By Robert Chester.

My sailing story starts in the early 1970’s whilst attending a poor, with the exception of one or two teachers, secondary modern school in Middlesex.  Myself and a number of contemporaries from the fourth form learnt of a local unit of the sea cadets looking for recruits to bolster their depleting roll call.  

Of the many things we learnt at the Pinner unit one was of course sailing by a good man with very little patience and zero tolerance for lippy teenagers.  So every Sunday regardless of the weather we were at The Welsh Harp in north London learning something new in a variety of craft at the cadets disposal which interested, and more importantly, occupied and inspired us. 

The mid 1970’s arrived, we left school, we left home and we left the sea cadets, better lads and better prepared to start our apprenticeships and live elsewhere.  When on holiday I, like almost everyone else still took an interest in everything that happened around the coast and harbours of wherever we happened to be.  Best of all I could still remember how to sail a dingy reasonably competently, safely, and get back to where I had started with the mast upright, and the lower part of the hull still in the water.

In 2007 after a break of some 11 years I wanted to revisit the Scilly Isles and set about making contact with the islands tourism office, I called up an internet search engine and quickly found the Classic Sailing web site and a suitable voyage and a number of alternatives and called their office only to discover that all voyages to the Scilly Isles and other voyages compatible with my leave entitlements were booked up and last minute cancellations were not foreseen. Not disheartened I ordered their brochure and upon its arrival a representation of a Bristol Channel pilot cutter owned and operated by an acquaintance and business partner of theirs immediately caught my attention, it looked right.

I was most impressed with the Edwardian like opulence and lavish use of mahogany contrasting pleasantly with the white painted wall panels set off perfectly with the flame coloured hexagonal sectioned mast creation running through the centerpiece table below deck.

Annabel J's Luxurious Interior

More importantly, a study of  the sectioned plan of this “Annabel-J” sensibly included in the brochure revealed an apparently astounding amount of living space for the amount of boat on offer.  Clearly a great deal of thought had gone into the proportions and distribution of work, recreation, crew sleeping and heads/washing areas, to create a thoroughly ergonomic, comfortable and feel good factor below deck. Convinced that I’d found a good boat to sail on I decided upon a voyage departing from “AJ’s” Hamble base to the Paimpol festival of traditional sail in Brittany via the Channel Islands!

Arriving on board I was immediately offered a welcoming cup of tea by the mate and soon meet convivial skipper and co- owner Phil Cogdell and we made ourselves comfortable in the very roomy, spacious and what has proved in later voyages very protective cockpit.  This serves as the epicenter of most aspects of life on board not just the sailing.  I, like all guests was made to feel welcome and I thought viewed as a valuable and appreciated member of the team for the next week.  Phil and his crew accomplish this better than they probably realize.

Eventually I went below for the first time and my impression of space and comfort gained from studying the plans were confirmed, the hull has a deep draught lending the accommodation easily the required headroom even for very tall guests.  The companionway is spacious, the crew’s quarters, chart table and aft heads are, to me, correctly proportioned.  Additional unobtrusive storage for provisions and waste is provided for here as is the ready access to the technical heart of the boat.  This area is also well thought out.  One moves next through matching mahogany framed and glazed double doors to the saloon. 

The deck light prisms and glazed saloon hatches fill the saloon and cabins with an abundance of natural light making an enforced or wished for occupation below a further and unexpected pleasure.  Directly forward of the entrance doors to starboard is the galley, to port is a modest yet inviting well stocked ships library and freezer unit; the former displayed and latter clothed in the same timber chosen for the rest of the interior.  This area has for me an  additional and understated delight; namely a space where one can stand back and observe life below deck, maintain a low profile or converse with those detailed to the sink and dish cloth, offering moral support and encouraging advice to those involved without unnecessary interference.

Throughout one is struck by the very high quality of the fittings used and above all standards of joinery employed.

The saloon and main cabin area of course also serves as sleeping accommodation for 5 guests, one of which may use the partially concealed pilots berth as comfy niche almost separate from the communal rest area.  The berths are comfortable, spacious, provide for a good nights rest and are quickly and simply converted from their day time uses.

Walking comfortably upright through the bulkhead door one enters the forward cabin where very generous and permanent accommodation for 3 people is provided for.  There is a double bed to port above the water tank; its one ton capacity appreciated by all on board, and to starboard a single bed.  Separated, but a fundamental part of this cabin, the forward heads offers a staggering level of space on a boat of this size.  Here one can occasionally spread oneself and toiletries out and carry out in stress free comfort more thorough ablutions if necessary, safe in the knowledge that the aft heads are available to the other guests if a pressing need exists.  A huge plus point to AJ, appreciated by more guests than would admit to!  This forward cabin can and sometimes does serve as female accommodation (or ladies boudoir!!?) providing yet another reason for some prospective lady guests.

When the rest of the guests had arrived we were given an easily understandable, concise and thorough safety briefing and advice of how to live on board followed by our plans for the overnight passage to Guernsey, rounding the Isle of Wight.  I was reminded of family holidays there in the 1960’s, then never dreaming I would some 40 years later be viewing our holiday domicile from the deck of a traditionally rigged sailing boat under a full moon.

The following day under motor sail to maintain schedule, was breakfast in the cockpit with a glorious sunrise. Any feeling of nausea and lack of appetite in no way detracts from the delight of being on board which has never diminished.  The sea sickness as always quickly went and there followed a week of constant delight and interest, life was good.  

On deck  one could scamper forward and sit against the base of the mast or shelter against the emergency raft or bowsprit posts and contemplate or use a mobile phone and boast and exaggerate to those at home or anyone who might be interested or jealous.

Relaxing on Annabel J's Spacious Deck

From a novice and inexpert mariners view Annabel-J’s sailing characteristics are solidly reassuring; she can be  pretty quick but is as forgiving or demanding as the skipper wishes her to be.

On a later voyage, eventually to the Scillies, we were approaching the Lizard Peninsula in glorious weather.  On our way out to St Agnes, Phil matter of factly announced it “could get a little lumpy”.  This coming from probably the most unflappable man in the Solent and channel, I took to be sound advice.  I stationed myself aft and gripped the thoughtfully placed handholds, being an integral feature of the boom cradle and assumed a look of grim determination.  As we approached the cauldron of wrath, swell and sea caused, I was told, by a combining effect wind, tide and  undersea rocks I was more than  usually interested in what was to happen next.  I need not have been concerned as our solid, sleek hull aided by 39 odd tons gently and effectively pressed the raised sea away from us yet allowing a certain amount of water on deck and giving a degree of quarter to movement.  Those in the cockpit remaining completely dry, content, excited and comfortable.  Those on deck safe, refreshed and able to test the quality of the waterproofs supplied, which are effective, clean, comfortable, come in all sizes and mean you do not have to bring your own and take up space below, this I consider to be important.

Phil the 'Skipper'

I am now a fortunate veteran of four voyages on Annabel J over three years; I have anchored off uninhabited islands in the Scilly Isles, waking in the morning to stunning scenery and enjoyed breakfast on deck.  We have made passage plans set in stone only to change our mind and sail somewhere else after all and then changed our minds again all with mutual consent. The emphasis, of course is on sailing but almost equally so the anchoring or tying up, making things safe and correct. After a wonderful sail comes the opening of a well earned glass of wine or cold beer from the fridge, or maybe a dash ashore in the inflatable by an ever willing skipper or crew to luxurious shower facilities.  Also provided in the Scilly Isles was an excellent guided nature ramble by Will Wagstaff, a local Island and Nature expert. 

Enjoying the Nature Tour

One can just shop and explore, or like me sit down on a piece of soft grass with bird book and binoculars not far from a pub serving freshly prepared lobster at a fraction of the price back home and always in good company.  A bracing swim is of course irresistible in the turquoise waters of the Scilly Isles and every bit as enjoyable as you imagined to be; in the words of a fellow guest we were indeed privileged.

Peaceful Anchorages in the Scilly Isles

I have enjoyed night coastal passages, observing a completely changed environment identifiable only by the fascinating science of recognition of light patterns, colours, angles and timings, I must admit to having identified a moving cruise ship as Bournemouth pier.  Happy days.

Eighteen stone plus Olympians are also catered for.  They can, if they ask Phil nicely, indulge themselves by raising the peak halyard alone to critical acclaim or unsolicited witticisms according to performance delivered.

In return for the dedication and attention to detail shown by all crew  I think  guests should help Phil, Pete and Ian to take on the considerable responsibility that they shoulder by taking on anything up to eight greenhorn crew by observing at all times the simple but important safety measures rightly insisted upon.  Also by using the water sparingly ( a ton can be quickly consumed if careless!) and the heads correctly! Not least, storage space is used for the storage of articles and provisions necessary for the safety, support, well-being and comfort of the guests and crew and not stowage lockers or the like.  For that reason guests are rightly advised to bring a minimum of gear on board in a soft bag without sharp or hard protrusions to protect the woodwork and further increase the level of comfort below.  Wellies I would definitely recommend, even if like me you have to remove the compost and leaves attached by heavy clay soil and small twigs first.

The quality and amount of food is more than I ever expected possible and is served at three mealtimes as well as fresh fruit, tea/coffee and biscuits being available during the day. A ledger is kept of alcoholic beverages consumed and settled at the end of the voyage between the consumers.

I have had the pleasure of sailing with a number of crew along with skipper Phil and always feel I am in good, safe and competent hands when underway and in the company of friends as well as entertaining and skilled hosts when at anchor or in harbour. Their characters, skills and backgrounds are different yet complimentary  They are flexible, understanding and attentive to the needs of their guests; they are very good at what they do.  They provide for us, the guests, an unforgettable experience difficult to achieve elsewhere at any price.

On very few occasions whilst I have been aboard small mechanical repairs have been necessary to maintain the well being, planned schedules and desired standards on board.  These rectifications were carried out by Phil or the mate with the easy adroitness of a trained shipwright.  Also impressive for me coming from an engineering background was the availability of spares on board.  This must be the result of having an intimate knowledge of the boat combined with years of experience of maintaining the boat themselves: Phil and his crew are very competent.

Not just for reasons of space I have omitted all references regarding sailing performance, because as the title suggests I am unable to do so, it is anyway available at Phil’s web site written by experts, my intention has been to try and describe my impressions of life on board to someone who has never sailed before but would like to try, they could do no better than to contact Phil, Pete or Ian.