Plymouth to Largs

Inspiration is a Moody Halberdier ketch.  Vital statistics:  length - around 36' on deck but a handsome bowsprit and davits bring her to over 40'.  She weighs in at around 10 tonnes. Launched in 1993 she is the last Halberdier out of the mould.  The hull was kept back by the builder as a retirement project for his own use and is beautifully fitted out. 

Forward and aft cabins sleep two each and she conveniently has heads on each tack.  The doghouse provides shelter.  The rig is taller than was standard on Halberdiers and the recent addition of new fully battened sails have improved sailing performance.

Creature comforts include Webasto warm air heating, a fine cockpit cover with a warm air outlet to the cockpit - oodles of hot water with showers in forward heads and cockpit.  Gas cooking and comfortable berths.  Nice touches include a sea water pump for the galley and another to a deck wash (no more hauling buckets).  Secure anchoring with 50+ metres of 10mm chain and a good Bruce anchor.  The bow thruster makes a big difference to close quarters manoeuvres.  Autohelm seems up to the job and makes long distance short handed sailing possible.

I bought her in Plymouth in the Spring and after some basic work to ensure her seaworthiness, set off to deliver her to Largs - single handing as far as Bangor where my my son Liam arrived for the final legs to the Clyde.  Lovely new sails arrived in time to fit in Milford Haven and the Irish Sea weather was kind. 

After a stop in Lands End and a dash to Padstow to catch the lock, across the Bristol Channel to Milford Haven.  Anchored south of Strumble Head to ensure a daylight crossing of St Georges Channel and arrived in Arklow.  Worked up the Irish Coast - Greystones to The Skerries to Strangford Loch to Ardglass to Bangor.  Then more easy hops across the North Channel to Stranraer - up to Girvan - Lamlash and through the Kyles of Bute with a stopover anchorage in Wreck Bay before arriving in Largs a couple of weeks ago.  Great trip, fascinating to see changes in the Republic since my last visit which predated both the Celtic Tiger growth period and the subsequent crash.