Boatfolk stories: Ken Surplice

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

When I was a wee sprout, I lived by the sea in each of Weymouth and Eling (Southampton) for a while. Alas, I didn’t know anybody with a boat. When I subsequently moved to Reading, Berkshire, I enlisted in Sea Scouts and spend many happy hours splashing about on the Thames. I also managed one term dinghy sailing with school on a gravel pit. Once employed, now in North Hampshire, I was keen to get a boat and went from a runabout to speedboat to dory, all for getting out into the Solent. As I loved my work, with computers bless them, it wasn’t a question of getting away from it all, it was just a desire to be on and in the sea. When child number one was on her way, I looked for a boat that we could sleep overnight in and accidently chose a Parker 21 sailing boat. It was the best decision I’ve ever made.

When and why did you choose to berth at our marina?

We used to be land based, on a trailer at Calshot, but child number two used to wake up and bawl his eyes out as we stopped the engine to attempt to get the boat on a trailer. Solution: move to a pontoon berth at Deacons, recommended by a friend. That must have been about 20 years ago, and each year has been better than the last ever since. It’s an easy decision to stay at Deacons – I love it.

Tell us one thing that most people don’t know about you?

I’ve too many hobbies to mention so let me just say that I’m always relieved to reach port as I never really had any formal training and was not part of the club scene. I picked up fear-conquering experience as we went along. One step at a time, but then with a ton of help when we joined the Parker and Seal Sailing Association. I’m proud that Mrs. S is currently Vice Commodore. In my early days my best feat was sailing to France (and back!) in our 21-footer with our four-month-old son and three-year-old daughter. It all seemed very natural at the time. We returned from Le Havre to Poole direct, in order to attend a rally, only to find that we were the only crew attending the rally by boat. Oh well!

When and how did you get into boating?

I confess that living in Weymouth, Dorset, for a spell was not my first encounter with the sea. My father was once in the Royal Air Force police, based at an Army garrison in Mombasa, Kenya, where his main activity seemed to be getting to visit tired and emotional Royal Navy crew back to their ship after a good night in town. I see some link between that and my current boating. When he wasn’t helping sailors navigate back to ship, he and his pal looked after the garrison speedboat, powered by a mighty Evinrude 40HP. Not many six-year olds get to go water skiing in warm water most days.

Who do you enjoy spending time on the water with and why?

We joined the class association on the advice of the previous owner of our Parker 21. This was the Seal Sailing Association and is now the Parker and Seal Sailing Association. Although we do not have a base (that would be a club rather than an association), there is always something going on, especially along the South Coast. This means we get to meet up with loads of friendly people most summer weekends. While the sailing is great, the social element is even greater. If I take a book to read, and there’s a rally going on, it doesn’t get opened. In addition, we’ve gone from being the “Solitary Seal” at Deacons to one of five, making it even easier to socialise at base. That said, one of the best and easiest things to do is chat to your boat neighbours, wherever you are.

What’s been your fondest boating memory?

Our most memorable boating memoirs are of taking our children everywhere with us and seeing them have so much fun, especially in our current boat, a Parker 275. I once remember a large group of young and old celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee at Studland Bay. Farther afield, I recall a trip along North Brittany, we arrived late and anchored in Ploumanac’h, not really paying too much attention to where we were. We woke up aground, fine for a lift-keel yacht, look out and smile. Our view was the view on the front cover on Peter Cumberlidge’s North Brittany Cruising Companion. That said, my favourite place is on our doorstep, when our association pays its annual visit to the very top of the Beaulieu River and barbecues on the tiny lawn that is Timbrell’s Quay. You can’t beat it.

Describe your perfect few days afloat?

Sun, sparkling sea, medium winds and sailing in company.

Who or what is your biggest inspiration and why?

It always amazes me what humans get up to, especially afloat. What seems impossible is overcome, whether by amazing individuals or by teams of motivated people. There is always more to learn and more to do.

What is your ultimate dream/goal?

My ultimate dream was to retire. I made it! I’ve never been so busy and choosing what to do according to the weather forecast is such a treat.

Would you recommend getting afloat to a friend or family member and why?

I have some friends whom I’ve known for twenty-one years. It took some time but eventually they became hooked by tales of our boating life. They just took delivery of a motorboat and it is berthed at Deacons. Who wouldn’t want a boat?

Boating can be deemed an expensive hobby/sport, what would your tips be for someone who is looking to get afloat?

Look around Deacons to see the full spectrum of boaters, young to old and from those on a very modest budget to those who can afford the full monty. Once you pay your mooring fee - boat costs and running costs, especially under sail, are surprisingly affordable. Go for it!