Making memories on the ocean waves

Scuttlebutt contributor Adrian Morgan reflects on the boats he’s sailed and shipmates he’s joined:

Of the boats I have sailed on over the years, some stand out. They include a multiple Bermuda race winner; a J Class America’s Cup challenger; the first yacht to have been sailed singlehanded non stop around the world and of course Sally, the boat I have owned for nigh on 30 years. Each hold memories, some just flashes from a day’s sail, others encompassing many seasons. From a race aboard Moonbeam, it’s asking the skipper of that mighty Fife, hissing rail down in the Kyles of Bute, why a fellow skipper of another big Fife was on the runner tail and being told that it was the most important position that day; fail to get the new one on, and you risk losing the mast.

The yawl Finisterre is better known in the States, where she is remembered for winning the Bermuda Race a record three times. Her owner, Carleton Mitchell, had her designed by S&S, her secret, as the current owner at Antigua Race week told me, was the super heavy cast bronze keel matrix which housed her centreboard and spread mast loads, but which was not rated under the then CCA rule. I envied our Antiguan crewman effortless shinning up the weather side of the mast, harness-less and halyard-free, to retrieve some recalcitrant bit of string.

Most of those conjure up pleasant memories. – Full report