Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2016 i Cruising Helmsman

So we have done “the season” up north and it is time to ponder and look back at what worked and what did not. We are nearly back home in Port Lincoln and did not make it to the Louisiades as planned for various reasons. We cruised the Coral Coast last year and cheated by freighting our yacht up and back ($14,000) but have sailed up before. Our 30 foot Endeavour had a refit ($40k at least) from new keelbolts to masthead tri-colour prior to the trip. I used the equipment list from Jessica Watkins book ‘True spirit’ as a guide. I had to make judgements about what to take, what we could afford and what we would leave at home. So here is the list which may be of…

We wanted to go sailing for ten days or so as a tester for longer-term cruising ambitions. I have a fiancé in my life that has done virtually no sailing. We share an Oceanis 45 in Sydney Harbour, which we use occasionally but her sailing experience until now has been very limited despite having spend 20 or so years living near Pittwater at Palm Beach. With a break in her busy work life, we looked around for a bareboat charter holiday, her requirements were that it be warm, not too far to travel to, and involve snorkeling. My first choice was Tonga, which I hear is great. But the cyclone season was tailing off and March is considered one of the worst times to go to Tonga, so our next…

A boat is bought for a purpose, in my husband John’s opinion. There is no point in owning a fully-equipped, long-distance cruiser when all you do is go for a jolly on Sunday in Sydney Harbour. We bought our Swan 46 Senta for ocean sailing, living aboard during a lengthy sabbatical that would include several long ocean passages. “From the pen of a good designer and built by a good yard!” This is an old adage about how to choose your boat to ensure safe and comfortable miles and maintain a solid resale value. It is never more true than for the German Frers designed Swan 46, known as one of the most successful if not the most successful Swan ever. Built by Nautor between 1983 and 1997 in two…

Cruiser of the year nominee: Andrea and Ian Treleaven Nominated by none other than yachting journalist Di Pearson Andrea and Ian Treleaven have been cruising for over 14 years. Here is their story. The opportunity to commence a life of cruising happened per chance when they sold their business, Musto Australia, in 2003. They had commenced manufacturing Musto foul weather gear under license in New Zealand in 1985 and expanded to Australia in 1987. It was a huge wrench for Ian and Andrea to move on from a company they had built together into such a successful brand. Ian started sailing P classes at a very early age in New Zealand before graduating through several other dinghy classes. He then moved onto ocean racing in the northern hemisphere, competing in…

One could say, I have reasonable experience, skills and knowledge to complete an offshore passage. Preparation is the key to a successful passage or voyage. We all know that too well. There are no cursed passages, there is bad preparation or bad planning. The following story should warn others, that even an experienced sailor can make basic mistakes and take wrong decisions under certain circumstances, can lose his/her usual vigilance while acting under pressure. Three years after the economical crash in September 2008, I was desperate to undertake a project. I was forced to sell my beloved Swanson 36, my finances did not look too bright. I decided to withdraw all my superannuation and buy a yacht. I found one in Fiji. The owner was a New Zealander. I had…

Watch for all seasons and sports With the ability to deliver valuable cruising, sailing and fishing data right to your wrist, Garmin’s Quatix 3 marine GPS smartwatch belongs on the water. Updated from its first Quatix watch, Garmin’s latest version merges features and design from one of Garmin’s other sport watches: the Fenix. Built to withstand the harsh marine environment, the Quatix 3 features a three-axis electronic compass, barometer and auto-calibrating altimeter. It is preloaded with marine-specific feature sets, apps, widgets and watch faces. Users can receive: up-to-date tide data; an anchor alarm to warn of drift; an alarm clock and an anchor rode calculator that tells users the proper length of anchor line to put out. The watch can stream NMEA2000 data, including: speed, depth, temperature, wind data and…

“What I had seen so far only in postcards is real, appearing in front of my eyes. This really is a paradise!” These were my first thoughts as the Air Vanuatu plane lowered towards the crystal clear waters of Port Vila Harbour after flying over some amazing white reefs embraced by deep blue water. That was just the beginning of my discovery and journey through a set of islands that would blow anyone’s mind due to their diversity and the friendly attitude of the locals, who never miss an occasion to smile and wave at you while strolling down the street. Sheltered anchorages plus safe deep harbours plus tropical clear waters equals a perfect destination for cruisers. Do not forget to add the delicate blend of French and Melanesian culture,…

WIN WITH YOUR PICS! Hi, welcome to the CH cruising pictures competition. Whenever space permits, we will be bringing you a spread of cruising pics submitted by readers, with the picture judged the best winning a one-year subscription to the two magazines in the Yaffa Photo Group, and the second-placed entry a one-year subscription to one of those magazines. Entries are always coming in thick and fast, and judging which is the best is proving a very difficult task. See if you agree with the judges’ choice. Before you abuse the editor, though, be aware the result was decided by an office poll! Winners should email philross@yaffa.com.au to organise their subscription/s. TO SUBMIT A PICTURE Email it as a high res jpg to philross@yaffa.com.au Please include an interesting caption saying…

Calling All Traditional 30 owners Phil, Some two years ago I purchased a Traditional 30, which I believe was originally named Trad 30 and had undergone rig modifications for racing both in Port Phillip and across Bass Strait. This yacht had been renamed Secret Men’s Business following a change of ownership and when I purchased the boat it had been somewhat neglected and in poor condition. I have since renamed the boat after my late mother Kathleen B and spent considerable time bringing her back to a seaworthy state and thoroughly enjoying her. Wanting to find more about the class and its history etcetera, I have started researching and so far found that the Traditional 30 was a Peter Cole design and there are quite a few of them around.…

Boats are all about compromise. There are so many options to consider you could be driven crazy if you tried to buy the perfect boat. So the first thing to realise when searching for your perfect boat is that she does not exist. What would be one person’s choice would be seriously flawed for another. By the time you start comparing monohulls versus multihulls, long vs short keels, centre cockpit vs aft, different cabin layouts, manual vs electric heads, heavy vs lighter displacement, new vs second-hand ... This whole article could just list basic differences between yacht types. So how on earth do you work your way through the maze of options? The first thing to decide is what do you want to do with your boat. If you want…

More on mozzie screens – no sewing involved This month we have two variations on keeping the cabin free of biting insects, both of which are easy and effective. Rob Mason simply threads shock cord or elastic around the edge of a circle of mesh to make a ‘shower cap’ for each hatch on Champagne Lady. They fit snugly on any hatch with a lip around the base and, if the elastic is the correct length, will not blow off. They are quick to pop on the hatches. A big advantage is the ability to close the hatch from inside if it suddenly starts to rain. The screens can be stored scrunched up in a bag, and are easy to wash in a bucket. I like the simplicity and ease…

THE TOP 12 1 Thinking you have enough shade You may or may not have a great bimini, but when the sun is not directly overhead, it will be inadequate. It will only shade one side of the cockpit. Consider a shade cloth that fits either side as needed. The summer sun will heat the whole boat so consider an awning over the main cabin at anchor. 2 Taking too much stuff You are unsure what you will actually need, so you pack the lot. Leave most of those extra sails at home. Your normal headsail, a mid-size headsail, a storm jib or a very small one depending on where you are going, a main and/or trysail, and one downwind/light air sail will be plenty. You may need jerry cans…