Spotlight on David from Boatshed Hayling Island
David Mowatt is one of the Boatshed brokers in Hayling Island, and we thought it would be nice to find a little more about what David got up to when he wasn't working.
Hi David, If you were on a desert Island who would you like to be stranded with and why?
Not sure I can answer this one without getting into trouble!
What is your first memory of boating?
Saving up my pocket money to buy a glass fibre canoe and using this around Emsworth and Chichester Harbour.
What is your best experience on a boat and why?
A few years ago, I was lucky enough to be on a corporate charter day. We spent the day on a large motor cruiser, drinking champagne all day and lunch at the Folly pub in Cowes before returing to the Hamble for a few drinks in the pub and then dinner in a local Hamble Indian restaurant.
What is your worst experience on a boat and why?
On a dive boat in Dubai , we travelled approx. 10 miles off shore and the sea state was surpirisngly rough. By the time we arrived at the dive site, my wife and I felt very sick and a first for me, I was sick under water into my regulator!
What is your favouite anchorage and why?
As a family we enjoy visiting Gunwharf by RIB from Hayling Island. We can shop, eat, drink and visit the cinema all in one location, without having to spend any time in the car.
What's your favourite onboard food?
This is easy. All types of Indian food. For the last 4 + years I have been organising a monthly curry club for friends. Each month we visit a new Indian Restaurant and local pub and so we believe we have visted circa 50 Restaurants. Each month a different person gets to choose the restaurant . I am known as the "Currymaster" as I organise the event each month. We should have written a book and a review of each restaurant!!. We have become quite well known with some Indian restaurants / chains.
Who is your personal hero or heroine and why?
Over the years this has changed regularly , I am currently enjoying Cycling and therefore my current hero is Chris Froome . I have read his autobiography and I am very impressed with all the hurdles and mountains he had to climb (excuse the pun) to reach his goal to win the Tour de France. He is not brash or arrogant , just a good guy that gets the job done.
Best or worst advice given?
Best advice is respect the sea and don't panic, I am generally calm in most situations and I do give the sea plenty of respect at all times.
Do you have any hobbies?
When not working or out on the water, I do enjoy riding my road bike with my friends around the Hampshire countryside or riding my mountain bike up and down the hills of the South downs. This year I have entered several Sportives and the Prudential Ride London a ride of 100 miles around the closed streets of London.
David we'd like to wish you all the best with Boatshed Hayling Island - if you are interested in joining the Boatshed team, check out the Boatshed Business website.