LM Vitesse 35 ‘Elsinore’
I bought Elsinore at the Earls Court 1991 boat show which was quite a shock to Jackie as I had only gone there to buy a new waterproof. The LM agents made me an amazing offer for my current yacht, Ha de pa Bade, an LM 30 and offered an irresistible boat show discount on the brand new 35. What’s a chap to do? It took a long time before I was forgiven and I am still not allowed to visit boat shows on my own without first signing a declaration that I will not purchase anything that I can’t carry home.
Above the waterline Elsinore was a comfortable motor sailor. Below she was an extreme, fin and skeg racing yacht with a great turn of speed. During the 1991 racing season she won the PMSC Roughs Tower race and shared the A Class points championship with John and June Weatherall’s racing yacht Woodstock.
In the spring of 1992 I set off for the Baltic and spent three fabulous seasons cruising there. I have now published my three logs covering those times which can be accessed by clicking on their titles. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.
With the help of friend Jake de Cleyndert I sailed Elsinore from Hamble Point marina to Woolverstone Marina via Brighton and Ramsgate in April 1991. We reached Pin Mill on Easter Sunday lunch time when the sailing club was in full swing. Elsinore was spotted and a crowd of friends drove to meet us at the marina where we had an instant party in the cockpit. My mother, Elsie, carried out the official naming ceremony wetting Elsinore’s bow in best bubbly. More friends arrived with extra liquid supplies and the party got into full swing. I think Elsinore felt properly welcomed.