Pirramimma - a little bit about her and our search for her.

We've both spent a lot of time on the water: me (Veronica) when I lived in Australia and since coming to the UK, Richard in the UK and as a professional skipper and RYA instructor.  Our plan, originally, was to buy a Hallberg Rassy yacht but we couldn't decide on where to keep it - in the UK or in Scandinavia somewhere. For us, both locations had 'issues'. 

Cutting to the chase.  In October 2013, friends of ours in France asked us to help them move their Dutch steel cruiser from Carcassonne back to Toulouse in super quick mode.  We had a wonderful, wonderful time with them; both onboard their boat and at their home near Toulouse. Whilst onboard their boat, I'd woken early one morning and was watching the sunlight reflecting on the internal woodwork of our cabin and found myself thinking about the sheer space on their cruiser. I found myself comparing the internal volume of a similar size yacht (36') and thinking about sunshine, delicious food and ingredients, wine, friends and a complete change to our plans. 

I think Richard nearly fell out of the bunk when I told him my thoughts!  We talked about it for a little while then got on with the day, saying nothing to our hosts about it though quizzing them more closely on canal boating in France.  One week later, we were back home and the serious search for information and our new boat began. 

I had my eye on her for some months, but she was just one of about 20 boats we'd added to a spreadsheet. Eventually, we narrowed the list down to 4, made some appointments to view and headed off on a ferry from Harwich to Hoek van Holland in early August 2014.  We saw her on Monday 4th August at Elburg Yachting where she was in storage in one of their massive halls.  I knew as soon as I climbed up that ladder that she was 'The One", then had to work hard to remain objective about her, and the other boats we came to see. Our hearts were nearly stolen by a lovely Aquanaut we saw the next day, but there were just too many things to put right for the cost. 

Eleven months after starting our search, after more hours spent on the internet than I care to remember, after a full survey and water trials, Pirramimma became ours.

Pondering. Double checking my list.

About Pirramimma

She was built in 2003 by De Boarnstream International, based in Jirnsum, NL.  She's a Classic Line 43 - dimensions of 13.25m LOA, 4.45m Beam and 1.20m draft. Airdraft is 2.7m with everything lowered.

Onboard fit-out includes a spacious aft cabin, a comfortable and spacious saloon and a large forward circular dining table which could seat 8, at a push. This also converts to a sumptuous bunk for two guests.  A fabulous galley for the galley slave (me) with a large fridge/freezer, vast amounts of storage for provisions and equipment. There are two heads, one aft and one forward. A spacious and separate shower, Webasto central heating, integrated double glazing plus beautiful teak and holly flooring throughout. 

She is equipped with bow and stern thrusters.  The engine is a Perkins 135hp Sabre. Fresh water tank capacity of approximately 800 litres, fuel capacity of approximately 1,000 litres and a holding tank capacity of approximately 300 litres allows us a lot of freedom with our travel plans and schedules.  The hull is multi-chine steel and displacement is approximately 19 tons, unladen. The usual kit of Raymarine radar, plotter, GPS etc.  Plus a Fisher Panda 8000 generator which is super quiet and makes life very comfortable for all the times we moor at 'wild/nature' moorings in the Netherlands.

We've added a Mastervolt high output alternator, a Victron isolation transformer, and a Seagull water filter into the main galley tap so we don't have to lug bottled water from shops back to the boat. Or store masses of plastic bottles onboard. And removed the horrible dark blue carpet from the saloon. 

In summer, we spend much of our time on the aft deck as it has a full canopy cover which we can open up to enjoy the sun or close down to keep cold breezes out. 

Vxx