We are now well into 2022 and I thought that I had better deliver an update on my anticipated circumnavigation that was due to start this year (see my article on planning for a circumnavigation which I submitted back in March 2021).

Well, having bought most of the items required to go in my Bavaria 37 cruiser, I then considered whether this yacht was best suited to sail round the world fully loaded with all of this extra gear, bearing in mind that it was already chock-a-block with a stack of other ‘essential’ equipment. No, I decided, I needed to get something larger, faster and safer. My thoughts turned to purchasing a catamaran and selling my Bavaria Corryvreckan.

Taking the Plunge

I took the plunge and the boat hit the market in September. Initially I had organised the sale privately, but the prospective buyer thought that the headroom in the saloon might be too restrictive due to his height. The buyer went off to Southampton and gained access on a similar yacht with a view to seeing whether the height issue was a problem. Having thought about it over the weekend he got back to me and said he wouldn’t be able to make it work. Then a few days later, he had a change of mind and asked would I go out to Greece with him to check it out on my boat. Not a problem, flights and a hire car booked, we went out to Kilada. Not only was the head height in the saloon a problem, but also the boom height in the cockpit. No sale.

A second buyer was found in December. He went out to Greece to inspect the yacht but decided not to buy it. I had indicated to the broker that time was running out and that if the boat was not sold by the end of January I would take it off the market and use it as I had intended from the outset – for my circumnavigation.

By mid-January a third buyer was interested and quickly arranged for all the checks to be completed. By late February Corryvreckan was sold and I needed to move rapidly on a number of fronts. Firstly I had to drive out to the boat and remove all of my personal equipment that wasn’t included in the sale. There were too many things on board and so my car only had space for a driver – me. The buyer gained quite a few items at my expense.

Finding a new boat

Now I needed to buy a catamaran. I knew what I wanted, a Lagoon 380 or similar, four cabins / two heads, rigid Bimini and a few other bits that might be nice to have. The yacht that I had just sold was kitted out fully for long ocean passages. Wind, solar and a hydro-generator meant that the batteries were always fully charged and all the electronics could be used without fear. The watermaker was the last purchase for the yacht and, although not used every day, did come in handy. Looking at cats currently on sale, a few might have some solar panels but none will be spec’d out to the requirements needed for a circumnavigation.

When I do finally find the cat suitable for my circumnavigation it will have to be fitted out to the same spec or better than before. I’m looking to add at least 1000w of solar supported by a wind generator. Initially I thought about adding a Watt and Sea pod generator, but I feel that this expense would be better served buying Lithium batteries. A water maker is a must as is a radar and AIS. Ideally I will also look to have the yacht coppercoated, something I had on my last two yachts and swear by it! A top down furling system and a bowsprit would be nice, as would a tri-colour navigation light, but these are not essential.

I had been working though all the ads while my yacht was up for sale, but reluctant to move forward until I had the sale money in my bank. Now was the time to move. However, stock was pretty low, or at least low where my budget was concerned. There was one in Athens that fitted the bill so I took a trip out to view her. A number of obvious faults made me step back. On further enquiries with the seller it became apparent that too much money would be needed to get her to the condition I would be happy with.

Buyer Beware

The next one in the Caribbean, had been damaged by hurricane Irma, but the broker assured me that for $20,000 she could be brought back to a very lovely yacht, she just needed some cosmetics. Sold by the idea that I would be able to fund this work and buy all the extras that I had in mind, I put in an offer. A bit of negotiation and a deposit was paid. Due to the nature of the yacht, and that I was finding it difficult to view the yacht personally, I decided to have not one survey but three done; the yacht itself, the standing/running rigging and the engines. I heard that the rigging team refused to carry out the inspection. The mainsail halyard snapped as one of the riggers was going up the mast. They had noticed other issues which were of major concern.

The main surveyor spoke to me on the evening of the survey and went through the multitude of faults that needed addressing, many of which were major including the starboard engine – which had to be replaced.

I immediately sent an email to the broker instructing him of my withdrawal from the purchase. The broker informed me that the government of Sint Maarten takes 6% of the returned deposit, however, another broker in Sint Maarten told me this is not the case. So this venture resulted in over £2000 less for the purchase of my catamaran.

Lesson learnt… but what next?

Lesson learnt – view the yacht before deciding to purchase! The old adage, what appears to be a bargain is definitely not the case!

So that leaves me with buying a catamaran in the Mediterranean, unless I can find a cheap flight further from home. It also brings with it many logistical problems. I have crew in place for a departure this year, but no boat. If I do find the right boat will I get the time for good sea trials before setting off? And if I do find the right boat will I still be able to afford the extras that ideally I’d like to have for my circumnavigation? And finally, if I do purchase in the Caribbean, what do I do with all the equipment that I brought home from my old yacht and all the new equipment currently sitting in my dining room and garage?

Oh my, why did I have to get such grand ideas!?

Finally, with this delay and the need to kit out the cat for ocean passages, disappointingly I have no option but to postpone.

Paul Chopin

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Other Reports from the Author:

Pandemic Pursuits:  Planning for a Circumnavigation (March 2021)

Greece: Sailing Around the Ionian (October 2018)

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The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of Noonsite.com or World Cruising Club.