When we arrived at Maldon the gale warning forecast almost put us off. However, there's plenty of shelter in the Blackwater, so with Eric's help, Jan and I prepared Roamer for sailing. It was the end of October, so we stowed plenty of warm sleeping bags, blankets and hot water bottles into the cuddy under the foredeck.

As we tacked, close-reefed, across the channel, the wind being about force 6, Eric sat well down to leeward to show us how unconcerned with sitting-up one is aboard Roamer. After we had put him ashore we tried her out in Southey Creek, tacking about comfortably, and getting used to the feel of her - very light on the helm. We anchored there, and put up the stout nylon tent, untying it from its roll against the forward bulkhead, tying it under the boom and sail, spread over the firmly fixed oar on either side. This was soon done, and all was snug for the night. Packing the tent next day seemed equally easy.

During the next few days gale warnings continued so that we stayed continuously in flat water, visiting Maylandsea and sailing round Osea Island. The boat gave us confidence, so that I think we could have ventured further than we did. On the last day, in light winds, we tried her with the genoa and were pleased with manoeuvrability and quite fair speed - there was not much to compare with, but we left the 25 foot cruisers we saw far behind. Finally we rowed up to the mooring, to show that under oar too she is an easy boat to manage.

The only point I might criticise is the minor one that a new fastening needs to be devised for the flap of the cover which opens at the forward end; the zip was not as weather-proof as intended, and no longer worked. Some means of simply tying it up might be a good idea. Storage space is impressively ample for a 14 footer, and there was plenty of room for two to eat and sleep in comfort. It is just about possible to get into the cuddy forward to rest underway - we did not try this. All the lighter gear was stowed there - plenty of room to spare. Food for a week was carried, again with room to spare. The water containers have there own place next to the centreboard case; when sailing, helping the ballast. The centreboard tackle, on a drum, seemed a potential hazard but gave us no trouble. The inflatable dinghy could easily be stowed on board; deflated while sailing. In the winds we encountered at Maylandsea we should not have risked landing in Roamer on a lee shore, so the dinghy was very useful.

The bermudan main was easy to hoist, and to lower, single-handed. Reefing with reef points is efficient. I should prefer gunter rig to avoid having the permanent windage of a tall mast but then a trysail would be needed to reduce sail to the equivalent of the deep reefs which can be taken in the bermudan sail. My preference is always for clinker rather than ply construction, but for a boat which one can build oneself, that is not a possibility. Among the dinghies I have encountered, Roamer comes first in my estimation as combining space, comfort and safety with the easy handling under sail and oars needed if a lightweight such as I am is to sail single handed.