www.smallsailboats.co.uk Bill's Boats Home www.smallsailboats.co.uk Scout Kayak Racing Kayak Phillida Hilyard Shyauk Hina Catamaran Small Zeta Pandora Buccaneer Kingfisher Aziz Shipmate Harriott Micro Caleb Big Zeta                   I built Big Zeta over a three year period in my spare time.  The basic hull and deck was supplied by the designer Eric Bergqvist, but other components were obtained from various sources.  The most important part of the yacht, except the rudder, was the flexible alloy mast made by Needlespar. The reason for building this beautiful yacht was to sail her around the world.  She was therefore equipped with two bunks, a large navigation table and a storage cabinet for charts, and a paraffin oven. I had studied to become an Ocean Yacht Master to achieve my ambition, but I did not make allowance for the psychological trauma of leaving my wife and youngest daughter at home.  On setting out from the Scillies I realized I could never abandon them for a minimum of three years to complete the 'Milk Run' via the Panama Canal, Brisbane, Darwin, Cape Town, the Azores and Falmouth. One seldom hears of the many who fail to achieve their global circumnavigation ambitions.  On returning from the Scillies I sold the boat and thought that perhaps I would never own another again, but that was not to be.  In the back of my mind there is always the thought that perhaps one day I shall circumnavigate the globe, but in reality that will probably never occur.  It may seem sad, but strangely I'm contented with the sailing and paddling canoe I now use for day sailing.