SHIPPING

The Chosen ship was MOL Cullinan. They arrived in port spot on time. loaded her on time and departed on time.

THE PURCHASE

When Rhe boat was purchased, the exchange rate was very favourable. Enough to decide not to take forward cover and risk a slight movement. No one was to predict such a shift in the currency rate in a short period of time. Nonetheless it did happen.. The lessen learnt, don't be greedy, take forward cover or pay up front if you are happy with that rate.

Originally I have paid for road transport to LeHavre harbour in France for loading onto a ship. This would mean transhipping elsewhere. I decided agaisnt this and opted to truck the yacht directly to Rotterdam and load once onto the ship that would be shipping her directly to Cape Town. I paid the extra and this was done.

The boat was prepared and trucked exactly on time with no glitches and was met in Rotterdam by the forwarding agent who would be responsible for loading her onto the flatrack and to ensure she gets shipped on time.

The boat gets placed on her own cradle and then secured to the flat rack, then the boat is placed on the cradle and secured, lastly the mast is propped and secured above decks.

Once this was done I was sent a photo where I queried the arrangement to seure the mast. For whatever the reason, instead of sorting out, the boat was taken off the loaidng sheet(Possibly due to the loading taking place over a weekend) and she thus missed the ship.. the rectifications were done, but she needed to spend some time in Rotterdam to await the appropriate ship.

FACTORY VISIT -9 September 2011

As part of the experience I was keen to visit the Jenneau factory. The local agent arranged for me to visit the factory.

I flew to Holland, en route meeting up with a good friend of mine, Hans. We dropped off our bags at his home in Holland and then flew onto Nantes in France. We spent the night in a hotel close to the airport. The next morning we rented a car and drove the 70km's to the factory.

The Jenneau factory is the largest yacht factory in the world spanning over 35 hectres.. Their methods of productions and quality were a real eye opener. They were capable of producing over 5000 units per year and employ a few thousand people on site.

I was given a full tour of the factory which ended with me being show my yacht. The yacht was in final finish where the keel, rudders and factory extras were being fitted.

The experience of visiting the factory was really worthwhile.. I was really impressed.

The factory were prepared for me and were very keen to show me around, answer any questions. The experience on their side was shown.

That afternoon we flew back to Amsterdam with me attending a boat show on the Saturday..

If I had any doubts about the choice, they are gone.. I got to see all the latest boats including the Benneteau's and can say with frankness that I am really happy with my choice.

It was a two day trip, one for the factory, one for the boat show... but really worthwhile.

SUNFAST 3200

Sometime ago Ian and myself were at the SouthHampton Boatshop when we first saw the Sunfast 3200... We were very impressed, but did nothing further.. After selling OC I sat down and reviewed my requirements in Sailing... I wanted:

-A boat of around 32 foot.
-Can be easily sailed.
-Good shorthanded ability.
-Good offshore capabilities.
-Simple layout.
-Simple to maintain.
-Practical interior, good for offshore.
-Capable of good daily averages offshore.
-Safety.. Watertight bulkheads would be a real plus.

The above is a tall order to be found in one boat. Then I recalled the Sunfast 3200.. The Sunfast 3200 ticks everyone of these boxes... I was sold.
After some investigation I found the local agent that was just starting up in the sailing division, we confirmed an order with him.. and all systems go.
There was no stock boat available so but the boat was about to go into production for end September completion.

In addition to the standard boat, I ordered the following factory accessories:

-Gyro Autopilot
-Spinnaker gear including carbon pole
-Charging system including an additional 2 batteries.
-Fridge.
-Lower navigation lights.


Plus a cradle and the wrapping of the boat for shipping.
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