Living Aboard

A Memory of Maldon.

Living Aboard Boats
A Memory of Maldon.

I moved aboard a small 2 1/2 ton yacht named Gulldreen in Dixon Kerlys yard along the Downs Maldon in the 1960's. This was while I was serving my apprenticeship at Hoffmanns in Chelmsford. I then bought the ex RNSA yacht 'Samuel Pepys' a famous racer which was written about by a previous owner Errol Bruce when she sat out a hurricane in the first Transatlantic Race. I lived aboard her for a year or so dreaming of sailing to Australia! Following my marriage and birth of my first son, I moved onto Plain Kate a 46 ft motor sailor for 18 months before emigrating to Australia in 1965 then to New Zealand in 1976 where I now live aged 82. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers 'the Maldon Navy' as we used to call ourselves - Clive Bishop, John, Pat, and Bernard of Fairways Yacht Charters, (Chairways Yacht Farters! as they had been mistakenly called!). I have many photos of my old boats and would love to hear where they are now. My thanks for the opportunity to live aboard remain with Doctor Paul Garton (late) of Hoffmans.

---

---