If you think boating is strictly a summer pursuit, international cameraman and programme-maker Dylan Winter is on a mission to change your mind. He is turning a “unique” wintering experience at Mylor Yacht Harbour, near Falmouth, Cornwall aboard his 26 foot yacht into a series of films for his popular sailing and travel blog Keep Turning Left which he hopes will encourage other sailors to follow suit.

“I live about a hundred days of the year aboard, winter or summer when the weather's good,” he says, “and I sail all around the British Isles, but I've never come across a better marina than Mylor.

“It's the very best: brilliant facilities, great places to eat and really lovely staff who genuinely care about people and boats. The shower block is second to none, the pontoons are in excellent condition - plus, Mylor is amazingly mild and sheltered and the surrounding waters and coast are absolutely beautiful.”

Dylan found his way to Mylor Yacht Harbour halfway through a voyage around the UK, after he arrived in Falmouth to trade up his 22 foot yacht for the 26 foot Westerly Centaur “Lily M”.

“I wanted to spend a winter in the Fal/Helford area and I've always wanted to watch the local sail-only fishing fleet working the Carrick Roads through the winter months at first hand. Mylor does excellent winter pontoon deals and it suited me and my wife Jill perfectly as she's a keen walker and she loved the location - and Mylor's luxurious loos!

“Winter sailing is wonderful. The creeks are clear of moored boats, the light is low and beautiful, you can pick up an empty mooring anywhere. At the end of a lovely winter day sailing I scuttle back to my pontoon, plug in the boat and settle down with the fan heater going, good internet connection, good malt whisky, interesting book - what could be nicer?”

The Mylor winter has provided this former globe-trotting BBC cameraman with inspirational material for several films which he will be editing over the coming winter for his blog and on-line forum Keep Turning Left ( www.keepturningleft.co.uk ) which is widely followed across the world.

He has posted a trailer of his winter experiences at Mylor and the surrounding waters at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaR0D5utupU and a series of photos at http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/sailing-around-britain/in-praise-of-winter-sailing/ 

“It was fantastic to have Dylan spending so much time with us – and spreading the word about the joys of a winter here at Mylor Yacht Harbour,” says Marina Manager Culum Matheson.

“We get an amazing winter 'community' on our pontoons – whether people are actually staying on board their boats, or renting holiday cottages here and day sailing or learning to sail. I can never understand why more people don't keep their boats in the water and grab those golden chances of mild winter sailing which we're lucky to get so much of here.”

Look out for Dylan Winter's blog and films about his nautical travels around the British Isles at www.keepturningleft.co.uk – and for his films on winter sailing at Mylor from next Spring. To find out more about wintering at Mylor's Marina – or about Mylor Yacht Harbour's full complement of services and luxury holiday cottages visit www.mylor.com. 

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Photos and Mylor film trailer – free to use courtesy of Dylan Winter
Mylor Yacht Harbour is a centre of excellence for the care and restoration of yachts and motor boats, providing a full complement of services afloat and ashore, based at one of the most beautiful locations on the South Coast.  Mylor Yacht Harbour's Marine Team is staffed by highly trained marine specialists including engineers, electricians and shipwrights. Whether applying traditional skills or cutting edge technologies, Mylor's Marine Team puts its combined expertise into anything from simple repairs or maintenance to a total refit. For more information please see www.mylor.com or www.mylor.com/marineteam or call 01326 372 121.

Contacts:

Mylor Yacht Harbour - Judith Ball, judithb@mylor.com, 01326 372 121 

or Louise Midgley Communications, louise@midgleycomms.co.uk,  07831 696093 / 01326 319884 

or Dylan Winter,  dylanwinter2@gmail.com or 07712 186250 / 01296 712761