Having sailed Oyster 53-24 Spindrift for some years, Susie and Rory McGrath enjoyed, in their words, ‘modest’ cruising and more recently the Oyster regattas with family and friends and occasional pro-hand. Then a late night chat changed everything. A decision was made, they’d up the ante, buy an Oyster 62 and sail the World Rally. And with that came a very significant shift, the transition to sailing with a skipper. Rory explains…
I first had a lovely Nicholson 39 ketch I bought back in 1977 and then a Beneteau 44 centre cockpit, again a good boat but a long way short of an Oyster. On retirement we decided to get the best! Spindrift was lovely and Oyster Brokerage in Palma sold her very well to a delightful couple. We’ve not had to do much to Dalliance. She is very well set following a complete refit by Berthon in 2012, big spend (absolute telephone numbers), in extremely good order, fantastic for a ten year old boat. With Vortec we’re putting her up on the hard in Palma and checking
We’ve been sailing our 53 Spindrift with just the two of us, and if
everything from skin fittings to dropping the rudder, and we’ve
everything works fine there are no problems. But I’ve turned 70 this
a new set of Dolphin sails including the twin-headsail system. We’ll
year and you know how things can turn a little bit tricky, like coming
muck around with her there for a month or two and then head back
into a tight marina and there’s just the two of you. I’ve got Susie at the
across the Atlantic with the ARC ready for the start.
front either dropping the hook or getting the lazy line, and however loud I shout she can’t get to the back any quicker to throw warps.
I suspect we’ll come back for Christmas ’17 (during the four-month
We felt we were reaching our limit as two.
Australasian spell). People who do these trips say when you get into boat-mode you’re reluctant to hiccough the whole thing to get on
For help when needed we have a close relationship with Vortec [training
a plane and fly back to Blighty. But I think we’ll probably have to, I’ve
and refit specialists] and with their number one trainer Mark Washer…
an elderly mother and a business in Sheffield I have to keep an eye on.
and this is where the story goes a little to my embarrassment. Mark was sailing with us on Spindrift when one night I went to bed early
There are sure to be problems enroute, if not for us then others, but
leaving him up late with a bottle of wine and my wife. By the time
then the risk is part of it. It’s good for you to stretch yourself, look over
morning came they had agreed we’d buy a 62 and do the Oyster World
the edge. To be aware. Not just be a member of today’s society with
Rally. Sort of dropped it on me in the morning!
iPhones and celebrities, TV, X Factors and all that stuff and always comfortable. If you don’t sometimes frighten yourself then you are not
I was half-way there anyway but until then we had really only done
really aware you’re alive.
quite modest sailing, the occasional long trip in the Mediterranean but nothing more than a few days. Mark knew of a 62 for sale in beautiful
I think you have to do that and I’ve encouraged the children, too. It’s
condition. We bought her in September last year and then there we
a good example for them and how they see us. We love helicopter skiing
were sailing Dalliance (62-15) in the ARC and with Mark jumping ship
and we’re horse nuts, live on a stud farm. All our children ride. My
from Vortec to join us for the rally.
wife and daughter have represented England, and that’s another world. To ride competitively you know what being frightened is all about.
It is a big move up from DIY to skippered boat. Even a biggish boat is a small place and who you’re going to share that space with should
Some of the other boats taking young children are really stepping out. It
not be treated lightly. But we’ve found the right partner. We get
is quite a courageous move and full marks to them. I’m delighted they are,
on well and Mark is very knowledgeable, not just about sailing but
it will be of benefit to them and to us all having children in the gang. >>
Oysters in particular. We give each other space and it has so far worked well. The ARC went very smoothly, we spent a lot of time together in the Caribbean and we’re very much looking forward to doing the world trip. We could still have done it on our 53, a lovely boat that would manage it no trouble. But in that ‘space’ we would have needed another couple or family. We’re pleased with our decision although it is hard handing the baton to a skipper. When you’re running a boat DIY you do everything yourself, at your discretion. Mark knows more about Oysters than I ever will... if he thinks something should be done he’ll just do it and I’ll want to say what are you up to. But you can’t have two skippers so it takes sensitivity to cope with that relationship. I think we have it about right.
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