I was up early showered and on my way to Essex by 07 : 30. It was raining ; a lot. The traffic was heavy but moving through the spray at a steady trot. First stop was Woodrolfe Brokerage at Tollesbury marina. They were a friendly bunch in the office first boat I looked at was an Elizabethan 33. A lot of boat for the money, quite clean on deck but a bit scruffy and manky below. I guess it would not take much to get it up to scratch.
Next came a Hurley 27. She had a nice shiny hull but was manky inside. I didn't waste much time looking at this one.
Then came a Wing 25. This yacht was so pretty it was just how a yacht should look in the minds eye. Spotless inside and out with a brand new engine the mast had not yet been fitted, which made the topside look very bare. I was quite exited by this boat at the time but now as I write this in the evening there is something not quite right about it. The joinery inside was OK but not brilliant. The wood was pretty cheap ply that had been stained and the fixings were cheap tat.
Then I was off to Burnham on Crouch to visit Clarke and Carter brokers, also very friendly.
First up was an Invicta 26. A bit mouldy but it had good winches and with new rigging it would be OK. The windvane steering looked a bit low quality but it may well work. Below was a bit tatty but I had seen worse.
First up was an Invicta 26. A bit mouldy but it had good winches and with new rigging it would be OK. The windvane steering looked a bit low quality but it may well work. Below was a bit tatty but I had seen worse.
Finally a Contessa 26 In a similar condition to the others. Sails looked in good condition as did the deck gear. Inside was again manky and the bilges were full of water, not very inspiring.
So in conclusion only the Wing 25 really stood out. A 25-26 foot boat is pretty cramped something around 30 would give a lot more room. In fact the Wing 25 was the only one that I could stand up in. It didn't stop raining until I was looking at the last boat.