Shoestring

Shoestring's Stern, thanks to Boatshed photos.

Well the 'survey' and inspection went quite well. Both 'M' (1st Mate) and I were impressed. As to were Alan and Mike at Boatshed Wales, who could not belive that they had just seen a wooden Yacht with DUST in it's bilges.

She's a pretty little folkboat, we spent sometime on her checking equipment and testing the woodowork. She has a full set of VERY recent sails, including a spinnaker -M wants to use it, I'm a little nervous of them, much prefer a slower gentle sail.

Overall our impression of her was very positive. Minor cosmetics and cleaning, few leaks in the roof, and two lines of rigging i'll have to ask the previous owner, (who has took great care of her) what they are for.

We've got the insurance ready for the official 'handover' on Friday at 9am, but we'll need to sort the berthing out on Saturday. It seems that Milford Haven Marina can't fit us in without a month on visitors rates, and the other local marina, Neyland Yacht Haven, has quite a waiting list.

My impression is that Neyland is the better Marina, it also benefits from not having a lock to negotiate but rather a low-water sill.

We're going down to her on Friday afternoon, this time with my Mother and 5 year old brother, Shaun. Staying over night on her then sorting the berth situation Saturday morning.

We've had an expensive couple of days, new sailing jackets each, a couple of charts, and a Standard Horizon CP180 Chartplotter. -We got an excellent deal on this with Marine Scene, who offer it with a CMAP MAX mega-wide chart of the UK and Atlantic coasts for a considerable discount.

They've promised to do their best to arrange a delivery before we leave on Friday afternoon for me.