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Sailing off into the sunset

3 September 2025

Sailing off into the sunset

By Christian Brewer British Sailing Team Member and Former Olympian

A white sailboat, crafted with modern sailmaking, is docked by a rocky shore on calm water under a bright blue sky.

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One couple's first year bluewater cruising

Nigel Brown and Amanda Higgins are one year into their cruising adventure aboard their Beneteau 473 ‘Kerensa’. She is kitted out for bluewater sailing and, for them, has proven an ideal choice thanks to her balance of liveaboard space, easy handling and good build quality.

I often read articles by couples who have escaped the ‘rat race’ to pursue their dream of a life on the ocean, but have never sat down and had a chat face to face with anyone. In this case, I know them well: Nigel is a fellow member of Whitstable Yacht Club and an excellent Laser/ILCA sailor (particularly when it’s windy!). Amanda is also a Yacht Club member and a keen kayaker and paddleboarder.

So, I started with the obvious question: Why?

Nigel, who had managed a large laundry firm, was ready for a change.

“I was fed up with the job and getting close to retirement. It became a choice of carrying on just to pay the mortgage, or renting out the house to cover costs, and buying a boat!”

Amanda had sold her own house in Essex before moving to Whitstable. She wanted to wind down her career in teaching, but didn’t want to stop work completely. A long-held dream of life at sea made the decision easier.

“I’ve always had a hankering to live aboard. The proceeds from my house went into the boat, which we now jointly own.”

Person standing on a rocky hill overlooks a coastal landscape shaped by modern sailmaking, blue water, and green hills.

Photo by Kerensa

Two people in swimsuits smile, holding the anchor chain of Kerensa, a blue sailboat with modern sailmaking.

Photo by Kerensa

How does it feel to leave your children and parents back home?

They both found it hard to leave loved ones behind, especially for Amanda who is a recent grandmother.

“It was hard. But both my boys are very supportive – they think it’s great, having an adventurous mum! One’s at university, the other’s working in car sales. And mum has my siblings nearby if needed.”

Nigel’s mother is a spritely 86-year-old, fit and independent. And his son, 19, shares his adventurous streak and has the travelling bug.

“Luckily, neither of us have any family responsibilities that are holding us back from sailing off into the sunset!”

Saying goodbye to your lovely home in Whitstable?

The couple have kept their house, which is now rented out. Amanda is more than comfortable with downsizing.

“I love the Romany lifestyle. I’ve had a campervan before, so I’m used to small-space living. Five dresses and ten bikinis — that’s all I need!”

How long did it take you from making the decision to purchasing ‘Kerensa’?

Nigel had a yearning to do this 20 years ago. Once the decision was made to go for it, it took just a year to find the right boat.

Why ‘Kerensa’?

They researched type and design of potential bluewater cruising yachts extensively, before finding the best they could afford within their budget. They found a Beneteau 473 in dark blue with shorter rig and teak decks. Nigel considers it “The last of the really well built Beneteaus.”

Amanda influenced by friends in West Mersea who own a similar sized Jeanneau, felt that the live aboard space would be ideal for their needs.

One year on – how have you both changed?

Nigel used to get really stressed at work and comments that this has done him the world of good.

Amanda: “I trust Nigel’s abilities completely. We get on brilliantly and do so much more together now than we ever could before.”

A sailboat, crafted with modern sailmaking, is docked at a stone pier between rocky hills under a bright sky.

Photo by Kerensa

Older man steering a sailboat with modern sailmaking technology, wearing a life vest under a canopy and pink paddleboard above.

Photo by Kerensa

What do you both miss?

Both miss their families and friends and Nigel misses his dinghy racing. They do get plenty of visitors through the summer though! Food items they miss include Marmite, Branston pickle, sliced bread and a having a bacon butty!

Nigel: “Bacon is really expensive in Turkey, €16 for 4 rashers!”

What do you consider essentials for living on board?

Amanda and Nigel:

“Definitely a water maker – pure, great tasting water”

A decent fan for night time sleeping – vital as they don’t have air con fitted on the boat.

Microwave oven, saves so much hassle compared to stove cooking.

Internet connection – to keep them updated on events in the World plus enables them to update their excellent blog when in port.

What are your plans for this year and next?

This summer they’re exploring the Greek and Turkish islands, dodging the notorious August Northerly Meltemi winds (up to 45 knots). They’ve loved hiking historic sites like Delos and Bodrum Castle, finding hidden anchorages for kayaking and swimming in the crystal clear water, and meeting other sailors as well as the colourful characters who make up the island sailing community.

Person in a pink kayak paddles on clear blue water, admiring green hills and modern sailmaking on the sunny shore.

Photo by Kerensa

Looking ahead, they plan to winter in Tunisia, where berthing costs are quite reasonable and weather conditions more benign. It also has the advantage of being outside the EU’s Schengen zone. The EU and it’s Brexit restrictions cause quite a challenge, having to juggle time in and out of the Schengen territories.

November 2026 is the provisional date set for a Trans-Atlantic crossing with the long term plan to get to the Panama Canal. You can follow their adventures on their excellent Blog here: https://sailingkerensa.skipperblogs.com/

Man in red sailing gear steers a small sailboat—Guide to Poole’s vibrant lakeside sailing scene.

Christian Brewer is a member of Whitstable Yacht Club and a former Olympic Squad and British Sailing Team member in the Tornado class.

He has won fifteen National and one European Championship in catamarans and in One Design keel boats.

A former sailmaker and charter yacht sales manager, Christian has sailed extensively in Europe, the Caribbean, Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

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