Snow Goose 2015

In October 2014 I took a deep breath, sold Spray after 5 happy years of vigorous Drascombe sailing, and bought Snow Goose, for her standing headroom, her capacity for longer journeys and for all weather sailing. So far so good.  Snow Goose has already had some fine Thames estuary experiences and much more promises to follow. She has been berthed in Gillingham over the winter and is now in Brightlingsea following a brief stay in Greenwich in May.

Safely berthed at the excellent Gillingham Marina....

Snow Goose is a well preserved 1973 Series 1 Macwester 27.  She has been substantially refurbished and improved internally, has a recently installed Perkins 25 HP three cylinder engine, and many new features including cooker, heads, water tank/pipework, inflatable and outboard. Although the sails are in good condition most of the sailing setup had been less ‘loved’ than the interior and engine when I took her over.  However the sails and running rigging have all been cleaned and are now all in good working order. The electronics, although sound, were outdated and instrumentation has now been repaired and/or replaced.  The boat is now in good ship shape.

Since buying her in Newcastle I had her transported south on a lorry to Gillingham Marina where she spent the winter. During this time she had two or three cold but enjoyable outings in the Medway. In May I brought her up to Greenwich for the start of a sailing season in the Thames Estuary – an environment which should suit her relatively shallow draft and bilge keels well.

Most people’s reaction to the news that I sold Spray, a Drascombe Coaster, and bought a Macwester is one of surprise; the Macwester has a reputation for sedate progress and, to sailing eyes, is a little undercanvassed - unexciting. This may be so but the boat suits me well.  It is heavy at 3300kg and relatively easy to handle which will help single handed sailing, and has already shown that with a good wind she performs reasonably well – not fast but fast enough. Snow Goose is a pleasure to sail and to stay on board. She also has a fine engine which has already proved very capable, for instance motoring into a force 5/6 wind-over-tide chop. One of the great pleasures of this vintage of boat is the internal layout, with table and seats facing one another to one side of the cabin, all set high enough to be able to sit and look out of the large cabin window. She also has a door rather than washboards – very civilised. 

....seen from above...

....and doing 5.5 knots  down Sea Reach in a breeze