Small Boat Voyages

I took a break from activities recently starting from June this year when I suffered a back injury whilst cycling. This caused a herniated disc in my back that pressed onto nerves in my spine resulting in excruciating pain and loss of mobility. I had been bed ridden for four weeks, than gradually started to move around more freely and even drive my car short distances. Over the summer I managed to do some trailer maintenance as mentioned in The previous post, but I was unable to go sailing or do anything requiring lifting,  pulling or stretching.

As of now I’m still in pain and it seems now I have acquired arthritis in my right hip so it seems my age is catching up with me. Recently concluding that my time as custodian of Tarka was pretty much at an end, there’s no getting away from the fact that a larger boat requires more effort than a smaller one, I set my mind to downsizing.

There is no doubt that Tarka is a boat built to the highest possible standards of craftsmanship and engineering, and besides that a thing of great beauty and allure. Before I had the accident I was of a mind to keep her forever, but now I think I’ve been very fortunate to have been her keeper.

I have chosen a Drascombe Scaith as my new companion to continue my small boat voyages. One of only 13 ever made, which at 15ft and 120kg makes it a much easier craft to manage on land or sea.

Tarka is currently back where she came from at David Moss Boatbuilders in Skipool Creek, Lancashire, where she will be put for sale on the brokerage there.