Owners’ experiences
S/Y AQUILA, HULL NO.93 (1995)
Retired opticians, Mike and Janet Jones, have owned Aquila from new and still love everything about her, ‘except, maybe, her dubious close-quarter handling’ says Mike. Prior to buying her they owned a Westerly Merlin, Colvic 26 and a Coribee. The Vancouver suits their style of sailing, which comprises frequent, lengthy Channel cruises, as well as the odd dip down into Southern Brittany.
What they like most about her is the beautiful joinery below, along with the practical layout and her ability to stand up to her canvas in heavy weather. Janet admits: ‘Her accommodation is slightly cramped when compared with a modern, high-volume cruising yacht but we spend most of the time cruising as a couple, so we don’t worry too much about the guest quarters.’
S/Y INTI, HULL NO. 67 (1992)
Matthew and Ursula Freestone have owned Inti for six years, during which time they have added staysail furling, a feathering prop and solar panels.
Shortly after buying her they sailed Inti to the Balearics and back as a shakedown cruise.
Matthew says: ‘She needs a good breeze but will then sail at hull speed on most points of sail. Although slow to tack due to her long keel, she doesn’t get knocked off course easily. Having sailed a number of other boats, this is the one I’d choose to be in during a blow.’
In her lifetime Inti has been sailed halfway around the world before being shipped back to the UK from Southeast Asia. In 2009 she underwent a major refit, including new decks, engine and rigging.
S/Y PICARO, HULL NO.16 (2004)
Owned for six years by Ken Marsden, Picaro is a fairly late model. Despite this he replaced her engine with the same model as the original, a Yanmar 3YM. Ken has also added a full cockpit tent for comfort, solar panels, a gas solenoid cut-out on the cooker and a removable bowsprit for a cruising chute.
He mainly cruises around the UK, with numerous cross-channel trips to France, but longer trips have included the Bay of Biscay, the Isles of Scilly and Ireland.
Ken says: ‘She is a powerful yacht, but not very close-winded. Her long keel and large rudder keep her on course and she has a steady motion through rough seas. Single-line reefing and her cutter rig make her easy to sail singlehanded.’ Ken’s only dislike is having the mainsheet on the bridge deck, out of reach from the helm.
S/Y AMORET, HULL NO. 64 (1991)
Owned by Trevor and Irene Brook since 2011, Amoret was the first V34C built. Trevor says: ‘There have been many likefor-like changes of fittings and equipment, including the Treadmaster and upholstery, plus we have added a trysail bag for rapid hoisting, LED lights, AIS transponder, Navtex and an SSB Pactor modem for weather data.’
Trevor and Irene, both RYA Ocean Yachtmasters, began sailing together 20 years ago. After numerous mile-builders and charters they left Ramsgate in 2015 and cruised south, spending successive winters in La Rochelle, Lagos (Portugal), the Canary Islands and Madeira.
‘Fully stowed,’ Trevor says, ‘Amoret needs a good Force 4 to get going, but she has proven to be very safe in all seastates we’ve experienced and is easy to handle under sail.’