The home of the Duff Fleet
We are fortunate enough to have been part of 2 separate syndicates buying new yachts. It's great fun chosing and fitting out a new yacht. Just don't think about the money! The hardest thing is chosing a name.
The yachts have allowed us some great time afloat. The years of joy brought by getting away from it all are priceless.
Thirty Something FOR SALE (2006)
Our first yacht, a 1999 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32.2 actually measures in at 31'3".
She has a traditional layout down below, which is nicely finished and very practical.
Her home port is St Valerie En Caux, France. This is halfway between Fecamp and Dieppe.
She is now FOR SALE (2006). Our syndicate needs have changed (children grow and more arrive!).
She has generated lots fond memories of time afloat, particularly several summers on the west coast of France and northern Spain sailing with dolphins. Back then, our home port was Les Sables D'Olonne, France.
This allowed us some great opportunities to spectate, on the water, for some of the Vendee Globe starts and finishes. The ultimate single handed race, being non-stop around the world yacht race. A pretty cool course, leave Les Sables, leave Antartica to starboard and come back to Les Sables. The most memorable was witnessing Dame Ellen finish in the dark at the end of the 1996 race. We followed her in and were right with her when she crossed the line. We have some great video!
One More Knot
Our second yacht, a 2001 Elan 333, is 34'3".
Home port is Haslar marina in Gosport, England.
She is a quite racey above decks together with a reputation for being quick. The a traditional layout down below, which is nicely finished and very practical. A lesson we learnt from Thirty Something was that that a practical layout is what a boat needs to be effective. Thirty Something managed it very well, so we wanted something similar.
We also take her racing, in both the Portsmouth Sailing Club Parhelion series and the annual Round the Island Race.
We have written a detailed owners' review of our Elan 333. This has proven interesting to would be buyers, and has generated enquiries for Italy and New Zealand. Maybe we should get a commission from Elan!
Sailing on the World Wide Web
Phil has competed in the Virtual Volvo Ocean Race with his virtual One More Knot! There was mixed success and lots of frustration. These virtual races were very popular and had many issues. When they were good, they were very good, but sometimes the software and servers didn't do what the 'sailors' expected.
OMK actually lead a fleet of over 8000 boats at one point!
Phil has also dabbled in Virtual Skipper, which is quite an effective racing simulation. Look out for "Top Toy" on the virtual water.