Chyandour

Orinoco

M3EQY

This is the index page for various stories and pictures from Steve and Carole Heard's time with "Orinoco" a Seamaster Sailer 23.

Designed by Laurent Giles, the Seamaster Sailer 23 was of the same era as the Westerley Centaur and Pageant.

Many of the design cues are shared, the Seamaster having somewhat more storage in the cockpit and having a smoothly flared bow section that, although reducing bunk-space forward, produced a gentler motion when pitching compared to the Pageant that had the "trademark" knuckle of the Westerleys of that time.

Orinoco was a home finished bilge-keel version (drop-keel and fin versions were also available) launched in 1973.

She ran aground on her maiden voyage off Walton (Essex) and was swamped by waves breaking into the cockpit.

After a re-fit and re-engining at Hall's boatyard, Orinoco was based at Walton-On-the-Naze for several years. Damaged by vandals and neglect whilst laying up opposite the Walton and Frinton Yact Club, she was rescued by Steve and Carole Heard.

Steve and Carole owned Orinoco from 1983 to 1998 and cruised the east Coast from Brighton to Lowestoft and the near continent from Boulogne to Blankenberg averaging about 500 miles a year.

There were some incidents along the way. Some are recorded.

Here's  a list of some stories from their time with her.

Photo Gallery