Keith Winchester recently bought a Sealine S25 called Sailfree. He’s been interested in sailing for fifty years.

“Our neighbour owned a boat and as children we used to spend weekends with him, and got bitten by the boating bug. My first boat was an 18 foot wooden cabin cruiser that my brother converted from an old petrol inboard to a 30 hp outboard. We took it on a week’s holiday from Yalding, Maidstone to Reading. Next we rebuilt a Fairline Mirage completely, including both petrol engines. It would have been cheaper to have bought a huge Sunseeker, never again! Our fifth boat was a 6.5 Ballistic RIB – best fun ever. But where do you make a cup of tea?

The downsides to boating? My other knee replacement is on the 20th April. Then I can't drive for six weeks - but the surgeon didn't say I couldn't boat!”

Can you tell us about your current boat? What do you like about it?

“Sailfree is our sixth and current boat. I liked all the equipment, the bowthruster is a real bonus, the heating, NRG Anti-fouling… There was so much useful equipment that it was a 'must have'.”

What do you like about sailing?

“Boating people and the marine atmosphere. Early sunrise mornings on a flat sea.”

How long were you looking for a boat for sale?

“I look at boats for sale every day.”

How did you hear about Boatshed Essex?

“I had already bought a Searay 260 Sundancer through Boatshed in Chichester in 2008 so I did know a bit about Boatshed's brokerage business. I chose Boatshed because there’s a good website; loads of pictures and information.”

Did you notice anything different about the Boatshed methods or website?

“Boatshed Essex actually wanted to sell boats. The service was excellent; Catherine returned my call within the hour, arranged a prompt viewing and even sent me directions on how to get there. Boatshed Essex had an excellent liaison with the owner who talked me through the workings of the whole boat, invaluable information. Steve popped in to see that everything was going alright. Catherine handled all the paperwork in super quick time, loads of contact by phone and email. All completed and boat delivered to Mercury Yacht Harbour, Hamble, in ten days. Well done to all at Boatshed Essex, an enjoyable experience.”

What are the best things about boating in Essex?

“Our Nimbus 3003 went to Titchmarsh Marina in Essex. On handover day the new owner asked if we could go out for a trip. When we came back in (low-tide) I discovered we had been slightly off course; our off course route was now mud, how lucky was that? Never go anywhere without a chart. For me that was the best thing about boating in Essex, a memory for ever.”

If you have a boating or sailing story to tell contact us: we’d be happy to share it on our blog.

Peggy

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Free ebook: Boating in Essex / Thinking about selling your boat? / Sailing – The Antidote to Stress / A slideshow of our Alan Buchanan Wooden Yawl (reduced). / More news articles and stories.

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