Sailing W
ith four navigation trips around the world under her belt, the Lord Jim is the ultimate modern sailing
vessel. Originally built in 1976 at Camper & Nicholson’s yard in Southampton to the top of the range Lloyds 100A1 class, this sailing boat embarked on her journey to become one of the best in the world. Composed of steel, aluminium, a deck house and newly fi tted Burmese Teak decks, this classically designed vessel seeks joy from both passive admirers and avid boat enthusiasts alike. However it has not always been easy sailing
for the Lord Jim, the boat built specifi cally to sail round the world for an owner whose mission was to amass the fi nest worldwide shell collection. On returning to the builder’s yard in Southampton after extensive shell cataloguing in London, the previous owner was short of some specimens and set off again on another world voyage. Sadly on his return 18 months later he suddenly passed away and the boat was sold to the USA where it was involved in a bullion scam. With many people arrested over the case and some jailed, the Lord Jim was impounded and stripped bare, yet no bullion was ever found. Happily the ship returned home to the UK
Deck-adent
Waterfront steps aboard the Lord Jim for a three night Scottish adventure on the luxury sailboat
where she was lovingly re-rigged and refi tted in Southampton. After much neglect over the years current owner Captain Michael Romeling took over the helm and refi tted the vessel in Malta to prepare her for a new journey. T is epic trip would see the beloved Lord Jim through the Caribbean, onto the Panama Canal, passing the Galapagos Islands down through the South Pacifi c to New Zealand for T e Americas Cup. Michael continued onward to Australia up past Darwin and then a quick sprint to T ailand, trekking across the Indian Ocean, up the Red Sea, through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean and fi nally back to the UK. After much travelling the Lord Jim has
found its home in Scotland where she off ers many diff erent experiences to keen travellers with a variety of adventures to choose from. It is here where my partner and I would begin our journey on this wonderful masterpiece of sailing craftsmanship. On arrival at Oban on a beautiful sunny Scottish morning, we were greeted by our First Offi cer Mark and Alan the Chief Engineer, who introduced us to our fellow guests who would be venturing out on the Lord Jim for the next three days. Following a safety demo and issued with our personal life jackets that would stay with us for
the remainder of our voyage, we boarded the little Jim rib. With luggage on board we were swiftly taken to the Lord Jim. Welcomed by Captain Michael onto the beautiful teak deck which was fi tted with soft furnished sofas and a dining table, we were immediately off ered a taste of the fi ner things to come on our trip with a chilled bottle of Moët & Chandon. With introductions fi nalised we were shown to our cabins. T e Lord Jim has three double cabins and they have all been refurbished and interior designed to the heights of sailing luxury, with soft white bathrobes, fresh nautical themed bedding, hair dryers, bathroom toiletries and towels you would expect in a high level of luxury accommodation. T e owner’s cabin has a double bed and a lounge sofa that can be used as an extra bed whilst the twin cabins off er two single cabin beds of excellent size and length. All cabins have en suites with showers and toilets. Lunch is served each afternoon in the salon and is presented at each sitting by the on board chef, Sam. As our journey progressed Sam presented each dinner experience with his own unique style and Michelin star training. T e gastro options and presentation were just superb. My personal favourites for the trip were a variety of soups and the risotto with
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