Go-faster motor-sailer
My wife Alix and I had no expectations as to the sailing ability of Big Ann, our Colvic Watson motor-sailer, when we bought her in Plymouth. All she had to do was get us safely across the Channel and to the nearest French canal. There, we imagined trading her masts for geranium boxes on the rail and living, happily ever after, on wine and cheeseÉ
Alas, two things happened on the way: firstly, we fell in love with Brittany and secondly, we discovered we still liked sailing too much – the canals would have to wait until we were really old and doddery.
Colvic Watsons, with their impressive wheelhouse and reputation for seaworthiness, have gained a loyal following. Unfortunately, they’re also reputed to be slow and plodding in anything less than a gale, with a tendency to roll in a seaway. While Big Ann, our Colvic Watson 31.5 ketch, did carry us safely across the Channel, we quickly discovered that not only did she have a ferocious weather helm, but that her flat, steel plate rudder would stall out at the least provocation.
The latter would leave us ploughing along like a runaway train without control or steerage. Tacking had more in common with a game of chance than a seamanlike manoeuvre. In harbours and confined spaces her obstinacy tended to elicit the urge to dive below for the insurance papers. Reversing was tricky at best, and stopping, we found, was a procedure best initiated at a safe distance from port. Something did not seem right.
