cheryl Ellsworth and Mike and Donna Hill who are all from North America, and Mr and<br />
Mrs Jacques Poli, Rolf and Yolanda Herlig, Hans and Margareth Kampers and Tormod and Elena<br />
Wangen from Europe.<br />
Specially honoured guests included Erick and Heather Reickert from the US, who completed a<br />
circumnavigation in their <strong>Oyster</strong> 55 Escapade and David and Linda Hughes who sailed around the<br />
world in their <strong>Oyster</strong> 55 Miss Molly and are now doing it again on their 66 of the same name. The<br />
furthest travelled was David Hulston from Australia who was the overall winner of <strong>Oyster</strong>’s New<br />
Zealand regatta in his <strong>Oyster</strong> 53 Southern Aurora.<br />
Towards the end of the evening, Richard Matthews introduced Hannah Stodel, an 18 year old<br />
sailor, who has been sponsored by <strong>Oyster</strong> for the last five years. Two years ago Hannah was<br />
voted Young Sailor of the Year. In 2003 Hannah and crew set their sights on a place in the 2004<br />
Paralympics in Athens, sailing for Great Britain in the Sonar Class. With sponsorship from <strong>Oyster</strong><br />
and help from the Royal Thames Yacht Club, who provided the boat, against all odds and<br />
expectations Hannah and her crew, through sheer determination, practice, blood, sweat and<br />
tears, soundly beat a much favoured and more experienced crew to win their place. To put this<br />
achievement into perspective, Hannah, who has no right forearm, trims the jib and calls tactics.<br />
She sails the boat with John Robertson who is paralysed below the waist and Stephen Thomas<br />
who has no legs.<br />
Also present at the dinner was Stephen Park, Olympic Team Manager for Britain’s Royal Yachting<br />
Association who spoke about the Paralympics and Britain’s chances of winning medals in the<br />
upcoming Olympics. By the way, at the last Olympics, Britain was the top sailing nation.<br />
Hannah Stodel, Bob and June Beeston, Adrian and Sue<br />
Bouckley, Robert and Marianne Hill, Declan O'Sullivan,<br />
Cora Cleary and Chris Packard<br />
Richard Matthews went on to explain<br />
that Hannah and her crew needed to<br />
raise £40,000 to meet their campaign<br />
budget and offered to match, pound for<br />
pound any donations from <strong>Oyster</strong><br />
owners and guests pledged on the<br />
night. Faced with a genuine cause and<br />
Hannah herself looking owners in the<br />
eye, thanks to the generous spirit of<br />
those present, including a significant<br />
number of ‘non Brits’, £20,000 was<br />
pledged in less than 30 minutes! As<br />
promised, <strong>Oyster</strong> matched this amount<br />
and so it was that, with Hannah literarily<br />
weeping tears of joy, £40,000 was raised<br />
during the course of a thoroughly<br />
enjoyable occasion.<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> <strong>News</strong> will bring reports of Hannah<br />
and crew in the build up to the<br />
Paralympics (see page 42 in this issue)<br />
and the games themselves.<br />
George and Jane Johns<br />
Alan and Sarah Harmer, John and Jane Edwards,<br />
Neil and Kate Cresswell<br />
Robin Campbell,<br />
Lani Heuer, Robert<br />
and Mallika de<br />
Haven, Tom and<br />
Stephanie Poynter<br />
Our thanks go to the many individuals and<br />
companies who so generously pledged<br />
donations, including:<br />
Lewmar, Windboats Marine, Pantaenius,<br />
Successful Solutions Wealth Management,<br />
Bob and June Beeston, Microsolv IT<br />
Consultants, Mike and Elinor Leach, Dick and<br />
Sally Morgan, John Dietz, Pelagos <strong>Yachts</strong>,<br />
Akeler, Heath Lambert Group, Krik and Anna<br />
Krikorian, Bird Luckin, Michael and Serena<br />
Stevenson, Bobby and Phylidda Lawes,<br />
Raymarine, Hood Yacht Spars, Marshall<br />
Sutton Jones, Yachting World, Mr and Mrs<br />
William F Hellings, Sir Peter Davis, David and<br />
Linda Hughes, David and Mabel Blacklaws,<br />
Dolphin Sails, Minton Treharne & Davies Ltd,<br />
Andrew and Diane Gerrard, Counterpoint<br />
Projects Ltd, Humphreys Yacht Design, E C<br />
Landamore, Mr S Jones, Erick and Heather<br />
Reickert, Pimsic, Roy Clegg, Mr Lewis
OWNER REPORT<br />
The Persuasion<br />
of a Sceptic…<br />
By Katherine Savage, <strong>Oyster</strong> 62, VENTURE<br />
10 www.oystermarine.com<br />
an affair to remember<br />
Katherine and Pete Savage with grandaughters Lucie and Leslie <strong>Oyster</strong> 62, Venture, Class Winner in the Marion Bermuda Race<br />
Denizens of the deep conspired for many years with Mal de Mer and Mother Nature to<br />
diminish my full participation in sailing. Until, <strong>Oyster</strong> <strong>Yachts</strong> came into my life.<br />
It was love at first sight. "Now this is a boat I could spend time on." Unknowingly, powerful<br />
and prophetic words, spoken by me at the Annapolis Boat Show several years ago. I (the<br />
sceptic) had just gone aboard TALISMAN, an <strong>Oyster</strong> 6l. I was exhilarated by the airy raised<br />
deck saloon, and the spaciousness of the aft cabin. The headroom was but one of the many<br />
features that impressed me. Peter (the sailor) was exhilarated by the fact that his wife<br />
(whose preferred mode of travel is at an altitude of 32 thousand feet, with accommodations<br />
following at a Four Seasons or Relais and Châteaux recommended hotel) expressed interest,<br />
let alone delight, in any sailing yacht. And, so our love affair with <strong>Oyster</strong> <strong>Yachts</strong> began.
"I attribute whatever modest<br />
advances I’ve made in<br />
becoming a sailor, in large<br />
part to the sense of security<br />
I have onboard VENTURE.<br />
I’m no longer fearful. I feel<br />
safe and comfortable,<br />
which allows me to share in<br />
my family’s love of sailing"<br />
Prior to that auspicious day in Annapolis,<br />
Peter and I had spent a few years casually<br />
window-shopping for the perfect sailboat. It<br />
was entertainment. There was no particular<br />
hurry due to Peter’s time-consuming<br />
business commitments and my reluctance to<br />
make any purchase at all. Bareboat<br />
chartering for a week or two every year was<br />
just about right for me. Peter and our<br />
daughters, Tina and Renee, are competent,<br />
eager sailors. I, on the other hand, was an<br />
excellent passenger and good sport, thank<br />
you very much. I enjoyed exploring different<br />
ports and revelled in my daughters’ shared<br />
love of sailing with their father. All of which<br />
rendered my previously mentioned challenge<br />
an inconvenience, easily managed for brief<br />
periods of time. Living aboard for extended<br />
periods was a different matter all together.<br />
Window-shopping as entertainment for Peter<br />
was one thing. Actually making a purchase<br />
was quite another. Even after we thought<br />
we’d found the perfect boat, the timing<br />
wasn’t right and I was still more than a bit<br />
sceptical. So, we did what 'type A'<br />
Americans do so well – we researched while<br />
we waited. Our investigations were very<br />
thorough indeed. So much so that we had a<br />
few serious, and very tempting, flirtations<br />
with other yacht builders. However, after<br />
doing our homework we decided an <strong>Oyster</strong><br />
was in fact what we wanted. We were ready<br />
to make our commitment to build. An aside:<br />
I’ve adopted as my theme song (everybody<br />
needs a theme song don’t you think?) a<br />
lovely country western ballad titled "I Can Be<br />
Persuaded" sung by a Russian-American<br />
band called, "Bering Strait". Persuaded!<br />
Brilliantly persuaded, by a master - The<br />
Sailor. Persuaded, but with a few lingering<br />
reservations. No matter! I signed on and<br />
proceeded enthusiastically.<br />
When we learned we’d have to wait 22<br />
months for our dreamboat, a stir of mixed<br />
feelings competed for my initial enthusiasm.<br />
Peter was crest-fallen. I was a bit relieved. I<br />
thought it might be an omen. Perhaps we<br />
should revisit our desire to build a home in<br />
the Colorado Rockies. Then I heard myself<br />
suggesting we use the time waiting for our<br />
boat to be built travelling abroad. Peter called<br />
it a brilliant idea. I called it speaking before<br />
thinking. It was decided! And so, when Peter<br />
made his bi-monthly, then monthly, visits to<br />
Ipswich and Southampton, we added side<br />
trips to other parts of the UK and Europe. It<br />
was a wonderful plan, which added<br />
immeasurably to our enjoyment of the build<br />
experience. It was in fact a brilliant idea!<br />
We gradually included family and friends on<br />
these "inspection" trips. Some actually came<br />
to the shipyard with us, while others<br />
rendezvoused with us elsewhere. Tina and<br />
JD Lytle and Renee and John Savage, had<br />
an opportunity to share their ideas, both on<br />
and off site, and made valuable contributions<br />
to our project. Lucie, age 3 and our only<br />
grandchild at the time, had a wonderful visit<br />
exploring Southampton Yacht Services<br />
shipyard and our unfinished yacht with Peter,<br />
much to her protective mother’s distress and<br />
her grandfather’s delight. Tina needn’t have<br />
worried. The only mishap during their visit<br />
was the loss of Dee-Dee Dolly, Lucie’s<br />
favourite doll. Andrew Martin, our Project<br />
Manager, gallantly came to the rescue by<br />
collecting Dee-Dee Dolly from Hintlesham<br />
Hall, where she had last been sighted. We<br />
were told she ran up quite a bill enjoying all<br />
the hotel had to offer, before Andrew<br />
retrieved her and sent her packing back to<br />
the states. Our hero!<br />
Speaking of our Project Manager, I must say<br />
he was an absolute delight to work with. He<br />
was professional yet friendly, and always<br />
patient. He saved we poor Yanks from<br />
ourselves more than once. Whenever I made<br />
a suggestion he thought ill-advised there<br />
would sometimes be a pregnant pause,<br />
The Savage family<br />
celebrate Venture's<br />
success in Newport<br />
www.oystermarine.com 11
OWNER REPORT<br />
"I have nothing to gain from<br />
singing the praises of<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> <strong>Yachts</strong> except the<br />
pleasure of sharing good<br />
news the way a convert<br />
might, and encouraging<br />
those faint of heart, as I<br />
once was, to give it a go"<br />
Peter, Leigh Brown and Katherine<br />
12 www.oystermarine.com<br />
A ride in Venture's<br />
tender, adVenture<br />
a gentle smile, then the comment "Well,<br />
Katherine that’s an interesting idea<br />
but…well…it’s a bit…well…power boatie".<br />
POWER BOATIE! Even I knew that was not a<br />
good thing for a highly esteemed SAILING<br />
yacht. To what depths had I fallen and could I<br />
possibly redeem myself?<br />
For sound reasons, I had to forsake granite<br />
counter tops in the galley. I did manage to<br />
get, among other items, full-length mirrors on<br />
the backs of each cabin door. Peter managed<br />
several items on his list as well. At one point I<br />
overheard him say, "Andrew, you’re<br />
absolutely right. I understand completely and<br />
appreciate your point of view. However, I<br />
have one wife, two daughters, one<br />
granddaughter (with more to follow) and very<br />
dear friends, all of whom are high<br />
maintenance. Their comfort is of paramount<br />
importance to me. Therefore, I absolutely<br />
must have the high capacity fresh water<br />
pump."<br />
Well, here I am, eighteen months after taking<br />
delivery of VENTURE, our <strong>Oyster</strong> 62.<br />
Katherine, sceptical landlubber turned<br />
enthusiastic yacht owner, and Admiral of the<br />
Fleet – Peter’s moniker for me always spoken<br />
with a twinkle in his eye. My response is<br />
usually "That would be more impressive dear<br />
if our fleet consisted of more than one yacht,<br />
a tender and two life rafts."<br />
So far, we’ve managed to juggle many of our<br />
business commitments while staying on<br />
board. We’ve had help from all of the high<br />
tech computer and communications<br />
gadgetry, which are both a blessing and a<br />
curse, but mostly a blessing. Peter raced<br />
VENTURE to Bermuda with a wonderful crew,<br />
placed first in class, and had a fabulous time<br />
in the process. I met him in Bermuda for the<br />
celebrations. The revelry continued a few<br />
days later in Newport, Rhode Island for the<br />
4th of July festivities at our yacht club. Family<br />
and friends joined us there for a long<br />
weekend. Lucie now quickly approaching 6,<br />
was almost as happy as her grandfather.<br />
Bubbling with joy, she said several times "I<br />
knew they’d win. I just knew it!!" Out of the<br />
mouths of babes.
Her little sister Leslie and cousin Campbell,<br />
two and a half and two respectively, are too<br />
young to care much about any of that. They<br />
just want to explore every nook and cranny,<br />
push all the buttons and twirl all the knobs at<br />
the navigation station, climb the companion<br />
way endlessly, and hang from the rigging. In<br />
addition, of course, to having their turn<br />
"driving" VENTURE. Lucie will always ask<br />
politely for preferences. "Should I drive the<br />
boat in circles or straight?" Peter and I, diligent<br />
in selecting a safe location for this escapade,<br />
allow them to steer in whatever direction they<br />
can manage at the time. Riding in and<br />
"driving" adVENTURE, our tender, is also a<br />
thrill for them. They, and we, love gunk holing<br />
as well as cutting loose and going as fast as<br />
safety allows. Needless to say, life jackets are<br />
always a must.<br />
I believe I had as much fun planning and<br />
preparing the boat for our granddaughters as<br />
those brave sailors preparing for an ARC. I<br />
find myself smiling whenever I see the hardto-find<br />
small nautical quilts I chose especially<br />
for them. I loved selecting the books for their<br />
onboard library, all of which are about the<br />
adventures of sailing and life on or below the<br />
sea. Often, little girls are the heroines in these<br />
books. The little bears I collected dressed in<br />
sailor attire even give Peter a chuckle. The<br />
focsl is Lucie’s domain. She loves her<br />
"bunkie bed". Who wouldn’t? Fun quilts and<br />
soft pillows in cheerful colours, sailor bears,<br />
and interesting books make for a cosy<br />
retreat. I also supplied a flashlight for use<br />
after lights out, an accommodation I can’t<br />
remember making for her mother and aunt<br />
when they were little girls. So far, it’s been<br />
very effective. No scary creatures sighted yet.<br />
Although I suspect there have been more<br />
than a few books read after taps.<br />
Securing sleeping toddlers was not as easily<br />
managed. After an exhaustive and futile<br />
search for the appropriate bedding, I<br />
surrendered. I was often told, sometimes with<br />
a whiff of disapproval, that very young<br />
children do not belong on yachts and would<br />
be best left at home. Granted, a yacht is not<br />
the most child-friendly environment for little<br />
ones. However, the Savages travel en famille.<br />
Necessity being the mother of invention,<br />
Peter and I designed a canvas "crib" for the<br />
port cabin. The local sail maker happily<br />
constructed it for us. It attaches to the lee<br />
cloth eyebolts, which are already in place,<br />
works beautifully and stows easily.<br />
I mention potentially boring stories about my<br />
granddaughters only to illustrate one<br />
doesn’t have to circumnavigate the globe or<br />
undertake high adventure to justify and fully<br />
enjoy the luxury of an <strong>Oyster</strong>. Although<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> <strong>Yachts</strong> have an impressive history of<br />
many such trips, the primary considerations<br />
in planning a major voyage are the same as<br />
less ambitious outings for family and friends<br />
Kit Williams of SYS, Peter, Renee and John during a visit to see Venture in build at Southampton Yacht Services<br />
- safety, reliability, and comfort. Our <strong>Oyster</strong><br />
meets those requirements and more. It has<br />
accommodated adventure seekers, as well<br />
as more restrained, fun loving, day sailors.<br />
In fact, I attribute whatever modest<br />
advances I’ve made in becoming a sailor, in<br />
large part to the sense of security I have<br />
onboard VENTURE.<br />
We’ve sailed the length of the east coast of<br />
America including the west coast of Florida a<br />
couple of times and made more than a few<br />
friends along the way. Correction, Peter and<br />
his buddies do the more difficult blue water<br />
sailing. I meet them at whatever destination<br />
we’ve planned and enjoy the day sails and<br />
easy overnights to interesting ports. My sea<br />
legs are getting stronger every day, and I’ve<br />
only had one or two encounters with my<br />
nemeses. My ultimate goal is to make some<br />
if not all of those transits with Peter next<br />
year. Did I really say that?<br />
Although I’m not yet as seaworthy as I would<br />
like, I am improving and my skill set and<br />
vocabulary is gradually expanding. Among<br />
other things, I’ve learned to call things by<br />
their proper names – most of the time. Not as<br />
many " You know, dear, those orange<br />
THINGIES over there". I’ve stayed on board<br />
alone rather often, and managed quite well<br />
with the yacht’s systems. I even lived to tell<br />
the tale of some thunderstorms,<br />
accompanied by serious rock ‘n roll swells<br />
rippling through the anchorage, while I was
OWNER REPORT<br />
"The primary considerations<br />
in planning a major voyage<br />
are the same as less<br />
ambitious outings for family<br />
and friends - safety,<br />
reliability, and comfort. Our<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> meets those<br />
requirements and more."<br />
14 www.oystermarine.com<br />
alone – an unimaginable situation prior to<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong>. I handle the dock lines, drop and pick<br />
up and secure a mooring – preferably with<br />
my sailing gloves on. OK, I’m still a bit prissy!<br />
But a girl does have to protect her manicure.<br />
Absolutely best of all, I’m no longer fearful. I<br />
feel safe and comfortable which allows me to<br />
share in my family’s love of sailing. There was<br />
a time in other boats when the site of large<br />
waves or a large wake would make me<br />
cringe. No more. Our <strong>Oyster</strong> slices thru<br />
wakes and waves like a hot knife thru butter.<br />
While heeled and catching more than a bit of<br />
ocean spray, I can now confidently cuddle<br />
my granddaughters in my lap, as we squeal<br />
with delight "YEEEHAAW! Ride ‘em<br />
cowgirls". Terrific fun! These are modest,<br />
perhaps even laughable, achievements.<br />
However, for me, and those who know and<br />
love me, they are major accomplishments.<br />
When we first began this adventure our<br />
family and friends were a little apprehensive<br />
for me, as was I. Our younger daughter,<br />
Renee, only half teasing, asked her father if<br />
his intention was to "keep Mom drugged for<br />
weeks at a time" for the extended periods we<br />
planned to be on board. Tempting as that<br />
might have been for him, fortunately it wasn’t<br />
necessary.<br />
My girlfriends thought I’d gone loopy for<br />
agreeing to live on board a boat – any boat –<br />
even for a little while. One or two still think I<br />
need rescuing, as if a cult had cast a spell on<br />
me, which quite possibly it has – the cult of<br />
happy <strong>Oyster</strong> owners. Their husbands, also my<br />
good friends, gave me kudos for attempting<br />
what was for me a gutsy challenge. I suspect<br />
they felt in their hearts, as I did, I would regain<br />
Playing at the Nav station Venture's beautifully fitted and spacious saloon<br />
my senses in short order, and return home to<br />
my much loved California. After all I’m not<br />
now, nor have I ever been the rough and<br />
tumble tomboy. I appreciate my comforts and<br />
small luxuries. Much to everyone’s surprise<br />
including my own, I’ve managed quite happily.<br />
Truth to tell, one doesn’t need to be rescued<br />
from our <strong>Oyster</strong> 62.<br />
From the very beginning Peter treated this as<br />
OUR project, not his private, self-indulgent, toy.<br />
He took my suggestions and preferences very<br />
seriously without being condescending, and<br />
quietly went about implementing them. He<br />
respected the fact that this was a major
adjustment for me and went out of his way to<br />
make everything as lovely and comfortable as<br />
possible, to the point where beautiful flowers<br />
arrived for me on VENTURE the morning after a<br />
difficult night I’d spent alone onboard at the<br />
mooring. He gently encouraged, instructed,<br />
and never forced. He allowed my natural<br />
curiosity and desire to learn evolve on its own.<br />
His sense of humour, and the fact that he is not<br />
now and never has been a screamer, smoothed<br />
out potentially difficult situations. We’ve had<br />
only one, ok maybe two, "Don’t take that tone<br />
with me!!" conversations. In short, Peter’s<br />
abilities, which are considerable, combined<br />
with a superior <strong>Oyster</strong> yacht created an<br />
environment from which everything else flowed.<br />
Peter and I have many years of experience<br />
running a business, albeit in extremely<br />
different arenas. Peter’s area of expertise is<br />
cutting edge high technology. Mine is interior<br />
design. They’re obviously very different<br />
disciplines. However, the connecting thread<br />
is good people. We’ve both learned,<br />
sometimes painfully, people can make or<br />
break a business in a myriad of ways. We<br />
share the belief that a business is only as<br />
strong as its people. Fortunately for us,<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> has both an excellent product and<br />
excellent people. <strong>Oyster</strong> distinguishes itself in<br />
so many ways from the pack of '<strong>Oyster</strong><br />
wannabes'. However, in my opinion, aftersales<br />
customer service is one of their most<br />
valued strengths. Will White, the man on the<br />
scene, is an owner’s dream. He’s a delightful,<br />
multi-talented, and highly able dynamo. I<br />
want to adopt him! In providing a network of<br />
support, which engenders confidence in me,<br />
the <strong>Oyster</strong> people have unknowingly<br />
contributed to my growth as a sailor.<br />
Lest you think this a cloying Valentine to<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong>, I will admit we had our differences<br />
right from the beginning, some more serious<br />
than others. Although we speak the same<br />
language, there were moments, albeit very<br />
few, when neither side understood the other,<br />
due in part perhaps to subtle differences in<br />
our cultural experiences. Conversations<br />
sometimes ended with one or the other side<br />
scratching their heads in puzzlement or<br />
irritation. Fortunately, those were few and far<br />
between and, without exception, they were<br />
settled amicably and in short order. Our<br />
respect and affection for the people at <strong>Oyster</strong><br />
and Southampton Yacht Services grew with<br />
each interaction.<br />
The luxurious owner's cabin<br />
Alan Brook, <strong>Oyster</strong>’s Managing Director, was<br />
true to his word when he promised at the<br />
signing of our contract that <strong>Oyster</strong> wouldn’t<br />
just build a yacht for us, collect their money<br />
and vanish. He assured us that their after<br />
sales service would be as outstanding as<br />
their construction of our yacht. He was<br />
correct on all counts.<br />
We have so many wonderful memories of our<br />
experience before and after we took delivery<br />
of VENTURE. It would take more time than I<br />
have here to share them all. Suffice it to say,<br />
the <strong>Oyster</strong> group has been lovely to work<br />
with and I, the former sceptic, do not have an<br />
ounce of buyer’s remorse. I would repeat our<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> experience in a New York minute. I’m<br />
still a bit disbelieving that I’ve loved it all as<br />
much as I do. I realize all of this may sound<br />
like an obsequious paid advert as the Brits<br />
might say. No matter. I have nothing to gain<br />
from singing the praises of <strong>Oyster</strong> <strong>Yachts</strong><br />
except the pleasure of sharing good news<br />
the way a convert might, and encouraging<br />
those faint of heart, as I once was, to give it<br />
a go. <strong>Oyster</strong> makes the challenge easier.<br />
Peter and I are happier with our <strong>Oyster</strong> than<br />
we thought possible. Perhaps, this is a<br />
Valentine after all.<br />
I’m delighted this Sceptic could be<br />
persuaded. Think of all the fun I would have<br />
otherwise missed. This truly has been<br />
An Affair To Remember.<br />
Katherine Savage<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 62 Venture
16 www.oystermarine.com
Richard Matthews<br />
on the Builder's<br />
Trials of Cygnus<br />
THE OYSTER 82 FIRST TIME OUT 24 FEBRUARY 2004<br />
There’s<br />
only ever<br />
one first<br />
time!
THE WEATHER WAS<br />
DECIDEDLY WINTERY WITH<br />
SNOW SHOWERS<br />
FORECAST AND A BITINGLY<br />
COLD 20-KNOT NORTHERLY<br />
WIND BLOWING.<br />
Cygnus, the first of five <strong>Oyster</strong> 82’s on order,<br />
is no stranger to North Sea waters as she<br />
had already passaged from Southampton to<br />
Rotterdam under power, on route to the<br />
Düsseldorf Boat Show. Due to very low<br />
rainfall there was insufficient water in the<br />
Rhine to motor her to Düsseldorf, so Cygnus<br />
was craned onto a huge barge for the voyage<br />
up river. By the end of the show, the rain had<br />
fallen and there was just enough water for<br />
Cygnus to get back down the Rhine and<br />
make a very rough crossing of the North Sea<br />
back to <strong>Oyster</strong>’s HQ at Ipswich for rigging<br />
and commissioning.<br />
For the first Builder's trials on Cygnus, the<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> commissioning team was joined by<br />
Paul Bennett, who will skipper the yacht for<br />
her owner; Alan Boswell from the <strong>Oyster</strong><br />
design team; Alan Brook Joint Managing<br />
Director of <strong>Oyster</strong> and designer Rob<br />
Humphreys. When not behind the camera<br />
lens, I was also onboard, having never<br />
missed the first sea trial on any <strong>Oyster</strong> yacht<br />
in the last thirty years.<br />
It’s crunch time, time to get off the pot, it’s<br />
the $64,000 question and at this stage talk<br />
is cheap!<br />
18 www.oystermarine.com
The sails are set and Cygnus goes bow<br />
down into the breeze to load up the rig on a<br />
broad reach. She’s off and our little photo<br />
launch is already on the plane to hold station.<br />
We haven’t calibrated the log yet but the<br />
GPS is showing SOG, that’s speed over the<br />
ground, of 10.2 knots and we have 1.5 knots<br />
of spring flood tide against us - Wow!<br />
The weather is deteriorating by the minute<br />
but I get a few snaps of Cygnus passing<br />
under the Orwell Bridge. Not exactly your<br />
tropical atoll background, but it does help to<br />
get some sense of scale. At 82 feet this is a<br />
big yacht. More luff tension is called for on<br />
the headsail and a half turn put on the<br />
Stoway mainsail to flatten the outhaul, which<br />
hasn’t been set up properly yet.<br />
Once outside Harwich Harbour we are into<br />
open sea, I hop off our photo launch and now<br />
have my first trial on the helm. We are hard on<br />
the wind in 23 knots of very cold apparent<br />
wind. Cygnus knows it’s time to deliver and<br />
we shoulder our way upwind at a very<br />
respectable 8.5 knots, jammed hard up to the<br />
breeze. Bow down she will easily pick up to 9<br />
knots but these are Builder's trials and we<br />
need to check helm balance; not so easy to<br />
get right with our protected skeg-hung rudder.<br />
Now for the good news – this yacht's<br />
balance is one of our best ever. I actually<br />
manage to steer this yacht of 65 tons, hard<br />
on the wind, with just two fingers. Rob<br />
Humphreys is so impressed that he snaps a<br />
photo for his own collection.<br />
While being light on the helm the 82 is stiff<br />
too, carrying her powerful rig with no problem.<br />
To be fair, at 23 knots apparent, we probably<br />
have as much heel as most owners will want,<br />
THE OYSTER 82 FIRST TIME OUT 24 FEBRUARY 2004<br />
but this is biting, cold, winter wind and I’d<br />
expect 23 knots of warm, summer wind to feel<br />
a good deal lighter. On the way out of the<br />
river, on a fetch, we went through a few quite<br />
fierce squalls; despite this there was no<br />
tendency to head up to the breeze. Fair<br />
enough, this is a big yacht, but she really does<br />
track well. At present we are carrying very little<br />
fuel and by the time tanks are topped up and<br />
gear stowed the yacht could easily weight<br />
another 3 to 4 tons. This will put the bow<br />
down a little, which Rob Humphreys says will<br />
give us even better tracking, but right now I’d<br />
say we don’t need it anyway.<br />
We make a few tacks and deliberately hold<br />
the yacht into the breeze until over 8 knots of<br />
forward momentum fades away. Bearing<br />
away in full control is no problem. A few<br />
more tacks followed by a gybe or two and<br />
we are convinced – the <strong>Oyster</strong> 82 is<br />
exceeding all our expectations in the sailing<br />
performance and handling departments with<br />
ease. This is a good moment, since we know<br />
that there is no hiding from lacklustre<br />
performance and if we love the yacht our<br />
owners and future owners will too.<br />
Powering back up the River Orwell on a close<br />
fetch the wind is down to 17.5 but we are still<br />
showing 10 knots on the clock and 11.5 on<br />
the GPS, indicating we still have some tide<br />
assist. It’s been raining hard most of the<br />
morning and it looks like the rain will soon<br />
turn to snow.<br />
For the final leg up the river we are under<br />
power and I try stopping the yacht with a<br />
judicious, but careful, slide into reverse. Our<br />
big 3-blade Maxprop grabs Cygnus like an<br />
invisible hand and, in not much more than a<br />
boat's length, we are at full stop. Running<br />
gently astern we can turn to port or<br />
starboard without difficulty and here the 'just<br />
right' gearing of the steering system gives full<br />
authority, while keeping the helm gentle. This<br />
manoeuvre isn’t going to be needed very<br />
often, since all slow speed handling under<br />
power will be assisted by our 30 horsepower<br />
retractable bowthruster. But these are<br />
Builder's trials and we have to check the 82’s<br />
ability to handle and steer going astern<br />
without thruster assist.<br />
The pitch on the Maxprop has already gone<br />
up a notch and, given that we are topping<br />
out at just over 10 knots, I suggest to the<br />
commissioning team that we should try<br />
WE HAVEN’T CALIBRATED THE LOG YET BUT THE GPS<br />
IS SHOWING SOG, THAT’S SPEED OVER THE GROUND,<br />
OF 10.2 KNOTS AND WE HAVE 1.5 KNOTS OF SPRING<br />
FLOOD TIDE AGAINST US - WOW!<br />
another notch up, maybe two. I expect this<br />
will give the yacht a little more pace at the<br />
top end, while helping to optimise low rpm<br />
cruise. Unsurprisingly, in this weather, there<br />
are no other yachts on the river or we’d be<br />
surging past them even at half throttle!<br />
Inevitably with her clean lines and long<br />
waterline the 82 has long legs under power.<br />
We are chilled to the bone and, by the time<br />
we are alongside our berth at Fox’s Marina,<br />
it’s raining hard and the weather is truly foul<br />
but it’s been a really good trial. We have<br />
crossed an important hurdle and can say<br />
with confidence that the <strong>Oyster</strong> 82 really is a<br />
great sailing yacht.
A DESIGNERS VIEW<br />
Notes from Rob Humphreys<br />
In an ideal world one would like a brand new<br />
boat’s first outing to be in a soft but building<br />
breeze, taking things gently through that<br />
settling in phase and then into progressively<br />
more wind so that issues like balance and<br />
stability can be assessed. When the boat in<br />
question happens also to be the first of a new<br />
design then one’s hopes of just such a day<br />
have a more poignant ring to them.<br />
Of course it seldom turns out this way, but apart from the bitter cold our first sail on the new<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 82 produced just what the doctor ordered. We left the dock with little more in the air than<br />
an atmosphere of anticipation, allowing us to get the sails rolled out in fairly sedate fashion.<br />
But much as it is important to get the feel of a new boat, it’s also important to get the first<br />
photographs, because the maiden sail of the new <strong>Oyster</strong> 82 is nothing if not newsworthy. And<br />
when the first (and only, it transpired) bit of sun beams through almost immediately, then you just<br />
have to grab the opportunity and concentrate first on saying ‘cheese’.<br />
It was a touch comical really. Posing to camera and trying to get the boat in the right setting and<br />
backdrop, working in a very confined stretch of water that is the River Orwell and handling what<br />
came almost to order as a fast-building, puffy breeze, and the one blurred head in the first photos<br />
is yours truly, as I constantly snatched backward glances to see how the helmsman’s fingers<br />
were having to deal with each enforced course change, each gust that came through.<br />
Unfortunately for a designer, even the merest such glimpses can make or break his day,<br />
depending on what his own shutters are telling him. Paul Bennett, Cygnus' Skipper, didn’t seem<br />
to be having any problems at all, so perhaps it was time to take in the scenery, and then of<br />
course to take one’s turn at the wheel.<br />
Once the camera was put away we were out into a bit more space and a bit more wind, and I<br />
have to say Cygnus was a joy to steer. Upwind, even in the puffs, it wasn’t so much one hand as<br />
a couple of fingers, and when one needed to duck and dive around the navigation marks it was<br />
very easy to pull her bow down even without calling on the trimmer’s help. Of course we were not<br />
set up and calibrated to properly assess her VMG, but she clearly wanted to march upwind, and<br />
as a platform she felt pretty rock-steady, giving a powerful account of herself.<br />
Of course there are a thousand and one ways to assess a new boat, but three questions tend to top<br />
the list by a country mile. Is she balanced? Yes. Is she stiff? Yes. Is the designer smiling? You bet.<br />
20 www.oystermarine.com<br />
“ONCE THE CAMERA WAS PUT AWAY WE WERE OUT<br />
INTO A BIT MORE SPACE AND A BIT MORE WIND,<br />
AND I HAVE TO SAY CYGNUS WAS A JOY TO STEER”
THE OYSTER 82 FIRST TIME OUT 24 FEBRUARY 2004<br />
“OF COURSE THERE ARE A<br />
THOUSAND AND ONE WAYS<br />
TO ASSESS A NEW BOAT, BUT<br />
THREE QUESTIONS TEND TO<br />
TOP THE LIST BY A COUNTRY<br />
MILE. IS SHE BALANCED? YES.<br />
IS SHE STIFF? YES.<br />
IS THE DESIGNER SMILING?<br />
YOU BET!”<br />
Following her East Coast sea trials, Cygnus<br />
returned to the Solent where several of these<br />
photographs were taken.<br />
Photos: Alan Brook, George Johns<br />
and Beken of Cowes<br />
www.oystermarine.com<br />
21
OWNER REPORT<br />
great autumn<br />
migration of boats<br />
from Europe to<br />
INthe<br />
the Caribbean,<br />
many yachts pass close to the<br />
Cape Verde Islands in their bid to<br />
reach the trade winds as quickly<br />
as possible. A few stop briefly in<br />
Mindelo or Palmeira for fuel and<br />
provisions, while only a tiny<br />
number make an effort to cruise<br />
these islands. The great majority<br />
miss out on the tremendous<br />
opportunities that these islands<br />
offer for cruising with a<br />
distinctively different flavour.<br />
22 www.oystermarine.com<br />
CAPE VERDE ISLANDS<br />
Santo Antao<br />
Fogo<br />
Boa VIsta<br />
Praia<br />
Dakar<br />
AFRICA<br />
Freetown<br />
cape verdean<br />
I N T E R L U D E<br />
BY STEPHEN THOMAS OYSTER 66 MAGIC DRAGON<br />
Although we had wanted to include them in our itinerary on our last<br />
Transatlantic in 1995 we had eventually, but reluctantly, decided to stay<br />
with the pack and press on with the passage. In 2003 we decided to<br />
take a more circuitous route to the Caribbean via Brazil, thus taking us<br />
directly past the Cape Verdes, and this time we set aside the time to<br />
visit the islands properly; a decision we were not to regret.<br />
Geographically the islands are very similar to a hotter version of the Canaries, but lying 650 miles<br />
SSW of them. Of the ten major islands, the western islands are mostly mountainous and green,<br />
while the eastern islands are hotter, drier and flatter. Independent of Portugal since 1975, their<br />
consequent exclusion from the EU has caused severe economic difficulties and the nation has<br />
been more closely allied to the West African countries of Guinea-Bissau and Senegal than with<br />
Europe. Many Portuguese left at the time of independence, so the islands now have a largely<br />
West African cultural heritage. Significant financial support comes from the many<br />
Cape Verdeans who have migrated to the USA particularly from Brava, which<br />
had close links with the US whaling industry. The official language is<br />
Portuguese, although most local people use Creole as their dayto-day<br />
language. English is rarely spoken.<br />
Approaching from the NE, we had the choice of Palmeira<br />
(on Sal) or Mindelo (on Sao Vicente) as ports of entry.<br />
We chose Palmeira and, although the major navigational<br />
lights were not working, the periodic illumination of the<br />
airport landing lights provided a reassuring confirmation<br />
of the island’s presence after our fast run down the trade<br />
winds from La Gomera. Palmeira harbour is<br />
straightforward and secure, although the presence of a<br />
couple of wrecks in mid-harbour is, perhaps,<br />
discouraging! Anchoring alongside about twenty other<br />
(mostly French) cruising yachts, the entry procedure was<br />
quickly completed by the friendly port captain, although<br />
immigration clearance required a quick trip to the<br />
international airport five miles away at Espargos in one of the
Magic Dragon at anchor in Funa Harbour<br />
www.oystermarine.com 23
OWNER REPORT<br />
Chris with his 25kg tuna<br />
24 www.oystermarine.com<br />
local ‘aluguiers’ (pick-up truck taxis) universal<br />
in these islands for public transport. The<br />
islands have a poor reputation for excessive<br />
officialdom, but we found little to complain<br />
about. Arrival and departure from the three<br />
major ports (the third being Praia on<br />
Santiago) required visits to the port captain<br />
and to the police (plus immigration on first<br />
entry and final departure from the islands) but<br />
in each case we were able to process arrival<br />
and departure simultaneously. At all other<br />
islands and harbours the local port captain,<br />
where there was one, appreciated a courtesy<br />
visit and the payment of miniscule harbour<br />
dues of $2 - $3, but there was little other<br />
presence of officialdom.<br />
Like many cruisers, we decided to miss<br />
out the rather bleak, hot and dusty<br />
eastern islands of Boavista and Maio.<br />
After a brief visit to Santa Maria on the<br />
south end of Sal to sample the worldfamous<br />
wind-surfing beach there we<br />
headed west on an overnight passage<br />
to Tarrafal on Sao Nicolau then, after<br />
several days, across to Mindelo on Sao<br />
Vicente via a lunchtime stop at Santa<br />
Luzia. After sampling the delights of the<br />
‘big city’ for a few more days we<br />
headed SE overnight once more to Tarrafal (a<br />
different one) on Santiago, pausing only to<br />
drag a 25kg tuna on board (after an hour-long<br />
battle) soon after leaving Mindelo. Our<br />
destination was then Praia, at the southern<br />
end of Santiago where we formally checked<br />
out here before heading to Brava, the most<br />
southwesterly island, and our point of<br />
departure for Brazil. We were sad to miss<br />
making a visit to Fogo, an island consisting<br />
of a single spectacular volcanic cone, but the<br />
only anchorage offered poor shelter in the<br />
prevailing swell.<br />
Swell is a constant factor around these islands<br />
and choice of anchorage is often dictated<br />
more by the need to find shelter from the<br />
prevailing swell than from the wind. During the<br />
normal ‘winter’ sailing season, the trade winds<br />
blow consistently across the islands at a<br />
steady 15-20 kts and most anchorages are<br />
simply shallow, though entirely adequate, bays<br />
on the leeward side of the islands. Sailing<br />
around the islands, one needs to be conscious<br />
Village house - Sao Nicolau<br />
Palmeiro harbour, Sal
On tour in Sao Nicolau<br />
Local house, Sao Nicolua<br />
Local hazard<br />
of sometimes fierce acceleration zones around<br />
the ends of them and equally the extensive<br />
wind shadows in the lee of the high<br />
mountains. Having said that, gales are rare in<br />
the normal cruising season and we<br />
experienced more calms than stronger<br />
breezes when in close proximity to the islands.<br />
We soon fell in love with Sao Nicolau. Tarrafal<br />
is a poor fishing port sheltering beneath<br />
fierce-looking bluffs of sun-scorched red rock<br />
stretching up towards the central mountains.<br />
However, a spectacular cobbled road wound<br />
up into the hills from here into the verdant<br />
central crater and down into the main town of<br />
Ribeira Brava. Like most roads in these<br />
islands, it had been paved with tiny cobbles,<br />
each one lovingly cut by hand from nearby<br />
rock and painstakingly slotted into place.<br />
Even the ‘white lines’ had been set using<br />
lighter-coloured stones. In Tarrafal, we were<br />
soon taken in hand by ‘Henny’, a Dutch excruising<br />
sailor who had decided to settle in<br />
this remote place in a brightly-painted house<br />
with a retinue of local boys. Henny acted as<br />
our guide for a gruelling but very enjoyable<br />
day-long tour of the island in a charted<br />
aluguier, bumping along endless serpentine<br />
mountain roads up and down mountain<br />
valleys under the hot sun. The interior of the<br />
island was split by spectacular jagged<br />
mountain ridges between which nestled<br />
fertile craters and tiny verdant valleys. These<br />
fertile patches were intensely farmed for<br />
maize and sugar cane, but the small thatched<br />
stone houses revealed a tough struggle to<br />
live here and most domestic water had to be<br />
fetched from wells by women and children<br />
carrying huge buckets on their heads. Many<br />
houses and some whole villages had been<br />
abandoned altogether in the constant<br />
struggle for survival. Most of the houses and<br />
a number of the villages were accessible only<br />
by cobbled donkey trails and these provided<br />
opportunities for tremendous, if strenuous,<br />
walks around the island, using the passing<br />
aluguiers to travel to and from points<br />
along the way. We had amazing<br />
walks from Tarrafal to Hortelao<br />
and from Faja de Cima to<br />
Estancia de Bras via<br />
Covada and Ribeira<br />
Funda. A further<br />
unexpected treat here<br />
was the opportunity<br />
to watch the<br />
England versus<br />
Australia World<br />
Rugby finals on TV.<br />
A completely<br />
bemused, but cable-<br />
TV owning local bar<br />
owner, was persuaded<br />
to open early one morning to allow the crew<br />
of the two British boats present to cluster<br />
around the bar for the occasion, the final<br />
touch being (after a considerable amount of<br />
imaginative sign-language) the serving of<br />
eggs and bacon at half-time!<br />
We had been warned about Mindelo as being<br />
a den of thieves and pickpockets, to be<br />
avoided if possible. In fact, it was our<br />
favourite large town of the islands with a<br />
certain faded, but raffish, colonial charm. We<br />
certainly found it no more threatening than<br />
many a town in the Caribbean. Local boat<br />
boys jostled to mind our dinghy for a small<br />
consideration and another youth rowed out to<br />
offer his services as our ‘agent’ – and did in<br />
fact considerably expedit our port clearance<br />
process as well as help us to re-fill our gas<br />
bottle, all for a few escudos. The town is an<br />
exotic mix of former colonial elegance with<br />
more recent West African influences.<br />
Crumbling but brightly-painted 17th Century<br />
buildings line the streets filled with noisy<br />
vegetable markets, fish markets and street<br />
traders. Hard-core gamblers gather under the<br />
shady trees near the market to play serious<br />
games of cards and dice. At night many of<br />
the bars and restaurants feature live Cape<br />
Verdian music. Sao Vicente island itself has<br />
little of interest, but is close to the island of<br />
Santo Antao which is famous for its scenery<br />
and walking opportunities, although lack of<br />
any available anchorage ruled out a visit for<br />
us. Mindelo was undoubtedly the most<br />
popular with other cruisers and more than 50<br />
yachts lay in the huge and very well-sheltered<br />
harbour, nearly all making a pit stop en route<br />
for the Caribbean. The ‘Club Nautico’ bar<br />
near the dinghy dock was a popular and<br />
multi-cultural meeting point for the many<br />
cruising folk in town.<br />
Mindelo certainly scored more highly for us<br />
than Praia, the official capital of the islands on<br />
Santiago. Although similar in many ways to<br />
Mindelo, with its colonial centre perched high<br />
on a bluff over the harbour, the city had a<br />
more aggressive edge to it which made us<br />
feel less comfortable there. The harbour too<br />
was much less protected and a large swell<br />
rolled in continuously. Ominously, several<br />
large wrecks decorated the margins of the<br />
harbour. We were much more taken by the<br />
ruins of the old city, Cicade Velha, a few miles<br />
away on the coast. This had been the original<br />
site of the city before it was abandoned in the<br />
face of constant assaults by Sir Francis Drake<br />
and other official pirates of his age. These<br />
days the restored ruins of the cathedral and a<br />
mighty hilltop fort dominate only a small<br />
fishing village outside which we anchored<br />
precariously for the afternoon.<br />
www.oystermarine.com 25
OWNER REPORT<br />
Fact Box<br />
GETTING THERE<br />
TAP: www.TAP-AirPortugal.pt<br />
TACV: - International flights and<br />
Internal flights between Islands<br />
Tel: (+238) 608200/71<br />
E-mail: marketing@tacv.aero<br />
www.caboverdeairlines.aero<br />
www.tacv.cv<br />
PILOTAGE<br />
Atlantic Islands by Anne Hammick,<br />
Published by Imray Laurie Norie<br />
and Wilson.<br />
CAPE VERDES TOURIST<br />
INFORMATION<br />
www.caboverde.com<br />
VISAS<br />
Visitors require both a current passport<br />
and visa.. For further information on entry<br />
requirements contact the Embassy of<br />
the Republic of Cape Verde<br />
Tel: +1 202 965 6820<br />
www.capeverdeusa.org<br />
Overseas, inquiries should be made to your<br />
nearest Cape Verde Embassy or Consulate.<br />
CURRENCY<br />
The local currency is the Cape<br />
Verde Escudo (CVEsc)<br />
Credit cards are not accepted<br />
and ATMs are unavailable.<br />
COMMUNICATION<br />
Telephone communication to and from Cape<br />
Verde is generally reliable. Likewise, cellular<br />
telephones and Internet connections are<br />
generally available.<br />
FURTHER INFORMATION<br />
Cape Verde Islands by Aisling Irwin<br />
and Colum Wilson Published by Bradt<br />
Travel Guides<br />
The information shown is believed correct at time<br />
of going to press however readers are advised<br />
to make their own enquiries before travelling.<br />
Our favourite island was undoubtedly Brava,<br />
our final port of call. Only a few miles across<br />
and poorly-served by links to the other<br />
islands, Brava’s inhabitants are fiercely<br />
independent. The main harbour, Furna, is,<br />
unusually, on the windward NE coast and is<br />
formed by an almost complete flooded<br />
volcanic crater. Aside from the small ferry<br />
berth, the tiny harbour has just enough room<br />
to accommodate four or five cruising yachts<br />
anchored in very close company, each with a<br />
stern line to bollards on the small slipway. The<br />
main town, Vila Nova Sintra, lies 1500ft higher<br />
up along a steep and tortuous road, hidden<br />
away in the verdant shelter of the main crater<br />
in the centre of the island. The hair-raising 20<br />
minute ride in the back of an aluguier up to<br />
the town was worth every bit of the $1 it cost<br />
each time that we did it. 150 years ago many<br />
Boston-based whalers used Brava as a base<br />
and recruited many crew here, bringing<br />
greater prosperity to the island which extends<br />
to this day. This small island was once<br />
densely populated and every slope is covered<br />
with dense, but abandoned, terracing and<br />
many fine old stone and tile houses. Tiny<br />
villages, many now abandoned, cling to the<br />
tops of the airy mountain ridges above the<br />
fertile volcanic craters. Repeated droughts<br />
drove many people to emigrate to the USA.<br />
As on Sao Nicolau, a dense network of<br />
cobbled donkey tracks criss-cross the island<br />
and provide many wonderful<br />
opportunities for walkers. Most of<br />
these are still in use and throngs of<br />
chattering children make their way<br />
to and from school twice a day<br />
over immense distances and up<br />
and down steep mountain ridges.<br />
Also in the bay during our visit<br />
was a 75ft home-built yacht of<br />
extraordinarily narrow beam. We<br />
were lucky enough to meet its<br />
owner, Joe, an ex-pat Cape<br />
Verdian who had returned from<br />
the US in his boat (the narrow<br />
Praia market<br />
Catherine and James, Praia harbour<br />
beam, he explained, was due to the width of<br />
his backyard). Joe proudly showed us around<br />
his island in his imported SUV, bumping<br />
along rugged tracks to reach suitable<br />
vantage points. Joe had recently run for<br />
mayor of Brava and insisted on shaking the<br />
hand of everyone that he met as well as<br />
introducing us to many of his hundreds of<br />
‘cousins’ on the island. We met a number of<br />
returned ex-pats like Joe, many of whom<br />
have returned to the island on retirement to<br />
restore their old abandoned family homes.<br />
Another part of our experience in Funa was<br />
our visit to the local school. The standard of<br />
education in the Cape Verdes is high, but<br />
many children are poor and have difficulty<br />
supplying their own school materials. Toni, a<br />
young manager of the local school in Funa,<br />
made an effort to assist visiting yachtsmen in<br />
any way that he could and in return asked for<br />
donations of materials to help these children.<br />
We were able to provide a bundle of biros<br />
(particularly prized) and pads of paper and in<br />
return had the fascinating experience of<br />
being given a tour of the school. It was<br />
delightful to see the children diligently<br />
working and showing extraordinary<br />
politeness towards their teachers.<br />
We left these islands feeling that we could<br />
have spent much more time here and that they<br />
deserve to be on the itinerary of many more<br />
cruising sailors. They seem to suffer from an<br />
undeservedly bad press within the cruising<br />
community for difficult sailing conditions,<br />
burdensome paperwork and petty crime. We<br />
found all of these issues had been exaggerated<br />
in our experience and had few unexpected<br />
problems other than any of the usual issues<br />
facing cruisers in distant lands. We left the<br />
islands with a genuine feeling of regret. Our<br />
advice would be to go now before more<br />
people discover these fascinating islands.<br />
Stephen Thomas<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 66, Magic Dragon of Wroxham
Pelagos <strong>Yachts</strong><br />
International Yacht Consultants<br />
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Tel: + 44 (0) 1624 819 867 Fax: + 44 (0) 1624 819 887<br />
Email: info@pelagosyachts.com www.pelagosyachts.com<br />
OYSTER BROKERAGE<br />
FOX’S MARINA IPSWICH<br />
SUFFOLK IP2 8SA ENGLAND<br />
TEL: +44 (0) 1473 602263<br />
FAX: +44 (0) 1473 603192<br />
EMAIL: brokerage@oystermarine.com<br />
www.oysterbrokerage.com<br />
OYSTER BROKERAGE USA<br />
5 MARINA PLAZA GOAT ISLAND<br />
NEWPORT RI 02840 USA<br />
TEL: +1 401 846 7400<br />
FAX: +1 401 846 7483<br />
EMAIL: info@oysteryachts.com<br />
O YSTER<br />
BROKERAGE<br />
Specialists in Pre-Owned <strong>Oyster</strong> <strong>Yachts</strong><br />
SPRING<br />
BROKERAGE<br />
SHOW<br />
7-9 MAY<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> Brokerage invites you to our Spring<br />
Brokerage Show from the 7th to 9th May at<br />
Fox's Marina, Ipswich.<br />
As the definitive source for pre-owned <strong>Oyster</strong><br />
<strong>Yachts</strong>, we have an impressive selection of<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong>s available for inspection, allowing you<br />
a fantastic opportunity to step aboard some of<br />
the brokerage yachts we currently have<br />
available, from 43ft to 61ft, here in the UK.<br />
Open daily from 10:00 to 17:00
28 www.oystermarine.com<br />
keeper<br />
of the<br />
castle
At noon on a weekday last September I found myself sitting in a small room on<br />
the second floor of the Royal Yacht Squadron’s "Castle" in Cowes, England,<br />
having lunch with Lord Amherst – (William) Hugh Amherst Cecil -- who is in his<br />
third year of a four year term as the Squadron’s 18th Commodore. The Castle’s<br />
common rooms are replete with museum-quality antiques, trophies and models,<br />
heavy draperies, nautical art, and oriental rugs, all slightly faded with history. But the bright<br />
little chamber in which we sat was painted white, with white wainscoting, and simply<br />
furnished: writing table, a couple of side tables, a nautical painting or two, and three chairs.<br />
This could be the Commodore’s office (there was no sign on the door), or just a place for<br />
an informal discussion of the sort we were having.<br />
Of medium build and height, Lord Amherst is an affable, good looking man in his 60s. Roly Franks,<br />
a sailing friend and Squadron member who was found seated in the windowed alcove at Boodles<br />
Club in London that Sir Winston Churchill favoured, describes Amherst as "an eminently suitable<br />
person." Another of Amherst’s sailing crew says he is charming, a perfect diplomat, "a centre of<br />
stimulation who never dominates." Amherst’s thick crop of graying hair is parted on the side and<br />
combed back with leading-man flair. He is dressed in corduroy slacks and navy blazer, with a<br />
freshly ironed checked shirt open at the neck. His eyes are very blue, and the ruddy glow on his<br />
boyish face is more from salt spray, sun, and wind than 21st Century stress.<br />
A steward entered the room and placed an ample plate of<br />
smoked salmon and egg salad sandwich triangles on the table.<br />
Amherst had a glass of Chardonnay. I had a Coca-Cola. He<br />
advised me to dig in. "I’m quite aggressive when it<br />
comes to a plate of sandwiches."<br />
I returned his smile because I was mentally chuckling to<br />
myself that I, an American whose Separatist ancestors<br />
had escaped England in 1620 on a 180-ton galleon<br />
called Mayflower, was inside The Castle. When this<br />
club was founded in 1815, one prerequisite entitling a<br />
"gentleman" to become a member was ownership of<br />
a vessel "not under 10 tons." I can do "gentleman." But<br />
my one-design weighs barely one ton. My blazer and<br />
necktie suddenly seemed inadequate cover. My Coca Cola<br />
(with ice!) was a dead giveaway. I ate quickly. Any moment<br />
they would realize their mistake and escort me<br />
to the street, or perhaps the dungeon.<br />
OWNER PROFILE<br />
The Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron is The 4th<br />
Baron Amherst of Hackney, known to his shipping<br />
friends as Hugh Cecil<br />
BY ROGER VAUGHAN<br />
www.oystermarine.com<br />
29
‘ Of medium build and<br />
height, Lord Amherst is<br />
an affable, good looking<br />
man in his 60s. Roly<br />
Franks, a sailing friend<br />
describes Amherst as<br />
"an eminently suitable<br />
person." Another of<br />
Amherst’s sailing crew<br />
says he is charming, a<br />
perfect diplomat, "a<br />
center of stimulation<br />
who never dominates<br />
’<br />
30 www.oystermarine.com<br />
The Yacht Squadron is, in fact, the hub of all<br />
matters having to do with yachting on the<br />
Solent Channel because it is located on the<br />
most northerly bulge of the shoreline of Cowes<br />
town on the Isle of Wight. At high tide, the<br />
Squadron’s waterside foundations are awash in<br />
the Solent, and with deep water carrying to<br />
within 100 feet of its mossy stone exterior, The<br />
Castle is the perfect stationary end of an allpurpose<br />
starting line. To race in the Solent, that<br />
busy body of tidal water separating the Isle of<br />
Wight from Britain’s south coast, start here.<br />
Henry VIII built the original structure in 1539<br />
as part of his coastal defence system.<br />
Originally a round block house flanked by two<br />
rectangular wings, with semi-circular<br />
battlements facing the Solent and a<br />
protective stone wall running along the back<br />
of the grounds, it has been expanded over<br />
the years. A large, colorful flower garden dips<br />
steeply to a wooden fence along the<br />
waterfront. An elegant glass pavilion is<br />
perched proudly on the crest of the lawn,<br />
facing the sea. The original structure still<br />
resembles a little fort, but its single, two-story<br />
tower carries the visual signature of a castle,<br />
the name that has stuck for centuries.<br />
Like any good fortification, The Castle looks<br />
formidable. Its guns were only fired in anger<br />
once, during the Civil War in 1642, and there<br />
are no indications those rounds did any<br />
damage. But its very presence deterred those<br />
who might consider acts of aggression in the<br />
1500s, and it served as an American<br />
command center for the D-Day invasion.<br />
Today it effectively presents an impenetrable<br />
facade to all but the 1000 yachtsmen and<br />
women who can boast membership of one<br />
sort or another (only 475 can vote in Club<br />
matters). Exclusivity is one thing, but castles<br />
conjure murky moats, drawbridges, and<br />
casks of boiling oil dumped from above.<br />
I first laid eyes on the Royal Yacht Squadron<br />
in September of 1979, 24 years ago to the<br />
month. The Castle was the focal point of a<br />
confusion of boats wrestling with nasty, short<br />
waves kicked up by strong wind against a<br />
wicked current - a typically gray, blustery day<br />
on the Solent. Rapid Red Funnel ferries were<br />
jetting cars and people back and forth to<br />
Southampton to the north. Tankers and<br />
freighters were steaming in and out to and<br />
from all parts of the world. A thousand small<br />
boats, gathered for the annual Cowes Week<br />
Regatta, had introduced chaos. And a<br />
hundred or so ocean yachts were preparing to<br />
start a race around Fastnet Rock off Ireland<br />
that would claim the lives of 15 sailors.<br />
From the deck of the maxi, Kialoa, as we<br />
prepared to start the Fastnet Race, I studied<br />
The Castle through binoculars. Aside from its<br />
unique architecture, what I remember best is<br />
the cadre of nattily attired officials who were<br />
manning the battlements, ties snugged into<br />
the stiff collars of white shirts, double<br />
breasted blazers buttoned, visored military<br />
caps in place over sober faces, backs<br />
straight as ram rods. This was our race<br />
committee. The other vision was the<br />
gleaming row of polished cannon (that once<br />
armed HMS Royal Adelaide) fanned out on<br />
the semi-circular stone patio below the<br />
barbican. A fellow in a sailor suit fired one of<br />
them, and we were off, some of us for good.<br />
Over our sandwiches, Lord Amherst<br />
recounted squadron history, how "The Yacht<br />
Club," as the Squadron was first known, was<br />
founded in 1815; how the first Commodore,<br />
the Earl of Yarborough, served for 20 years;<br />
how the Prince Regent became a member in<br />
1817, and three years later when he became<br />
George IV, "Royal" was added to the<br />
Squadron’s name. With that distinction came<br />
the authority to fly the Royal Navy’s white<br />
ensign. "Originally," Amherst said, "the club’s<br />
sailing involved following naval procedures<br />
and patterns. <strong>Yachts</strong> would go out and<br />
emulate naval manoeuvres on the command<br />
of the Commodore. If an owner could find a<br />
naval frigate to engage in a speed duel it<br />
was his lucky day. If he overtook the naval<br />
vessel, chances are the Admiralty would
copy his boat and the owner would be<br />
greatly flattered." The execution of<br />
manoeuvres required "The Yacht Club" to<br />
produce a thick manual of its own signals,<br />
including 6,500 words, 2000 sentences, and<br />
90 proper names. The system was so<br />
complicated the RYS eventually reverted to<br />
the International Code, sadly losing such<br />
signal gems as "Can you lend me your band;<br />
Send out 100 prawns, a soup tureen, and<br />
300 oysters; I am landing my ladies now,<br />
would you like to land yours?"<br />
In an age when such matters were<br />
newsworthy, The London Times got on the<br />
Squadron’s case, calling for fewer<br />
manoeuvres and more swift sailing. The club<br />
responded, hosting the first Cowes Week<br />
regatta in 1826. Two years later, the<br />
Squadron introduced the port /starboard right<br />
of way rule all sailors live by.<br />
But history, albeit glorious, aside, Lord<br />
Amherst’s charge is today. Being RYS<br />
Commodore is so demanding a job it is<br />
important to select a man with both time and<br />
the disposition to diplomatically manage the<br />
outside politics as well as the internal<br />
demands of membership. Amherst, who<br />
retired from the shipping business in 2001,<br />
has both. "Right now the Medina River<br />
(which empties just east of The Castle and<br />
runs south to the town of Newport) is having<br />
a face lift," Amherst says. "There are three<br />
other clubs on the river, and because we<br />
share the territory, we all understand that we<br />
will sink or swim together."<br />
Amherst also has a modern marketing eye for<br />
the job, promoting a short schedule of<br />
regattas that link quality brands to the<br />
Squadron. "We’ve had Ferragamo/Swan<br />
regattas here, and Rolex/Farr 40 meetings,<br />
and we have a UBS/<strong>Oyster</strong> regatta coming in<br />
July, 2004." An <strong>Oyster</strong> owner for 15 years,<br />
Amherst is looking forward to that.<br />
Peter Seal, managing director of Blenheim<br />
Shipping in London, remembers Hugh<br />
Amherst when he first came to work at the<br />
well-known shipping firm of Galbraith<br />
Wrightson as a trainee in 1964. Amherst had<br />
graduated from Eton, and after failing to<br />
convince his parents of the benefits of<br />
shipping out on a tramp steamer, he joined<br />
British India, a subsidiary of P&O Lines, as a<br />
cadet trainee. Those were the days of 15,000<br />
cargo liners requiring crews of 40 (today’s<br />
100,000-tonners get by with half that many,<br />
thanks to automation and electronics).<br />
Amherst sailed on various ships for two<br />
years, doing the dirty jobs, and is glad of it.<br />
"It makes a difference if you understand<br />
shipboard routine when you are involved in<br />
delivering a ship," Amherst says. "You can<br />
talk to people in a way that shows them you<br />
understand how ships work." Mainly he loved<br />
being at sea. It runs in his veins. "My family<br />
has been sailing for as long as you can<br />
trace," he says.<br />
Amherst’s great great-grandmother was the<br />
daughter of Admiral Mitford, one of Lord<br />
Nelson’s officers. "I have the log book of one<br />
of his ships," Amherst says. "I also have a<br />
citation given to him by the tenant farmers of<br />
his estate in Yorkshire on his 70th birthday,<br />
referring to him as a courageous Admiral in<br />
the world’s greatest navy. I expect they were<br />
telling him all the things he wanted to hear so<br />
he wouldn’t put the rents up."<br />
After two years, Amherst came ashore. He<br />
did a stint with H. Clarkson Marine Insurance<br />
in Norway, then two years with BP Tanker<br />
Company where his job involved giving<br />
chartered ships their loading and discharging<br />
orders. He hardly ever saw a tanker, let alone<br />
the sea, so when he was head-hunted by<br />
Galbraith Wrightson Shipbroking he gladly<br />
accepted a starting position. Because the<br />
potential of becoming a fully-fledged broker<br />
was there. He quickly learned that having a<br />
title was a disadvantage, particularly in the<br />
Far East. Asians thought he was a Royal, and<br />
refused to disturb him at night, ringing a<br />
OWNER PROFILE<br />
‘ Being RYS commodore<br />
is so demanding a job it<br />
is important to select a<br />
man with both time<br />
and the disposition to<br />
diplomatically manage the<br />
outside politics as well as<br />
the internal demands of<br />
membership<br />
’<br />
www.oystermarine.com<br />
31
‘ We’ve had Ferragamo/<br />
Swan regattas here, and<br />
Rolex/Farr 40 meetings,<br />
and we have a UBS/<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> regatta coming in<br />
July, 2004. An <strong>Oyster</strong><br />
owner for 15 years,<br />
Amherst is looking<br />
forward to that.<br />
’<br />
32 www.oystermarine.com<br />
computer instead. In the meantime, his<br />
growing attraction for a young woman named<br />
Elisabeth Merriman, from Surrey, resulted in<br />
their marriage in1965.<br />
"I got to know him opening the mail," Peter<br />
Seal says. "In those days we had<br />
communications by cable, but most<br />
everything was done by mail, and every<br />
morning there was a huge pile of mail<br />
dumped on the conference table. There<br />
would be Hugh and me in this grand room<br />
with 20 leather chairs, opening the mail and<br />
sorting it by department. In those days one<br />
started at the bottom. Then we moved on to<br />
the decoding of cables, because everything<br />
was in code for security and brevity. We used<br />
to complain to one another over lunch."<br />
Those in shipping are quick to let you know it<br />
is the world’s second oldest profession, and<br />
they wear on their sleeves the pride of the<br />
history, tradition, and adventure that still<br />
surrounds it. Gone are the days when the<br />
success of every voyage was uncertain. But<br />
in spite of all the electronics, and deterrents<br />
like the Automatic Identification System now<br />
required for ships between 300 and 50,000<br />
gross registered tons, pirates continue to<br />
stalk the shipping lanes with a startling<br />
degree of success. And storms wreck havoc<br />
with older vessels.<br />
As communication improved, the management<br />
side of the business got tougher. Even in the<br />
1960s Peter Seal recalls frequenting the Baltic<br />
Exchange with Hugh Amherst, where all<br />
shipping deals had been done in person since<br />
the 1700s. Amherst had become a broker,<br />
buying and selling ships at Galbraith<br />
Wrightson. At The Exchange, owners, brokers,<br />
shippers, and insurance principals met over<br />
coffee (or brandy) to parlay bits of valuable<br />
information, match available ships with cargo,<br />
and drum up all manner of deals. But with the<br />
rapid succession of telex, fax, email, and the<br />
cell phone, the grand congeniality of the<br />
business evolved into a more stressful,<br />
breakneck pace.<br />
"It’s a very competitive business," Peter Seal<br />
says. "You need a killer instinct, because at<br />
the end of the day you do have to win. Big<br />
money is involved. One of our ships recently<br />
sold for $18 million, with a commission of<br />
1%. A new 100-tonner costs $40 million. And<br />
the clients are worldwide. From New York to<br />
Tokyo someone is always awake and ready<br />
to make a deal. It breaks some people. They<br />
begin drinking heavily. Some broker’s wives<br />
sleep in a separate room so they won’t be<br />
disturbed when the phone rings at all hours.<br />
The cell phone helps. Before, you always<br />
worried when you left the office."<br />
After Amherst moved to E.A. Gibson, Seal<br />
says he did a lot of deals with his old friend,<br />
who he says is a tough competitor. "If I could<br />
convince Hugh about a deal, that meant I<br />
could convince the owner," Seal says with a<br />
laugh. Most memorable were the deals they<br />
didn’t do. Seal recalls being in Italy on<br />
holiday having told Amherst not to worry,<br />
there would be no business done while he<br />
was away. But an owner rang him about a<br />
specific ship he heard was on the market.<br />
"There were certain areas Hugh wasn’t<br />
involved in, and this was one of them," Seal<br />
says. "So I bought the ship for my client.<br />
Hugh had a bloody fit. He screamed at me<br />
on the phone. ‘Why didn’t you tell us!’ I told<br />
him the perfect ship was right there in front of<br />
me. He protested, said he could have come<br />
up with an alternative. He was emotional if he<br />
lost a deal. It wasn’t just the money. He’d lost<br />
the game." His sailing friends say that<br />
Amherst’s killer instinct can also reveal itself<br />
over a game of table football.
He grew up cruising with his father on the<br />
Norfolk Broads, a unique system of shallow<br />
"ponds" formed by the River Bure 20 miles<br />
inland of Great Yarmouth, on England’s east<br />
coast. This is marshy, flat land requiring<br />
patience and cunning of sailors who race<br />
graceful, over-rigged sloops in the light, shifty<br />
winds that prevail. "My father had a 7-ton<br />
cabin cruiser," Amherst recalls. "It was rotten,<br />
having been too long in the barn. But it was<br />
an instant hit with a young boy. I could sit on<br />
the bunk and dangle my feet in the water that<br />
seeped in. I thought it was great. My father<br />
learned the mariners’ trick of sleeping with<br />
one hand over the side of his bunk so he’d<br />
know when to pump."<br />
His father, also a Squadron member, built a<br />
Contessa 32 at Camper Nicholson. Hugh<br />
raced and cruised on the boat with his father<br />
and brother from age 18. The Contessa was<br />
a particularly popular class, with as many as<br />
50 boats showing up for Cowes Week. After<br />
their marriage, Hugh and his wife, Lis, raced<br />
an IOD, and then a Daring, a 5.5 knock-off<br />
built of fibreglass that well-known British<br />
sailor Owen Aisher promoted as an Olympic<br />
trainer. It was a hot class, and Amherst was<br />
in the thick of it.<br />
Racing around the buoys was fun, but it was<br />
impossible for Hugh Amherst to resist the<br />
lure of the open ocean. The four Fastnet<br />
Races he participated in were more to his<br />
liking. In the 1980s, he took leave from E.A.<br />
Gibson to make Atlantic crossings under<br />
sail. He’s done four all told, twice each way,<br />
three as skipper. When asked about the<br />
passages, Amherst indicates the more recent<br />
ones he made in his <strong>Oyster</strong> Lightwave 48,<br />
purchased in 1988, were the best kind of<br />
crossings, "Completely uneventful, pleasant<br />
sails, as indeed one would expect from an<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong>." When pressed, he admits in his<br />
understated way that the first crossing he<br />
undertook a few months prior to the delivery<br />
of his <strong>Oyster</strong> was a bit of an adventure.<br />
When asked specifically about an article he<br />
wrote about that trip for Contessa magazine,<br />
he reluctantly handed it over.<br />
The Contessa editor’s note reports (with<br />
tongue in cheek) that Amherst "pawned<br />
house, wife, and dog to buy a Moody 47 that<br />
he planned to sell on his arrival in Antigua.<br />
Amherst named the boat, Solent Venture.<br />
The crossing began with a leg south from<br />
Falmouth across the Bay of Biscay to Lisbon,<br />
which turned out to be fraught with gales and<br />
a close encounter with the great October<br />
hurricane of 1987. By their third day out,<br />
according to crew Carole Bigland’s report<br />
(also in Contessa), "It was blowing a steady<br />
force 9, showing 45 knots on the clock...by<br />
evening the waves were 30 feet high...by<br />
midnight the wind was screaming through the<br />
rigging and the wind speed was off the<br />
clock...at 0100 hours Hugh took the decision<br />
to run before the storm back to Ushant." It<br />
was a smart move. Venture went on to Brest,<br />
where Optimist dinghies were being flung<br />
around like potato chips when the gale hit.<br />
Solent Venture’s crew feared the cleats might<br />
pop off the deck.<br />
Solent Venture’s passage to Antigua began<br />
with moderate breeze and toasts for "our<br />
cousin (an Admiral), the Navy, its traditions,<br />
and the weather for respecting its traditions,"<br />
Amherst writes. A bit later, during some nasty<br />
going, Amherst made a discovery any skipper<br />
would value: "If we played Handel’s Hallelujah<br />
Chorus out of the cockpit speakers, Michael<br />
(crewman Michael Ball) would drive singing<br />
and shouting with delight, impervious to cold,<br />
fatigue, pelting rain, or the seas now frequently<br />
breaking over the stern."<br />
Mainly the trip was plagued by light wind or<br />
none at all. After 11 days they were still 1,100<br />
miles from Antigua. Because of a failed<br />
warning light, they had inadvertently used up<br />
all 120 gallons of water on board. Then the<br />
engine refused to start. Then the bad news:<br />
no more cigarettes in the locker. But there<br />
was hope. "Down to starboard lay the<br />
blackest and most evil cloud imaginable<br />
‘ It’s a very competitive<br />
business, Peter Seal<br />
says. You need a killer<br />
instinct, because at the<br />
end of the day you do<br />
have to win.<br />
’<br />
OWNER PROFILE<br />
www.oystermarine.com<br />
33
The Royal Yacht<br />
Squadron will host a<br />
UBS <strong>Oyster</strong> Regatta at<br />
Cowes, England, on July<br />
6-10. We’ll need<br />
volunteers at that time to<br />
help rescue Vaughan,<br />
who was still being held<br />
in The Castle’s dungeon<br />
when this went to press.<br />
34 www.oystermarine.com<br />
....of such a color and density as to fill one<br />
with considerable foreboding." They made<br />
for the cloud, rigged the sail as a water<br />
catcher, and collected 10 gallons of the<br />
precious stuff in buckets.<br />
Still hundreds of miles from Antigua, with<br />
wives having already flown out to greet their<br />
arrival, they sighted a ship. "Over the<br />
horizon came a red funnel bearing a yellow<br />
scallop shell on top of an enormous white<br />
bridge. It was an AFRAMAX (125,000dwt)<br />
owned by Y.K. Pow of Hong Kong, which I<br />
knew was on bare boat charter to Shell for<br />
five years." Amherst hailed the ship,<br />
identified himself, and arranged for calls of<br />
reassurance to Antigua.<br />
"Weeks later," Amherst says, "back in the<br />
office I received an invoice from the<br />
Shipping Manager of Shell addressed to me<br />
in my full style for L10,000 for two crates of<br />
vintage champagne, 6 kilos of caviar, two<br />
crates of 40 year old port, and so on, transshipped<br />
in mid-Atlantic, which delayed the<br />
tanker a whole day for which they also<br />
wanted payment. The whole bill was written<br />
in old English – His Lordship this and His<br />
Lordship that. They sent a copy to my<br />
OWNER PROFILE<br />
managing director and all my clients and<br />
everyone, except perhaps me, thoroughly<br />
enjoyed the joke."<br />
Hugh Amherst is a private, reserved person.<br />
Some of that might be occupational hazard<br />
leftover from 40 years in the tight-lipped<br />
shipping business. Some surely emanates<br />
from his position as one of England’s titled<br />
gentry. His peerage dates to 1892, and one<br />
of his ancestors is Jeffery Amherst, who after<br />
serving as Commander in Chief of British<br />
forces that defeated the French in America,<br />
was created "Earl Amherst of Montreal." The<br />
family lineage includes two great-great<br />
grandfathers, the 1st Baron Amherst and the<br />
Marquess of Exeter, both Squadron<br />
members. That’s a heap of maritime heritage<br />
to lug around, but Hugh Amherst seems to<br />
bear it with a light heart, and a smile. While<br />
he has strong political opinions, and while he<br />
has spoken in the House of Lords, he would<br />
much rather be running the Royal Yacht<br />
Squadron....or sailing.<br />
Amherst has sailed his Lightwave 48 for 15<br />
years from the Baltic to the Caribbean and<br />
most places in between. "They only built 18<br />
of them," Amherst says, "mostly for the US<br />
market. I have the only one rigged as a<br />
cutter." He and his wife, Elisabeth, delight in<br />
finding quiet, out of the way anchorages<br />
where they can relax unfettered. They had<br />
discovered such an idyllic Caribbean spot<br />
one balmy evening when another sail boat<br />
arrived and dropped a hook nearby. Soon,<br />
the visitors’ dinghy was launched, and the<br />
skipper came rowing alongside. "He was<br />
excited because his boat was named Pal,<br />
and my Lightwave is named Hal," Amherst<br />
says. "He said his boat name came from his<br />
and his wife’s initials, Paul and Laurie. I<br />
didn’t have the heart to tell him Hal is<br />
named after Prince Hal from Shakespeare’s<br />
Henry VIII. So I said, isn’t that a<br />
coincidence. My boat is named for my wife<br />
and me: Hugh and Lis."<br />
Roger Vaughan<br />
Photographs: by kind permission of Lord Amherst<br />
Additional photographs: Roger Vaughan
UBS is Main Partner of Alinghi, the Defender of America’s Cup XXXII.<br />
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Command the<br />
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ARC<br />
2003<br />
The world's most popular transatlantic event, the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, (ARC) now<br />
in its 19th year, set sail from Las Palmas, Gran Canaria in November.<br />
Since the event began, <strong>Oyster</strong> yachts have been the most prolific participants and in the 2003<br />
event, fourteen <strong>Oyster</strong>s made the crossing, twelve on the Las Palmas to St Lucia route and two<br />
joining the Rubicon Antigua Challenge, starting in Lanzarote and finishing in Jolly Harbour, Antigua.<br />
CUSTOMER CARE FOR EVERY OWNER<br />
In the hectic days running up to what is, for many, their first ocean crossing, owners were<br />
reassured to receive a visit from <strong>Oyster</strong>'s Service Team, on hand to provide a complimentary<br />
check-up, inspection and support to every <strong>Oyster</strong> owner, irrespective of the age of their yacht.<br />
Headed up by <strong>Oyster</strong>'s roving Customer Care Manager, Eddie Scougall, the team arrived in Las<br />
Palmas nearly two weeks before the start, allowing plenty of time to give each yacht a<br />
comprehensive inspection, working through a pre-planned check list including rig, engine<br />
bearers, stern gear, steering, electrics, etc, etc. We know from the comments received that this<br />
service is much appreciated by our owners and the envy of many non-<strong>Oyster</strong> owners .<br />
OYSTER CHEER ON ENGLAND RUGBY TEAM<br />
Over 120 guests, owners, their families and crews attended <strong>Oyster</strong>'s traditional party. Held in the<br />
bar of the Santa Catalina Hotel, the <strong>Oyster</strong> party embodies the camaraderie and friendship found<br />
within the <strong>Oyster</strong> fleet. The day before the start coincided with a rather important date in the 2003<br />
English sporting calendar – the Rugby World Cup Finals in Australia.<br />
36 www.oystermarine.com<br />
<br />
Atlantic Rally for Cruisers<br />
Each year the ARC attracts entries<br />
from over 20 different nations<br />
Another successful Atlantic
Aldo Mariotti's, <strong>Oyster</strong> 53, Bellamare <strong>Oyster</strong> Lightwave 48, Boysterous crosses the finsh line<br />
crossing for the <strong>Oyster</strong> Fleet<br />
www.oystermarine.com<br />
37
<strong>Oyster</strong> 56, Blue Destiny<br />
38 www.oystermarine.com<br />
The <strong>Oyster</strong> party embodies the camaraderie and<br />
friendship found within the <strong>Oyster</strong> fleet.<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong>'s Joint MD, Murray Aitken, a<br />
hardened rugby supporter (albeit Scottish),<br />
was not going to let the small matter that<br />
none of the locals in Las Palmas seemed to<br />
have any interest in this event, preventing<br />
him and a large number of the <strong>Oyster</strong> fleet<br />
from watching the match.<br />
With the exchange of a few Euros, he<br />
managed to persuade a local bar to open<br />
up for the match and some 100 <strong>Oyster</strong><br />
owners, supporters and crews cheered<br />
England on to victory.<br />
AND THEY'RE OFF...<br />
With moderate winds forecast and sunny<br />
skies, conditions were near perfect for the<br />
start of ARC 2003. The atmosphere in the<br />
marina was one of excitement and<br />
anticipation, with plenty of crew hurrying<br />
around finishing off last minute jobs. By<br />
1030 the last boat had checked out and, at<br />
the final count, 212 boats were scheduled to<br />
cross the start line. The weather forecast for<br />
the day was NW force 4-5 decreasing<br />
during the morning to NW force 3-4 by start<br />
Winner of the <strong>Oyster</strong> Trophy, <strong>Oyster</strong> 56, Roulette<br />
time. At 1200 the Committee Boat, the<br />
Spanish Navy vessel "Medas" was in<br />
position on the start line.<br />
The Cruising Division started at 1300 and<br />
having watched the racing division start the<br />
majority of boats chose to favour the<br />
committee boat end of the line. The cruising<br />
boats took a more cautious approach than<br />
those racing and only five spinnakers<br />
crossed the line at the start. By 1800, the<br />
majority of the fleet had reached the south<br />
of the island, enjoying some lovely nighttime<br />
sailing in around 10 knots of breeze.<br />
After a near perfect start, with pleasant NW<br />
winds and warm sunshine, most ARC crews<br />
settled down to their first night at sea, trying<br />
to establish a routine following the excitement<br />
of the start day. Some of the yachts hit a calm<br />
patch off the south of Gran Canaria, whilst<br />
others reported a few hours of headwinds.<br />
However, as darkness enveloped the fleet, the<br />
forecast wind appeared, scudding the yachts<br />
through the surf at good speeds on their<br />
adventure to a St Lucia.
2003 ATLANTIC RALLY FOR CRUISERS – OYSTER FLEET<br />
Model Boat Owners<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 39 Songster Brian and Jackie Palmer<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 406 Boysterous Colin and Naomi Hall<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 435 Lhasa Chris and Carol Evans<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 47 Moonshadow of London Peter and Liz Mantle<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> Lightwave 48 Boysterous Phil Fleming<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 53 Janus Aram Shishmanian<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 53 Infinity Ken Williams<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 53 Bellamare Aldo Mariotti<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 55 Capriccio of Rhu Michele Colenso<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 56 Blue Destiny Richard Morgan<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 56 Roulette Trevor and Ann Silver<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 61 Galapago Mark Carmichael<br />
2003 RUBICON ANTIGUA CHALLENGE – OYSTER FLEET<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 62 Eve II Stephen and Eva Byrne<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 62 <strong>Oyster</strong>catcher XXIV James Flynn OBE<br />
Class winner, <strong>Oyster</strong> 53, Janus<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 53, Infinity<br />
LINE HONOURS FOR OYSTER<br />
53 JANUS<br />
Owned by Aram Shishmanian, the justlaunched<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 53, JANUS, took line<br />
honours in Class C, winning the St Lucia<br />
Air & Seaports Trophy<br />
“ I took delivery of my new New Zealand<br />
built <strong>Oyster</strong> 53, Janus (the Roman god of<br />
new beginnings and transformations) in<br />
October 2003. What better way to give her a<br />
shake-down than to cross the Atlantic by<br />
participating in the ARC!<br />
During the passage we experienced a wide<br />
range of conditions, from the choppy and<br />
cold North Sea, to Force 9 across the Bay of<br />
Biscay and dead calm mid Atlantic. Other<br />
than minor issues with the radar, prior to the<br />
start of the ARC (which were promptly<br />
resolved by the <strong>Oyster</strong> Service team in Las<br />
Palmas) the boat performed magnificently.<br />
She was sturdy, comfortable and fast. So<br />
much so we won line honours for our class.<br />
Over the coming year, we plan to enjoy the<br />
Caribbean and the eastern seaboard of the<br />
US; beyond that we will let the Roman god of<br />
new beginnings guide us. ” ARAM SHISHMANIAN<br />
OYSTER RESULTS<br />
Aram Shishmanian and crew<br />
Winner of the <strong>Oyster</strong> Trophy for the first<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> across the line on ARC handicap was<br />
Trevor and Ann Silver's <strong>Oyster</strong> 56, Roulette,<br />
who crossed the line in 15 days 20 hours.<br />
The <strong>Oyster</strong> 53, Infinity, owned by Ken<br />
Williams was second with a crossing time of<br />
16 days, 22 hours.<br />
www.oystermarine.com<br />
39
ARC FACTS<br />
• Since the event began,182 <strong>Oyster</strong> <strong>Yachts</strong><br />
have taken part in the ARC, logging over<br />
half a million sea miles between them.<br />
• The 2700 nautical mile crossing will take<br />
most of the <strong>Oyster</strong> fleet between 15 and<br />
20 days.<br />
• The pre-start service and support <strong>Oyster</strong><br />
provide is free of charge and available to all<br />
participating <strong>Oyster</strong> yachts regardless of age.<br />
• The ARC is run by the World Cruising Club,<br />
part of the Challenge Business, founded by<br />
Sir Chay Blythe 12 years ago. Information on<br />
current and future events can be found on<br />
www.worldcruising.com or contact Jeremy<br />
Wyatt on Tel: +44 (0) 1983 296060<br />
40 www.oystermarine.com<br />
The <strong>Oyster</strong> 61,<br />
Galapago,<br />
making her third<br />
ARC crossing<br />
Peter Mantle's <strong>Oyster</strong> 47, Moonshadow of London<br />
2004 ATLANTIC OYSTER FLEET<br />
As we go to press over 100 yachts have entered this year' s events, with a fleet of 18 <strong>Oyster</strong>s,<br />
including the first of the new <strong>Oyster</strong> 82's, scheduled to cross the Atlantic in both the ARC and the<br />
Rubicon Antigua Challenge.<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> Lightwave 395 Amandla Kulu Bob Jones<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> Lightwave 395 Rainmaker Julian Nichols<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 435 Lady Menai Fred & Robin Kay<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 485 White Wings Klaus Schuback<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 49 Adesso Gerald Goetgeluck<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 53 Jarina Henry van der Hoven<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 53 tba Jan Matthews<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 53 Flica Marilyn Kenworthy<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 53 Gualin of Cowes David Parson<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 53 Tallulah of Falmouth Tim Brettell<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 56 Pearl Fisher Michael Williamson<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 56 Moana Rolf Herlig<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 56 tba Brad Redmayne<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 56 Ananda Nick Hewson<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 56 Baccalieu III Mike Hill<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 62 Carpe Diem Keith Hamilton<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 66 Sundowner Lurelle Verplank<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 82 tba John Fruth<br />
The <strong>Oyster</strong> Service Team
The<br />
2004<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong><br />
Fleet<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> offers a range of ten modern designs from 46ft to 100ft,<br />
all based on the Deck Saloon concept we introduced to the world<br />
of cruising yachts over a quarter of a century ago.<br />
Our yachts are comfortable, very well built and have an<br />
abundance of practical, seamanlike features. Their sailing<br />
performance is amply demonstrated by an overall cruising class<br />
win in the 2001 ARC, 5 x 1st places in Antigua Week 2002 and a<br />
class win in the 2003 Marion-Bermuda race.<br />
Like our design, build quality and attention to detail have evolved<br />
and improved, audited by rigorous quality control. We are proud of<br />
our global After Sales service, which we believe is second to none.<br />
In a world of compromise there are many reasons why an <strong>Oyster</strong> is<br />
the preferred choice for serious cruising yachtsmen. If you are<br />
considering a quality yacht we’d like to tell you about them.<br />
OYSTER MARINE LTD<br />
FOX’S MARINA IPSWICH<br />
SUFFOLK IP2 8SA ENGLAND<br />
TEL: +44 (0) 1473 688888<br />
FAX: +44 (0) 1473 686861<br />
EMAIL: yachts@oystermarine.com<br />
OYSTER MARINE USA<br />
5 MARINA PLAZA GOAT ISLAND<br />
NEWPORT R1 02840<br />
TEL: +401 846 7400<br />
FAX: +401 846 7483<br />
EMAIL: info@oysteryachts.com<br />
WWW.OYSTERMARINE.COM<br />
46<br />
49<br />
53<br />
56<br />
62<br />
66<br />
72<br />
FastTrack<br />
72<br />
82<br />
100<br />
www.oystermarine.com<br />
41
HANNAH<br />
STODEL<br />
Sponsored by <strong>Oyster</strong> Marine,<br />
Eighteen year old Hannah<br />
Stodel becomes the first<br />
British woman selected to<br />
sail at a Paralympic Games.<br />
42 www.oystermarine.com
MIAMI OCR 2004<br />
The Miami OCR is a very important event for both the Olympic and<br />
the Paralympic teams. It is used as an early indicator, as well as<br />
qualifier for some countries. We arrived to find very little wind, which<br />
as all the locals told us was very unusual, but that’s sailing! All the<br />
top teams from the Worlds were there, meaning that competition was<br />
extremely competitive and would be tight.<br />
We started the event well being consistently in the top five of our fleet.<br />
Unfortunately, our luck changed half way through the week and John<br />
our helm was taken ill, meaning that he couldn’t sail. Our coach Mark<br />
Barron sailed with us so we could continue racing, but some of the<br />
other countries that were competing were not very happy with this as<br />
we were beating them without our proper race crew. So unfortunately<br />
we had to retire from the rest of the event. However, the experience was<br />
useful, and we now have an indication of how the other teams are doing<br />
and can predict who we will be racing against in the Paralympics.<br />
3 SAIL WORLD CHAMIONSHIPS<br />
After the Miami OCR, we travelled to St Petersburg, Tampa for the<br />
able-bodied 3 Sail Worlds, where we enlisted the help of former Laser<br />
Youth Squad sailor, 22 year old Mark Addison, to sail with us as the<br />
fourth crew. We knew that the sailing was going to be of the very<br />
highest quality and we weren’t really expecting much, merely using the<br />
event as a means of training against some of America's top sailors.<br />
However with only one day remaining we were lying 2nd behind the<br />
American Paralympic representative. The able-bodied sailors got the<br />
shock of their lives! We raced consistently, proving that we are an<br />
equal match for the able-bodied sailors, assisted by Mark and his<br />
stunning work on the foredeck. Unfortunately on the last day, there<br />
was really thick fog in the morning, meaning that the racing was<br />
postponed. However, not to be beaten, the principal race officer sent<br />
us out, where we spent the next two hours trying to find the committee<br />
boat and not crash into each other. With five minutes to spare and five<br />
general recalls later, we had started. Disappointingly we were over the<br />
line, and even though we went back, we still got a 20% penalty and a<br />
disastrous last race. Unfortunately with all races to count this pushed<br />
us down to 5th overall and the second Paralympic boat.<br />
NATIONAL OFFSHORE ONE DESIGN REGATTA<br />
This event ran directly on from the 3 Sail World Championships, by<br />
which time we were all very tired. After the disappointing end to the<br />
Worlds, we were determined to do better. The racing at the NOOD is<br />
over longer courses, and rather interesting as you have to share your<br />
course with seven other types of one-design boats. After some very<br />
tight racing in 25 knots of breeze, the disabled sailors were still<br />
proving that they could be as competitive as the able-bodied sailors.<br />
We only managed to complete four races due to the ever increasing<br />
breeze, with three 4ths and an 8th place. Again we were 5th overall<br />
and were beaten by just one point for Paralympic honours.<br />
In March we will be returning to St Petes to take part in the Disabled<br />
Midwinters, which looks like being as competitive as the World<br />
Championships. Doing well at this competition has always been our<br />
main goal and we will be doing our best to win gold at this event.<br />
All of this of course would not have been possible without the<br />
support of Richard Matthews, <strong>Oyster</strong> Marine and many of <strong>Oyster</strong>'s<br />
owners and suppliers. Having been invited to attend the <strong>Oyster</strong><br />
owners London dinner, little did I realise that in the space of a couple<br />
of hours my total funding requirement for the year would be raised.<br />
Everybody was so generous and I am very grateful to you all.<br />
My Paralympic dream is now very much a reality and, along with the<br />
rest of Team GBR, we will be Sailing for Gold in Athens 2004.<br />
Hannah Stodel<br />
For more information about the British Paralympic Association see:<br />
www.paralympics.org.uk
ROLLS<br />
the<br />
ROYCE<br />
of yachts<br />
BY BRIAN LONG<br />
OYSTER 56 CHINOOK<br />
44 www.oystermarine.com<br />
“ TODAY, WE ARE ANCHORED<br />
SNUGLY IN THE INNER BAY<br />
OF PORTOFERRAIO, THE MAIN<br />
AND BEAUTIFUL PORT OF<br />
ELBA, JUST OFF THE WEST<br />
COAST OF ITALY”<br />
There is a Mumm 30 World Championship Regatta this week and the<br />
marina has been taken over by a fleet of 40 or so 30 foot one-of-a-kind<br />
racing yachts. Paul McCartney’s US Tour CD is playing on the stereo and<br />
a warm sun is shining through the cockpit windows. However, the<br />
barometer is sitting at 1001-1002 mb’s and the anemometer is measuring<br />
gusts well over 30 knots.<br />
Yesterday we sailed from Capraia, in the Italian Tuscan islands. We had<br />
started out for Calvi, on the east side of Corsica, where Doreen and I<br />
expected to pick up a vital part for our onboard computer, we had<br />
arranged to be shipped there. On route, seas started building and the<br />
wind gradually increased to sustained mid thirties, with gusts into the mid<br />
40 knots. We were in a tough beat and, as I adjusted the sail trim and<br />
course to accommodate the 5 to 6 metre waves, Doreen looked a little<br />
tense. I sought to relax her by remarking how smooth Chinook was riding<br />
and apart from the odd thump, here and there, we were dry and quite<br />
comfortable. I recalled a conversation, which took place the day before in<br />
the Village of Porto Capraia.<br />
We had located the only Internet point on the Island, in a Pizzeria/Bar, high on the hill overlooking<br />
the bay and were checking our emails, when a very big guy, with a pigtail, approached me as he<br />
was leaving with a group of friends, after a good lunch. "Is that your <strong>Oyster</strong> in the marina" he said<br />
with a strong accent. It sounded almost like a challenge and I wondered if I had inadvertently<br />
transgressed his sea room at some time or perhaps splashed him with water as I washed the salt<br />
off Chinook’s decks the day before. "Yes" I quietly admitted somewhat reluctantly, trying to<br />
squeeze a smile.<br />
"I told them!!" He chortled! "I told them it was an <strong>Oyster</strong>!!". I relaxed a little. "My friends, they<br />
don’t know too much about boats" He gestured to them "but I told them it was an <strong>Oyster</strong>".<br />
"I told them <strong>Oyster</strong>’s are the ‘Rolls-Royce’ of yachts" he bellowed.<br />
"They’re the best sailing boats in the World ". "They’re Fantastico" He continued to sing the<br />
praises of <strong>Oyster</strong>s in the loudest of voices, until Doreen and I became slightly embarrassed by<br />
him telling the Bar patrons, now focused entirely on us, how lucky we were to own such a fine<br />
yacht. We were relieved when they finally left but now I wore a different kind of smile!<br />
Back on board and checking our position on the chart plotter, I could see our tacking point was<br />
well over an hour ahead and, as the wind and waves continued to rise, the reality of making Calvi<br />
in daylight continued to fall. In fact, the chances of making even the East Coast of Corsica were<br />
correspondingly disappearing.<br />
Our Raytheon Chart plotter showed our reverse course was a direct line to Portoferraio, on the<br />
island of Elba, about 32 nautical miles to the south and downwind. We had managed without our<br />
computer for about three weeks and another few more days couldn’t hurt. Anyway we were<br />
planning on spending a few days exploring Elba, where the little General had been exiled by the<br />
British. A reverse course also afforded some lee shelter from Capraia and Corsica. So we turned<br />
around and enjoyed a great sail in diminishing winds and waves until the wind quit altogether<br />
about nine miles from Portoferraio.<br />
The inner bay here is amazingly well protected and Chinook, fresh from an overnight shower, is<br />
dancing gracefully on a long anchor chain in only five metres depth, where there are hundreds of<br />
tiny whitecaps, but little chop despite massive howling gusts. The 40 or so racing boats never left<br />
the dock today and although the centre of town is only a very short distance away and looks<br />
agonizingly attractive in the sunlight, I think I’ll leave the tender on the davits today, sit back and<br />
enjoy our ‘Rolls-Royce’ of <strong>Yachts</strong>.
FOX’S PROVIDE GREAT SERVICE FOR OYSTERS<br />
(and other yachts too)<br />
“ I acquired 'Arabella', a 1988 built <strong>Oyster</strong> 53, through <strong>Oyster</strong> Brokerage in 1997.<br />
She immediately went through a major refit at Fox's, including re-caulking the decks, refitting<br />
the deck saloon windows, new running and standing rigging and repainting all spars. After<br />
20,000 miles sailing I returned to Fox's from the Caribbean for her second major refit<br />
including the fitting of a custom high performance keel, modified rudder, stretched stern (to<br />
make her a '55') and a new generator. The keel was a particularly demanding exercise.<br />
Three years later after a 600-ton dredger tore into 'Arabella' on her mooring I returned to<br />
Fox's to repair a large hole in her starboard topsides, at the same time I replaced the engine<br />
and the complete rig after a spreader was torn off half way across the Atlantic. I chose Fox's<br />
because they have the expertise and experience to deal with difficult jobs and they were<br />
cost competitive. I have always found the management and staff good to deal with.<br />
Practical and fair with a boat building heritage stretching back generations...<br />
”<br />
Jonathan Baker - <strong>Oyster</strong> 55 Arabella<br />
6 February 2004<br />
TWO TRAVELIFTS<br />
TO 70 TONS AND 85FT LOA<br />
OSMOSIS TREATMENT<br />
6000 SQ FT CHANDLERY<br />
SPRAY PAINTING<br />
NEED WE SAY MORE?<br />
FULLY EQUIPPED WORKSHOPS<br />
REPAIRS • NEW DECKS • REFITS<br />
ENGINEERING<br />
FULL RIGGING SERVICE<br />
STAINLESS FABRICATIONS<br />
FOX’S MARINA IPSWICH LTD<br />
IPSWICH SUFFOLK IP2 8SA ENGLAND<br />
TEL: +44 (0)1473 689111 FAX: +44 (0)1473 601737<br />
foxs@oystermarine.com<br />
AN OYSTER GROUP COMPANY<br />
ELECTRONICS<br />
SALES SERVICE AND<br />
INSTALLATION<br />
ASHORE STORAGE<br />
ALL SERVICES UNDERTAKEN<br />
BY OWN STAFF
y Eddie Scougall - <strong>Oyster</strong> Customer Care Manager<br />
THE DELIVERY<br />
Antigua to Ipswich<br />
Being sent to Antigua to deliver an<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 53 back to the UK is not as<br />
bad as it sounds and, before letters of sympathy<br />
start flooding in, this is not the worst job I’ve had<br />
to do in my six years with <strong>Oyster</strong> Marine!<br />
Crackerjack had been taken in part exchange for a new <strong>Oyster</strong> and was to be returned to<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> Brokerage for sale. A gap had appeared in the CCM diary and it occurred to me that<br />
I could save the full cost of a delivery skipper and make good use of CCM time by<br />
volunteering for the job. I was astonished and delighted when the proposal was ‘command<br />
approved’ and I was asked to find a crew.<br />
This wasn’t too difficult either. Mike Rose was first on the crew list. A veteran of 19 previous<br />
west to east crossings, with east – west, north – south, south – north, etc. too numerous to<br />
mention. Next, Jeff Robinson, a friend from the 1995 Trade Winds Rally and top engineer,<br />
who was looking for something to do before his next appointment as skipper of an Azimuth<br />
100 in the Philippines. Great! But the ace was still to be played. Richard Matthews gave me<br />
a call and asked if I would take Jo Chatterton on her first transatlantic as cook. I had met<br />
Jo, a life long sailor, during the 2003 UBS <strong>Oyster</strong> regatta in Antigua, where she had proved<br />
herself with honours. A cook too! With the exception perhaps of just being told to keep the<br />
boat, this couldn’t get any better!<br />
46 www.oystermarine.com
A TLANTIC DELIVERY<br />
THE CREW<br />
Eddie Scougall Skipper. <strong>Oyster</strong> Marine CCM.<br />
Mike Rose Mate and Guru. CPO RN Ret. Chairman and founding member of The<br />
Royal Naval Tot Club of Antigua and Barbuda.<br />
Jeff Robinson Class IV engineer and relief skipper.<br />
Jo Chatterton Cook. A short title for the most important crewmember of any boat, and<br />
a little understated for someone with a degree in European Politics!<br />
Handy for any international incident.<br />
THE JOB<br />
Crackerjack had been at her mooring in English Harbour for about three weeks before we<br />
arrived. Jeff and myself set about a thorough stem to stern check, and the servicing of the<br />
engine and generator. Jo made an appraisal of the galley; tinned and dry stores still in date,<br />
cooking utensils, etc. Mike was ‘Guruing’ magnificently. The batteries had to be recharged,<br />
the fridge and freezer chilled down. Jo and her boyfriend Nik borrowed some scuba gear<br />
and cleaned the hull (yes, a diving cook! Not the least of her many talents).<br />
THE DELIVERY: ANTIGUA TO THE AZORES<br />
Saturday 24th May 2003. Slipped our mooring at 1000 local time (UTC +4), Log 6490 miles.<br />
As the initial part of the route back to Europe would take us northwards, close to Bermuda,<br />
the decision was to leave Antigua via the leeward side, rounding Johnson’s point, up past<br />
www.oystermarine.com<br />
47
A TLANTIC DELIVERY<br />
Jolly Harbour, Hawksbill Rock, etc. A steady force 6 from the east gave us an average of 8<br />
knots with 50% Genoa and 50% main on a beam reach on a course of 020ºM to avoid the<br />
NW end of Barbuda. Not bad.<br />
The first few days were fairly uneventful, 170 to 180 mile days, as we settled in to the watch<br />
routine, 5’s and 3’s. A routine carried on from my days aboard David and Linda Hughes’<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 55, Miss Molly, and devised by Linda. Basically, it means we did 5-hour day<br />
watches and 3-hour nights, split between myself, Mike and Jeff. Jo being excused watches<br />
in return for full galley duties. Mike had the first day watch, 0700 – 1200, Jeff 1200 – 1700,<br />
myself 1700 – 2200. Night watches: Mike 2200 – 0100, Jeff 0100 – 0400, myself 0400 –<br />
0700. The focal point of each day was 1800, at which time we had "The Tot" with a can of<br />
beer, not the usual Pusser’s Rum. Those readers who are Tot Club members will be familiar<br />
with this daily ritual. Only one can per day, no spirits at sea.<br />
On a course of 035˚M, by the afternoon of Monday 26th May, at 23˚ 13’N, the wind began<br />
to veer as expected. MPS up and down as required, even motor sailing when the wind died<br />
and speed dropped below 5 knots (it is after all a delivery). Jo had plenty of time to top up<br />
her tan in between preparing excellent meals. In fact, she even had time to think of a name<br />
for the crew. GOLDIE LOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS! No prizes for who Goldie Locks<br />
was. Myself – Grumpy Bear (me?!! Grumpy?!). Mike – Grizzly Bear (on account of his beard)<br />
and Jeff – Pooh Bear (don’t ask!).<br />
We started on a long slow curve to The Azores on Thursday the 29th at about 29˚ 40’ N. By<br />
Friday 30th the wind was a bit more solid and reliable. Mike listened in to Herb on the SSB<br />
‘12 Charlie’ every night for weather info. We tried to contact him directly, but without<br />
success, so we listened in on boats close (within 100 miles) to us.<br />
Thursday 29th May was the start of an amazing week’s run. Noon Thursday to noon Friday –<br />
190.6 miles, noon Friday to noon Saturday – 224.1 miles! However, our fastest 24-hour<br />
period was from 2000 Friday to 2000 Saturday – 230.3 miles under MPS and main. An<br />
average of 9.6 knots and frequently in excess of 11 knots. The following six days were all<br />
close to 200 miles or over. From noon Thursday 29th May till noon Friday 6th June (8 days)<br />
we logged 1588.9 miles, 198.6 miles per day average. Not bad for only one person and<br />
autopilot on watch, with help from the others as required. During this entire time, the wind<br />
was a force 4 and rose to a 5 for only four hours on Saturday 31st May. The sea state: slight.<br />
Saturday, we had the added treat of a beautiful sunrise while still doing almost 10 knots.<br />
Dolphins were in abundance. They were around most days, we never got tired of watching<br />
them speeding and weaving at the bow. Jeff spotted what we thought at first were strange<br />
low clouds on the horizon. The clouds turned out to be the plumes and splashes of some<br />
very large whales breaching in the distance, about three miles or so. They were too far<br />
away to identify or photograph.<br />
While motor sailing during a calm period, we managed to get caught up in some loose<br />
fishing gear in the middle of Mike’s night watch. I was woken up to: "We’re caught in<br />
something, speed’s down to 6 knots". We had a look over the back of the boat. There in the<br />
torch light, streaming out for about 20 metres was all kinds of bits of rope, net, some small<br />
floats and two large red buoys. To add to all of this, there was another buoy under the<br />
stern. Miraculously, nothing had caught in the prop, only on the skeg. The sea was fairly<br />
calm but there was no way I or anyone else was going into the water in the dark amongst a<br />
load of old net and rope. We shut the revs down and got the boat hook to attempt to poke<br />
the debris off. However, as the boat slowed to almost a stop we suddenly realised that the<br />
debris wasn’t following us any more. As we slowed, the sheer weight of the gear had<br />
allowed it to drop down the skeg, under the rudder and free us. Having not seen the<br />
floating debris in the dark, our speed had almost carried us clear over. It caught the skeg at<br />
the last second after clearing the keel. Thank goodness for the strength of a skeg hung<br />
rudder, otherwise the outcome could have been very different.<br />
A couple of days out of Horta the weather started to change. An enormous black cumulus<br />
cloud formed to the northwest. We were barrelling along at over 8 knots goose-winged,<br />
with the top end of a force 4 from the WSW. All of a sudden, the wind just stopped, the<br />
boat of course started to slow down, the sails hung lifeless for a few seconds then backed.<br />
The surface of the water took on what I can only describe as a prickly appearance and then<br />
the wind started to blow from exactly the opposite direction at about 5 knots. From sailing<br />
along happily at 8 knots to the wind doing a 180 and drifting backwards at about 1 knot,<br />
took less than one minute. With the change of motion and the Genoa flapping Mike got up<br />
to check what was going on, then Jeff and Jo popped up. We furled the Genoa, released<br />
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the preventer on the boom, sheeted the main in and<br />
started the engine to motor sail for a while. It rained<br />
heavily, I mean RAINED HEAVILY. Visibility closed<br />
right down to a few metres, the rain all but<br />
smoothed the sea and the wind disappeared<br />
completely. That’s the way it stayed for the rest<br />
of the day.<br />
LANDFALL IN THE AZORES<br />
Land-trace on the radar on the 48 mile range, at 0045<br />
on Saturday 7th of June, at about 35 miles. The first real<br />
sight of Faial was at dawn. A welcoming sight after two<br />
weeks at sea. Three hours later we had rounded Peninsula<br />
da Guia with Pico’s 2351 metre peak to the east. At 1100 local<br />
time (UTC), tied up at the fuel dock in Horta. Log, 9113.7, making<br />
our passage from Antigua 2623.7 miles in almost exactly 14 days<br />
(Average 7.8 knots). Customs, immigration and port police are all in the<br />
marina office. All the officials were friendly and helpful, making it easier to<br />
wade through the otherwise impossible Portuguese bureaucracy.<br />
After checking in and finding our berth we spotted Evricka, the Swan 65 which had left<br />
Antigua a few days before we had. Darren Thompson, the skipper, and Jerry Ratcliffe are<br />
well-known Tot Club members. Excellent. Mike, Darren, Jerry, Jo and myself, makes five,<br />
enough, with one to spare, for a Tot on Tour. The Tot was duly held at 1800 sharp, with<br />
various guests. After the Tot, all retired to Café Sport, famous amongst transatlantic<br />
yachtsmen and women for it’s hospitality and accommodating owner. Café Sport also has<br />
one of the most stunning collections of scrimshaw and whaling memorabilia I have ever<br />
seen, in a museum above the café. After a couple of cleansing ales to clear the vision, an<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> burgee (from the 66, Sarita) and a Tot Club pennant were spotted among the<br />
hundreds of flag and pennants adorning the walls and ceiling.<br />
Horta is a very popular stopover for yachts. It is a tradition to paint your yacht’s name on<br />
the wall before you leave. Departing without doing so will surely bring bad luck. Hundreds<br />
of paintings adorn the walls surrounding the marina. We spotted a few familiar names<br />
among them. Ocean Drive (<strong>Oyster</strong> 45), Celere (<strong>Oyster</strong> Lightwave), Sarita (<strong>Oyster</strong> 66),<br />
Thriller (<strong>Oyster</strong> 68), Harmony (<strong>Oyster</strong> 56), to name a few. Jo worked feverishly between<br />
rain showers the day we left to paint Crackerjack’s name on the wall.<br />
After the routine checks, cleaning, laundry and provisioning, a tour of the island in our hire<br />
car seemed in order. The countryside around most of the island is green and lush. The<br />
hydrangea hedges were just starting to bloom at the beginning of June. Because of the<br />
height of the island, there is a wide range of fauna, from sub tropical to Alpine, though I<br />
was surprised to see tree ferns and bamboo. We drove to a little restaurant Mike knew<br />
about to book dinner. Nick’s Hideaway or O Escnderijo. A very picturesque place with<br />
excellent food and hospitality.<br />
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49
We drove anticlockwise round the island, visiting a number<br />
of coastal villages, checking out landings, etc. as yachties<br />
do. Valcao dos Capelinos is well worth a visit. An eruption,<br />
starting in the sea in 1957 and lasting a year, added 2.4<br />
square kilometres to the western tip of the island, near the<br />
village of Capelo. The lighthouse was surrounded by ash to the<br />
depth of the first floor and found itself about 1 kilometre from the<br />
end of the new western extremity of the island. The light was<br />
abandoned, fell into disrepair and a new one built.<br />
The Caldeira, the crater in Faial’s inactive volcano, is fairly spectacular,<br />
which is 1.45 kilometres in circumference and 400 metres deep. The rim is about<br />
1000 metres above sea level. Cabeço Gordo is the highest point at 1043 metres, a<br />
short distance to the south. The day of our visit was overcast and windy, so the view of<br />
Horta and Pico were not as spectacular as they might have been.<br />
We all wished we could have spent more time around the Azores, exploring all nine main<br />
islands. The people are friendly and if the other islands are only half as beautiful as Faial<br />
they’d still be well worth the visit. Trying to explain a two-month stopover during a delivery<br />
trip would have been tricky and, I felt, unlikely to be viewed with enthusiasm as a<br />
contributing factor to my long-term employment at <strong>Oyster</strong> Marine.<br />
HORTA TO DARTMOUTH<br />
We completed clearing out formalities on Monday, 9th of June, with the intention of leaving<br />
early on Tuesday the 10th. We eventually left at 1000, in the rain, Jo having completed the<br />
essential wall painting.<br />
What wind there was, was coming from the west accompanied by a three metre swell.<br />
We motored with the main up, north of Sao Jorge then to the south of Grasioca and the<br />
open sea.<br />
Whales were sighted almost every day. Some sightings were spouts, some flukes and some<br />
fairly amazing close ups. At about 0630 on Friday 13th of June (yes, Friday the 13th), at<br />
least four large whales came very close to the boat, one of which was longer than the boat!<br />
I stopped the engine and called down below "WHALES, BIG TIME!". No response. I didn’t<br />
want to miss a single moment of their visit so I banged on Jo’s hatch. She came bounding<br />
out of the companionway, thinking she had slept in for breakfast, to be stunned for a<br />
moment by the presence of our visitors. It’s hard not to feel overwhelmed by these<br />
magnificent creatures. They seemed to be interested in this strange floating object and<br />
stayed around for about 20 minutes, moving off after their curiosity had been satisfied.<br />
Still no sign of Mike and Jeff. They both slept through, a whale being less than 5 metres<br />
from the boat!<br />
The following few days were relatively uneventful, a ship passed fairly close on the evening<br />
of the 12th of June. We assumed he saw us, but you can never be sure.<br />
Sailing by day, MPS and main, motor sailing at night when the wind died. Portuguese<br />
men-of-war jellyfish started appearing in greater numbers. At one point they were like a light<br />
50 www.oystermarine.com
covering of snow on the water. A couple were splashed on to the deck and lay unnoticed<br />
for a while. When they die they stain the deck purple, the staining comes out with a little<br />
washing. The offending creatures, although deceased can still sting, and were carefully<br />
scooped up and committed to the deep.<br />
Saturday 14th June. A minor drama. At 0600, it was discovered during a routine inspection,<br />
that the pair of domestic alternator belts had given up and deposited themselves in the<br />
engine bilge. Well, not bad for 600 hours of use. Jeff (engineer) could barely contain himself<br />
after being told. Great something to fix at last! The repair was left for a few hours for the<br />
engine to cool down. Jeff was unleashed and swooped with new belts and turbo-charged<br />
spanners. Fifteen minutes later he had the belts fitted, the engine run up and the charging<br />
tested. Jeff emerged from the engine room like a junkie who’d just administered his latest<br />
fix. But it wasn’t over for him. Later, after dark, we discovered that the tri-colour bulb had<br />
blown. We sailed with the navigation lights, less the steaming light, till Dartmouth. Jeff was<br />
edgy, something else needed fixing. As if to make up for the greatest drama of the trip,<br />
there was an amazing sunset.<br />
Monday 16th June. Very little wind, motor sailed all night. As day broke, the sea was flat<br />
calm. We were now over the Little Sole Bank (49º 23’ N, 006º 18’W) on the edge of the<br />
continental shelf. Furled the Genoa as the wind had gone to almost nothing, motoring with<br />
main only. The sky was a bit dark to the west with heavy rain shower paints on the radar.<br />
We now had soundings, 162 metres. The closest we’d been to land for a week, but we<br />
didn’t want to go there. This flashed Mike into a recital of an old navy song:<br />
"We’ll rant and we’ll roar like true British sailors.<br />
We’ll rant and we’ll roar upon the salt sea.<br />
Until we strike soundings in the channel of old England..."<br />
Great stuff. I could almost feel a Hornpipe coming on.<br />
A TLANTIC DELIVERY<br />
After lunch, we spotted some pilot whales. As we looked around we realised we were<br />
surrounded by numerous pods or family groups of pilot whales and dolphins for as far<br />
we could see. The engine was brought to a stop. As the boat fell quiet, several groups of<br />
whales came to investigate the boat. So close, they were more or less against the hull,<br />
close enough to touch. Jo took a direct hit from a spout as she leaned over the side.<br />
As one group left, another would come alongside. Their high-pitched calls could be<br />
clearly heard through the hull. A conservative estimate put the numbers at 100 plus<br />
whales and about 20 dolphins. We moved gently among them for about an hour or so.<br />
A fishing marker indicated that the tide was flowing eastwards. Perhaps the flow from<br />
the deep ocean up onto the continental shelf made this area a good fishing ground. The<br />
markers and the appearance of a number of fishing boats later in the day suggested that<br />
this may be so.<br />
Lizard Point was raised at 1200 Z, 15 miles to the north. The wind, westerly 6-7.<br />
Crackerjack, goose winged averaging 9 knots. Great, we’d be in Dartmouth for a<br />
pint tonight.<br />
We were now in telephone range. Mike phoned fellow Tot Club member, Warrant Officer<br />
Danny Maxwell at the Britannia Naval Collage for a berth for the night. No problem was the<br />
reply to the Tot Club Chairman. Excellent. Jeff called his brother, Captain of HMS Edinburgh<br />
no less! "Could we stop in at Portsmouth to see my brother. If he’s got time he’ll show us<br />
round the ship". Too right mate!<br />
Since we were now calling in to Portsmouth, Mike’s wheels began to turn. "I’ll phone David<br />
Snelson. He’s a Tot Club member. We could have a Tot on The Edinburgh". Great idea! ...<br />
Who’s David Snelson? "Oh he’s a Rear Admiral now, Commander in Chief of British<br />
Maritime Forces; but he was only a Captain when I met him". Surely you can’t just invite an<br />
admiral unannounced on to someone else’s ship! "Oh he’s not coming in an official<br />
capacity, just as a Tot Club member". Yes, I’m sure Captain Robinson will see it that way!<br />
However, discussing the affair later with Warrant Officer Danny Maxwell, brought us up to<br />
speed on naval etiquette. Danny advised that Captain Robinson should definitely be<br />
informed. Jeff phoned his brother at the earliest opportunity to ask his permission to invite<br />
Admiral Snelson aboard for a Tot. Permission was of course granted, however, Captain<br />
Robinson’s initial reaction is not recorded.<br />
By 1900 the wind was falling light. The Dartmouth ETA and pint were getting further away.<br />
At 1930, we started the engine and motor sailed. ETA and pint now steady, but it was close.<br />
Crackerjack entered the River Dart at 2230, too late to go to the Britannia Naval College berth.<br />
www.oystermarine.com<br />
51
A TLANTIC DELIVERY<br />
We found a space at the end of the ferry pontoon. Berthing was the quickest, most perfect<br />
textbook stuff I’ve ever seen. There wasn’t time to do it again!. It was now 2245, 15 minutes<br />
till closing time! By the time I had locked the boat, Mike, Jo and Jeff were already out of<br />
sight. We just made it as last orders were being called.<br />
Next day, after a rig check, Wednesday the 18th of June was a day off in Dartmouth.<br />
Warrant Officer Danny Maxwell very kindly gave us a tour of HMS Hindustan, a<br />
decommissioned minesweeper permanently moored at the Britannia Naval Collage.<br />
Dartmouth is a beautiful old port with a long maritime history. Dartmouth museum is well<br />
worth a visit.<br />
DARTMOUTH TO IPSWICH<br />
A study of the tidal atlas revealed the best time for the remainder of our trip to Ipswich was<br />
to leave at 0200 the next morning, Thursday 19th of June. Everyone was up just after 0100<br />
and ready to go. We cast off at 0145. The wind was WSW F5 and a bit cold. As the sun<br />
rose, the English Channel we all know and love revealed itself, cold and foggy.<br />
We arrived at the SW Shingles buoy at the Needles channel around 1300. As we entered<br />
the channel Crackerjack was surfing at over 13 knots on a broad reach. I was especially<br />
pleased with this, since Mike had stopped ranting about his 12 point something knots in<br />
the Atlantic!<br />
As we approached Cowes a familiar sight appeared in the distance. J/K7 Velsheda!<br />
The magnificent J-Class yacht tacked ahead of us and sailed down our starboard side.<br />
It was like a pretty girl walking past a building site. Crackerjack’s crew, goggle-eyed,<br />
watched her powering gracefully past.<br />
Phoning ahead to Gosport Marina secured us a berth for the night. We tied up at 1<strong>52</strong>0,<br />
plenty of time to get the ferry over to Portsmouth and HMS Edinburgh for the tour and Tot.<br />
I had never been aboard a fully active warship before and was really looking forward to it,<br />
as were the others.<br />
Captain Robinson met us at the dockyard gate and escorted us to the Edinburgh. She’s a<br />
Type 42 destroyer of 4800 tons, with a crew of 300 officers and men. Edinburgh is equipped<br />
with Sea Dart surface to air missiles, a 4.5in gun, Stingray torpedoes and the Vulcan<br />
Phalanx system as a last line of defence. Her helicopter, a Westland Lynx, also carries Sea<br />
Skua anti-ship missiles. Her combined Rolls-Royce gas turbine engines - two Olympus and<br />
two Spey - give her a top speed in excess of 30 knots.<br />
She was in the midst of a refit. Men seemed to be working everywhere. Because of the<br />
amount of work going on, and the near arrival of Admiral Snelson, our tour was quick but<br />
informative. How the Captain can know exactly what’s going on, in every corner of a ship<br />
of such complexity is truly awesome. The only disappointing part was that Captain<br />
Robinson didn’t seem too keen on letting any of us fire any of the guns! The Vulcan Phalanx<br />
system looked particularly exciting, being able to fire thousands of round per minute from<br />
its rotating barrels.<br />
Captain Robinson invited us all to his cabin for drinks and await the arrival of the highest<br />
ranked Tot Club member. Rear Admiral and Mrs. Snelson (David and Ruth) arrived a few<br />
minutes before the Tot was due. Even though he wasn’t in uniform, and I have never served<br />
in the forces, I still felt like saluting with both hands and a foot when he entered the cabin.<br />
The formalities done, everyone sat down for another drink while Mike prepared the Tot.<br />
Captain Robinson, of course, knew the history of the rum Tot, issued daily to British sailors<br />
prior to July 1970, but Chief Petty Officer Mike Rose RN (Retired) and the Royal Naval Tot<br />
Club of Antigua and Barbuda was something new. Who was this guy who looked like he’d<br />
just stepped off the front of a ‘Players’ packet and commanded the presence of Admirals?<br />
Mike gave a short history of how he had revived the tradition of the daily Tot in civilian life,<br />
of the Tot Club and how he and David Snelson had met in Antigua.<br />
What a day for Crackerjack’s crew. A sail from Dartmouth to Portsmouth, a 13 knot-plus<br />
blast past The Needles, a sail past by a J Class, invited aboard a British warship, met and<br />
entertained by the Captain and dined with an Admiral. I have to say, that doesn’t happen<br />
every day. Perhaps I should get out more.<br />
<strong>52</strong> www.oystermarine.com<br />
LOG<br />
Total miles logged:<br />
4396.3<br />
Days at sea:<br />
23<br />
Average speed:<br />
7.96 knots<br />
Days Ashore:<br />
5<br />
Max speed:<br />
13.4 knots<br />
Best noon-noon:<br />
224.1 miles<br />
Best midnight-midnight:<br />
226.9 miles<br />
Best 24 hours:<br />
230.3 miles.<br />
Engine hours:<br />
235.6 (bearing in mind<br />
this was a delivery trip).<br />
Generator hours:<br />
44.2.<br />
Watermaker hours:<br />
34.5 (approx 2100 litres).<br />
Fuel taken on:<br />
1000 litres.<br />
Fuel used:<br />
710 litres.<br />
Average consumption (engine RPM<br />
kept to 2400. Assuming generator<br />
50% consumption of engine):<br />
2.76 litres/hour.
THE LAST LEG<br />
Crackerjack cast off at 1000 on Friday, 20th of June, for the last 180 odd<br />
miles to Ipswich. The sky was clear; the sea was calm with a force 3 from<br />
the west. Crackerjack motored with full main past the Horse Sand fort,<br />
through the Loo Channel and past Selsey Bill. By 1255 there was sufficient<br />
apparent wind to raise the MPS. This sail had made our relatively fast passage<br />
possible. Easily managed by two people in its ‘sock’.<br />
The wind started to go light as the day wore on. At 2020 a sense of déjà vu. The<br />
‘prickly’ surface and a 180º change in wind direction in less than a minute. Fortunately we<br />
had just taken the MPS down and were about to motor anyway, due to the lack of wind. By<br />
the time we passed Dover it was completely calm. We took the inside route round the<br />
Goodwin Sands. Buoy-hopping in the dark up the channel past Deal and Ramgate. Then<br />
the easy route round the sands in the Thames Estuary; Elbow – Kentish Knock – Long Sand<br />
Head – Cork Sand and the Landguard, arriving at the entrance to the Orwell at 0900 on<br />
Saturday morning.<br />
Felixstowe’s cranes and busy port on this sunny morning were a welcome sight. Almost<br />
home. The trip up the River Orwell to Fox’s Marina is no hardship either, especially on a<br />
bright windless morning, the river seemed even more beautiful than ever. Crackerjack<br />
berthed at Fox’s at 1000. Engine off at 1003, Saturday the 21st of June, the day of the<br />
summer solstice. Log: 10886.3 Total. 4396.3 logged from English Harbour, Antigua to Fox’s<br />
Marina, Ipswich.<br />
CONCLUSION<br />
A full understanding of the boat and its systems, proactive maintenance, careful monitoring<br />
of fuel, water and batteries is the key to a trouble free passage. We had almost no failures<br />
or breakages, just two alternator belts and a bulb.<br />
www.oystermarine.com<br />
53
JUST Launched<br />
A selection of recent <strong>Oyster</strong> launchings<br />
OYSTER 66 VOODOO<br />
After display at the London Boat<br />
show, where she was the largest<br />
sailing yacht on show, the <strong>Oyster</strong><br />
66, VOODOO, returned to Ipswich<br />
for a mid February handover to<br />
owner John Edwards - not<br />
something to be undertaken lightly<br />
given the typical UK weather at this<br />
time of the year. Following<br />
John Edwards handover, VOODOO set sail for the<br />
warmer climate of Palma, Mallorca,<br />
before sailing on to her base for this summer in Monaco. VOODOO is<br />
planning to join the UBS <strong>Oyster</strong> Regatta in Palma later in the year,<br />
before crossing the Atlantic to the Carribbean. Plans for 2005 include<br />
a Pacific passage back to John's homeport of Australia.<br />
As a keen rugby player and supporter, John enjoyed<br />
a significant amount of banter with the build crew of<br />
his boat about the Rugby World Cup. To celebrate<br />
the English win, the build crew presented John with<br />
a special the T-shirt. The wording on the shirt<br />
reads "We hope you enjoy VOODOO as much as<br />
we enjoyed Johnny..." As you can see John<br />
accepted this with true Australian humour<br />
and style.<br />
54 www.oystermarine.com<br />
John, centre, with his<br />
brothers on handover trials<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 82 Cygnus<br />
OYSTER 82 CYGNUS<br />
Despite the bitingly cold December day, the<br />
first new <strong>Oyster</strong> 82 to hit the water, CYGNUS,<br />
was launched amid much anticipation and<br />
excitement at <strong>Oyster</strong>'s Southampton Yacht<br />
Services Yard, in readiness for her première<br />
at the Düsseldorf boat show.<br />
Built for her UK owner, his third new <strong>Oyster</strong><br />
yacht, CYGNUS will spend the next few<br />
weeks being commissioned before being<br />
shown at <strong>Oyster</strong>'s Private View at St<br />
Katharine's Dock, London. She will then be<br />
leaving the UK for the warmer waters of the<br />
Mediterranean.<br />
CYGNUS, the largest sailing yacht on display<br />
at the Düsseldorf show, was designed by<br />
Rob Humphreys and the <strong>Oyster</strong> Design Team<br />
and features a stunning mahogany interior,<br />
conceived and styled by <strong>Oyster</strong>'s Chris Lock,<br />
and finished to the highest standards by the<br />
renowned SYS joinery shop. CYGNUS<br />
attracted much attention and admiration at<br />
the show, where there was a steady queue of<br />
visitors to the stand each day.<br />
We look forward to seeing CYGNUS at some<br />
of the <strong>Oyster</strong> Regattas in the future, where<br />
she will make a very welcome addition to the<br />
regatta fleet.<br />
<strong>Oyster</strong> 66 Sistership
FALKA<br />
A RARE FIFE MOTOR LAUNCH<br />
THIS RARE EXAMPLE OF A FIFE MOTOR<br />
LAUNCH WAS ORIGINALLY BUILT ON THE<br />
CLYDE AT WILLIAM FIFE’S FAMOUS YARD IN<br />
1919. SHE IS <strong>52</strong>FT LONG AND SERVED AS<br />
A SEAPLANE TENDER. LATER SHE SPENT<br />
MANY YEARS PLYING THE WATER OF THE<br />
INNER HEBRIDES.<br />
WE DISCOVERED HER IN A VERY SAD<br />
STATE IN A MUD BERTH AND KNEW<br />
IMMEDIATELY THAT SHE WAS FROM THE<br />
FIFE YARD. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATIONS<br />
CONFIRMED THAT SHE WAS INDEED FROM<br />
THE FAMOUS FIFE YARD.<br />
FALKA’S HULL HAS THE BEAUTIFUL<br />
CLASSIC LINES FAVOURED IN EDWARDIAN<br />
TIMES. IN OUR PROPOSED<br />
RECONSTRUCTION SHE MAKES AN I<br />
DEAL REGATTA SUPPORT LAUNCH FOR<br />
TENDING A CLASSIC UN-POWERED<br />
SAILING YACHT SUCH AS AN 8 OR 12<br />
METRE. ALTERNATIVELY, SHE WOULD<br />
BE PERFECT FOR PICNICKING AND<br />
EXPLORING THE SHORELINE.<br />
WE WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO TALK TO<br />
ANYONE SERIOUSLY INTERESTED IN THIS<br />
EXCITING OPPORTUNITY.<br />
CONTACT: PIERS WILSON<br />
FREE TO A GOOD HOME<br />
We will give Falka free to the person<br />
who commissions us to restore her!<br />
SOUTHAMPTON YACHT SERVICES LTD<br />
REFIT & REPAIR • CLASSIC RESTORATION • NEW BUILD YACHTS<br />
JOINERS & YACHT BUILDERS<br />
Saxon Wharf Lower York Street Northam Southampton SO14 5QF England<br />
Telephone +44 (0)23 8033 <strong>52</strong>66 Fax +44 (0)23 8063 4275<br />
email: enquiry@southamptonyachtservices.co.uk www.southamptonyachtservices.co.uk<br />
AN OYSTER GROUP COMPANY
Skyblazer on the jetty in English Harbour<br />
56 www.oystermarine.com<br />
Rozlyn and Ray Walsh<br />
We launched late in the season and already boats were returning to<br />
be laid up for the winter. But this is one of the best times. We missed<br />
the scorching August sun and the hot dry winds. September is<br />
slightly cooler and the sea is at its most pleasant for swimming. The<br />
tourists are departing and we can enjoy the space and late season<br />
bargains. We had already spent a week in the yard commissioning the<br />
yacht for sea. I like the boatyard. You meet so many interesting<br />
people from all over the world. There are many intrepid explorers and<br />
there are a few who have their boat laid-up and that is where it stays.<br />
The transition from land to sea is a boundary they cannot cross.<br />
late season in<br />
I stand beneath the boat, nervously awaiting our turn to be launched.<br />
"Is she new?" a Swedish boat Captain asks me.<br />
"No, she is 13 years old but she still looks good."<br />
"Where will you go?"<br />
"We’ve sailed a lot of the Turkish coast but we have never been in Gökova Bay, the bay in which<br />
Bodrum lies."<br />
"Then you have left the best to last," the Swede assures me, "but if you are sailing in Gökova Bay then<br />
you must visit Captain Ibrahim’s restaurant at Çökertme."<br />
"What’s it like?"<br />
"You will see", his bright blue eyes are twinkling, "there is a show."<br />
He won’t tell me anymore. I’m filled with curiosity. Now I have to find out more.<br />
And so the moment comes to launch. The great travel hoist approaches, the engine noise ominously<br />
groaning and roaring like that of some ferocious prehistoric beast. My heart trembles and Ray<br />
disappears. He cannot bear to watch. Sky Blazer, waits like some mythical maiden chained to the rocks.<br />
Once secured into the leather and webbing sling, she is lifted easily and returned to the sea.<br />
Sailing again, I admit there is not really a lot to do. We sit in the cockpit and watch the coast pass by,<br />
enjoying the blue sky, the cooling breeze and the gentle sea. Ah! This is the life. Ray captains the boat,<br />
David is navigator and Caroline, my daughter, and I are crew.<br />
Cökertme (pronounced: cherk ert me)<br />
On arrival we decide not to anchor in front of the restaurant. There is a small jetty and some facilities<br />
but we think we are better off in the small picturesque bay. It is popular with yachts and gullets (the<br />
pirate look-alike wooden boats used for tourists day trips and charters). It is surprisingly peaceful. The<br />
water laps the rocks at the base of the pine-covered hill beneath where we are anchored. The water is<br />
crystal clear.<br />
As evening approaches we shower and dress ready for this night of adventure. We pick our way over<br />
the stony shore and arrive in the dark. The restaurant is already packed. We are given a table rather<br />
near to the orchestra. Well, I say orchestra because the volume of sound is comparable with a<br />
compliment of 50. In fact, this is a trio comprising of the three ugliest men in Turkey. Ray thinks they are<br />
quite good. They certainly have rhythm but the sound is like a strangled gargle. A table becomes vacant<br />
further away and we are able to move.<br />
Ray and David sit next to the wall. They are making sure they will be protected from the approaches of<br />
any stray belly dancer. Ray remembers the experience he had when he was lured to the dance floor and<br />
the belly dancer managed to induce him into a prone position then, starting at his feet, she wiggled her<br />
way along his body and ended by sitting on his face. Contrary to popular belief, he didn't enjoy it.<br />
Caroline and I feel quite safe. We are still waiting for the show. The other guests are fidgeting with<br />
anticipation. The volume of the music increases. (Is this possible, you ask?) There is a disturbance at<br />
the far side of the room. Suddenly we see him. Enter Captain Ibrahim dressed like a Mexican bandit,<br />
complete with huge false moustache, hat, rifle and revolver and mounted on a petrified horse. He rides<br />
through the restaurant, the horse’s hooves slithering on the tiled floor, eyes rolling in terror.
Rozlyn and Ray's daughter, Caroline<br />
GÖKOVA BAY<br />
BY ROZLYN WALSH<br />
There is a rush for the photo opportunity. Flash lights shatter the darkness and I am certain poor Dobbin<br />
will rear. Captain Ibrahim fires his rifle into the roof, a dead bird drops to the restaurant floor. One of the<br />
waiters rushes forward to collect it and, presumably, return it to the rafters for the next show. Captain<br />
Ibrahim dismounts and the horse is led from the restaurant.<br />
The show continues. Captain Ibrahim is a goer. The music changes to a dance rhythm and he begins a<br />
strange, in fact, very strange dance. He is about 4’ 11 and the same measurement around his girth. He<br />
hops onto one leg and holds the other suspended at a strange angle reminiscent of a painful pilates<br />
exercise. He approaches our table. Caroline refuses to dance, so does Ray and certainly David refuses<br />
too. I am his last choice but I feel it would be rude to let the fellow down. Now we are both doing the<br />
silly dance. This delights the other diners. Skilfully Captain Ibrahim leads me out of the restaurant. Now<br />
what? OH NO! He wants me to put on a Nancy Reagan mask. He wants to wear a Ronald Reagan mask<br />
and continue the dance. Well, I’m sorry folks. I’ve been a good sport so far but I’m not putting on a<br />
rubber mask. After all, I don’t know where it’s been. But our intrepid Captain is not put off. He reappears<br />
in his hideous mask (well, I think Ronald would agree, it wouldn’t have done either of them any favours).<br />
He continues to dance and he is obviously trying to terrorise the one small child in the dining room. No,<br />
the small child is not frightened. She’s obviously seen worse on TV.<br />
Flaming torches are lit on the sand outside the restaurant. Hubble Bubble pipes are brought in. There is<br />
no lack of volunteers to try these. I think they will be disappointed, it is just herbal – cooking herbal.<br />
Now dancing for everyone starts. Anything goes. A Gullet Captain does a sort of peacock dance and<br />
tries to seduce all the ladies – I think it is working. Everyone is dancing. It is an entertaining evening,<br />
ain Ibrahim and his wife are young at heart and full of innocent fun.<br />
Sögüt (pronounced: sir oot and means "sweet water")<br />
A lazy start to the day and a swim, then we are off for the next adventure. It is always so exciting going<br />
somewhere you have never been before.<br />
We are struck by the amazing beauty of Sö_üt. The lovely clear water is fringed with bamboo, pampas<br />
grasses and olive trees. Behind the village, the hills are covered with fresh smelling pine trees. They say<br />
the earth is special here. When it rains, the smell from the ground and the trees is fresh and pine<br />
scented. The water is renowned for its purity. This is the place to fill the boat’s water tanks.<br />
OWNER REPORT<br />
Navigator, David on the helm<br />
www.oystermarine.com<br />
57
OWNER REPORT<br />
58 www.oystermarine.com<br />
Rozlyn dancing with Captain Ibrahim The orchestra, Captain Ibrahim's Restaurant, Cokertme<br />
We sail towards the very smart Gökova Sailing Club. The grounds are manicured and the building is<br />
elegant and modern. The jetty looks new and inviting. After a slight interrogation by the owner, who is<br />
accompanied by four Alsatian dogs, we are allowed to tie up. The owner’s son, who speaks public<br />
school English, assists us. We are the only boat tied to the jetty. The Sailing Club has high walls and<br />
electric gates and we are given some exit instructions and also told on no account to touch the dogs.<br />
Something is beginning to feel "not quite right".<br />
Caroline and David hire a Pico sailing dinghy each and have a great time. Ray and I are keen to explore.<br />
Certainly the walks into the hills are wonderful. We smell the pine on the wind and experience that feeling<br />
of peace and inner calm. Further along the shore, on the waters edge, is the Paradise Restaurant. Here<br />
the jetty is full of gullets and small yachts. We think we had better book a table for our evening meal.<br />
It was not necessary to book. When we arrive we find that most of the tables are empty and they stay<br />
that way. We have a feeling that this is not going to be a very good meal. A lone diner sits some way off<br />
from us at the edge of the outdoor dining area. Out of the darkness the military police arrive, smartly<br />
salute the man and hand over a black plastic bag that is remarkably rifle shaped, salute again and<br />
vanish into the night. David warns us not to make eye contact.<br />
Should we have been suspicious that the restaurant was called "Paradise" and that the menu was<br />
priced in Euros and the bill was given in Turkish Lira, with a very unlikely rate of exchange? David is<br />
quick at maths; he soon has the waiter stuttering and looking guilty. The meal was average and the<br />
price exorbitant. The price is lowered and we don’t leave a tip. We should have eaten on board like the<br />
other yachties tied to the jetty.<br />
In the morning the owner of Gökova Sailing Club gave me a tour of his house. It was quite wonderful<br />
with every possible convenience, a beautiful nautical drawing room, four double bedrooms with ensuite<br />
bathroom and a sauna. Downstairs, another stylish nautical bar and outside terrace – just so lovely and<br />
so closely guarded. Sögüt is beautiful but there is a strange undercurrent of conspiracy. She has a<br />
secret we could not discover.<br />
Degirmen Buku (English Harbour)<br />
There are many marvellous anchorages in Gökova Bay and Rod Heinkel gives excellent description and<br />
information in his "Turkish Water Pilot", but we cannot visit them all. We have a week’s time limit for<br />
Caroline and David so we return to an old haunt. For us, probably the most romantic and also exciting<br />
place on the Turkish coast.<br />
English Harbour is beautiful, secluded and hidden behind many watery twists and turns from the<br />
entrance. It is sheltered and the holding is good, which makes for a very unworried night’s sleep. There<br />
is a naval history to this place. The English hid their gunboats here in the Second World War. There is<br />
still a Turkish military base here, which becomes evident from time to time.<br />
This place has magic all of its own. It is peaceful and there are only two restaurants and that is how it<br />
has always been. They own all the land around them so the area should stay unspoilt. Tonight though,<br />
we decide to eat on board by candlelight. David barbeques chicken and lamb chops, accompanied by<br />
rice, fresh green salad and cold white wine.<br />
The sky is dark and the stars are bright. The silken water reflects the half moon. By the shore, four men<br />
walk in the shallows carrying fishing lights and spears, giving the silent shore a primeval quality. On a<br />
Turkish boat someone plays a musical instrument and two women sing a lullaby. Perhaps it is a song in<br />
praise of the loveliness of nature.
This is our experience on this quiet September night. When we have been here before we have had<br />
different encounters. Once a General from the military establishment came to dine and the surrounding<br />
cornfields were filled with armed soldiers and the boats were searched, with the exception of ours. The<br />
relaxed restaurant suddenly displayed white tablecloths and all the waiters dressed in crisp clean shirts.<br />
Another time, it was local entertainment under the stars on the warm summer nights. A couple of<br />
Turkish guest played their violins. We were invited to join a group of German and Dutch sailing people.<br />
Soon a German yachtsman produced a guitar and we all sang English popular songs. Then a Dutch<br />
guitarist joined in. He was fantastic, probably a professional classical guitarist. He looked like a Greek<br />
God and played like an angel. The raki flowed and we lost our inhibitions. The dancing started, songs<br />
were endless and the night rolled on. A lonely Turkish soldier was having such a good time he wanted to<br />
contribute too. All he had was his gun, so he fired it into the air in time to the music. We all hit the<br />
ground and the party broke up. Before returning to our various boats we were sworn to secrecy. We<br />
must say we saw nothing. We heard nothing. It was long ago, so I feel it is safe to break my silence and<br />
tell a much-shortened version of a story of this most amazing night.<br />
In these two restaurants the food is delicious, the prices reasonable and there are some facilities now.<br />
There is a small shop, good showers and toilets. We could not swim this time, as the bay had been<br />
invaded with enormous golden-brown jellyfish, complete with barnacle-like skirts of black beads.<br />
Deceptively, they looked like a reflection of the sun in the water and they could move with<br />
considerable speed.<br />
Yedi Adalari (Seven Islands) East Creek<br />
Nothing to it really, as the owner of one of the restaurants in English Harbour said when he described<br />
Yedi Adalalr,<br />
"Yedi Adalari. Finish."<br />
The new marina at Turgetreis<br />
It is just a large bay scattered with islands. There are no restaurants, no ancient ruins, nothing. In<br />
places it is rather barren. The water is clear but deep, and it is good for swimming. We decided to<br />
anchor in the East Creek which is one of the inner most bays. What we did not appreciate at the time<br />
was that this anchorage offers excellent shelter from a SW storm. As we cooked our dinner the sky<br />
darkened. Boats that had moored at the entrance of the bay re-anchored and joined us in this<br />
sheltered inlet. We looked across the 35 miles of sea towards Bodrum. There the sky was black.<br />
Thunder crashed and fork lightening split the sky, hardly a second’s beat between electric bright<br />
flashes. The show was phenomenal.<br />
The wind reached storm force 11 with a speed of 55 knots. We did not know it then but Bodrum was<br />
experiencing a hurricane. We were told that the streets became rivers and trees were blown down.<br />
Chairs and tables left outside were picked up by the wind and blown at speed past restaurant windows.<br />
An outside pontoon in the Marina was torn free and the expensive motorboats tied to it were damaged.<br />
Two boats outside the harbour were blown against the rocks and sank, and there was countless<br />
damage to others. Holiday beach boats and wind surfers were blown out to sea. The power supply to<br />
the city failed and the water supply ceased, except for the deluge supplied by the vengeful hand of<br />
Mother Nature. For us the night was relatively calm. Our anchor was firmly dug in and we were<br />
completely sheltered from the wind. How lucky to be in The Right Place at The Right Time.<br />
Yedi Adalari to Bodrum<br />
Ray was becoming increasingly worried about the strong south westerly wind, so it was an early start<br />
next day so that we could have the best possible chance of a berth in Bodrum Karada Marina. If we<br />
could not get a berth, then it would be a further 15nm, three hours to the next suitable harbour –<br />
opened in May 2003 is Turgetreis Marina with excellent facilities, north of Bodrum. The strong wind in<br />
this unusual direction enabled us to make excellent speed towards Bodrum. We covered the 35nm in<br />
just four hours.<br />
On arrival, we were told that the Marina was full but we should anchor in the outer harbour. This is<br />
unheard of. Anchoring in the outer harbour is illegal. Even more surprisingly the harbour was full of<br />
boats jostling for positions, often bumping into one another. This was not an ideal situation. Ray and I<br />
took the dinghy into the marina. In the marina office we learnt of the devastation to Bodrum the night<br />
before. It took the rest of the day to negotiate with the manager but eventually we got a berth there. It<br />
was good to be safely tied up and be able to step off the boat and use the fabulous marble showers in<br />
the marina and get dressed up to eat on shore. Even more importantly, we needed to be near civilisation<br />
as Caroline and David needed a taxi to the airport. Sadly, their holiday had come to an end.<br />
Sadly this was our last sailing holiday on Sky Blazer. During last year, we sold her to Geoff and Maureen<br />
Florence and they are enjoying their first experience of sailing in the Bodrum area. We have had so<br />
many wonderful sailing adventures in Turkey and we wish Maureen and Geoff fair winds and calm seas.<br />
Rozlyn Walsh<br />
Skyblazer's new owners, Geoff and Maureen Florence<br />
Fact Box<br />
GETTING THERE<br />
Turkey has 14 international airports and<br />
there are several scheduled flights daily<br />
from Europe. Turkish Airlines has direct<br />
flights from many European capitals,<br />
including Manchester and London,<br />
to Istanbul.<br />
British Airways: www.britishairways.com<br />
Cyprus Turkish Airlines: www.kthy.net<br />
Turkish Airlines: www.turkishairlines.com<br />
PILOTAGE<br />
Turkish Waters and Cyprus by Rod Heikell.<br />
Published by Imray, Norie and Watson.<br />
MARINA INFORMATION<br />
www.turkeyyachting.com<br />
TURKEY NATIONAL TOURIST OFFICE<br />
UNITED KINGDOM<br />
Tel: 44- 207-355 4207, 629 7771<br />
Email: info@gototurkey.co.uk<br />
Web site: www.gototurkey.co.uk<br />
USA - NEW YORK<br />
Tel: 1-212- 687 2194-95-96<br />
Email: ny@tourismturkey.org<br />
Web site: www.tourismturkey.org<br />
VISAS<br />
British and US passport holders<br />
require entry visas to enter Turkey.<br />
These can be obtained on arrival<br />
at the port/airport of entry.<br />
For other countries or more<br />
information see:<br />
Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs:<br />
www.mfa.gov.tr<br />
CURRENCY<br />
Local currency is the Turkish Lira.<br />
Outside the main tourist areas Euros<br />
are not well known.<br />
FURTHER INFORMATION<br />
www.bookinturkey.com<br />
www.voyagerbook.com<br />
www.gototurkey.co.uk<br />
The information shown is believed correct<br />
at time of going to pres,s however readers<br />
are advised to make their own enquiries<br />
before travelling.<br />
www.oystermarine.com<br />
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