For all you budding adventurers here is a way of racing around the world on a budget, especially good for the smaller person, you probably also need a good sense of humour. Around in ten is an around the world yacht race starting in January 2009 from the Bahamas. Most of the owners are designing and building their own 10ft! yes, 10ft yachts so designs will be varied. The aim of the race is to beat the existing record for the smallest yacht to circumnavigate the globe, this currently stands at 11′10″. At the moment there are 7 boats aiming to be on the start line.
Bluefin at 29ft. is the oldest GRP offshore catamran, she was designed and built by Tom Dowling in 1958 in Malta. After being damaged during a storm in 2005 she was bought round to Thornham Marina in Chichester Harbour where she has remained.
Last year Tom Dowling who has owned her for most of her life enlisted the help of two local sailors James Blake, son of the renowned yachtsman Sir Peter Blake, and Tom Porter, son of a local boat builder, who are now in the middle of repairing and refitting her with the aim of being on the start line of this years Round the Island Race.
Practical Boat Owner have just published a major artical on her history and the refit which is in the June edition of the magazine. This is out in the shops now or is available to buy as a download from their website here.
Thornham Marina have been sponsoring and helping this project in various ways including free yard storage, advice and introducing them to trade contacts.
Thornham Marina and JBT Marine joined forces last Wednesday to enter a team in the Marine Industry Regatta. The report, results and photo’s can be found on the Yachting Monthly website.
Nick Gates & Co is located in a modern workshop based here at Thornham Marina in Chichester Harbour. They specialise in the repair and restoration of wooden boats, including dinghies, yachts and motor boats, the insulated workshop allows them to do top quality work, whatever the weather.
Nick Gates has restored his own boat Ocean Pearl, a 1933 fishing boat over a number of years. After she completed her working days 1960’s she was brought down to London where she remainded until the late 1980’s.
That she is sailing today is a testiment to Nick’s skill as a wooden boat builder and his dedication to the project.
Below is a video of one of her first trips after the relaunch last year and also shows some of the work that has gone into this project.
