New Guts - Part 2

[Mike Garside]

Well the new engine finally arrived on Saturday evening. Only 8 days after official despatch. Still, it looks the business...

[Mike Garside]

Just as well we have started on the new mounts. First a piece of foam to match what's there already...

[Mike Garside]

Then the glassing in begins...

[Charles]

Looking good Mike, all very exciting. When do you expect to start running her in?

[Mike Garside]

Just as soon as we can, Charles. We have a deadline. We are acting as support boat for one of the competitors in the Around Alone - the round-the-world-single-handed yot race.

Thr first competitors are due to leave New York on Sep 15 and the first will arrive in Torbay about 10 days later. I have to be up and running by then to escort my young protege, Brad Van Liew across the finish line. He's sailing my former boat - Magellan Alpha MkI - now called Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America.

The race web site is worth a quick squint. You'll find it at www.aroundalone.com

[Charles]

Something I have been meaning to ask you Mike, MA (Ribtec), was it formally B-4 belonging to Bernard Hayman?

[Mike Garside]

Sure was, Charels. I talk to Bernard from time to time as I try and work out the why of somethings. He's very old and frail now.

By the way, I was interested to read your post about it not being worth buying second hand and re-engining. I'm inclined to agree. But I did get the boat pretty cheap and, apart from the overly small engine, it's a well found littel ship. After the refit with the Yanmar 300 it will have cost nearly £55K. I beleive Bernard paid in excess of £100K.

And one of the benefits, I have recently discovered, of a boat that is not new is that I don't get squeamish about attacking it with drills and saws. This is my first second-hand craft and I'm enjoying making it better than it was when I got it.

[Alan Priddy]

Just for everyone's information, unfourtunatly Bernard died a few weeks ago. For those that knew him he will be missed and for those who didnt, he knew more than we will ever do!

[Charles]

Shame...........may he rest in a peaceful marina.

[Mike Garside]

That's sad.

But he really didn't have a lot left to live for any more. Perhaps it was better for him to quietly cast off and head for the horizon.

Thanks for letting us know, Alan.