Buying a new boat is not easy! Even less so when one is to replace one which has consumed an inordinate amount of money and time for no real purpose whatsoever. Apart from the cost (monies needs to be found) – there is the decision on what is required. In our case, this is not too difficult as we need:

1. A Gaff rigged boat – for no other real reason that I learnt to sail in one.....
2. She needs to be Coastal Seaworthy – ideally to a ‘RCD/CE’ category of minimum C – ideally B.
3. Our sailing will be spent between inshore waters and off the East Coast Malaysia down through the Southern Riau’s.
4. She needs to have some form of accommodation so people can get out of the sun and rain
5. Shallow draft and ideally able to beach  – Islands around here have long mudflats and sand-bars. Swinging on the hook 3 cables off the shore is not my idea of fun – I might as well buy a keel boat in that case.
6. Toilet facilities are nice – but not essential. Small boats are small boats. Porta-Potti’s are definitely out of the question – we live on The Equator (I leave this to ones imagination). If there is a ‘Lavac’ Seatoilet with the required privacy available – fine – if not? We’ll do without! This an equal opportunity operation.
7. Water tank is of essence – not only for consumption – but for cooking and personal hygiene. 50 litres minimum.
8. Battery power with Solar Panels are a must here – the regulations concerning lights and radio’s says so. Not to mention the AIS and the GPS Panel.
9. The niceties of the construction we'll deal with on our future visits. Similarly the handling and the foibles in each design.

That’s the bulk of it.

Since the initial shock of our previous craft – we have taken a great amount of time looking up on quality Builders – or at least those who we think are a cut above the rest. Some we have looked at before – as in Salterns Memory 19 (therein lays another story which I shall revert back to in the fullness… all to the good incidentally)  and Cornish Crabbers -  some are new to us – but are spoken of by others with great enthusiasm .

It will take place this year. Hopefully the European Spring and early summer will be seeing us visiting with the builders – and a purchase be made on the basis thereof later in the year. Once bitten etc. etc.

I think we need two boats – one for the more open water sailing and one for the kids and training purpose for adults. I learnt to properly sail in one of these:

in a Gaff Rigged version, back in my native Norway  –  and frankly it cured me for life from the Lasers and the like – truly not deserving the label:  “ boats”!

The old Lark, a roomy and comfortable boat – is probably the only Dinghy with which I’ve good memories. Fast enough on the day – comfy enough for  2 to 3 adults going for a day’s sail.  But then again – sailing triangles and sausages does nothing for me whatsoever.

However, let the year of the Tiger be the year where we get our new boats underway – thus at long last we can get to grips with enjoying some of  the world’s  most fascinating coastlines imaginable.

Until  then – the Klepper will have to do for a little longer. Happy Sailing!

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