Sapphira

Sapphira is a Cape Carib 33 yacht that was built here in Hong Kong in 1975 to a Ted Brewer design.   

She came to us when her previous owners eventually admitted to themselves that they could no longer find the time to keep her in the condition she needed to be in nor the time to sail and enjoy her.

After nearly two years of floating on her swing mooring the hull is far from smooth and her teak deck and woodwork has lost most of its lustre and varnish.

Ahead of me I have a winter of DIY but what a challenge it will be.

Our new toy for the summer

20 feet of fun.    A rather elderly Flying Fifteen, FFurious FForties, sail number HKG 3469.
All we have to do is patch up some collision damage on the deck and then sail it through the harbour from Causeway Bay and across to Lantau.   Now that is going to be an interesting trip.    Will need to time the journey to maximise the tides so they push from right to left to get me out of the harbour quickly and then hopefully a reach all the way over.  

Hong Kong tidal atlas

As soon as I am over the shipping lanes and long as I keep heading West the route is relatively safe.    There a few pictures below that I have found on the internet.

Aye Aye Captain

Arthur had his first taste of life on the ocean waves today. Well in actuality he only got to climb aboard a yacht that was firmly tied to a large mooring buoy but tells me it was one of the best day's of his life so far and for a lad who regularly throws up in taxis, buses and on board ferries that takes some recognising. Oddly too he suffered no ill effects what so ever and was happy to roam about below in the cabin where it was pretty stuffy considering the outside temperature and the lack of any breeze. No matter he enjoyed the experience and that is all that matters. many thanks to Kieren for the day and get well soon chum! (He will understand). Now was I supposed to leave that stop cock open or closed?