Practical Boat Owner April 2021

with the editor Turbulent times ahead Many a true word is spoken in jest, which is why so many readers turn immediately to Dave Selby’s column every month. This issue he takes aim at the moneyed classes and their accountants: ‘As a fellow yacht owner I feel for Sir Philip Green whose Lionheart is only 63.5m long…’ writes Dave. Never let it be said that there isn’t something for everyone in PBO! But in addition to our regular columnists this month, we make a rare foray into reviewing a work of fiction. Mr Pilbeam Builds a Boat captures one man’s love of boatbuilding, restoration, the urge to learn and do it all yourself – let’s call it the PBO spirit – in a way that only a few of the very best articles…

SEND US YOUR STORIES Email news editor Laura Hodgetts at pbo@futurenet.com, tel: 0330 390 6738 Knees up for a grande dame A ‘grande dame’ of the sailing world, the Contessa 32, celebrates her 50th year in 2021. Nowadays considered a classic, the 32ft racer-cruiser was first built in 1971 by Jeremy Rogers from his small south coast yard. As Rogers’ empire expanded, production of his ever popular Contessa yachts increased and in its heyday one Contessa 32 a week rolled out of the factory doors. Nowadays, a more bespoke operation sees one new build a year, plus many vintage 32s being refurbished to their former glory. The David Sadler-designed yachts, built by Rogers, are famous for making epic journeys around the globe and have earned an enviable reputation as a trusted blue-water vessel. Contessa 32s have…

A British yachtsman who was rescued five hours after going overboard in Australian waters has described his personal locator beacon as “the most effective life insurance you can buy after a quality lifejacket.” Ex-pat solo sailor Nigel Fox was rescued 23km from his yacht, five hours after being pitched overboard in rough weather. The Southamptonborn former cameraman said crossing swells knocked his Duncanson 34, Bison, onto its beam ends and he found himself being dragged head-first through the Arafura Sea, tethered by his jackline. Nigel cut himself free using a hook knife and managed to cling to the yacht’s hydrovane, but as he tried to climb aboard, his lifejacket self-inflated and propelled him into the water. He lost his glasses so knowing how to activate the attached Ocean Signal rescueME PLB1 saved…

Tributes have poured in for PBO rigging expert Mike Coates who has died at the age of 74. The much-loved adrenaline junkie, who was an awardwinning Whitby Lifeboat crewman, amateur aerobatic flyer and race car driver, passed away peacefully at home on 11 December, surrounded by his wife of 52 years Yvonne, and children Kirsten and Marcus. Mike built his first wooden sailing dinghy at the age of 10, which led to many escapades with friends. As Mike’s love for the sea grew, so did his boatbuilding capabilities with a catamaran, a Fireball, a Cherub, and the GK24 Plink Plink Fizz. As a teenager, Mike was part of popular Yorkshire band The Renegades, which had backing group work for The Beatles. He worked for his father’s engineering business and as a computer programmer at…

Yannick Bestaven, the 48-year-old French skipper of Maître Coq IV, is the overall winner of the ninth Vendée Globe. Despite being third over the line at Les Sables d’Olonne, Bestaven carried a time compensation of 10 hours and 15 minutes for his role in the search for competitor Kevin Escoffier, who took to his liferaft when his yacht sank and was rescued by Jean Le Cam. In the early hours of 28 January, Besthaven took victory 2hrs 31mins 01secs ahead of Charlie Dalin and 6hrs 40mins 26secs of Louis Burton who had crossed the line ahead of him but finished second and third respectively. Read more at http://bit.ly/Full-PBO-article…

Jimmy Cornell’s electric boat attempt to retrace the world’s first circumnavigation has been abandoned. However, the Elcano Challenge – which aims to retrace the Magellan-Elcano expedition under electric and sail power alone – is set to return to Spain this October. The yachtsman, author and World Cruising Club founder says Nelson Mandela’s words ‘I never lose: either I win, or I learn’ have been haunting him ever since he decided to turn around at Tenerife and put his project on hold. Cornell, now in his 80s, said: “In my long life I cannot remember ever abandoning a promising project, and it is very painful to accept failure now.” Cornell is working with Outremer and Oceanvolt to install new electrical, solar and hydrogeneration equipment, having decided to quit the voyage after Aventura Zero,…