The Boat

L'EXOCET OF MANCHESTER

The Captain

Tim Champion

I started sailing at the age of 10. My first boat was a 12-foot cat that I built with my father. She was no America’s Cup contender but was meticulously constructed and a solid foundation on which to build skills and knowledge. As the years rushed by the boats became larger and the races longer. Now it’s all about cruising, enjoying the company of friends, both old and new and making every day count.

On Deck

L’Exocet is blessed with a vast cockpit area that can be enclosed to extend her living space. The primary winches are just forward of the twin wheels in a position that both the skipper and crew can easily access. The navigation instruments are well placed and there is clear access to anchor, bow thruster and engine controls.

Below Deck

She’s an exceptionally comfortable boat well suited for long range cruising. The L-shaped galley is a great workspace that is nicely integrated with the saloon, this configuration also frees up space for extra storage. The panoramic windows provide a ton of light and opening portholes and hatches deliver terrific ventilation.

Accommodation

Her three cabin layout offers an extraordinary level of comfort. The forward cabin is a double with an ensuite and yes, that one is taken but she has two spacious double cabins aft as well. All have ample storage and are bright and well ventilated. She’s just an exceptional cruising home, the new love of our lives, and the perfect way to keep heading towards the next horizon.

Performance

Fitted with Beneteau’s performance mast and a deeper keel, L’Exocet is an exciting boat to sail. In 10 knots of breeze she can easily clock 7 knots of boat speed and at the hint of something stronger she simply accelerates, regularly racing along at 10 knots.

Why L'Exocet of Manchester?

So where did the name L'Exocet of Manchester come from?

From the late 1960’s, the first owner of the boat was a member of the famed Ocean Cruising Club which having no premises, regards the oceans of the world as its clubhouse. From its earliest days, the OCC has celebrated those who dare to brave the ocean in small boats and regards itself as the true “Home Port” for the ocean going sailor. Many from its ranks are sailing legends, Sir Francis Chitchester amoung them.

The Club flies a blue and gold burgee which features a golden Flying Fish. The first owner wanted to use the name Flying Fish for his Ohlson 38, but it was already taken. So, instead, he used the French translation L’Exocet. Over the years, whenever that same owner took on another boat, he retained the L’Exocet boat name but added a place name to it. When he built a Gallant 53 on the Clyde River in Scotland in 1974, he called it L’Exocet of Clyde. When he purchased a Grand Soleil in 1996, he used his home port of Manchester, hence& L’Exocet of Manchester.

Interestingly, registering in Manchester was unusual as not many yachts were registered here. However, it had a shipping canal and therefore it was a port of registry. So, when he purchased a Beneteau 473 in 2004, he used that same name. And so, we have the current L’Exocet of Manchester.

It’s the present Skippers belief, that in the not-too-distant future, the distinctive blue and gold burgee of the OCC, with its golden Flying Fish, will again be hoisted to the masthead of the latest incarnation of L’Exocet of Manchester.