Afloat Again

Posted on the Devon Yawl Association Forum.
Why buy a Devon Dayboat?

My type of sailing

Since I sold my Solo in 1999 (my two sons were getting too large to sit in the bow) I've relied on friends and family for my sailing. Sailing on Thalassa has been a real treat, but she's was sold at the end of last season so that door has probably closed. I've enjoyed sailing on a couple of smaller family Westerlys and have crossed the channel and Lyme Bay with friends. But there is no doubt that I prefer the seamanship of handling boats in harbours to handling boats on long legs with the shore a distant haze on the horizon.

But what?

And I've hankered after something of my own - the simple pleasures of modifications to suit my own taste is something I miss from my previous period of ownership. (And it's so easy to forget the costs... Already the local chandlery is quids in.) But choosing a boat is a bit like choosing a car - always a compromise between performance and practicality, tempered by budget. A Wayfarer? An outstanding design, but too heavy to manhandle ashore short-handed (gone are the days when I could lift one on to a trolley by myself. A Wanderer- a bit small if taking friends. A bilge keel cruiser? Shortens the available time from a drying mooring. A Drascombe? I like the style, but when you've raced Enterprises & Solos, the lack of windward performance irks. And I live at the north-east end of Chichester Harbour, where the prevailing wind is South Westerly, so I'll let you guess which point of sail I need most.

So it was in the planning for a summer holiday near Falmouth that I spotted Mylor Boat Hire (see the Yawl Shop tab) and noticed the Devon Yawl on offer. Could I persuade my 21 year old son to join me for an afternoon in something so sedate? Well, I was paying, so he cheerfully accepted. After a friendly welcome and briefing from the staff, we took the boat for a half day, wind F 2-3.

After crossing the harbour, we headed upstream toward Truro. Impressed with the general responsiveness, one big plus was that even in the fickle and variable wind on the way up to King Harry Ferry she maintained some way against the ebb tide. Tim, who would rather be sailing a Buzz or a Dart, was impressed with the performance. I quite enjoyed the comfort - boom higher than I remember on my Solo, and the stability and stiffness is impressive. The furling genoa gives the luxury of a small cruiser, the mizzen the opportunity to play with rig balance (and in a tidal harbour is a great tool for rigging head to wind.)

So first day back home I had some time free and found myself browsing. But it was my brother (the Westerly owner) who pointed out a Devon Dayboat available for £2250. I had to admit, I wasn't drawn to her by the appearance of the Cuddy. (There again, I drive a Citroen Picasso for practical reasons, not for appearance.) But it was that cuddy that gave it added appeal. It provides a bit of shelter on a long day out. It adds to the space, because what is under the foredeck of the yawl is much more accessible in the Dayboat. And I can envisage grandchildren (none yet, but maybe a few years hence) enjoying the protection that it affords.

So I paid a visit to Newton Ferrers. Cwch has been well cared for, stored under cover each winter. I've seen plenty of old dinghies with spider webbed gel coat all over the place. Not so this boat, despite her 35+ years. Built with real strength. Encouraged by my non-sailing but supportive wife, two weeks later Cwch (pronounced 'cook', I've been informed by a Welsh friend) DD16 - and a small tender - was mine and on a borrowed trailer leaving the Yealm, her home for the last 25 years, and heading for Sussex.

So, a few weeks on...

Delighted with the purchase. Sailing singlehanded or with friends, with some very old sails, she handles well in winds F1-5, although I imagine that a replacing the original Hurley spars and forking out for new suit of sails (not this year) will make her seem like a new boat. I've added a topping lift for ease of shorthanded rigging, found the slab reefing easy to use singlehanded, can use Mizzen and Genoa on the short trips from mooring to hard, and have been strengthening my lower back hauling up the centreplate. Definitely needs a new rudder - as other articles on this web site point out, the old metal rudder blade stalls fairly early. A winter project. The friends I've taken out with me range from novice to old salt (sorry, Tom) and we've all enjoyed ourselves. And I haven't used the outboard yet - but that's another story.

Across to Dell Quay to pick up the crew.

What have I got?

So for just over 10% of the cost of a second hand Hawk, for my money I've got:

• One of the first boats to float on the rising tide from the inexpensive mooring at my end of the harbour
• A dayboat with a sturdy dinghy feel
• Something to sail away
• Room for friends
• Projects for several winters to come
• A boat for the next twenty years?
• Membership of an active Class Association (tradition is that selling owners pay the first year's membership. Thanks, Tim & Rosie!)
• Something to race in the occasional regatta

Have boat, will travel

And when I've bought a trailer, a resource to spend more time exploring some other harbours of the UK.

Same Again?

Equipped with this experience, if faced with the same choice again, that's why I'd buy a Devon Dayboat.