https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jr5lk2xew79jtdl/AABxesyeXgJjxqyhCJ7NCylha?dl=0

An article which was published some time ago in the MOA Journal

Hello Mark, I own a Pelagian – Tarryon, built in 1972 and initially owned by a peer of the realm, whose name escapes me but I have some of the original documentation, so can provide more detail of her history if you’re interested. I believe there were 10 but have also seen reference to 30, although this may have included derivatives like the Wight, Malin etc. As you probably already know, she’s a ketch with a large, centre cockpit and lifting plate, drawing about 4′ – or 5’6″ with it down. Her biggest unique feature is that she’s twin-screw, originally (I believe) fitted with BMC ‘Captain’ 30 HP engines. Believe it or not, the previous owner of Tarryon, who restored her from a near-wreck, installed two BMC ‘Commander’ 50 HP engines! As you can imagine, she now has quite some power for a 33′, seven tonne vessel! I tend to stick to 1,000 revs for the sake of longevity (and noise-levels!) but she still makes 7-8 knots comfortably, and is a joy to handle in tight spaces like marinas because she can turn on her own axis, which makes your seamanship look better than it really is! I’ve owned Tarryon for three years but haven’t yet been able to sail her much. In my first season of ownership, I was concerned about the standing rigging, so tended to do a lot of motoring. She was, after all, designed as a motor-sailor, although many reviews over the years have concluded that Pelagians were also surprisingly good sailing boats, despite the compromise hull shape. Prior to buying her, Tarryon was owned by a motor mechanic for ten years or so. He did great things with the engines and general restoration, but he wasn’t that keen on sailing her, so having had a double off-season due to C-19, I  installed new standing rigging last summer and then had to await lifting of restrictions to get her back in the water last month, since when I’ve moved her from Pwllheli Marina to Conwy Marina. During that two-day passage, I sailed her through Bardsey Sound and she handled beautifully, albeit on a beam reach in fairly light winds and close to slack water. However, it was enough to make me look forward to the next opportunity to sail properly – hopefully to IoM or RoI this summer. I managed a detailed recce of potential mooring sites along the Menai Straits last Friday and spent a very peaceful night on a borrowed mooring at Gallows Point, Beaumaris – see image.

Hi Mark, Yes – happy to meet up in the Mulberry. I only live an hour away, so am at the Marina frequently. The previous owner was Dave Preston – quite a large bloke tbh..you wouldn’t forget him. He did a lot of renovation work over about 10 years, mainly to the engines but he wasn’t really a sailing man, so I’ve renewed the standing rigging and laundered or upgraded the sails. The lifting plate mechanism on Tarryon is under the starboard berth in the aft cabin, just behind the cockpit bulkhead. You push a short lever across and pump the hydraulic mechanism (with a long, angled bar that slots in) until it stops – reverse the process (lever the other direction) to raise the plate. Of course, I’ve never actually seen it extended for obvious reasons, so tried to dive under her for a look whilst awaiting tide to access Barmouth Harbour in 2019 – couldn’t tell whether it was fully out, so now assume it is once the lever resists. Best, Richard.

Hi Mark, apologies but have been offline a lot lately due to my partner being unwell. She’s better now, so we’re heading out this week-end for an overnighter in the Menai Straits. Then, we’re having a few days away around Anglesey between 1st & 6th July. We’ll probably head off anti-clockwise, starting with a night drying out on the beaching legs in Red Wharf Bay – and hopefully not so dry in the Min y Don! Obviously everything is weather and tide dependent but let me know if there’s anything I can do to help – or meet up somewhere? Regards, Richard.

Mark

Black magic has sail No 10

First owner mr Hamar

2 X BMC 32 bph

London boat show boat

Last boat od the mould

Black Magic was the star of the Macwester stand at the Amsterdam boat show, when new. Philip Hamers was the importer/sales agent for the Netherlands. Can’t remember if he kept the boat for himself, or sold on to a customer.

I will have a look in my old photos, see if I can find anything.