BOAT TOUR DAY - VIGILANT

Our first NBOC Boat Tour Day aboard Vigilant proved that even a wet and grey day can’t dampen the enthusiasm of Nelson boat owners.

Hosted by Jonathan Napier, Vigilant is a very fast 40ft Nelson that has undergone a thoughtful and extensive rebuild over several years. Rather than a cosmetic refresh, this was a deeply considered project shaped by Jonathan’s long boating experience and a very clear idea of how he wanted the boat to work for him.

During the tour, Jonathan talked attendees through the journey in detail, explaining not only what was done, but why of all the choices he had, he made the ones he did.

Highlights included reengining the boat and a significant modification to the superstructure, cutting it open to improve cabin space and allow for a far more functional galley and heads arrangement. It was a rare opportunity to see how bold design decisions, when properly thought through and well executed, can completely transform how a boat feels and functions.

What became clear over the course of the day was that Vigilant represents the culmination of years of experience, learning, and refinement, supported by having the right team to help bring that vision to life. It was an honest and insightful account of the trade-offs, options considered, and the reasoning behind the final choices.

The group itself reflected the breadth of the Nelson community, with attendees owning boats at various stages of restoration, right through to a more modern Nelson built as recently as 2004. Despite the weather, the atmosphere was lively, with plenty of questions, discussion, and shared enthusiasm, a reminder of just how valuable these events are for learning from one another and connecting with fellow Nelson anoraks.

The NBOC Boat Tour Day’s are arranged by club flag officer Trevor Clarke and will take place approximately every 6 weeks throughout the year, on a range of different Nelson boats, in different locations. You can view the details and reserve your space for the next Boat Tour Day on the Events page of the NBOC website. Spaces are limited to 6 attendees: www.nelsonboatownersclub.co.uk

If you’ve ever wondered how different owners approach building, restoring, and refining their Nelsons, our Boat Tour Days offer a rare and invaluable opportunity to see these boats up close and hear the stories behind them, come and join us!

Getting an introduction to the work that was done over time...

Getting down to the nitty- gritty of what makes Vigilant the boat that she is... the engines!

Jonathan explaining some of the options he had and the decisions he made...

Sandwiches, hot tea and biscuits to accompany a lot of Nelson chat...