Over the late May bank holiday I was invited to a trial sail of my friend’s homebuilt steel yacht. He and his wife have taken early retirement in their early forties and are now just a few days from the start of their global adventure, although as always, it’s starting with a season in the med

The aim of the trip was to test the auto pilot, a newly fitted Simrad hydraulic unit. I was there as first mate, capable of handling the boat, and we also had the company of two freshmen crew. It was their first time on a yacht, and we weren’t sure what to expect from them.

It’s obviously a complete change from adventures on Kudu, but at least it’s another sailing video. I’ve been lacking in them recently

So, here it is, a voyage from Preston Marina, and around Anglesey in North Wales.