Page 46 - Yachter Spring/Summer 2021

46 FEATURE
SAILING AND DOLPHIN SURVEYING WITH CHANCE DISCOVERY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
Six years ago, I purchased my Discovery 55 whilst she was berthed in Porto Montenegro. I had viewed her when I was driving around Montenegro after a sailing charter in Croatia.This was two years before taking the bold decision to buy my first boat. I had known for years I wanted to buy a sailing yacht.
I researched and looked at numerous models but knew there was no point until I was sure I would have the time to sail for the better part of each year. I had also decided I only wanted to buy one yacht in my life, so the decision had to be the right one. I test sailed on the first Discovery 55s built by John and Caroline Charnley, who started and grew the company.
Also, on board was Matt Sheahan, from Yachting World. He would later write
a review of the brand. I told John and Caroline there was no way I could afford
one at that point in my life. Not in the least perturbed John said not to worry, maybe one day! He was correct. Chance Discovery
is from 2004 but had been only very lightly used. Apart from ticking all my boxes the name had an instant attraction for me. I had discovered her by Chance, and here was
my chance to make new discoveries in the coming years.
The previous owners had purchased her from new and were members of RSYC, as could be seen by the signwriting on her transom.This prompted me to join the club in order that Chance Discovery could continue her membership and make my dreams become a reality.
I started sailing by racing a Hobie 18
in Dubai as crew, followed by crewing on various monohulls in the Solent combined with cross-channel racing. I cruised
the Caribbean,Whitsundays, Seychelles, Thailand, Greece,Turkey and Croatia in a variety of charter yachts ranging from 28 to 52 feet. I have sailed Chance Discovery solo in winds of up to Force 9 and seas of 5m; she is a sea kindly yacht.At other times I sail with family and friends and have built
up a ‘Sailing Group’ of around 50 people, who join in as and when their availability allows. In the past few years, I have cruised Croatia, Montenegro, Greek Ionian, transited the Corinth Canal and sailed through the Aegean South and Eastwards to Crete and then east to Turkey. In 2019 my summer cruising was from Montenegro via the Greek Ionian, Sicily, Aeolian Islands, Italy, Sardinia, Corsica, the Balearics and mainland Spain. I made the return trip in 2020 exploring new anchorages and re-visiting