Pazienza

 

Pazienza is an 18 m Bermudan cutter built of teak planking on acacia frames. The mast and main and staysail booms are of wood, and the deck is teak laid.

Pazienza was designed by Laurent Giles and built by Cantiere Navale V. Beltrami in Genoa in 1956. Laurent Giles described as part of his design philosophy, that a yacht should have ‘the utmost docility and sureness of manoeuvring at sea, in good or bad weather”. His boats were designed to maintain a steady course with minimal action by the helmsman, but to respond instantly to the helm if the need arose. Pazienza was identified by her designer as ‘a good example of a comfortable shorthanded cruising boat with a first class performance under power yet able to take part successfully in ocean races’. An article in Yachting World in 1957, described Pazienza as follows: ‘a large cutter into which a great deal of thought has been given to comfort and convenience’.

 

Pazienza was first registered in British waters (Guernsey) in the early 1980s. Little is known of her history between 1956 and that time, but it is believed that she remained in the ownership of the family who had originally commissioned her. There have been 6 owners since that time (including the current owners).

 

Below deck Pazienza has a comfortable pilot house, a companionway leads to the aft cabin with a single and double berth and en suite heads and shower. Forward of the pilot house is a second head and shower to port and a mid ships cabin to starboard. The saloon, further forward, has a large opening skylight and portholes. It is possible to sleep 4 – a double to port and 2 singles to starboard. Further forward is a compact galley and the forepeak beyond that (with two pipecots). The heads and galley are finished in stainless steel.

 

 

In 2004 Richard was looking for a boat to cross the Atlantic, the search ended when he found Pazienza. She is no stranger to Atlantic crossings and indeed the previous owners, Martin and Vicky Jones, had taken her to the Caribbean in 2002. They sailed her back to the UK in 2003 and advertised her for sale. So it was in February 2004 that Richard and Judi became the new owners.

 

Since that time Richard has realised his dream to cross the Atlantic twice, first in 2005 in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers and again in 2008 in the Transat Classique Lagasse. On both occasions Pazienza has proved that she is an extremely sea worthy boat, taking care of all those who sail her.

 

During this ownership Pazienza has undergone regular maintenance and upgrading of equipment and machinery. Prior to the first crossing the internal electrics were renewed and surplus and redundant wiring removed. The main engine exhaust was found to be at the point of parting from the external outlet. It was replaced. All seacocks were replaced. The bilge pumps and pipework were re designed and replaced. The fire retardant material in the engine room was renewed. The bulkhead between the cockpit and aft cabin was found to have rotted and was replaced. At the same time the opportunity was taken to