Boatfolk stories: Paul Steele

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

We live in a rural village called Great Heck which is South of Selby & around 110miles south of the marina. Great Heck became well known in 2001 due to an unfortunate rail accident. Workwise, I own a commercial heating & gas company, with divisions that include water treatment, specialist controls & Biomass.

We purchased our first boat in 2016 and had no boating experience prior to this. Other than boating, we have four horses which my fiancée Alexandra competes in Cross Country Eventing.

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

Royal Quays Marina was highly recommended to us by a friend in 2016, they were a berth holder there at the time.

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

I have a Pilot’s Licence and won the Radical PowerTec Cup Race Car Series in 2007 and 2008.

When and how did you get into boating?

When I stopped racing, I was eager to take up a new challenge. In 2016 ours friends (who had a boat) suggested we should give boating a try!

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

My fiancée Alexandra as it allows us to spend time together away from the stress of the business and the horses. I regularly spend time on the boat with my staff too, as it’s a great way to connect and build on our working relationship.

What’s been your fondest boating memory?

Having met and spoken with a lot of people who have boats, Royal Quays is without doubt a well-run and very friendly marina. The marina staff can’t do enough to help you, particularly if you have a problem and need assistance. Everyone is on first names terms, which only adds to the warm reception as a customer you receive. We have met many people at the marina, some of which have become very good friends. Amongst our friends are the two local swans, which peck at the swim deck of the boat every few hours wanting bread – we can go through three to four loaves of bread a day when at the boat!

Describe your perfect few days afloat?

June/July 2019: a three-week trip to the Channel Islands, France, Southampton and back to the marina. Sailed from Royal Quays to Guernsey in 11/2 days – it was an epic voyage.

What do you wish you spent more time doing five years ago?

Not buying horses!

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Stay away from women who like horses!

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

Most people have a boat survey carried out, so definitely have one. However, the survey does not normally go into great detail about the mechanical aspects of a boat. My one piece of advice would be to always have a marine engineer/mechanic inspect/survey the parts of a boat, separate to a marine survey.

What are your boating plans for the future?

Our plans are to go back to the Channel Islands including La Rochelle this year in June/July.