Jeremy Rogers’ Lymington boatyard has been
building small but seaworthy oceangoing
GRP yachts since 1965. Choosing to ignore
modern design trends, they have stuck to
a formula that’s fostered loyalty from some
of the sailing community’s most intrepid
yachtsmen. Jeremy’s son Kit and his wife
Jessie, who now run the business, took their
Contessa 32 Assent to the Arctic and now help
their clients equip yachts for sailing the world.
‘We have no typical customer profile. People
buy a Contessa because they want a yacht
that connects them with their environment,
whilst protecting them from the worst of it.’A long-keel, narrow beam and heavier than
usual GRP construction give even the smallest
Contessa, only 26ft long, an ability to ride out
bad weather with ease, something many
modern hulls struggle with.
‘It’s not about waterline length, but what
shape exists below the waterline. That’s what
fundamentally makes these designs safer and
more stable offshore. The main compromise
is space below, but that’s a trade-off Contessa
owners make willingly. At sea, they benefit
from a very comfortable and secure space
that’s comfortable and easy to live in, even
in the worst weather,’ says Jessie.The boatbuilder
The Golden Globe
competitor
Gregor McGuckin, a competitor in this year’s
Golden Globe revival race, has bought a
Biscay 3 6. Whilst qualification for the race was
a factor in his decision, the former delivery
skipper explains that his boat is essentially
perfect for a race where endurance and
resilience are absolutely paramount.
‘I’m basically preparing her with the idea
that I will probably go through some fairly
horrendous weather. Whilst I’d not sailed
a ketch before buying her, delivering
a Nicholson 3 2 taught me a lot about the
qualities of a more traditional design below
the waterline.
‘Add to that how
manageable the
ketch rig is now I’ve
run more lines to
the cockpit and
you’ve got a yacht
that instills
confidence – it’s a
long game we’re
playing, so whilst
speed is important,
how well the boatlooks after me for the long term is perhaps
the biggest consideration.’
With the prospect of up to a year at sea alone
ahead of him, Gregor is simplifying everything
on board as much as possible.
‘I worked as a charter skipper in the
Caribbean for a couple of years on boats
with all sorts of technology, but the more
you get into the mindset of this old-fashioned
competition, the more you realise that less
really is more. I ask myself, “Is it useful?”
If the answer is no, then it’s off!
‘I’ve decided that the heating system
will probably come out as well, but
when it comes to the basic yacht
systems, such as the bilge pumps, I
have upgraded. It’s really about
prioritising everything that will keep
the boat moving through the water.’The delivery
skipper
Pete Green is the
owner of Halcyon
Yacht Delivery and
sails small yachts
all year round, often
when the conditions
are far from ideal.
‘I have heard
skippers say that
they wouldn’t cross the
Atlantic in anything
less than 40ft. The
reasons given are
often to do with
comfort on board and
average speeds. Larger yachts will travel faster,
so you get to your destination quicker. You
can also avoid bad weather with greater ease.
‘When planning a passage on a smaller yacht,
you have to be more a bit more conservative
with resources. The tanks are smaller and due
to slower speed, you will need to provision your
rations for longer.
‘When we deliver smaller yachts we try to
alleviate the problem by taking on more fuel
and carrying additional water bottles.’EXPERT ON BOARD
Pete’s delivery company
Halcyon Yachts frequently
takes small yachts on long
bluewater passagesGregor will be relying
on his Biscay 36 to take
him around the world
without stopping