Boatfolk stories: Richard Green

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

Well, we live on our boat now for most of the time. Our house is in Hythe Marina near Southampton, but when we gave up working back in early 2013 we moved onto our boat and have been cruising ever since. The ‘Captain’ worked for car maunfacturers doing many different jobs over the years, the crew ran a company that managed rehabilitation and treatment for people with injuries. We started boating like most people with a dinghy (the ‘Captain’ was born in Norfolk and you learn to sail on the Broads pretty much as soon as you learn to walk). We had boats on the Thames which we kept at Bray before moving to Hythe Marina.

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

Penarth is a great spot for over-wintering. Excellent shelter form the old dock walls, the housing built around it and the HUGE hill protecting us from the prevailing south westerly winds. The marina is very secure and the staff go out of their way to help (such as delivering heavy boxes to us in their workboat, salting the pontoon right up to our access door when they know we are on board during the winter)! There are great walks around the Cardiff Bay and then easy access to the city makes it an indeal location.

Visiting other group marinas during our cruising time (Bangor, Rhu, Portland, Haslar, Weymouth, Cowes) - we’ve always enjoyed a warm welcome from them too.

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

We are both pretty fluent in German. The ‘Captain’ because he worked for BMW Group for many years, the crew because she studied it at university. Sometimes if we want a “private chat” in a public place we will swap languages!

When and how did you get into boating?

We lived in Edinburgh and bought a little Dory with an outboard that we used to trail over to Loch Lomond. Finding dry weekend days was the hardest bit.

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

Because we cruise for around for six months each year, we love welcoming friends onboard to experience our lifestyle and the stunning scenery. Otherwise we would not see them for ages!

What’s been your fondest boating memory?

Arriving in Bangor Marina very early one morning after an overnight trip from the Isle of Man. The night bething master had offered to meet us at the berth and help, just as we had backed into the slot, someone popped out from their boat (he was already awake!), helped us secure the lines, told us about the town and offered help with a trip in their car to the big supermarkets if we needed some shopping. Amazing welcome at 6am and we’ve been back many time - it has always been the same there.

Describe your perfect few days afloat?

Being alone in the secluded anchorage on the South of Skomer island (the bird sanctuary) just watching the antics of the puffins and other seabirds.

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

Nothing really – five years ago we had already given up work and were off cruising the Outer Hebrides!

How have you helped someone else recently?

We are far from experts on our boat or cruising but we’ve helped several new Nordhavn Trawler Yacht owners with information on how the systems work. Initially they can seem complex until you understand how they all glue together. AC power distribution and management, inverters, generators always seem to cause some fun. Through trying to help others we’ve met and made some good new friends too.

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

Be clear about what you stand for and always behave in a way that is consistent with those beliefs. Good job opportunities and good friends follow from that as if by magic.

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

Learn from someone how to do the basic boat maintenance jobs early on like basic engine servicing, polishing, cleaning up propellers after lift outs etc. Then make time to do this yourself – you really learn about your boat that way. Know your limitations and when to ask a professional. Listen carefully and critically to other owners’ recommendations on who to use for work on your boat – there are all sorts of companies out there!