From a Duck to a Swan

by Sandi Shiret

Boat buying is never planned, of this I am becoming convinced; twice now we have bought a boat with our hearts, our logical thinking brains temporarily suspended. Boats have a habit of working their way in to your affections until you would have it no other way but with them in your life. And when a new mistress presents itself to you somehow you have to let the old one go, but gently.

Last year we sold Gliding Kestrel our GK29. It was a poignant last sail from Portsmouth to Burseldon on the Hamble River, reminding us of the lessons we had learned in the previous three years. The sun shone and the wind was fair. It was sad to leave her behind to be sold.

We had been discussing a future boat and looking over various ones with a view to buying a yacht capable travelling further a field and that we could live on. Inconsiderately at times we did this in GK's saloon. I hope she forgives us.

One night after our evening class, having successfully navigated our way to the bar of The Ship, we were discussing our ideas over a drink with the Commodore. He suggested in his considered manner, that we look at the Westerly Conway.

Armed with these few words of wisdom we set out to research the boat, and came to some promising conclusions. There was one layout we liked the look of, it gave us the galley space - my request, comfortable u- shaped seating in the saloon, and a double bunk that either person can get out of with out climbing over the other - Colins request.

When John suggested looking at the Conway little did he realise the chain of events that were about to unfold.

Now all we had to do was find one to look at, we saw the details of several boats but not in layout B that we wanted. After some consideration and stating "we won't even think about going to look at it unless it is the B layout". Colin eventually requested the details of a Conway in Inverness that had been advertised for a while in Yachting Monthly.

I can still remember the day I came home from work and saw the details Colin had laid out on the kitchen table, with the picture of layout B uppermost, and from these simple beginnings our adventure began.

We flew to Inverness, and after viewing her, spent some time in the pub (a place where all important sailing decisions are made) in deep discussion and, in a very short space of time became the owners of a Westerly Conway Ketch called 'Taransay Mhor'. Her name comes from the island of Taransay in the Outer Hebrides and the Scottish word Mhor meaning big or bigger. We believe the first owner had a smaller yacht called Taransay.

She was brought down to Gosport Boat Yard on a low loader in July 2003 and spent 9 months in the yard whilst we worked on her. She did not look her best when she arrived, full of gear stored during transit, no masts and with a slightly neglected air about her. Friends were awe struck by what they perceived to be the scale of the project. We of course were undaunted and planned to have her afloat for Easter 2004.

After GK's sale in September it was time to concentrate on Taransay, it took a lot of scrubbing and renewing of parts and gear, with Cutlass & Rudder Bearings by Gosport Boat Yard, Cushions by Comfort Afloat and hours of Scrubbing & Fixing by Sandi & Colin. She looks like new.

We launched her at Easter and entertained the people who had hauled out for the weekend in Gosport Boat yard with our impromptu Bar b Que on the pontoon, mast climbing, and re-rigging. One sunny day I spent chatting with a girl friend sitting in the cockpit whilst everyone else sorted out Taransay. I claimed it was ok as I had spent 9 months in hard labour.

On Easter Sunday we went for our first sail, we put all the sails up, two sails we were used to and the mizzen which went up in a trice, she heeled gently to the light south westerly breeze and in that one moment all the work seemed worthwhile. We got as far as the first Fort outside Portsmouth Harbour before the wind died away, but this did not dampen our enthusiasm. Our Ugly Duckling had turned in to a Swan.