Coomera to Devonport April 2026 ...

Every picture tells a story and this post is no different. From the first image showing 'the hand over from previous owner John  (the last 27 years) to proud new owner David who insisted that I haul him up the mast to see if the spare wind instrument happened to fit (sadly it didn't ).

Then there were a few little maintenance issues to deal with. A broken engine mount could not have been predicted but was discovered as the port motor changed its note and on investigation, I found the whole motor jumping up and down on its remaining two fixing points. We were heading into Sydney to refuel and so after refuelling it was midnight and I suggested  to David it might be a good time to liberate the broken mount. By 0300, all was in readiness for the new mount to be fitted (once sourced and delivered) and by 1300, we were on our way.  So that was the only significant fix but along the way minor little things and the pic shows David and Adam re tapping the thread on the traveller cam cleat which let go at some point.

I warned David of my vegetarian ways and he was very open to 'learn', so the cook-off begun my curries vs David's satays, dead heat in all fairness and of course David and Adam did have their carnivore fix at the Bermagui hotel the night we stopped there for weather.

Next there was, as always, who gets top speed and with the assistance of our ECC which was doing its best, we commonly were doing 9's and 10's but Adam with a double reefed main and no headsail but with the advantage of superior surfing skills won the day at 13.6kts.

So we left Bermagui and battled the remainder of the southerly into Eden, arriving just on dark and grabbed a public mooring for the night. Leaving early the following morning, conditions just got better and better resulting in a great Bass Strait crossing (including dissecting Deal Is) and arriving at a respectable mid afternoon the following day to the welcoming of wife Catherine, daughter Portia and hundreds (well a few)  other friends and relatives. A few more little jobs putting Ponyo to bed and the end of another very successful delivery.

I thank David and Adam for their wonderful assistance and great company along the way (lots of stories, some even true) and to SV Ponyo although forty years old, in fine condition and will serve David and family very well. I wish them all the very best and give thanks for the opportunity.