The Boat

Katla is a 26ft Wooden Gaff Cutter built by Martin Lund in 2006 of the Wynfall design by Mark Smaalders.

She is
Carvel built of Mahogany planks over sawn Pine frames. The planks are fastened with Stainless Steel (316) screws and the frames are glued and fastened using wooden pegs and Galvanised bolts. Before painting, all wood was treated with a mixture of Turpentine, Pine Oil and Cuprinol.

The deck is Marine Plywood epoxy laminated and covered with chopped strand mat in epoxy resin. The Spar is of Siberian Larch. The rudder is transom hung on Stainless Steel (316) pintles.

The ballast keel is a Stainless Steel (316) box of 6mm sides and bottom, which has lead ingots in it. The lead is then laid in poliester resin inside. Five Stainless Steel (316) tubes are welded inside vertically through the keel box, where the keel bolts go through, meaning the box is completely sealed from seawater. There are 5 Stainless Steel (316) keelbolts to carry 1.5 tonnes. It is a massively strong construction.

There are no through hull fittings and a water tight bulkhead under the cockpit.

The broker described her as: 'A sturdy and salty little lady. Which will appeal to traditionalists on a budget'.

There is no inboard engine, no toilet, no electronics, and traditional (Block & Tackle) rigging (no winches).

LOA: 26' - 5"
LWL: 23' - 10"
BEAM: 8' - 10"
DRAFT: 3' - 10"
DISP: 9500 lbs
BALLAST: 3300 lbs
D/L: 343
SAIL AREA: 466 sq. ft.

The Trip

View Katla

Friday 13 November 2009

Swallowed the Hook

A quick update for you guys...

I intended to leave early this week but typically the forcast told of no wind. Sure enough after two days of absolutely no wind and another of rain all day I still havent left Antigua. To be honest I just cant get stoked about sailing around the Caribbean on my own.

I have been spending far to much time in the local bar and looking to start a new career as a cocktail waiter - work permit allowing. Also, Dave from Brighton is thinking about coming out to visit in December so that would be a good time to set sail.

On a positive side, I have found a new heavy weather stom Trysail for an absolute bargain and been given a another sail from which I can make a storm jib. The boat is basically ready for a Transat back to the UK.

Pitty Im not ...

Friday 30 October 2009

Almost Ready ...

Ok, another post I know you have all been waiting for... So whats new?

Well, I am still moored alongside James & 'the Taj'. I have been generally passing the time playing guitar, reading and some socialising. That and doing small jobs on the boat. Today Jess' dad arrives and I thought it only proper that I finally get my hair cut, so its no more looking like Earl and back to Prison grade one.

She is generally all sorted out with only a few remaining jobs that are purely cosmetic and can be done at my leisure while at anchor. I actually enjoy working on the boat and learning new skills, something I wasn't really able (or needed) to do on Doris.

Big changes include, getting the two 7ah batteries (yes thats 7ah and not a typo - they are tiny!) charged up using the small solar panel. I now have internal lights (LED - my anchor light I bought out with me) and can now charge up rechargeable batteries and run GPS etc In fact the only thing I can't do is charge my laptop. Is spending about $1000us just to charge my laptop really worth it? hmmn?...

I have just got my Mainsail and Staysail back from the sail loft after having a 3rd reef put in the main and a deep reef in the Staysail ($300us), so I should now be fine in a storm. I'm still interested in either making or 'obtaining' a proper Storm Jib and Trysail but they can wait for now. I have been all over the rigging and replaced everything that looked vaguely dodgy and I think the rig is now 'bomb proof'. I do however, need to 'obtain' some blocks for the running backstays. They are not needed due to the oversize rear stays but would be good to have in a real blow or even in case of a shroud breaking at sea.

I have also decided to take the plunge and (insanely) swapped my outboard engine for a large oar (sweep) from Veracity. So now I am engine-less and need to perfect the art of sculling & rowing Katla pretty quickly! I have also decided to prepare and keep ready a very long length of warp so that in the event of becoming becalmed in any current I can drop anchor in really deep water especially close to land such as between the islands.

I know its an inane swap, but I hated the look of it bolted on the back and it had seen better days. It will run again I'm sure, but if I ever really needed it in a hurry I couldn't fully rely on it and sailing with an unreliable engine is almost as bad as sailing without one anyway in my head. If I feel naked without an engine I will pick up a sparkly new one along the way. It will be a good challenge learning to sail 'as God intended', providing I don't end up over a reef or generally bouncing off other boats in the busy anchorages.

So, now Katla is basically ready (not sure I am) and the plan is to set off shortly, first retracing my steps towards St Martin, via Nevis and Saba etc... After that who knows where, the BVIs or back here for Christmas with my fellow Sea Pikeys.

The season is just starting and the anchorage is slowly getting busier. It will be good to have a few people around but in some ways its a shame the tranquillity is going to be shattered. Maybe Ill search for my own little anchorage somewhere off the beaten track ... who knows.

Stay tuned ...

Friday 16 October 2009

DORIS SOLD

My bank balance would seem to suggest that I am no longer the proud owner of DORIS and the sale has completed.

Yeah baby! - Where's the nearest chandlers!
'I will control myself, I will control myself'....

Tuesday 6 October 2009

Alongside the Taj

Well after getting a bit of an ear bashing from several people here it is at last – a new blog post! Thanks to Veracity for the spare volts…

I am still in English harbour moored up alongside James and his steel yacht we call ‘The Taj’, me being his ‘Walla’.

Since arriving, I have been spending the days mostly working on the boat and learning a range of new skills including working with wood, rope, leather and canvas.

The first job was to build a new set of Gaff jaws to at least make the boat sailable again. After a week helping James & Marcus in Sprouts woodshop they were complete and I even got paid a ‘wage’ for helping out on other jobs.

Other completed tasks include painting the coach roof and decks white so you don’t suffer third degree burns (she also looks 'real purdy' now), various sail repairs and rigging modifications.

Hopefully the sale completion of DORIS will go through on the 16th and I will have some spare money to install some batteries and finally get some power onboard. I have to say though, life by paraffin lamp is quite pleasant and simple.

I still haven’t got the outboard engine working mainly because I hate it. It looks like a huge cancer hanging off the ass of my boat, but I guess it makes sense to keep it.

Jobs (projects) yet to do include:

Build a wooden dinghy that stows on the coach roof

A sculling oar so that it may be possible to loose the outboard

Add a reef to my Staysail

Make some proper storm sails

A topsail made from an old wind surfing rig

Anyway, that’s me for now …

Boo & Katla.

Thursday 10 September 2009

English Harbour - Again!

Hi all - Just a quick post to let everyone who was worrying that I am alive.
My first ever sail in a gaff rigged boat (St Martin to Antigua ~90nm) ended after 3 nights at sea and I am now safe in English Harbour, Antigua (again). It was a beat to windward the whole trip and I got hit by a massive squall close to Antigua, then broke the gaff jaws. Finally I got becalmed for a whole day just drifting off Antigua. I tacked the whole way and must have covered around 130nm Im guessing.

I'll post more soon enough. For now its time to rest and hang out with James, Marcus & Jess for a while before starting repairs and other required work on Katla.

Boo.

Wednesday 2 September 2009

Erika - Gulp!

Nervous times .... !!!

I never got launched yesterday due to a funds problem. 'No Cash - No Splash!'
Hopefully this morning I'll go back in and then tie her down as best as I can.

Lets hope Erika doesn't become a hurricane!

Tuesday 1 September 2009

Another Week In Paradise

Tues 25th – Another hot dusty walk to Budget Marine to pick up the ordered water tanks. They are not there – useless! I will get them to you first thing tomorrow morning Sir, and deliver them to your boat, maybe even this evening.

Back at the boat, after measuring all the ropes in the rear locker, and a few emails to the previous owner, I finally have figured out the jib & staysail sheets and how they route along the deck so at least that’s another job done. I also managed to figure out the Monitor self steering parts and put that together.

Weds 26th – Spent the day working on the engine. The first problem was that there were no compatible fuel tank to engine connections. Luckily I met a guy called ‘Rabbi’ working on my neighbours boat and he had the required part. With fuel tank now connected and a coating of WD40 over most of the engine parts to unseize them, I pulled and pulled all afternoon without the engine firing once!

We changed the spark plugs and checked for a spark and the electrical side seems fine but the plugs stay dry indicating no fuel.

Surprise surprise, the water tanks still hadn’t arrived and it was time for yet another trip to Budget marine. The guy made some excuse about sorting it all out but forgetting them – yeah right! Anyway, we both jumped in his dinghy and went over to the bigger store on the Dutch side to collect them.

Thurs 27th – My first act of nature in a bucket, like a right of passage as a Sea Pikey! I spent the day making sail ties and robands to better attach the gaff to the mainsail at a later date. All ropes are three strand and therefore all the ends need to be whipped with twine to stop them unraveling. I also modified the mainsail cover to make it fit better and cover the ends of the sail from the sun.

In the afternoon I managed to blag a tow from a guy in JMC boat yard. I slipped the double mooring buoys only to have his engine cut out – jeez! I had to shout at him to set the tow rope free as he got back on course to prevent him yanking my bows round straight into another boat. Finally with his engine started I re-threw him the line and we made steady if not a zigzag passage up the channel. With the final turn and about ten boat lengths off, I shouted for him to drop the tow line. He kept towing, I shouted again and he clearly disagreed with my decision and kept towing. Needless to say I entered the haul out bay going way too fast and we came to a sudden stop with the bow spirit hitting the crane – good work!

Fri 28th – Rise and shine around 6am and by 8am I have been hauled out and dropped on blocks literally right next to the haul out bay. I borrow a scraper and get to work. The growth is about 3 inches thick with lots of the water filled things. While their popping is pretty gross the water actually keeps me cool!

By lunchtime, the hull is clean of all growth and I can see lots of areas where the antifouling has completely gone. There doesn’t appear to be anything to worry about – thank God!

Another walk to Budget Marine to sort out Antifoul. Two gallons of SeaHawk’s Island 44 and two bottles of ‘Tin Booster’, due to arrive tomorrow morning.

Back at the boat, I hook up to the electricity supply and get out the sander and by the end of the day she is almost ready for painting. I have a bucket wash on deck as I am black from the antifoul paint and working in the dirt.

Sat 29th – I finish the last of the sanding and get priming all the bare areas. At lunchtime I meet a new friend in the local bar / petrol garage called Alex who is Austrian and insists I drink beer in one litre bottles and welcomes me into the ‘fold’ properly.

Taking a break from the drinking its time for a trip to the Dutch side to get some Sikaflex, only to return to find more beer waiting in the fridge. Needless to say I do little else for the rest of the day.

Sun 30th – After a night of watching ‘My Name Is Earl’, it’s back to the priming. I am almost done when alex comes over to visit. Could I have a look at his laptop and install some navigation software – sure no problem.

As always, the computer problems take longer than anticipated and with the remainder of the afternoon I mask up the hull and finish a few last bits of priming, before a bucket wash and several more episodes of MNIE and chatting to Kat online.

There is a depression about 600nm due west of the islands and is looking like forming into a Tropical Storm or worse. I need to make sure the boat is ready to launch by tomorrow just incase.

Mon 31st – I set my alarm for 05:30am and start painting the antifoul by 0600am. Two coats later and its midday and can at least be put back into the water if required. She looks really good with a clean shiny bottom. I would love to paint the topsides as they are showing signs of wear but luckily there is no completely bare wood showing, a job for another time.

Instead, I concentrate on the engine and Tausten (another friend) helps me lift the engine down from the boat. We strip the carb completely and wash everything in petrol.

Finally an hour later and after lots of pulling she fires. I put the engine on the back of Taustens dinghy so I can run the engine for longer than a few seconds without it over heating. It seems to run really rough and not exactly reliable, but at least it’s started!

Decision time now as the depression is only 400nm away and there is talk of at least Gale Force winds, so I don’t want to be on the hard. In addition, I don’t really have anywhere else to go. The lagoon is (will be) packed with badly anchored boats and don’t really want to leave for the passage to Antigua yet as I’m not ready.

I’ll see what tomorrow brings, I should be able to stay until Thursday so may be able to simply tie up in the haul out bay.

Two weeks and I still haven’t actually sailed the boat yet!

Monday 24 August 2009

Im Alive - Just!

Weds 19th - After saying farewell to Tracy & Melody, Mr Crute and I set off to the airport late afternoon with ample time to spare. We made it to the end of his road when my spider senses tingled! 'Pull over - I wanna check the bags again'. Sure enough I had left the hand luggage behind with all the boat paperwork, ticket info and laptop etc. Phew!

Take two. Back on the road all went smoothly to the airport, aside from the £8 per 1/2 hr parking fees. Then the luggage fun and games began. I was 6kg over weight on my suitcase (the large Musto Crew bag was fine). It was going to cost me £79 to keep the weight. Out came the wetsuit, satphone, towel, a musto jacket, a pair of heavy shorts. The length of the line was increasing with business men all cursing us under their breath. Finally the woman behind the check-in took pity and allowed the bag through still ~3kg over weight. At least my bags had been routed all the way to St Martin and I wouldn't have to go through the grief of re-checking them in again.

In the middle of the airport we 'made camp' and squeezed what items we could back into my hand luggage (fitness first back pack and my travel guitar case). Somehow, with the zips at bursting point and my Musto foulies strapped to the outside, we managed all but the towel and the pair of shorts.

I hugged Crutey and said farewell, it all felt a bit emotional although I never said anything at the time. I decided to head straight through security to ensure there would be nothing else that would have to remain in the UK and before Crutey got to far away.

On the otherside, I made a mental decision to sit down relax and chillout, I was on my way. Deciding to go in search of a drink I discovered to my horror my wallet was missing from my pockets, I had already dropped my passport earlier but felt it hit my foot while sitting down. I rushed back to where I had been sat. Nothing! A guy told me it had been handed in and I was so relieved when the woman handed it back to me at customer services. Jeez, I am having a nightmare!

With empty pockets and everything safely packed in my bags, I boarded the plane with about ten other people to Paris Orly airport.

When I arrived in Paris, the first thing I noticed was that there wasn't anyone around and everything was closed. The sound of pneumatic concrete drills sounded and a few people were driving floor cleaners. Great, an over night stop in a closed airport with no shops, resturants or even anything close by.

I found a chocolate dispenser and managed to get 4eu change for a 5eu note from a cleaner. Evening meal was a snickers washed down with water from a drinking fountain outside the toilets. I made my self 'comfortable' on a bench. I talked to Kat for a while on the phone and then faded in and out of sleep to the sound of the concrete drilling, my head on my backpack and my fingers through my guitar case as homeless people searched the bins for food.

What a start to the adventure, if it continues like this I'll be back at home by Friday!

Thurs 20th - The airport woke up around 5:30am and I made my way to the south terminal to check in. On through security with no problems I was getting suspicious!

After an eight hour flight I arrived in St Martin and waited patiently for my luggage. The bags appeared in dribs and drabs like the handlers just couldn't be bothered to rush. Lots of the bags were split open - I began to worry. After what seemed eternity I was the only one waiting and wondered over to the baggage desk and there it was the word 'DOWLUT' in big red letters. The woman smiled as she announced that my bags had not made the plane in Paris. The like an uppercut after a hook came the realisation that I hadn't put on any address labels - twat!

The next plane was on Sunday, four agonising days to wait without any thing other than what I stood there with. I found Reg (the broker) waiting for me in arrivals and had to get his contact details for the luggage to be delivered to. Finally, I left the airport with Reg and we got into his dinghy to speed across Simpson Bay lagoon.

And thats how I met Katla in La Royale Marina bay, I wasn't exactly the happiest bunny in town at that point and I was completely numb to the fact I was staring at 'my boat'. Reg left me with his number just incase I needed anything. What could I possible want with no luggage, in what felt like 40C heat on a boat (on a mooring buoy) with no toilet, electric or water!

Now alone I tore the boat apart looking for the pump to the dinghy, finally dripping wet with sweat I found it and made myself 'mobile'. I rowed the 150 yards ashore and found a shop to get some supplies. Water, candles, wetwipes, toilet rolls and some cookies to snack on. Back on the boat I found some clean-ish size small T-shirts and an old paint ridden but clean pair of shorts. Everything else was filthy. My hands were black from everything I touched, everything was dusty and there small amounts of white powder all over the boat. Then I saw the container marked 'Boric Acid - for CockRoaches', great!

That first night I lay there in my tight stretch to fit T-shirt and paint stained shorts on a dusty blanket with the sweat pouring from me and the mosquitos eating me alive. An all time low, could it get any worse?

Fri 21st - I was awake for most of the night and despite two almost sleepless nights watched the sunrise sitting on Katla's deck in the cooling breeze. A drink of water and a few cookies later and down to work. I started to sort through the boat and its contents. Reg came by around 10am and took four bin liners of rubbish away for me.

I found a supermarket and bought Ajax spray, shower gel, washing up liquid, some batteries and a mosquito candle. I went through the extensive range of books and threw 75% of them away with any remaining being sprayed with Ajax and cleaned. Most of them are either about art, poetry or in Icelandic and Reg has agreed to take them away for charity as I hate to throw away books.

When its too hot to stay below I sort through the tangle of rigging, trying to figure out what goes where. Everything seems to be stowed well and thoughtfully, with all ropes wipped and finished. The previous owner (Martin Lund) was a stickler for being seamanlike.

That evening I go ashore after more cleaning on the boat and giving myself a wash using an old towel that looks clean(ish) which I have torn into pieces to use as both a wash cloth and towels. It's spag-bol for dinner my first real meal since arriving.

Back at the boat it's early to bed (around 9pm) as it's too dark to read or do much by candle light. Another sleepless night...

Sat 22nd - Wide awake at daybreak, more cleaning and I'm starting to feel like I'm gaining an edge! As the temperature rises I go ashore as it's clear I am going to need water in larger quataties than buying two 4 litre bottle at a time. The guy at Budget Marine lends me a 5gal container until they get the three containers I have ordered in on Monday. In a pharmacy, I buy some Milton disinfectant in tablet form and some extra strong mozzie spray. Before going back to the boat I have a pepperoni pizza for lunch. With water can in hand I discover that the Capitainerie is closed until Monday (this is France after all). Luckily, a shop owner on the water front fills my can for me. I pour the Milton treated water into the ships tank hoping it will sterilise the tank and water system. It should then be ok to drink from the tank after it has been flushed a few times. As a bonus, everything I wash onboard now is being sterilised as well - perfect!

Another early night...

Sun 23rd - Up at daybreak, I finish the last of the cleaning and decide not to trust my baggage to be delivered. Ashore I look for busses but there doesn't appear any easy way to the airport. I ask directions from some workmen and after talking an explaining my predicament he offeres to drive me there. He also invites me to his resturant and I am so thankfull for the lift.

Inside, I go to the Corsair desk and a woman takes my details. Another woman appears and is here to pick up baggage, except hers hasn't arrived (again). I start to notice that a few people from almost every arriving Corsair flight have lost luggage!

I am told to come back at 3:30pm so I have two hours to kill. I watch the departures for a while before taking advantage of the clean toilets. Half an hour later I am eating a beef & cheese sandwich before making my way back to the desk. I am told to 'go to arrivals', what does this mean is my luggage here?

I introdce myself to the baggage agent who appears to all but ignore me and tells me to 'wait there'. Finally, after another half hour of waiting the heavenly sight of a Musto crew bag being uncerminiosly dragged along the floor appears from the arrivals exit, swiftly followed by my huge blue suitcase - thank god! I am not sure what I would have done if they had not arrived or were lost, my 'whole world' is in these two bags!

I get a taxi back to La Royale and row my bags back to Katla. Now everything is clean and tidy, I find a place for my 'belongings' and even 'Churchy' gets a new home.

Reg called by with his wife and daughter in the evening on their way to a meal ashore to regretfully announce no news from the baggage people and I explain I have picked it up. He takes away the three bin liners of books which will go into the local school library. Another early night...

Mon 24th - I put away my remaining things and finally the boat is starting to look and feel like 'home'. even now I am still finding new storage compartments and am astonished to the amount of spares stored aboard. It's almost an unbuilt boat inside the boat! I have enough shackles to open my own chandlery.

I still have a few important things to do such as get the outboard started and completely figure out the rigging. I also hope to get her hauled out this week for the antifouling.

With no means of charging my phone or laptop, I realise I have been gone five days and you people will be due an update, so its ashore to the local Internet bar for a burger & chips. The time is now 19:24utc and you are all up to speed.

Tuesday 18 August 2009

A New Adventure

Well almost two months has now passed and tomorrow (Weds) evening (19:45 19.08.09) I fly out from London City airport (via Paris) to St Martin to see Katla for the first time. Unfortunately I have to spend a night in Paris and will arrive the next day around noon (local time).

It's been a very stressfull couple of days with two hurricanes Ana & Bill (Cat2 - still active) skirting very close to St Martin. Reg the broker has been amazing in keeping me informed and ensuring Katla is safe on her mooring. I actually found out that she successfully weathered a cat3 hurricane (Omar) last October.

Another headache is trying (and failing) to fit my entire world, at least all the things dear to me and all the things I consider essential into my 40kg (2 x 20Kg) luggage allowance. Thank God that there is a lot of stuff already aboard - and thank God Crutey (the Ground Crew) has room in his loft for all my belongings I am not able to carry.

For those of you who have been following my antics on YachtDoris, please update your bookmarks to YachtKatla as from now on this is my new Blog. Long live YachtDoris!

A new adventure is about to begin ...

Sunday 21 June 2009

The Slippery Slope!

The complete history and run up to the events below can be found here: http://yachtdoris.blogspot.com

November 2008: Marcus, Lindsey, James & Freya (all of which previously worked on Wooden Brixham Trawlers at Trinity) in Las Palmas, Canaries. All 'harping' on about old boats over dinner. They sowed the initial seed of interest about owning an older classic type of boat for cruising. At this stage I still love Doris and was fighting the lure of old boats. I had however, just started to read Moitessier. The slippery slope begins!

January 2009: Completed solo transatlantic crossing and immediately wanted a different boat. I didn’t know quite what I wanted, but I did want simplicity and comfort 'a la Moitessier' my new found guru. Matti of Carma reinforced my belief in small boats and simplistic systems despite him seemingly being put off sailing for life after his Atlantic crossing.

Early 2009: Saw Katla listed and dismissed her due to size. At this time there were only a few exterior pictures. She was also wooden and I swore I would stay well away from wooden boats! At this stage I was looking for ideally Steel, Aluminum or Plastic.

March - April 2009: Classics Week in Antigua, racing Veracity, ‘hanging out’ with Marcus, James & Freya. Witnessing the camaraderie among the 'Classic boat owners’ and several conversations with Marcus about the maintenance of a (new build) wooden boat being relatively easy and comparable to steel and nothing like the trappings of an old wooden boat. I was now open to the idea of Steel, Plastic (if I had to), Aluminum, Wood (new build only) and Ferro cement, either way (despite never having sailed one) it had to be Gaff Rigged. Doris was placed for Sale on a few free Internet websites.

May 2009: After making endless notes during my return solo transatlantic trip to the Azores from Antigua, my 'new' boat had to be completely simple and cheap to maintain. Telegraph pole mast, galvanized rigging, no inboard engine, simple 3 strand rope and block running rigging, small enough to Single Hand. I wanted none of the trappings of modern boats and the associated expensive chandlery.

June 2009: After endless searching it seems that all Gaffers are either wooden (old - 50+yrs) with the occasional Ferro cement. Ferro is the hot choice with only two boats of interest found. Doris was placed for Sale with brokers in the UK.

14.06.2009: James sent me the Katla web link during another evening chat session discussion about 'boat porn'. This time there were interior pictures and I'm sure a more informative description than I previously remembered. The big attraction was the realization that Katla did not have an inboard engine. Requested more pictures from the broker.

15.06.2009: Received design sketches and some more info from broker. Learn the boat name is 'Katla'. Probably due to the name alone, Kat has agreed to loan me half the money until Doris sells despite it being 'everything' she didn't want in a boat. Asked Marcus for his opinion on Katla which comes back positive.

16.06.2009: More questions regarding the build materials and fastenings. James was due to visit St Martin to see another boat in the same boatyard so a viewing is a real possibility. Research on the Internet finds the designers website and build photos of Katla.

17.06.2009: Receive more answers from the vendor and learn that a 'Fully Conditional Offer Subject To Buyer Satisfaction' is possible. Also learn that a 2nd party has been interested since March 09 and is viewing the boat in a few days time (Thursday), James is due to go to St Martin on Friday. A 'conditional' offer is therefore made and accepted late evening. Due to me being in the Azores, and the difficulties of arranging Bank Transfers for the securing deposit, I enquire about the possibilities of James paying in cash - No response from the broker.

18.06.2009: AM - Despite a number of ‘chasing emails’ to the broker, no response received hence, deposit not transferred. PM - I receive an email saying the 2nd buyer has offered more money and left a deposit. I am livid! I could have paid my deposit by PayPal or Bank Transfer but silence from the broker resulted in neither happening. The broker advises us to still view the boat as planned and reserve our offer as a 'backup' as the 2nd buyer wants a lift out, survey and title search and cannot pay in full until late July.

19.06.2009: Broker advises me that the 2nd offer has not been formerly accepted by the vendor and that an extra '$2000USD' offered might put me 'back in the game'. James views Katla and advises that the boat is both worth the offer price and in good condition. A small deposit is made to show 'Good Faith' with the promise to increase the deposit first thing Monday morning when the banks open. A second payment will be made a few days later mid next week and then the final payment in early July. The 'irony' - Kat will again be paying a deposit on my second boat, another of which she doesn't actually agree with!

20.06.2009: Confirmation of the Vendor’s acceptance of our new offer is received from the broker. ‘You are the proud new owner of Katla'. I have read ‘Hand, Reef & Steer’ by Tom Cunliffe, but still not actually sailed a Gaffer!. Another steep learning curve and challenge ahead!

22.06.2009: Full deposit transfered and reciept confirmed by the broker, its safe to say that Katla in now secure. I am still 'stuck' in Horta and although I was thinking about leaving tomorrow a huge storm is forcast for Thursday.