FAIREY GOD FATHER
Motor Boat & Yachting|December 2020
Former professional sailor and windsurfer Stuart Sawyer took on his biggest challenge yet by restoring a Fairey Swordsman 40 back to mint condition
Stuart Sawyer
FAIREY GOD FATHER

I am an “in the blood” waterman, having grown up racing Mirror dinghies at National and European level before becoming a professional windsurfer in my 20s and moving to Hawaii where the waves were bigger. These days I am back in the UK sailing a J/122 called Black Dog III. My crew and I are the current RORC IRC National Champions.

None of this would have been possible without a supportive family so it seemed only right that I started looking for a boat that my wife and two grown-up daughters could enjoy as much as I did. We wanted something around 40ft long that could sleep four comfortably and six at a push for our Black Dog “cruises”, which entail a pub or three in Fowey or the Helford.

Off the water, I am CEO of a materials technology company called D3O, which specialises in impact protection, including helmet liners for American Football players and the defence sector, covers for mobile phones and protective clothing for motorcyclists.

I had a budget up to £150,000-£160,00 to spend on a boat and as always I wanted to spend it wisely. I discounted a new boat because of the depreciation and decided I would be happier with an older classic anyway. The row-away factor (when you look back on the boat as you row ashore) was important to me, as was impeccable sea-keeping.

Bu hikaye Motor Boat & Yachting dergisinin December 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Motor Boat & Yachting dergisinin December 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MOTOR BOAT & YACHTING DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Lofoten or Bust- Part 4- Grandezza owner Per Harrtoft heads back to Sweden after an epic 3500nm adventure deep into the Arctic Circle to visit the mythical Lofoten islands
Motor Boat & Yachting UK

Lofoten or Bust- Part 4- Grandezza owner Per Harrtoft heads back to Sweden after an epic 3500nm adventure deep into the Arctic Circle to visit the mythical Lofoten islands

After ten memorable days in the Lofoten Islands in the far north of Norway, we are on our way back south towards Sweden. We have already made it as far as Trondheim, a charming place even if it was raining so hard we had to cycle round the city centre clutching umbrellas. But now we are back on board Deamare, our Grandezza 40 Fly, eating up the miles at a steady 31 knots.

time-read
10 dak  |
October 2024
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YACHT TRANSPORT
Motor Boat & Yachting UK

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YACHT TRANSPORT

As the name suggests it's a means of having your boat moved professionally from one location to another. It might be as simple as hiring someone to tow your RIB a few miles down the road or as complex as shipping a superyacht halfway around the world.

time-read
8 dak  |
October 2024
HANDLE A SINGLE SHAFTDRIVE BOAT PART 1
Motor Boat & Yachting UK

HANDLE A SINGLE SHAFTDRIVE BOAT PART 1

Single shaftdrive boats are relatively rare these days but the reduced costs of buying, servicing and fuelling such a simple but reliable drivetrain does mean they are making a bit of a comeback.

time-read
2 dak  |
October 2024
COCKWELLS MOTOR LAUNCH
Motor Boat & Yachting UK

COCKWELLS MOTOR LAUNCH

There can be very few boats that have appeared three times at the Southampton Boat Show and been sold off the stand each time.

time-read
5 dak  |
October 2024
INSTALLING AN AUTOPILOT
Motor Boat & Yachting UK

INSTALLING AN AUTOPILOT

Rick Channon makes solo boating simple with a Raymarine Evolution Autopilot

time-read
4 dak  |
October 2024
GOOD AS NEW
Motor Boat & Yachting UK

GOOD AS NEW

Why fit a brand new engine when Volvo Penta's remanufacturing service can rebuild you an old one to the same standard for a fraction of the price?

time-read
4 dak  |
October 2024
BENETEAU SWIFT TRAWLER 54
Motor Boat & Yachting UK

BENETEAU SWIFT TRAWLER 54

Alex Smith heads to France's Beneteau HQ for a UK exclusive on what might just be the best Swift Trawler yet

time-read
8 dak  |
October 2024
ΧΟ EXPLR 44
Motor Boat & Yachting UK

ΧΟ EXPLR 44

Can XO's all-new aluminium flagship really make it big in the Med?

time-read
7 dak  |
October 2024
BUYING OUR FIRST CLASSIC
Motor Boat & Yachting UK

BUYING OUR FIRST CLASSIC

Instead of whiling away their retirement playing bowls, Rob and Shona Adams decided to invest their time and money in a classic Silver gentleman's yacht. Would the gamble pay off?

time-read
9 dak  |
October 2024
PRINCESS S65
Motor Boat & Yachting UK

PRINCESS S65

Torn between the V and F Class flagships? The new S65 might be the boat you've been waiting for...

time-read
7 dak  |
October 2024