Julian Megson Ocean Ventures

I had a good day at the Southampton Boat Show today.  We had good weather too, it felt like summer for once.

There were two main highlights for me.  The first was to see Suhaili, the 32 foot Ketch built and sailed by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston on the first ever non-stop circumnavigation of the globe.  Among the hundreds of moulded glass fibre boats, Suhaili’s hand built teak hull, weathered and imperfect to me looked more stunning than them all.  I couldn’t resist running my hand along her hull, A real piece of history.  If I were given the chance to sail on her or a modern Open 60 I would have to go go for Suhaili.  That said anyone wishing to allow me to crew an Open 60 should not be put off by that remark

The second highlight was been given a chance to speak briefly to Mike Golding, the single handed Yachtsman who has sailed around the world several times.  He gave me some good advice on sponsorship which was very useful and crucial to my future plans.  Thanks again for that Mike.

My Wife Fiona and daughter Megan enjoyed it too.  Megan’s favourite bit, she tells me, was the lifeboat simulator and a tour around a real Taymar class Lifeboat.  It’s a very solid peice of kit, but then you want it to be.  It’s good to know that the RNLI have the best equipment to hand when pulling you out of the drink.

Katie Miller and her boat ‘hot socks’ were there as official ambassador to the Southampton Boat Show.  She’s come a long way since her solo circumnavigation of Great Britain in 2006, a year culminating in being awarded the Raymarine YJA Young Sailor of the Year award.  With a good result in the bluQube 1000 mile Solo race earlier this year she has qualified for the 2009 OSTAR, the Original Single Handed Trans-Atlantic Race.  It’s encouraging for me to see people attaining their dreams.

It’s a big show and you would struggle to see it all in one day.  But if a day is all you’ve got spare as I did,  then it’s still definately worth a visit.