Alan Charlton and Pipedream |
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| I started sailing in 2002 when a friend asked me if I would be interested in joining as crew on a Sadler 34 for a weekends pottering about in the Solent. Having never set foot on a boat before, I expressed my various anxieties, but said yes. The weekend pottering in the Solent turned into a trip across to Cherbourg with seemingly the whole crew (apart from me) suffering badly from sea-sickness in F6-7's and me learning very very quickly. I had a ball and that trip will forever be seen as one of life's turning points. Since then, I have sailed in a few different cruisers, I did a delivery trip from St Lucia back to Dartmouth in 2005 and then bought my beloved Pipedream, a 26ft Westerly Centaur which has looked after me well during a few thousand miles worth of trips on the east coast. In return, I have spent much time replacing various bits of kit and carrying out re-strengthening work and other bits and bobs necessary to keep a 1976 yacht in good condition. I have followed the RYA training scheme and passed the Yachtmaster Offshore exam over Easter, but have been, and will always, be of the opinion that it is experience that really counts. I have far more experience of turning on a GPS than waving a sextant around, however George Jepps' (CULICA) brilliant course will hopefully see me plotting a fairly accurate position line or two during the trip. If you have time, take a look at www.justgiving.com/alancharlton. Many thanks. I look forward to seeing everyone in Plymouth, and wish all involved a happy, but above all, safe, trip |
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