Since
my youth I've
often been interested in, and thought about boating, but
apart from a week on
the Norfolk Broads many years ago, and more recently completing a
navigation course, plus crewing for
someone, participation has really been limited to subscribing to a
monthly motor boat magazine, plus monitoring an on-line forum dealing
with the subject. Over the past eleven years our 'sea legs' have
had plenty of stimulation however - as a glance through the
yearly 'blogs' on this site should confirm.
Recently the thought has been occurring 'if we don't do it now we never will' - so we've bought a boat! Some pictures below, the first being just after we had taken delivery in Lymington Yacht Haven.
"Sylvania" is a 8.8 metre length motor boat, and she was made by Nimbus the Swedish firm of boat builders. Power is supplied by a 160 horsepower Volvo diesel engine. Inside are provided many facilities for civilized living, including a two burner gas stove, plus a refrigerator. She is wired for mains electricity, so while moored in a marina, we can lay power on, and use it just as we would in our own home - indeed many boat owners seem to prefer just treating their vessel as a 'weekend cottage', and may rarely sail it out of harbour.
We took delivery on 19 June 2006 at the British agents base at Lymington. It was pretty windy for the next few days, but we eventually got it back to the berth we had booked at Cobbs Quay marina in Poole Harbour, this trip under the guidance of a member of the importers staff.
As can be imagined, while we were very anxious to start using the craft, the thought of actually taking it out on our own, awed us considerably. For various reasons, including our long booked trip to France, we did not move Sylvania out of her berth till 20th July. This was a two hour cruise done at little over 'tick-over' speed, round Brownsea Island. While on the far side we did drop our rear anchor, and cut the engine for a short while. Considering our nervousness, we regarded this first trip quite a success. So the next trip we ventured further, out into the 'open' sea this time. Motoring out to off Studland, we dropped anchor, and hung around for a while. It had been my intention to do a bit of swimming. But the sea was pretty rough, so did not feel like it. We came back in time to catch the Poole Bridge opening four hours after passing out. All in all, we felt quite satisfied with our initial boating exploits.
Above: A couple of 'photo's inside the main cabin.
Recently the thought has been occurring 'if we don't do it now we never will' - so we've bought a boat! Some pictures below, the first being just after we had taken delivery in Lymington Yacht Haven.
"Sylvania" is a 8.8 metre length motor boat, and she was made by Nimbus the Swedish firm of boat builders. Power is supplied by a 160 horsepower Volvo diesel engine. Inside are provided many facilities for civilized living, including a two burner gas stove, plus a refrigerator. She is wired for mains electricity, so while moored in a marina, we can lay power on, and use it just as we would in our own home - indeed many boat owners seem to prefer just treating their vessel as a 'weekend cottage', and may rarely sail it out of harbour.
We took delivery on 19 June 2006 at the British agents base at Lymington. It was pretty windy for the next few days, but we eventually got it back to the berth we had booked at Cobbs Quay marina in Poole Harbour, this trip under the guidance of a member of the importers staff.
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As can be imagined, while we were very anxious to start using the craft, the thought of actually taking it out on our own, awed us considerably. For various reasons, including our long booked trip to France, we did not move Sylvania out of her berth till 20th July. This was a two hour cruise done at little over 'tick-over' speed, round Brownsea Island. While on the far side we did drop our rear anchor, and cut the engine for a short while. Considering our nervousness, we regarded this first trip quite a success. So the next trip we ventured further, out into the 'open' sea this time. Motoring out to off Studland, we dropped anchor, and hung around for a while. It had been my intention to do a bit of swimming. But the sea was pretty rough, so did not feel like it. We came back in time to catch the Poole Bridge opening four hours after passing out. All in all, we felt quite satisfied with our initial boating exploits.
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Two
years since the above was written, and I'm really pleased with the
'boating' progress we've made since then. The reports on voyages
should be on our annual 'blog' links. Here though I will place a few
more 'photo's relating to Sylvania and our trips.
The first pair below show the opening bridge we go through each time we leave our berth, and before we can reach the open sea. Once out there, if we're heading south and west as often we are, then we pass near the Old Harry cliffs off Purbeck. Just to make clear; those are people standing at the cliff tops, bottom right!
The first pair below show the opening bridge we go through each time we leave our berth, and before we can reach the open sea. Once out there, if we're heading south and west as often we are, then we pass near the Old Harry cliffs off Purbeck. Just to make clear; those are people standing at the cliff tops, bottom right!
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