At the end of July 2018, after 18 months of research, the team travelled to La Rochelle in France to collect the Nautitech Open 46 Catamaran chosen to be Tash’s next yacht ahead of the Atlantic Challenge. Whilst there we were treated to a trip around the factory where the catamarans are built. This was very interesting and informative as it allowed us to see the stronger areas that we would later make use of when adapting the boat for use by Natasha.

With perfect weather for the journey back to the Isle of Wight, the 3-day, 3-night passage commenced.

For Natasha and family, this was the first night-passage! Lots of shipping, dolphins every day, some fog, a little rain one night but very little wind throughout, so mostly motor sailing. This trip did give us a great opportunity to get to know the boat and what living aboard was like.

During the passage, there were lots of discussions, plans and lists made for the next stage – the Conversion.