Signals - the newsletter from DALE Nelson Motor Yachts
September 2009
IMPORTANT DATES FOR DIARIES. DALE NELSON OWNERS CRUISE 2010 (Friday, 21st to Monday, 24th May)
Following the successful owners cruise to Ireland in May this year, many of the owners have requested a follow up in 2010, plus early warning of the likely dates. So after a good deal of discussion during the recent Southampton Boat Show it is intended that a second cruise will be held on the above dates. As this year, the last day of the cruise is flexible, depending on individual wishes and may continue onto Tuesday or beyond.
Next year it is felt that the cruise should be on the South Coast with the principal ambition being to reach the Scilly Islands. Obviously this will be entirely dependent upon settled weather, which if not in abundance will result in a bad weather plan and probably involving some much shorter hops between South Coast locations such as Falmouth – Plymouth – Dartmouth - Salcombe etc.
At this stage it is suggested that we shall aim to meet in Falmouth on Friday afternoon/evening the 21st with a view to setting off for the Scillies on Saturday morning. Further messages will be sent to everyone in due course to see who intends to come along and once numbers are known further detailed planning can be undertaken.
SOUTHAMPTON BOAT SHOW OWNERS DINNER 2009
Fifteen of us gathered at Ennios Restaurant opposite the Boat Show on the first Friday of the show to experience what turned out to be a superb meal. Ennios Antipasto Misto was an absolute revelation and a stupendous meal in itself, only to be followed by a choice of even more delicious whole sea bass, 10oz Rib eye steaks, chicken filet stuffed with wild mushrooms, wrapped in Parma ham and lots more and followed by some wicked puddings, coffee and Amaretti biscuits.
A relaxed atmosphere in the restaurant and good service combined with some good natured leg-pulling, and stories about epic voyages past and planned all resulted in a thoroughly enjoyable social occasion amongst friends with one major item in common – their boats! Dale Nelson of course!
SOUTHAMPTON BOAT SHOW 2009 – UPDATE
This year’s show started with modest expectations given the present economic climate but it is no exaggeration to say that we came away with some really strong leads across the whole range of work that we do.
Some of the serious enquiries were quite unusual but of real interest, for example, we are currently in discussion with one prospective customer regarding a 38 hull built in a Pilot vessel exterior style but with a luxury cruising interior. Another was from the Captain of a super-yacht whose owners are dissatisfied with their present “chase boat” and are looking for something more stylish and effective. The professionals on board are very taken with the possibility of us building them a 56foot version of the 45 and are soon to make recommendations to their owners. There was another serious enquiry for a 38 aft cockpit modified to have a double berth forward, and two more clients, who by coincidence knew each other, and are both more than interested in the 45 Classic.
Even the Celtic longboats were sought after by potential customers at the show, and the recent commencement of a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” for one of our existing customers, in the form of a 23 foot Nelson design open launch, with a high quality carbon fibre/epoxy structure, giving the high performance needed to facilitate water skiing and wake boarding, aroused the interest of more than one surprised potential buyer.
Perhaps of greatest interest to many who know us by our reputation for high quality boat building, was to discover that we are now building a high tech construction 36 foot Corby designed racer/cruising yacht. The hull is being built in cedar strip planking sheathed in carbon fibre, with the superstructure being a carbon fibre/foam construction. A carbon fibre mast with rod rigging and the option of a furling headsail for cruising, but all designed specifically with the IRC handicap system in mind. This is a performance boat for sailing as well as racing and is already demonstrating its success through race results. Watch this space for more information and further details of its specification.
Finally, to complete the present picture, I should mention two 38 pilot boat hulls, one of which has already been transported to Portugal with another to follow shortly. We have also expressed our interest in an MOD contract for a number of sea-training boats and are now waiting further information from the Ministry of Defence.
We have already conducted two sea trials since the show, one on a 38 and a second on a 45, with a number of others in the pipeline. So as you can see, a very encouraging Boat Show with some exciting new projects and customer interest that will keep an already busy team working hard right through to next year.
AFTER SALES AND SERVICING
Just a reminder that we do have a mobile service/repair facility, available at any time of the year, and anywhere that we have our owners and their boats. So everyone now is the time to start planning your winter servicing, repairs and maintenance, and maybe the return of your boats to Neyland for it to be carried out by those who know the boats best. Jeremy is shortly off to France to service “Merlin”, and very soon after to Hythe and Ipswich to service Victory and “Lady Jennifer” respectively. “Still Calm” is due back from Guernsey and “Arlette” from Falmouth in early November. If you should require any help in getting them to Neyland, then please let us know and we can provide skippering assistance.
22/09/2009
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