Oyster News 52 - Oyster Yachts

"I attribute whatever modest
advances I’ve made in
becoming a sailor, in large
part to the sense of security
I have onboard VENTURE.
I’m no longer fearful. I feel
safe and comfortable,
which allows me to share in
my family’s love of sailing"
Prior to that auspicious day in Annapolis,
Peter and I had spent a few years casually
window-shopping for the perfect sailboat. It
was entertainment. There was no particular
hurry due to Peter’s time-consuming
business commitments and my reluctance to
make any purchase at all. Bareboat
chartering for a week or two every year was
just about right for me. Peter and our
daughters, Tina and Renee, are competent,
eager sailors. I, on the other hand, was an
excellent passenger and good sport, thank
you very much. I enjoyed exploring different
ports and revelled in my daughters’ shared
love of sailing with their father. All of which
rendered my previously mentioned challenge
an inconvenience, easily managed for brief
periods of time. Living aboard for extended
periods was a different matter all together.
Window-shopping as entertainment for Peter
was one thing. Actually making a purchase
was quite another. Even after we thought
we’d found the perfect boat, the timing
wasn’t right and I was still more than a bit
sceptical. So, we did what 'type A'
Americans do so well – we researched while
we waited. Our investigations were very
thorough indeed. So much so that we had a
few serious, and very tempting, flirtations
with other yacht builders. However, after
doing our homework we decided an Oyster
was in fact what we wanted. We were ready
to make our commitment to build. An aside:
I’ve adopted as my theme song (everybody
needs a theme song don’t you think?) a
lovely country western ballad titled "I Can Be
Persuaded" sung by a Russian-American
band called, "Bering Strait". Persuaded!
Brilliantly persuaded, by a master - The
Sailor. Persuaded, but with a few lingering
reservations. No matter! I signed on and
proceeded enthusiastically.
When we learned we’d have to wait 22
months for our dreamboat, a stir of mixed
feelings competed for my initial enthusiasm.
Peter was crest-fallen. I was a bit relieved. I
thought it might be an omen. Perhaps we
should revisit our desire to build a home in
the Colorado Rockies. Then I heard myself
suggesting we use the time waiting for our
boat to be built travelling abroad. Peter called
it a brilliant idea. I called it speaking before
thinking. It was decided! And so, when Peter
made his bi-monthly, then monthly, visits to
Ipswich and Southampton, we added side
trips to other parts of the UK and Europe. It
was a wonderful plan, which added
immeasurably to our enjoyment of the build
experience. It was in fact a brilliant idea!
We gradually included family and friends on
these "inspection" trips. Some actually came
to the shipyard with us, while others
rendezvoused with us elsewhere. Tina and
JD Lytle and Renee and John Savage, had
an opportunity to share their ideas, both on
and off site, and made valuable contributions
to our project. Lucie, age 3 and our only
grandchild at the time, had a wonderful visit
exploring Southampton Yacht Services
shipyard and our unfinished yacht with Peter,
much to her protective mother’s distress and
her grandfather’s delight. Tina needn’t have
worried. The only mishap during their visit
was the loss of Dee-Dee Dolly, Lucie’s
favourite doll. Andrew Martin, our Project
Manager, gallantly came to the rescue by
collecting Dee-Dee Dolly from Hintlesham
Hall, where she had last been sighted. We
were told she ran up quite a bill enjoying all
the hotel had to offer, before Andrew
retrieved her and sent her packing back to
the states. Our hero!
Speaking of our Project Manager, I must say
he was an absolute delight to work with. He
was professional yet friendly, and always
patient. He saved we poor Yanks from
ourselves more than once. Whenever I made
a suggestion he thought ill-advised there
would sometimes be a pregnant pause,
The Savage family
celebrate Venture's
success in Newport
www.oystermarine.com 11