History of "Deben Copernicus"
“Deben Copernicus” was built in 1973 by Colvic Craft at Witham, Essex, then fitted out by A.V. Robertson at the Shipyard in Woodbridge, Suffolk in 1974. The Managing Director of A.V.Robertson Ltd, had the first boat fitted out for himself, so the boat was finished to a higher standard and more superior specification than normal. The interior joinery is teak and exterior woodwork mahogany, the decks are covered in treadmaster over fibreglass. She differed from the standard model, inofar as she was fitted out as a spacious 5 berth cruiser, rather than the more usual 6 berth design, he insisted that Colvic Craft laminated a thicker than standard fibreglass hull. She was originally fitted with a 22hp Farryman diesel engine when new, which was subsequently replaced with a Petter Mini Twin in about 1980.
The boat is named after Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543 ). Born in Thorn, East Prussia, he was the founder of modern astronomy. His great theory was published in 1543, which was that the Sun is the centre of our planetary system and that the earth and the planets revolve around it.
Copernicus was originally a Part 1 registered vessel, at the Port of Ipswich. This lapsed. The present owner changed the registration to Small Ship Registered (Part 3).
1974 – 1977
Managing Partner of A.V.Roberson, Boatbuilders, Woodbridge, Essex. Used extensively by his family , but had to be sold when the yard failed.
1977 – 1984
Owner Commodore Marconi Sailing Club. She sailed across to Holland most years and also visited the South Coast and Channel Islands during his ownership. He re-engined Copernicus, however, the new Petter had a defective head gasket and flooded whilst underway to Holland. She had to be towed back to Levington Marina for repair. He took Petters to Court, but lost the case.
1984 – 1988
Owner a Lt Commander RN Retd, and a Member Marconi Sailing Club Rebuilt the engine
She cruised up and down the East Coast extensively. Copernicus ‘wore~ the blue ensign of the RNSA during this time. Broke her moorings off Osea Island one day, and was recovered at Bradwell without damage. Roller reefing was installed.
1988- 1995
Kept the boat at Maylandsea Partner / Owner of Valiant Sails, Maldon.
Sailed and cruised around the East Coast. He had a new roller furling genoa made and a cruising chute. He then sold the boat to purchase a narrowboat to please his wife.
1995- 1998
Owner a member of Brandy Hole Yacht Club and Hullbridge Yacht Club. During this period Copernicus was kept at Fambridge, then at Hullbridge. She almost sank one year when she was craned into the water at North Fambridge at the start of a season without the log impeller in place. The water damage was considerable. He kept the annual ‘pilgrimage’ cruising to Woodbridge, her birthplace.
1998-2001
Owners members South Woodham Ferrers Yacht Club
Completely refurbished the engine, used the boat within the River Crouch.
The Class 1 Registration was allowed to lapse during this period of ownership.
2002- present
Members of South Woodham Ferrers Yacht Club
She was purchased using redundancy money A new DSC VHF Radio fitted, then an electronic plotter and new Yanmar 15hp engine fitted after the old engine ruptured an oil feed in 2004. A new roller reefing genoa from Dolphin Sailswas fitted in 2007. During 2007 the first owner’s daughter contacted them to reminisce about when her dad owner the boat.
Cruise, 3-6th September 2011
We decided to take advantage of the good weather and have a short cruise from South Woodham Ferrers around to Paglesham anchoring in the pretty, picturesque creeks hereabouts rather than going into busy marinas. We decided to chill out!
then as we went a little way up the River Roach we saw this other new buoy "Crow", named after the corner of riverbank on Foulness Island. It was installed at Quay Reach on the River Roach this year to warn vessels of the extending shoals far out into the river. We anchored off the steps to Foulness Island further up river than this.
The next morning we awoke to be reminded that it was Burnham Week and various classes of open boats were being sent up the Roach past Copernicus. Cruise, 3-6th September 2011
We decided to take advantage of the good weather and have a short cruise from South Woodham Ferrers around to Paglesham anchoring in the pretty, picturesque creeks hereabouts rather than going into busy marinas. We decided to chill out!
Approaching the Roach we spotted this new navigation buoy. This is the first preferred channel marker I have seen on the East Coast, installed for the new ships delivering spoil from Crosslink London to Wallasea Island for the new RSPB project. It replaces the old ( unlit) yellow racing mark of the same name. Ideal for yachtmaster courses especially testing students on the light characteristics!
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| New PHM "Crow" buoy in the River Roach |
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| Squibs in the Roach |
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| Looking towards the towerblocks of Southend |
After breakfast and a visit from friends who were members of a neighbouring club ( URYC) ,who came alongside for coffee and a yarn. We then went leisurely upriver with the flood tide to the top of "Paggie" moorings for a late lunch. It was lovely, the sun was hot, the water smooth, we relaxed for a few hours,until the tide turned.
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| Sunset approaches underway towards Burnham |
As evening approached we left Paglesham on the ebb tide and returning to Crouch decided to anchor opposite Cliff Reach in the shelter of the seawall for the night.
It is a lovely anchorage but one that is rarely used by yachtsmen, they prefer to drop the hook on the other bank, sheltered in a Noth Easterly but not in a moderate Southerly or South Westerly breeze.
After a wonderfully calm night it was up early to make a cup of tea, relax in the cockpit soaking up the atmosphere. Then it was time to take down the riding light and hoist the anchor ball, before cooking breakfast and, later on return back up the river to our moorings off Fenn Creek. As we picked up our mooring, so the breeze started to increase as forecast. The next day it poured with rain and the wind increased to force 6-7. We had timed our short break just right.
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| Sunrise over Cliff Reach near Burnham on Crouch |
