We are not alone. In August 2008 Mike and Jill Cross wrote to us from New Zealand to say they too have a red-and-white Roberts 38 called Sentinel, which they built of coldmoulded plywood in 1980.

Though our own Sentinel visited Auckland in 1989, the two yachts never met. We determined to correct that, and one day in 2011 we cruised together in the Hauraki Gulf, where this picture was taken. Like ours the "other" Sentinel is the center cockpit, cutter-rig version. The hull is rounded though, not double chine like ours. She is in beautiful condition for her 30 years.

Jill and Mike became good friends while we were in New Zealand. They commented: "We chose this name after a mountain in the South Island, an area where we grew up and had a few great holidays including our honeymoon. Our cruising has been confined to the coasts of New Zealand with most of the time spent in the Hauraki Gulf (Auckland). We have made a few changes from the original plans but in general are pleased both with the performance and great times Sentinel has given us."

Imagine our surprise in February 2011 to come across yet another Roberts 38 Sentinel! This one is based in Wellington, NZ. We didn't actually get to see the yacht and so know little about her. The picture is from a local yacht broker. She, like ours, has a double-chine steel hull but is the aft cockpit layout.