The Boat
"Silverwind" is one of
approximately eighty Hunter Delta 25s. They were built by Hunter Boats in the early
1980s. The big sister of the popular Hunter Sonata and the small version
of the Impala. Some were built with fixed
keels, however Silverwind has a
retractable fin keel bringing her draft from six feet to just twelve
inches.
At 25 feet Silverwind is
big enough
to look after herself but small enough to be safely sailed single-handed. She
also has a good turn of speed if there is a need and can often pace boats
ten feet longer.
After a full refit over the winter of
2003/4 Silverwind was ready to take me safely on the challenge of a
lifetime. This also allowed me the opportunity to get to know her inside
out.
In order to make Silverwind fit for this unique challenge there was a number of extra safety features added during her refit including:
- Three single line reefing lines were fitted to the mainsail,
- New engine was installed with full set of spares.
- Comprehensive tool kit and spares supply.
- Complete spare suit of sails.
- Storm sails.
- Orange Keel and Rudder (to make the hull easier to spot upside-down!)
- Extra Safety Rails.
- Epirb
- Two Anchors
- 300 metres of anchor warp (divided up for multiple uses).
- Two Solar Panels.
- Heavy Duty Dry Bag for carrying charts, laptop etc.
- Four person liferaft.
- Comprehensive grab bag (including spare flares, survival suits, food and water).
- Four person inflatable dinghy.
- Full RORC flare pack plus extras.
- Complete spare rudder stock and blade with stern fittings.
- Full set of charts and pilots for the UK, Ireland and Northern France.
- DSC radio, spare radio, GPS, spare GPS, log, depth sounder, Navtex and two autohelms.
- LW Radio (normally used in FM mode!) with spare batteries.
- Completely new waterproofed wiring throughout the boat.
- Two new heavy duty leisure batteries.
- 35 Gallon fresh water tank.
- Four serviced lifejackets (my personal jacket was upgraded with light, spare light, flare pack and a spray hood).
- Two sets of foul weather kit.
- Wetsuit and Goggles.
- Full mountain walking kit including two person tent (alternative accommodation!)
Generally Silverwind was rigged to be sailed single-handed, as easily and safely as possible. With a planned back-up for as many systems as possible. However, without affecting the performance of the boat too much.
Normally based in Penzance where we have a fleet of Hunter Deltas, Silverwind is raced in Mounts Bay surrounded by the beautiful Cornish coast. Visit the Penzance Sailing Club website for more information.
"...goals are dreams with a timescale..." © S Kent 2004