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I had the opportunity to spend 16 days on this 85 ft twin masted schooner

"The R. Tucker Thompson". It's one of the TALL SHIPS home based in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. I was one of nine passengers with a crew of five that sailed all through out the Tonga chain of islands in the South Pacific. I don't know how to sail, but this trip was a childhood fantasy come true for me and one of the best 16 days I have ever had. The lady I went with is now my wife of 18 years.

Attached files

Lon;1254233 wrote: I had the opportunity to spend 16 days on this 85 ft twin masted schooner

"The R. Tucker Thompson". It's one of the TALL SHIPS home based in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. I was one of nine passengers with a crew of five that sailed all through out the Tonga chain of islands in the South Pacific. I don't know how to sail, but this trip was a childhood fantasy come true for me and one of the best 16 days I have ever had. The lady I went with is now my wife of 18 years.


Dingy sailing has never appealed but I'd love to try on one of the tall ships.

I used to race dinghies as a lad. Bit harder to do now I'm in the middle of London (not to mention expensive!)

The type was a Solo - 90 square feet of sail (A Laser has 75 sq ft) on a wooden hull.

The place was Salcombe Estuary.

The position was last! :wah: Apart from anything else, I weighed about 10 stone at the time, and you needed to be at least 12 stone to handle the boat properly, so in any sort of wind I spent as much time in the water as in the boat.

Great fun.

An uncle had a sailboat and took me out, once. I was sick the whole trip. Much later another kin took me along on his motor boat. The water was very rough that day too. And, it was raining hard. We had to stay in the wheelhouse. I was sick there too. I hate big water. :yh_sick

I'm a motor boater.

hoppy;1254342 wrote: An uncle had a sailboat and took me out, once. I was sick the whole trip. Much later another kin took me along on his motor boat. The water was very rough that day too. And, it was raining hard. We had to stay in the wheelhouse. I was sick there too. I hate big water. :yh_sick


Try a glass bottom boat dear, if you are looking to toss your noggies in record time...:yh_rotfl

Lon;1254233 wrote: I had the opportunity to spend 16 days on this 85 ft twin masted schooner

"The R. Tucker Thompson". It's one of the TALL SHIPS home based in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. I was one of nine passengers with a crew of five that sailed all through out the Tonga chain of islands in the South Pacific. I don't know how to sail, but this trip was a childhood fantasy come true for me and one of the best 16 days I have ever had. The lady I went with is now my wife of 18 years.


What a fabulous adventure, Tall ships have always intriqued me. Do you have more pictures?

minks;1254371 wrote: What a fabulous adventure, Tall ships have always intriqued me. Do you have more pictures?


Yes I have more pics----I will get out the album, scan a few pics and post in this thread.

The captain of the "R. Tucker Thompson" is wearing the stripped shorts.

The young ones are the rest of the crew.

Attached files

Thanks Lon, wow that just looks so enjoyable.

It looks like you had great weather too.

I have only been on about a 30 foot sail boat once and it was the most relaxing trek. It was for about 3 hours through the Queen Charolette Islands off the west coast of British Columbia.

A long time ago as an apprentice boatbuilder we were taught to sail at college.

All fibreglass sea Skodas now.

I sail pretty close to the wind most of the time.

This is for you Lon. For you because I adore you !



YouTube - Rod Stewart - Sailing

Nomad;1254508 wrote: This is for you Lon. For you because I adore you !



YouTube - Rod Stewart - Sailing


Thanks sweetie----------------Love that piece by Stewart

Pictures are lovely Lon:-6