For as far back as I can remember I've loved boats. Whenever I was on holiday, I'd make a beeline for the nearest marina and wander around dreaming about which boat I'd choose, if only I could. The idea of approaching a beach or a port from the sea while everyone else was busy looking for the nearest car park seemed infinitely preferable to me.
In 2002 I finally got the chance to make it happen. With my business going well, but still knowing very little about actually owning a boat, I took myself off to the Southampton boat show expecting my £250,000 to buy a huge superyacht, only to find that boats are...er...rather expensive.
When I finally managed to get over my disappointment and began looking for something more realistic, I eventually settled on an 18-month-old Azimut 46 called Drifter. It was for sale in Antibes in the South of France so when the purchase went through I decided to keep it in the Mediterranean for a while.
ΜΕ ERRANEAN DREAMS
Drifter was a good boat. She was fast and fairly easy to handle and I was brimming with confidence, having done my week-long RYA Day Skipper course in flat calm conditions. However, I quickly learned that it's not quite so easy in a blow and within a month (and a couple of bangs), my confidence was shattered. It took a while to regain it but I was determined to learn from the experience and we had some amazing trips up and down the French coast including a memorable trip, for all the wrong reasons, across to Corsica.
This story is from the May 2023 edition of Motor Boat & Yachting UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2023 edition of Motor Boat & Yachting UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Lofoten or Bust- Part 4- Grandezza owner Per Harrtoft heads back to Sweden after an epic 3500nm adventure deep into the Arctic Circle to visit the mythical Lofoten islands
After ten memorable days in the Lofoten Islands in the far north of Norway, we are on our way back south towards Sweden. We have already made it as far as Trondheim, a charming place even if it was raining so hard we had to cycle round the city centre clutching umbrellas. But now we are back on board Deamare, our Grandezza 40 Fly, eating up the miles at a steady 31 knots.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YACHT TRANSPORT
As the name suggests it's a means of having your boat moved professionally from one location to another. It might be as simple as hiring someone to tow your RIB a few miles down the road or as complex as shipping a superyacht halfway around the world.
HANDLE A SINGLE SHAFTDRIVE BOAT PART 1
Single shaftdrive boats are relatively rare these days but the reduced costs of buying, servicing and fuelling such a simple but reliable drivetrain does mean they are making a bit of a comeback.
COCKWELLS MOTOR LAUNCH
There can be very few boats that have appeared three times at the Southampton Boat Show and been sold off the stand each time.
INSTALLING AN AUTOPILOT
Rick Channon makes solo boating simple with a Raymarine Evolution Autopilot
GOOD AS NEW
Why fit a brand new engine when Volvo Penta's remanufacturing service can rebuild you an old one to the same standard for a fraction of the price?
BENETEAU SWIFT TRAWLER 54
Alex Smith heads to France's Beneteau HQ for a UK exclusive on what might just be the best Swift Trawler yet
ΧΟ EXPLR 44
Can XO's all-new aluminium flagship really make it big in the Med?
BUYING OUR FIRST CLASSIC
Instead of whiling away their retirement playing bowls, Rob and Shona Adams decided to invest their time and money in a classic Silver gentleman's yacht. Would the gamble pay off?
PRINCESS S65
Torn between the V and F Class flagships? The new S65 might be the boat you've been waiting for...
