Mark and Nicola have cruised in the UK and the Med for many years and in 2018 are now exploring for the first time the delights of ocean passage making and travelling further afield. [...] We started with a passage from UK to Horta to participate in the Ocean Cruising Club (OCC) Azores Rally, organised to celebrate the centenary of Peter Cafe Sport. This served as our qualifying passage for the OCC and provided us our first taste of proper offshore cruising. We were fortunate in having John Franklin as former owner and Bernard Mitchell join us to share their massive experience. We learned much from them both and are enormously grateful. After Horta we stopped briefly in Santa Maria before departing for Gibraltar and the Spanish coast. Part 2 starts on August 22nd when we return to the boat in Cartagena and head off for the Ionian, accompanied this time by Cian Gallagher from Co. Wicklow. Can't wait!

Al Shaheen was commissioned from naval architect and long time cruiser & racer Mike Pocock. John Franklin project managed her construction prior to launch in 2001. John (past OCC Commodore) and Jenny then cruised her extensively prior to her sale to us. She is designed as a comfortable live [...]

aboard offshore cruiser for a couple with accommodation for 2 guests. She is one of 3 similar 42 foot designs but is unique in being built from aluminium.