In March 2018 I took over ownership of ‘Hetty Pegler’, a 1979 Cornish Crabber 24 Mk1 - yard number 210. The boat was berthed in Cardiff Bay Yacht Club (CBYC), where I already kept my Cornish Crabber 17, ‘Jezebel’. I’d had my eye on ‘Hetty’ for some time, she appeared to be semi abandoned and the two owners lived in Bristol, sadly relatively infrequent visitors to Cardiff.

I had wanted a boat on which I could make a cup of tea or coffee and spend some ‘Man-shed’ time over the winter period! ‘Jezebel’ had always come for winter storage but it seemed there was a great deal of camaraderie I was missing out on with the pontoon coffee drinkers. I approached to Hetty’s owners and we came to a mutually acceptable agreement. A survey revealed that a fair bit of rot was present in the wooden parts of the cockpit and even the main bulkhead. The surveyor recommended early attention as in his view, one more winter of neglect might be terminal!

With ‘Jezebel’ sold, full attention could be brought to bear on ‘Hetty’. The first few months involved rebuilding much of the cockpit, engine compartment and main bulkhead. I made many new acquaintances in the yard, and drank lots of coffee! After fitting all new rigging, I was ready to go! The launching drinks party aboard resulted in a minor surprise; I had not realised I should shut the self-draining cockpit bailers resulting in wet feet for the ten or so folk aboard!

Sailing in Cardiff Bay means sailing past the various water taxis on many occasions and it seems that we wave to many cameras every time we are out, she is a good looker! I think we are the most photographed boat in the Bay. Venturing out into the Bristol Channel is a bit scarier with the renowned 13.4-metre tide at Springs last week. Together with my Bristol Channel Gaffer colleagues to advise (including two other 1978/79 Crabber 24s ‘Ludwen’ and ‘Evenstar’, rounding Flat Holm and Steep Holm has become normalised (but without complacency – I only ever venture out in company.

My first trip ‘overseas’ was not so successful. We were heading for Bristol and when the wind dropped, necessitating the use of the engine for a sustained period, it overheated severely. It seems that my 40 plus year old 9hp Stuart Turner diesel had no cooling water going through the block! I had serviced the engine on purchase but not recognised this issue having only run the engine for short periods. My overseas trip ended being towed ignominiously into Portishead, by a kind Gaffer colleague.

An engine rebuild followed, the blockage being removed by white vinegar. Unbelievably, I could get spare parts with relative ease, albeit from Spain. I have now motored around Cardiff Bay for an hour at full throttle, and happily all is now well! The 2024 season now beckons, the boom is currently in the garage, being stripped right back to the wood, due for ten coats of Sikkens, I did the mast last year.

‘Hetty’ gives my whole family enjoyment; with my wife we lunch aboard, a gentle sail, or sometimes just drifting in the Bay; with my grandchildren we sleep aboard and play pirates, with my regular crew we race and make excursions out into the Bristol Channel and with my pontoon mates - we drink coffee and discuss boats, sailing, politics, religion.  I have even played my trombone aboard at the late Queen’s Jubilee, and once whilst becalmed in the Bristol Channel.

What is there not to like!

Andrew Kelland
OGA Bristol Channel Area Secretary