Mark Taylor
Conscious that some of you looking at this website might already have a Sonata but have yet to race her, or might be thinking about joining our class………..but wondering about all the posts regarding rules and interpretations etc!!!!!
Don’t worry about it!!!!!!! The Sonata class is really friendly and despite the fact that some boats are fitted out better than Getty’s super yacht and have more electronics than a Typhoon fighter aircraft others could double during the week as the sailing club skip…………..the important message is that they mostly sail at the same speed so racing is very close and generally conducted with great sportsmanship.
If anyone is thinking of joining any of the Sonata events in Scotland then please feel free to contact me so we can see what we can do to help…….other fleet members will assist if you are in the other home countries!
Mark Taylor
Peter Booth is best contact for anything coming up in the Helensburgh fleet but I think they have just gone through a bit of ownership churn in the past year and it is settling baclk down, albeit with a few new owners!
As an observation many of the Clyde boats don’t have great trailers as they can sail to most of the events, so if you are planning to need one better to buy it secondhand with the boat as it costs much less that way…..some of the boats advertised on the Sonata site have newish trailers and you will notice its doesn’t add that much to the price of the overall boat.
Back to Edinburgh or Glasgow from Lake District (3-4 hrs), Sunderland, Wirral, North Wales (6-7 hrs) are not bad tows as its motorway for the vast majority of the way back to Scotland….anyone who has towed a Sonata any distance knows the big issue is boredom (so choose a fun co-pilot!) plus how many coffee and comfort stops you need.
Fuel price obviously an item to consider but I get 22mpg towing at 60 mph, so in the context of buying the right boat with nice interior, good trailer and sails it shouldn’t be the dominant factor in the decision……if you have checked out the boat previously so you know it is ok then also possible to persuade the seller to move it part way up the road, or even all the way on some occasions!
There are also trailers in Scotalnsd that people have borrowed at times, mine has been used a few times and I know there is probably one at Dalgety Bay that might be an option.
Regards
Mark
Chris Bentley
Well done Mark, and thanks. You nailed that one.
Oliver Love
We bought our sonata from scotland, and brought it back to the south coast,
i would just say that the driving part isnt to bad, just boring, but its worth the road trip.
you can save cash but it did cost us a good 400 to go and get it,
p.s.
we are about to redo the trip with the sonata and tow somthing alot bigger back
Mike Hempstead
Mike Hempstead here from Colne Yacht Club Brightlingsea Essex,
My club is looking for 2 Sonatas that we can use to bring on our younger members. We are off to Medway tomorrow to see 2 boats. Please let me know if you know of any Sonatas owners thinking of selling but have not advertised yet. regards Mike
Chris Bentley
Mike
I have messaged you personally about this – great idea – if you want to call me for more info please do. M: 07866 593 171
Adam Rudd
Thanks Mark. I’m interested in getting involved in Sonata events in Scotland… I just have to buy a boat first! If you know anyone in Scotland that is interested in selling theirs, please let me know (adam.ch.rudd@gmail.com).