The second happiest day in a boat owners life,
The first is purchase day.
I have often heard that saying
I always find it a bit puzzling
my experience over owning several boats is that the day you sell them is always a sad one
you invest a lot of memories in a boat
this one took us on an amazing journey around an amazing island
She was designed by a genius for use in British Waters.
for 26 feet she is stiff, forgiving, commodious, easy to live with, takes the ground, deals with the waves.
Magnificent boat a Centaur.
we did the long sail from Chichester Harbour to the Firth of Forth - 500 miles - six days sailing - four nights.
With two fine men
Then Jill and three young adults joined us for the Moray Firth
Dolphins, marvelous harbours, clear water, bright blue skies, sand, big tides
marvelous
then Jill and I sailed alone up to orkney - magnificent beaches, to Shetland - tidal races, cliffs,, through Yell Sound and south making landfall at Loch Eribol when we could smell the heat
We then slowly sailed south, through the Crinnan and left her on the Clyde.
She was great and I am sad to see her go -
I will miss the headroom. I know that there will be days this summer when I will be storm bound on some pontoon in a scottish three day rainshowerand I will remember with fondness the size of her cabin
I was also sad to see the slug go
The Enterprise, the Tarpon, the Solo, the E Boat , the Sonata, the Seafarer were all good boats - and I was sad to see them go
Boats make me happy. But no-man should have more yachts than he has arses
Right now Katie L will be good for the west coast - she will allow me to get into all sorts of places I couldnot get in a Centaur.
I plan to buy another for the bits around the outside of Ireland and the Channel Isles
So I have kept my lovely red sail
and she will ride the forestay of abother proud Centaur.
D
Read more at http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?424868-I-sold-Harmony-today-small-price-guessing-game#z2AKCtsALAaVgCvj.99
She is ready for the taking. Harmony is probably the best Westerly Centaur to come on the market for years.
She was built in 1979 and has a great 18hp Volvo 2002 which has been lightly used well maintained. It runs like a beaut - she can be heard in several films starting from cold, she can he heard at idle and at speed.
Harmony is a classic B layout with two quarter berths, a double in the bow and a fifth in the saloon. We spent two weeks with five aboard and on one night seven people sat and drank in the saloon - all of them men, five of them German.
The saloon table can be used in the cockpit - under the cockpit tent if it is raining. Jill and I lived aboard her for three months - she is warm, dry and spacious - for a 26 footer.
She is a great sea boat with a good main and a pair of used genoas - one is in lovely nick but needs a new UV strip. I am keeping the red genoa for the next Centaur I buy.
Harmony sits happily on the mud or sand and sails much, much better than her reputation. Over the 500 miles from The solent to the Forth she averaged 4.1 knots with three blokes sailing her around the clock.
The standing rigging is in good condition but of unknown age - it was inspected from top to bottom and tested in the journey around Orkney and Shetland. I am confident that the mast will not fall down.
The hull has been epoxied - her only fault is a bent pulpit from a collission some years ago resulting in a damp spot on the foredeck - currently being controlled and slowly dried with the help of various rubbery unguents.
I will really, really miss this boat.
http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=671
this is the probably the best advert for a Westerly Centaur in the World
Nice advert, nice boat, I’m sure you will soon sell it. Like the photo of the radar dome with the tree growing out of it! G
Nice
No way, i thought you were coming back down the west coast, ah thats a shame. Still it was a great adventure. What happens it if doesn’t sell? What’s yer plan, go round again maybe?
I am going to try to sell her where she is….I have time and the winter storage is paid. Naturally there is a plan B
“…the next Centaur I buy.” For around Ireland?
depends how much I can get for this one – if I can get enough money for Harmony to cover the debts with enough left over to do the well thing then I would be on the look out for a Centaur with a knackered engine
D
Still on about the well thing – after all your fears melted in the most lobster potted area of the world? You’ll get drag from the hole and noise from the outboard. On a still day (when you most need to use the engine) you’ll probably be sitting in exhaust fumes too. Can’t see the advantage myself…
Perhaps you have an epoxy fixation and can’t wait to experiment.
KTL mate – all the best G
two lobster pot snags during this summer
one manually untangled
the second I had to cut the pick-up bouy
that one was at 80 meters depth just off Orkney at 3.45 in the morning
bloody frightening
I hope that is enough
one of the advantages, should this ever happen, is that I will be a few thou better off
I was rooting for you in your recent adventure – must have been quite a trip
I personally like outboards for obvious reasons, accessibility, cost …….etc,etc. but like in the word itself OUTboard, not keen on
a well fitted motor. Like Gilles States a lot of drag so you need extra HP to get over that, fume issues, space that is taken up.
Just can’t see the point myself in the well unless it’s part of the original design. G
D. Is Katie L getting dusted off ready for the west coast? G
going up in November to put a cover over her once she has been brought ashore at granton – then the plan is to bring her through the canal system to the west coast and carry on sailing – aiming to spend at least two summers exploring the Scottish west coast
Sounds a great move, worst bit getting from home to Scotland! I think you live not far from us.
every moment on the boat is pleasure – driving a car is horribly close to work
I know what you mean, every time I’m on the boat is so special, I love it.
I know what you mean, every time I’m on the boat is so special, I love it. Just wish I could get more time than I get at the moment.
Mind you I’m looking forward to doing “Spirit” up over the winter ready for a full season next year. Will be 1-2 seasons on the east coast rivers.
D. It’s great your films are trailblazing a route to follow! You have done some lovely filming of rivers, places, wildlife I watch them over and over.
Tollesbury is a great place to start next season
might I suggest the drying pontoons at Brightlingsea
great place to base yourself as well
I will try them before I get the boat lifted. Thx
Hi Dylan. YOU have cost me a lot of money. Reading your blogs and watching your films gave me the creek crawling bug. I put my 30ft fin keeler in the Tollesbury sale but bought a shallow draft lift keel boat before selling the big in. Draws just 12 inches keel up. I suspect I will spend a lot of time on the mud. Roll on next season!!!
Regards Keith
aha- but think of all the money you will save in the future when you own just one short shallow boat rather than a deep big one
D
It has not saved me any money. Keeping my 23′ sailboat, and added a 12′ dinghy for exploring shallow and remote places. Also increased my Dye book collection with one on dinghy cruising.
I’m starting to think that this Dylan Winter fellow is a bad influence on my wallet. :-)
Happy solstice Dylan. From today, for the next six months, your days will get longer and ours shorter.
Not a happy thought for me, maybe ok for you.
I am enjoying the vimeo films.
Paul Rogers
Hi Dylan
Just wondering where else you are advertising Harmony.
I assume you have Craig list or similar in uk
In US http://www.sailingtexas.com/index.html. Seem to be a good free/donation site for selling a boat
I thought with the high dollar it would make a good buy for a few European vacations if you don’t look at the numbers too close and then sell on when done….
But off to work I go…..
Warren
On ‘sailing Texas.com ‘ is this interesting boat
http://www.sailingtexas.com/shmswarriora.html
And it’s in the UK
Might be a little adventurous for KTL ‘ers though……
(I never knew boat this existed! Great condition and display)
Warren
GUMTREE adds are free in most categories and there are a couple of centaurs there (priced slightly below Harmony)
http://www.gumtree.com/search?q=westerly+centaur&tq=%7B%22i%22%3A%22westerly+centaur%22%2C%22s%22%3A%22westerly+centaur%22%2C%22p%22%3A0%2C%22t%22%3A8%7D&search_category=all&search_location=&distance=0.0001
Hi Dylan, I see that the price for your Centaur is down by a further £100 (as you said you would do!). I think your approach is a bit like the problem with economic deflation. Potential buyers have less incentive to make an offer if they know it will be another £100 cheaper next week. I nevertheless wish you well.
Will you be “doing” the Irish Sea?
John B
open to alternative suggestions – at least this way it will go – it is too early in the year for people to really buy…. we shall see
D
A nice Centaur, probably as well sorted as Harmony (eg Engine and sails replaced in last few years, keels done, regular maintenance etc.) was recently advertised in PBO for £7500 and has been sold for £6000! Owner was retiring and wanted to sell, rather than hang on, but…….
two phone enquiries so far and an offer – which was too low at this stage of the game – we have time – the selling season is only just starting to heat up
my sailing friend John is currently trying to track down the right boat for him – a motorsailer – and I keep telling him to take his time – he has weeks to go yet
D
Its a good boat! Keep it!
it is a great boat…. but so is Katie L – look at all those places I have been that I could never have taken a Centaur. I think I will buy another for when I do the outside of Ireland and the channel islands. She did magnificently this summer and I have complete faith in her but I need to release the investment I have in her
D
I could be tempted to take harmony off your hands, sail here on this side of the pond…..the intracoastal waterway would be a great spot for her…….the chesapeake, and down to florida.
But first you should spend the summer sailing her around the west coast of scotland – the finest sailing area in the UK by far
D
So, Dylan. What makes it the finest sailing area of the UK?
Where is the best place to keep a boat on the west coast?
By the way I have been emptying my father’s house and found 2 almost unused trangia gas rings. One box is labeled in pen natural gas and the other’s shaft says calor.
Do you want them? If so we could meet up in a pub. I live near Monmouth. We could meet halfway if you want them.
Justin
J,
trangia… thanks for the offer. I have stopped using gas on my boats – makes me nervous.
As for the solent being the finest….well, people have voted with their boats and this is where they have chosen. It is also a darned fine area to sail with astoinishing facilities for those with pockets deep enough to enjoy. How many fine restaurants and harbours are there within a day’s sail?
D
PS – I prefer Scotland
I don’t like gas on my boats either.
The Solent is wonderful. I loved it when I raced most of the time and someone else paid the bills. The South West seems pretty pricey and crowded too.
So where is the best place to keep a boat on the West Coast. When I’ve sorted out my Bilge Keel Trapper 300 I’ll be thinking of moving it up there but it is a balance between cost and accessibility?
Justin
dunno yet
I will be ready to answer than question in about two years time
D
Truth is there are lots of nice places to keep a boat up here and most but not all are very affordable too
Its makes boating more available to all
Its also vast and could take a lifetime to explore properly
Only downside is we have less stable weather than others but its a balance that appeals to some and not to others
I’m very happy being here
I live and sail in West Wales at Milford Marina or used too as money now run out. A marina berth for a 26 footer about £1600-1750. The Irish sea is a cruel master but offers fabulous sailing. Sail here for a season and you could be competent enough to go most places with it’s 40 foot tides and strong Westerlies. Loved your peaceful and patient trips around our coast and creeks but sometimes the four knot syndrome which is average over a season just frustrates me now and sometimes I lust for 500hp diesels and the funds to feed them.I ask my grand daughter who is a camera freelancer for TV docs how you manage one handed to film such wobble free footage but she can’t figure you out.so theres a compliment.
Keep up the good work and the pleasure that you have brought to so many of us.
Well done. You were right about being patient for the sale. I guess £8,750
Someone got a great boat at a great price. Well done.
Like you say a bitter sweet day – there’s plenty of Centaurs so what Dylan can make Dylan can make again.
Enjoy the Irish sea almost like the ocean – not much like the North Sea.
The adventure continues.
All the best
Ian
I shall enjoy the Irish sea – but first I plan on spending two summers in Scotland – overwinter at Kip marina if I can do a deal on talks for pontoons
D
Congrats on making the sale,as said a bittersweet moment, but summer and new adventure lie ahead….carpe diem!
Well done. Selling a boat is far too emotionally disturbing. That’s why so many of us have Poly-what-not!
Looking forward to your further travels.
I hope you can burn the odd dvd of the Year of the Centaur.
Hope that the house sale goes well. Any ideas where you’re moving to yet?
Good luck
Justin
Suffolk, Devon or Scotland are the places Jill is considering. I would like to live in Brightlingsea but she says no. She shows me a house and I ask how big is the shed and how far away is the nearest estuary?
However, the plan is to sell the thatch, spend most of this summer in Scotland, spend the winter in a rented small cottage/mobile home in scotland and then buy next spring
the house is here
and I am a rich man – although the wide angle lens lies about scale and the house is unlikely to fetch the full price. Down here – close to the kids – a two bedroom terrace can be 500K.
Jill is in charge and she places a Berlin wall around the sailing budget – so diverting money tied up in property into boats is verboten according to the Obergruppenführer
You have a beautiful house.
I suspect that you’ll get your asking price and may even exceed it. Who knows, property prices are funny money.
Both my daughters are buying houses at present so I know what you mean about massive mortgages. It’s the deposits needed that is the issue as although rates are low they need significant salaries to service the mortgage or a big deposit!
Campbelltown is inexpensive as is Angle in Pembrokeshire but both are very remote.
Suffolk is much pricier as is Devon.
Jill may have a view based on location of your adult children!!!!
Good luck.
Justin
Congratulations on the sale of Harmony. Boats come and go, but that wonderful house…. That must be doubly hard to part with.
Suffolk, Devon or Scotland are the places Jill is considering. I would like to live in Brightlingsea but she says no. She shows me a house and I ask how big is the shed and how far away is the nearest estuary?
However, the plan is to sell the thatch, spend most of this summer in Scotland, spend the winter in a rented small cottage/mobile home in scotland and then buy next spring
the house is here
and I am a rich man – although the wide angle lens lies about scale and the house is unlikely to fetch the full price. Down here – close to the kids – a two bedroom terrace can be 500K.
Jill is in charge and she places a Berlin wall around the sailing budget – so diverting money tied up in property into boats is verboten according to the Obergruppenführer
I shall sob a little as I finally close the door on my daughters room
but I will be glad to be free of the thatch bills and hopefully we will be living in a warm house
I am sitting here with five layers on
D
congrats on sale, know how you feel, my skiff leaves today. house will go soon l’m sure. do l detect a shot of a sail on your screen in the den? mine looks like a marine flea market, as does my garage and back lawn.
no wonder she who must be obeyed is not smiling today. l have only two layers on, but it does cost $450 cdn a month to heat an old 1300 sq ft farmhouse. heat is kept at 20c for her pet birds, l am just along for the ride.
yes, congrats on the sale
sailing kitty should be in good shape now…
have sold some property in an effort to move closer to warmer waters, bur spouse refuses to give up house in the north…
we will be sailing together this spring so perhaps she will begin to think we don’t need it
twice she made up her mind to move to be nearer our children (read grandchildren) and both times they moved before she found a suitable place near them LOL
that is my worry – we will move to be close and they will jigger off
I shall miss Harmony but no man needs two yachts and I can give the bloke who loaned me Harmony his share of the proceeds
I had to dig pretty deep last summer but this coming one should be much easier
this time last year I had yard bills in Littlehampton to settle, through hulls, unguents, petrol to and from home
then last summer we spent a lot of time in marinas waiting for the weather to change
worth every penny though – summer 2014 was my best ever afloat in a lifetime of sailing. The films keep it all alive and I am looking forward to getting them edited
but I should clear the boat debts with boat money over the next few weeks.
then hoping there will be enough left to but a £1000 Passat estate to use to tow Katie L around – and to help us move house. The trailer needs fettling too
I am going to make sure that next winter Katie is parked on the drive under a tarp rather being left to her own devices in a scottish boatyard.
I have no idea what state she is in
D
That’s one advantage having a trailer-sailer, you can explore Scotland’s coast in Summers and still enjoy the Broads or Brightlingsea for a few weeks here and there. With that trolley-trailer KatieL should be an easy boat to shift around as the towing-fuel budget allows.
And it’s so much easier to sort-out a boat for a new sailing season when it’s parked outside your own shed…and your own bed.
I also love seeing it in the garden
not sure SWMBO is that impressed with it as a garden ornament though
D
“I shall miss Harmony but no man needs two yachts and I can give the bloke who loaned me Harmony his share of the proceed”
YIKES! forgot you promised the PO half the sale proceeds
“To be truly challenging, a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to a routine traverse, the kind known to yachtsmen who play with their boats at sea… ‘cruising’ it is called. Voyaging belongs to seamen, and to the wanderers of the world who cannot, or will not, fit in. If you are contemplating a voyage and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the sea is all about.” -Sterling Hayden
Well done for selling Harmony I was very interested in buying her, but the MAN!! from the PRUE!!! could not get their act together so the search starts again. Good luck
A sad Penelope
the good thing about centaurs is that there are loads of them around. I reckon there are about fifteen on the market at the moment
D
congratulations – I’m somehow saddened but very pleased for you at the same time. No hanging around and you can on with 2015 now.
Have a look at Tighnabruaich when you sail past I’ve a feeling you’ll like it. It has a lovely old fashioned boatyard and great moorings tucked in at the top of the Kyles and as they say on the telly property programmes – its in budget!
Well done with your trip so far, I am a bit sad the dvd’s are not being done any more though. You mention possibly getting a passat, I had one, but now have an old 406 estate ( w reg) cheaper to run and I think it tows better (just my opinion.)
Kev
have had peugeots – but the vws have been better to us so far
D
Sad but great news on selling the Centaur. Also a bit sad on the DVDs. I’m way behind on the films because I got frustrated with trying to watch them online and gave up, but I’v decided to try and download them like I used to (years ago before my connection slowed to a snails pace!). I’v got a film half in right now and it hasn’t failed so its looking good! How about designing simple covers for each of the new DVDs and having a special page on the site where we can download them for a pound a piece, or just a paypal donation. If I can get the films to download, I’ll definitely want to make DVDs out of them to finish off my collection.
I am rather new to the KTL family. And have spent allot of time getting to know Dylan and his exploits. I almost was in a panic when I noticed you were selling Harmony ! What will I do on cold American winter nights now that I have gotten used to sailing with Dylan and along the the English backwater from the comfort of my big recliner and HD TV. While my own vessel pulled at her moorings in the Ashley River, Charleston, SC. From reading these posts I now see that ALL IS WELL with more to come thank God ! Be aware Dylan of women buying houses. They always find ways of finding things for us to do and away from the boats we love.
thanks M,
the films will continue = the aim is to post them during the winter when we need them. During the summer we have better things to do than sit at computer screens – other than to check the weather forecast.
As for houses – moving will take up some time but Jill is well trained
she does not trust me to paint windows because of the drips. She tells me about possible houses. I ask two questions – how big is the shed, how far from the sea
D – aboard the boat – ashore – firth of Forth
And so turns another page in the continuing saga… Sad day indeed – I always looked at those with the SEG uttering that expression with contempt. I’d wager the only ones who find any appreciation of it don’t really know how to enjoy a boat in the first place.
Stay safe Dylan, looking forward to the next installments of some of the best pass time around and that red sail is really sweet.
K
cheers Keith,
the red sail will fly again. Meantime Katie L is filling my time. Getting used to a small cabin again…. aaagh!
D
Yes, but if in a cold spot in the US not too close. Huge chunk of ice fell from my roof to where my boat would have been were it not in the shop.
Hi Dylan
I saw Harmony today on the visitor’s pontoon at Portavadie Marina on Loch Fyne. She was looking very good and I have to say I felt as if I knew her, a little star struck even having seen her in so many great videos!
Adam
