I learnt to sail when I was in my 30’s and it was my aim to buy a small yacht when I retired and sail round the local rivers single handed. I looked in depth at all the options. In the end it came down to two boats the Cornish Shrimper or The Norfolk Gypsy. Having closely experienced the two boats I lost my heart to the Gypsy.
I was forced to retire early through ill health and although I had not done any sailing in over 20 years, I bought a Norfolk Gypsy, I am not a good sailor but she is a joy, and a very forgiving boat. Last year I completed a solo trip to the Walton Backwaters. A round trip of 50 nautical miles and coming home I ran into bad weather. The sea was full of white horses but my Daisy Bell saw me home and not a drop of water came into the boat.