Month: October 2018

A Client in the UK tells how easy it is to enjoy your boat.

We wake up to a glorious day, it seems summer has arrived at last so we decide to head over to our favourite beach restaurant on the Isle of Wight.

Getting the children ready for a trip on the Iguana is no more difficult than if we were heading in the car. Shoes on and swimming costumes packed we board the boat in our own drive. The children easily get on board themselves followed by my wife and within minutes we’re heading to the beach and in the water hassle free.

As we arrive at the restaurant, available spaces to anchor are filling up, people are clambering out of soggy tenders and the beautifully dressed ladies cast scathing looks at their husbands as they try to get as close to the beach as possible.

We usually avoid this place in the summer for just this reason. But the Iguana Land Drive can handle the notorious choppy surf and we park easily at the edge of the water. Dismounting with dry feet onto the soft sand and bagging the last sea front table.

En route home, the children decide they want to swim so we headed over to Scratchell’ss Bay, a quiet isolated beach, and they enjoy few minutes in the sea before they give in to the cold waters. Back on board the children use the cabin to change from their wet suits into dry clothes and we head home.

We previously owned a boat that we never used. My wife and I found the marina too stressful for different reasons. I would hate the parking and movement restrictions while she hated the physical act of getting the kids on board. Now boating is completely stress-free. We all love every minute of it.

Many say why would I need an Iguana. Here we provide a glimpse into what life as an Iguana owner is like… The kids wake up late, but I don’t need to stress. I take my coffee out onto the deck and enjoy the quiet of the beach before the bustle of tourism arrives. Just me, a dog walker and a couple of kite surfers enjoying the break a little way out. 

The kids are finally ready at 10:00 and we board the Iguana in the garage. All our kit is still on board from last week so no need to pack anything. Even the fridge is still stocked with cool water and soft drinks. At 10:01 we’re already on the move across the beach and in the water by 10:03.

We head to a nearby reef, drop anchor and kit up for a spot of snorkelling. Back on board, we take a freshwater shower on the swim platform and lie out on the cushioned lounge seats to dry off. 

The kids are teenagers now so I love these moments. It isn’t long before one of them wants to get home. That’s the value of the Iguana. We’ve only been out one hour but we’ve enjoyed every second. No exhaustive planning, frantic packing or stressful marinas. Just me and the kids enjoying a little time away from the world. Total freedom.