Interesting read Chris. For me living in the middle of the country boats were not much of a part of my life apart from my father buying a large and very heavy two seater canvas on wood canoe that we used to take to the Lake District. Myself and my brother would go across the lakes in it and thoroughly enjoy it. Then I went on a canoeing holiday as a teenager with a boy's youth group and had a cracking time going down rivers around the Welsh borders.

Quite why I embarked on a career at sea when I have always lived so far away from it remains a mystery!

I have looked into the possibility of boat ownership a few times over the years and decided it is simply way too expensive nowadays.

We lived 180 mils from the sea – but Dad & myself with some help built a duckboat that the family used on the Pungwe river in the highlands – when a large dam was built some 20 miles from town we built the first of a succession of dinghy's on our verandah (sold on after a bit of use ) – starting with a Heron , a GP14, an Enterprise and finally a Mermaid – the Mermaid although smaller with a different rig was much more fun . It was used to sail on Odzani Dam , surf & sail in the sea at Beira – (can remember goose winging for at least 10 miles) and with the mast down and a seagull fitted it made a fine fishing boat on Chicamba dam in Mozambique. Sadly it rotted away under its canvas cover at the Odzani Club when I left for the capital . When rescued by my brother in law later only the sails & fittings were worth anything.

It was only when I was older I found out Dad used to own a one class yacht at the Royal Cape Club in Capetown ( Peregon III 27ft overall 23ft waterline) – but sold it when getting married to buy a car – he was also a friend of Harry Pidgeon – the second around the world sailor – and he had a copy of the book Harry wrote – sent by him and inscribed "For my good friend Tom – happy sailing" – one of his prized possessions.

The picture is of a MK2 Mermaid with the designer & family onboard – it used large bouyancy tanks as seats – very sea worthy – if faulty memory serves ours was gaff rigged.

Edited By redpmg on 02/10/2021 12:22:20

Great memories Chris (and others too).

I was quite fortunate that my parents lived right alongside the river Cleddau in Pembrokeshire. My Grandfather was a boat builder by trade and also in his spare time too. He built quite a few pram dighies and a couple of small yachts, between 22 and 32 feet. This love of boating rubbed off on my dad and Mum as well, so there wer always various boats in my life from day one.

There were a couple of ex-ships lifeboats, International Swallow, International Soling (My Dad still has this, but due to mobility, cannot use it any longer), a GORGEOUS 30' Sovereign Ketch which had to be sold after his heart attack and was replaced by a Fisher 30. Being a Motor sailor, my Dad can keep much warmer in that and with some help, is able to get out on the water still, which he loves.

My late Uncle had a pair of Faireys, an Aft cabin Huntsman 31 called "Soo" first, then a Swordsman called "Soo Too". I don't remember either of these unfortunately as I was only very young when he had the Swordsman. All I have is few pictures of these two (my profile picture being one of my Uncle racing Soo Too).

Myself, I have had a Fireball Sailing dinghy and currently own a Laser radial and a Naval Sailing school 14 Sailing dinghy (number 9 of 14).

I still love being on the water, but for the last few years, free time hasn't really permitted the chance to enjoy boating.

Lets hope for more chances in the coming years.

Will

Edited By Will Mason 1 on 12/11/2021 21:48:56