Author: Chris Tanner

The Fastnet Rock

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Rounding the Fastnet rock at about 0700 hrs after a very slow night without much wind. We’d come straight across the Irish Sea with a few other boats (ie taking the southern route) and most of the rest of the fleet had gone north. As the night turned into day we could pick out more and more sails coming over the horizon. Having been separated by miles and miles and miles of ocean for a couple of days, everyone was coming together to round the rock and then head back to Land’s End and then Plymouth.

Just 36 hours before us, the 100ft maxi yacht “Rambler” lost her keel just here. It’s amazing how quickly conditions can change.

The seed

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In Portland on a crisp, cold winter day with Dan and Ant to get Rancote lifted out for a full pre-purchase survey. I’d spotted her online at the end of last year whilst looking around for boats, but didn’t really consider her a contender due to her age (1972). A few weeks later I was down in Weymouth looking at other boats, and the broker suggested that she was worth a look. Everyone says it, but I knew it was the boat for me immediately.

So, next thing was to talk to Dan and Ant – my prospective co-owners, and get a deposit put down. Dan and Ant were both keen, the offer was accepted so the next thing was to arrange a survey and sea trial.

We spent the day with the surveyor and owner, everything checked out OK, and we decided to go for it. And so begins a new era of adventure and travel. Bring it on!