The Yacht
Minka of Southampton - Cruising Log
Edmund Wigan
Wed 6 Jan 2010 18:15
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Minka of Southampton is a Rival Bowman 36 built in
1994 and launched in 1995. She is number 74 of the 78 built by the factory in
Southampton. She was highly specified from new by her very knowledgeable first
owners Brenda and Geoff Float.
She was sold to Edmund Wigan in September 2004 via
Berthons of Lymington where she had been based since new. She has since been
based in Abersoch, Pwllheli, Deganwy and Plymouth.
Fuller details of the Rival 36 are available on the
Rival Owners Association website.
During the period 2005 to 2009 her inventory was
updated and extended to make her suitable for single handed long term
cruising.
In November 2009 Edmund and Minka left Plymouth for
Coruna to start a cruising life. The Bay of Biscay provided a predictably
interesting and amusing first trip which actually ended in Gijon
where Minka required replacement of her original mainsail and genoa as she
had permanently reefed them. The storm jib and inner forestay proved good value
and a hank on number 3/4 foresail was added to the sail wardrobe. Rob Kemp
supplied the new sails in his usual friendly and efficient manner. The B&G
masthead wind sender unit, the radar reflector and the tricolour light all had
to be replaced as they had abandoned ship whilst Minka had been playing
submarines.
Edmund took up sailing late in life and enjoys
experiential learning. He retired in 2009 and intends to explore the world with
Minka.
This log will describe their travels as a means of
keeping friends and family informed.
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