Snappy Croc Sailing

recent posts

about

  • Meet SnappyCroc: My 1987 Jaguar 22 Project Boat

    Every sailing journey needs a beginning, and this one starts with a slightly weathered but much-loved Jaguar 22 called SnappyCroc.

    Built in 1987, she is older than some of the crew I hope will one day sail with me. Like any boat of that age, she comes with her fair share of quirks, character, and jobs that need doing — but that is all part of the appeal.

    So, why SnappyCroc?

    The name comes from a nickname I somehow acquired at work. My full name is Christopher, and somewhere in the distant past, someone decided to start labelling things with “Christopher Crocodile”. Over time, and possibly helped along by my occasional grumpy-old-man tendencies, this evolved into references to me being a bit “snappy”.

    Rather than fight it, I have decided to embrace it.

    So now the boat, the project, and this little sailing adventure all carry the name SnappyCroc.

    And now you know.

    First Impressions

    When I first saw her, I knew she was going to be a project. The rigging needs checking, the electrics are… let’s say “creative,” and the interior shows every one of its 30-plus years. But underneath all that, there’s a solid little boat with a reputation for being fun, forgiving, and just big enough to go on real adventures without feeling overwhelming.

    Why a Project Boat?

    Some people might wonder why I didn’t just buy something newer and ready to sail. The truth is, I wanted the chance to learn by doing. Owning a project boat means I’ll get to understand SnappyCroc inside and out, from the fittings on deck to the bolts holding the keel. Plus, there’s something satisfying about bringing a boat back to life and knowing you’ve added your own touch along the way.

    What’s Next?

    The plan is simple:

    • Make her safe.
    • Make her sailable.
    • Then get out on the water with family and friends.

    Alongside that, I’ll be documenting the journey here on the blog—from the small wins to the inevitable setbacks. Expect photos, stories, and the odd tale of things not quite going to plan.

    The mental challenge for me is about not striving for perfection but achieving good enough to be safe and be able to enjoy her along the way “Perfect is the enemy of good”

    Owning SnappyCroc is less about chasing perfection and more about enjoying the ride. Here’s to new adventures, salty lessons, and plenty of fun afloat.

  • I bought her… but can I get her home in one piece?

    After more than 20 years of browsing listings and daydreaming, I finally did it—I bought a boat! A Jaguar 22, spotted on Facebook Marketplace, funded by the proceeds of a recent camera sale.

    The seller was brilliant—he sent me loads of photos, a good bit of history, and described her as a “rough diamond.” Sail-ready, but in need of some TLC. To me, that sounded perfect: not a basket case, but a project I could get stuck into and learn from.

    So, on a random Sunday in September, my wife Katie, father-in-law Ron, and I set off on a little adventure. We arranged to meet the seller at a motorway service station near Bristol—a slightly unusual handover location, but it added to the sense of risk and excitement.

    Motorway services briefing!

    When we arrived, I was pleasantly surprised. The boat looked great, and the seller took his time walking me through the equipment, showing me how to step the mast, and sharing some of his sailing experiences. After that, it was time to hitch up and head north.

    We stopped at Gloucester Services (highly recommend—proper independent services with local farm produce) for some lunch. Up until then, the trip was smooth sailing.

    But just 5 miles further up the M5, disaster struck. The trailer’s nearside tyre blew out with a bang, destroying the wheel arch and forcing us onto the hard shoulder. Not exactly how I pictured my first day as a boat owner!

    The highways traffic cameras captured us stranded on the hard shoulder!
    There’s always time for cake even in a crisis!

    A quick call to the Highways Agency and RAC later, and thanks to some excellent service (and a rolling road block that no doubt annoyed a fair few drivers—sorry about that!), we were back on the road.

    At last, we got her home safely. We toasted her arrival with the only alcohol to hand (a can of Stella!), kindly provided by the compounds neighbour Ian. After a quick look inside the cabin (surprisingly promising), I called it a day—it had been a long one.

    There’s plenty more to come: an inventory, a project plan, and plenty of updates as I get stuck into this little adventure. In the meantime, you can check out the YouTube video of delivery day to see how it all unfolded.

  • Welcome Aboard!

    Hi, I’m Chris — sailor, amateur, over thinker, occasional bodger and adventurous type person, and now proud owner of a 1987 Jaguar 22 project boat.

    This blog is my place to share the journey: restoring her, learning more about sailing (the fun bits and the mistakes), and heading out on adventures with family and friends.

    You can expect new posts most weeks, ranging from boat updates to sailing stories, lessons learned, and the odd bit of general nonsense.

    I hope you’ll follow along, share your own experiences, and enjoy the ride. After all, sailing isn’t about perfection — it’s about adventure.

    #jaguar22 #projectboat #catalina22