Departure of Pelagic. The end of an era.

Amidst the flurry of boat launching at Batson in the pre Easter rush to clear the car park for visitors, almost unnoticed was the final launch of Peter and Sarah Freedmans Contessa 32 Pelagic. Now under new ownership, she is destined for the East Coast and so, probably the longest yacht resident in Salcombe is departing. 

Peter bought Pelagic in 1987 and sailed her to Salcombe that year from Hayling Island, first to the then new offshore pontoons on the west side of the Bag and then, when one became available, to a swinging mooring astern of the ICC Mersey Ferry Egremont. He calculates that he made fifteen return crossings to Brittany (North and South as far as La Rochelle) between 1987 and 2010 and called at most regular harbours, plus three trips to the Isles of Scilly and numerous visits east as far as Lymington and west to the Helford. Like most of us, he felt great affection for his boat, noting that she always took care of him, never having to call for help notwithstanding four engine failures (two this side, one in the Chenal du Four and another just south of the Raz) and torn headsails. 

Back in the day, Pelagic did service as the family holiday boat, but in more recent years Peter was accustomed to sail singlehanded, attending Yacht Club Rallies with Sarah joining him by car. He will be particularly remembered, and thanked, for a succession of very successful Rallies on the Yealm, a destination dear to his heart. 

You can never really take the sea out of a sailor and Peter has plans which will still see him afloat in the Salcombe area.