August 2020...

Fellow delivery skipper Mark was contracted to deliver Banter from Mooloolaba to Sydney. He got her as far as the Gold Coast but was hampered by weather. Eventually when the weather changed, so did Sydney become a 'hot spot' and the Queensland border was closed to people having recently visited Sydney. As mark had future work in Qld, he asked me to sail the remainder of the delivery.

After a quick handover in Coffs, we set off in ideal conditions which then was followed by a glorious full moon-lit night, well up until about 1am when the Sth change came through and the sea became a washing machine. By daybreak a southerly swell with westerly chop and 25 kts of wind. Into Newcastle for the evening and left again first thing the following day into great conditions for the final 60nm to Sydney. Arriving at 1930 to Cremorne and meeting the syndicate of 3 new excited owners.

Ironically along the way, I realised this boat was originally named Carbon Credits and is the boat which features first in my list of deliveries on this website. Yes it was the first professional delivery I did ten years ago and  I had sailed over 3000nm on her over 3 deliveries!

As this delivery closely followed the previous one to Coffs, I was luck to have Ray and Phil at the ready. Thank you both again for great crew work and expertise in the galley. And best wishes to Gordon, Anthony and Chris the new owners.