Many believe that a sailboat is more than an inanimate object. Boats have a soul, they breathe and give feedback to those who crew them. They have a heart that beats, bones that creak and they show emotion in the way they move through the water. But why does this matter? What makes a good boat?
Boat-owners look for particular features in a boat. Attributes that make it seaworthy, comfortable, spacious and enjoyable to operate. At the end of the day, is that what really makes a ‘good’ boat.
I think it’s more than that. More than the material she's made of or the fastenings that hold her together. A ‘good’ boat speaks to its owner, It’s love a first sight. When you come across the right boat, you will connect with it in a subliminal way. It might not be practical; the boat may be old, rusty, rotten or full of osmosis. It might no be the boat you imagined yourself owning. Once you find the right boat you will know; undoubtedly.
For some people, it takes years to find the dream yacht. During high school, I spent hour after hour searching through boat classifieds online. I walked through every marina I came across. Every family holiday I would persuade my parents to take me to a marina or boat harbour. I couldn’t afford more than a 10 foot dinghy but that didn’t stop me. You do it because you are passionate. To the average ‘landlubber’, these websites and marinas are full of amazing floating lounge rooms. Glossy photos, shiny stainless and gleaming fibreglass. It’s possible, that any of these yachts could could have been the one. The question is... which one?
Before I purchased Emigre, I had placed an offer on another sailboat; a Sparkman & Stephen 34. The S&S is a truly stunning boat and a design that I had admired for many years. My sailing heros, Jon Sanders, Jessica Watson & David Dicks had circumnavigated in these proven boats, they were pedigree material. The deal fell through however. At the time I was incredibly disappointed, In hindsight it was the best outcome. Once I got over the fact I missed out on the S&S, I was shortly back on the boat sales websites. I had shortlisted a number of yachts and decided to take a trip to a few marinas to view them.
The first stop was a 40ft steel sloop. On paper it looked good; in reality, not so much. While she was the right price, she was beginning to rust,her engine was tired and she needed rewiring. An easy pass unlike the S&S. The second boat was one I felt would be unlikely, the photos online made her looks old and tired and the price was out of my budget. A look couldn’t hurt.
I walked down the jetty ahead of the owner. and before I had even stepped aboard, I knew she was the one. It’s as If I could have been blindfolded, the attraction was indeed subliminal.
Her lines were timeless, elegant, easy on the eye; the bow was traditional and the stern slightly overhung. The cabin was proud but not overstated, decks clear but not vast. Venturing on board I found a generous cockpit, protected forward by overhangs making an excellent heavy weather helm position. The high combings sheltered the timber tiller and stainless steel framework supported a protective bimini.
Down below she was respectful to her vintage but not dated. Teak trims and cupboard doors were offset by a simple white fibreglass headliner. Forward was a comfortable V birth with a head to port. In the galley, the cabin top was raised significantly by the deck saloon which provided panoramic views through large framed windows. The windows gave the saloon space and light and brought the outside in.
The boat was not without its faults. The wiring was old and poorly done; the engine, while new, was in rough condition, the windows leaked and the plastic was crazed. On deck she needed a full repaint, the tiller needed replacing along with the toe rails and rub rails. She wasn’t exactly turn key.
This however did not matter because she felt like home. She did on that very first inspection and she does now, two years on.
The best sailboat you will ever own is not the sailboat you choose, but the one that chooses you. You become not just an owner, but a part of the boat's history. You feel a sense of responsibility to provide for your vessel so that she will transport you safely to your destination.
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