Tuesday 16th March 2004

Maynooth is a beautiful sailing yacht owned by Jon Moss, who has been kind enough to involve me in his project of making her ship-shape!  She is a thirty-two foot motorised sailing yacht designed by Camper and Nicholson, built in 1968 and known in the trade as a 'Nic32'!

Maynooth is very well appointed, complete with autohelm, satellite guidance, echo depth, NASA marine text, digital selective radio and central heating.  In addition to the technology Maynooth is equipped with the latest design of anchor, a No. 4 SARCA (Sand and Reef Combination Anchor), and has been fitted with a steering wheel which replaces the original tiller.  Future enhancements to be considered include radar, wind turbine charging, hot running water and an enhanced washroom.

Jon, a Chartered Surveyor from Letchworth, acquired Maynooth in late 2003 when he sailed from her original moorings in Tynemouth to Suffolk Yacht Harbour where she now rests, a journey of some 288 nautical miles.  Maynooth is currently undergoing almost complete rewiring of her electrical systems (performed by yours truly!) while Jon has already completed the messy (but necessary) task of renewing the antifouling layer below the waterline.  Jon is also in the process of replacing the guide rails, revarnishing all teak surfaces (no mean feat - the Nic32 is wall-to-wall teak!), and most importantly the mast has been refurbished and installed, complete with her new sails and boom.

Maynooth has an enchanting effect on all who step aboard.  The well appointed accommodation with traditional furnishings really makes one feel at ease despite what the weather might be doing outside.  With automatic drift and depth alarms you can sleep easy in your bunk, knowing that Maynooth will alert you should anything go adrift - literally!

Back in 1962 yacht construction using fibreglass was still relatively new, with Halmatic, the shipbuilder, employing extra bracing and ribbing in the construction for extra strength.  In 1962 this was discontinued in favour of a simple mould, the extra ribbing being considered unnecessary.  This resulted in the yachts of Maynooth's vintage being of exceptionally strong construction and coupled with the flat keel design also nautically stable and extremely well balanced.

Finished in deep blue with a gold stripe and ice-blue decking her sleek lines and aesthetic presence set her above lesser yachts.  She is Jon's pride and joy.  I know many happy sailing years lie ahead...

More Maynooth...  Click to enlarge.