DEBONAIR V1619

[michaelhenryalexander]

Would like to know how Debonair is getting on we sold her in 1997 - I
know Steve Birch recued her from France in 1998 and refitted her? Best
Regards Michael Edmonds

 

[tom_rutter]

Hi Michael,

Debonair is still afloat and happy. I'm sure I can be corrected on this,
but I think Steve and Diane rescued her and did a refurb, sorting out the
engine, and putting an epoxy coating on the topsides and deck, along with a
general clean-up, extra cleats etc. Then she was sold to a guy called Jim
Mackay (via someone else?) who sailed her out of Portsmouth harbour around
the south coast (solent to poole) and northern France and sold her to me in
summer 2005. He also installed one of Steve's Beta engines in 2001ish. I
took her out of the water and did another mini-refurb (new standing rigging;
new batteries and charger; etc) and sailed her from Portsmouth harbour to
Limehouse marina in London during easter 2006 and lived on board for a few
months there. Then I sailed her along the east coast of Britain to Orkney
last summer where she's sitting out this winter in Kirkwall marina.

The plan for next summer, once the weather up there gets better, is to maybe
have a quick look to Shetland, then back down and through the Caledonian
canal to come out of the water for a season in Oban. I'm just finishing my
PhD and I think 2008 might be a non-season for me and Debonair. After then,
who knows?

I hope that this is interesting for you. Let me know if you have any
specific questions. There are some stories and photos on my blog at:

debonairsailing

debonairsailing.blogspot.com

Cheers,
TomOn 1/17/07, michaelhenryalexander m.a.edmonds@...
wrote:

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi Mike

Debonair was sold to a guy in London called Jim McKay, he fitted a Beta
engine, more upgrades then sold her last year to a guy called Tom
Rutter. He has sailed her a lot and is now up in The Orkneys though he
lives in London! She has certainly done some sailing in teh last few
years!

Cheers and good to hear from you Mike - Try the Forum
www.albinvega.proboards60.com

Steve Birch

 

[michaelhenryalexander]

Thanks Tom - very cheering to hear that she is loved. I am sure Steve Birch told you all about the South African couple who bought Debonair and then virtually wrecked her going up the Seine against the worst rains imaginable ( current usually 3kts +). She was British registered but as foreigners they had to deregister her. We owned her some 12 years - made it to Alderney twice and across to Dartmouth twice. Mostly we sailed The Solent out of Portsmouth and never had a bad moment. Did a couple of bareboat charters in the Caribbean so did not have to cross the Pond. Glad you are having adventures, Our only complaint was s that she was one of the slower boats - probably beacuse I could never get the sails just right - how I cursed the ex dinghy owners! I guess the really good news is that you can write all you like on your blog and post every photo. We quit sailing when I got stuck into gliding - sadly after 3 destroyed gliders in 7 years I gave up - problem was I used to fly in The Black Mountains in winter. Now I have to make do with Scuba diving in distant places. Best Regards Michael Edmonds