"Arrfff! Arrfff!”This was the sound of a large gray seal as it poked its head out of the water and looked in my direction with unabashed interest. Now, I love seals as much as anyone and relish my regular encounters with them while I’m rowing on the river near my home in South Devon, England. But this was different. This seal was swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, eight miles off Land’s End, and I, rather than being safely ensconced aboard my skiff, was bobbing about in the water in a semi-inflated dry suit, just a few feet away from it. And, was it my imagination, or was this seal much, much bigger than the ones back home?After a few moments’ contemplation, the seal sighed and slipped under the water again. A feeling of relief was quickly followed by unease at the thought that this huge creature was now swimming somewhere beneath me and I had no way of knowing where it was or what it was going to do next. Even though I knew a seal was highly unlikely to hurt me, my instincts told me a different story. So I crashed about and made what I thought were suitably macho seal noises.
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As a dinghy sailor from yesteryear, I just love this story. Coincidentally I am just finishing Bella Bathurst’s book, The Lighthouse Stevensons. After a lengthy absence I have taken up sailing again, also being a crew member on a whaleboat and restored lifeboat here at Port Fairy Victoria Australia. Again I just love the story and the photos. Thank you very much
Hi Jan, Glad you liked the story. The Stevensons are certainly a fascinating clan who between them saved hundreds of lives. Where would we be without them! Happy sailing, Nic
What a great story! I know Will (I work at Sara’s yard,) and I have to say I’ve met very few determined people such as Will, and yes, I’ve heard a few tales from previous crew! Well done on not becoming “known” by the seal, excellent piece of writing and some great photos.
Well done guys! Nice story and Will, as always, is doing well! Greetings and appreciation!
Looks like fun. I’ve paddled to many of Maine’s island lights but circumnavigation hasn’t occurred to me. Maybe something to do with the new ride RAMONA, which is well tucked up for the winter. Haven’t run the 18 miles out to Matinicus for years, last time a night paddle. Thanks, Nic.
Hey Ben, you better make a list of lighthouses and start ticking them off!
The boy inside, in contrast to what appears to be a 60-year-old man looking back at me in the mirror, was hanging on every line of this adventure. My gears were turning as I read this well written and well illustrated story, and I look forward to small wooden boat adventures of my own. Excellent work Nic! I hope you grace these pages again.
Great story, Nic. Amazing photos and Will’s ambition, slightly mad-cap, is actually rather exciting. Good on you both. Thanks for an enjoyable article.
Could someone give me the dimensions of GRACE. I think I would like to build one like that.
We provided a link to our review of the boat in Nic’s story. Here it is again:
https://smallboatsmonthly.com/article/15-sailing-dinghy/
GRACE is 15’ long and has a beam of 5’ 2” and a sail area of 130 sq ft. She’s a Sailing Dinghy built by Will Stirling of Stirling and Sons in Devon,England.