Bundaberg to Coffs Harbour October 2025…

Rob bought SV Balto whilst she was for sale in New Caledonia. He adventurously decided to sail her home with the help of his wife and a couple of mates. As they got closer to the Australian coast, continual strong southerlies kept pushing them north of their preferred route into Coffs. Ultimately, Bundaberg was the place Balto wanted to head for. Needing to get back to work, Rob asked me to deliver her to Coffs. He did prewarn me that  the headboard (see pic) had been ripped off the mainsail and either we jury rig it or sail under foresail and motor. Fortuitously, we got to check out the damage the week before when we were picking up Astros in Bundaberg and make a repair plan. So, back to Bundaberg, this time we asked our driver to stop on the way to provision and to the marina. Fixed the sail got the yacht prepared and again great plan to leave asap which we did. There were significant storms further south but we let that blow through before we reached that location. Another terrific sail down to the Straits and beyond to Wide Bay Bar and straight on to Coffs.

Our mainsail fix held and another very successful delivery with Murray. The condition of the boat otherwise was flawless and it handled superbly. I honestly can say Balto is in my top 5 sailing cats I have delivered.