April 2017... A reasonably slow start to this year as hip pain became significantly worse. Finally got the surgery set for mid April and after a coupe of months to get strong again including physio, walking, swimming and gym work am now back stronger than ever. such a relief to be out of pain...
Continue readingAuthor: Grahame Bear
‘Rose’ Swarbrick 44 Manly, Brisbane to Pt Huon, Hobart February 2017
February 2017... After crewman Jeff secumbed to the ways of Jetstar (flight cancelled) we departed 12 later than planned which meant heading north into a strong NE wind to clear Moreton Is rather than the inland route to Southport then out via the seaway. Eventually at 0200 we turned south an picked up about...
Continue reading‘Le Billet’ Benateau 44.7 Southport YC to RPAYC Aug 2016 & Jan 2017
Aug 2016 & Jan 2017... Stock standard run down the coast with my life long sailing buddy Michael solving the problems of the world en route. Le Billet is a very well prepared highly campaigned racing boat which owner Mark takes meticulous care of so, as expected, no problems at all. I look forward...
Continue reading“Artemis” Maritimo S62 Gold Coast to Sydney Dec 2016 + NYE
December 2016 and NYE Sydney Harbour… Peter and I did the trip down from their home in the Gold Coast in short legs, stopping at Coffs Harbour and Port Stephens. Weather was perfect the first two days enabling us to cruise at 24 knots but with a southerly wind and swell on the final...
Continue reading‘Grace’ Sunseeker 75 Fremantle to Sydney October 2016
October 2016... Every picture tells a story! I arrived in Fremantle having cancelled my crew (Andy) as the mechanics decided at the last minute to recondition the heat exchange elements. Unfortunately, reconditioning went wrong and resulted in new ones being flown in from the Man factory in Germany. It took a week to finally...
Continue reading‘Sublime’ Integrity 35 Hobart to Brisbane August 2016
August 2016... Back to Hobart with Alan to pick up his new Integrity 35. Hobart turned on the weather and not nearly as cold as the previous weeks, thankfully. Up through Dennison Bridge and Dunally Canal to exit just south of Maria Is - very picturesque. The trip went exceptionally well and as I...
Continue reading‘Time Lord’ Schionning Wilderness 1030 Hobart to Auckland July 2016
July 2016… Time Lord was a strong boat and the rig was well built. Unfortunately much of the peripheral equipment was second hand and not professionally installed and we had a lot of break-downs. Rocky, my crew was incredible. His logical, lateral approach to fixing things was very very creditable. The pictures show the...
Continue reading‘Twin Tug’ Integrity 35 Runaway Bay to Pittwater July 2016
July 2016... A lovely couple of days riding the current down from the Gold Coast with the delightful company of new owner Phil. Twin Tug performed seamlessly with the only issue being the generator cutting out for no apparent reason facilitating cooking on the bbq. ...
‘Blackjack’ Fairline Squadron 78 Sydney to Perth June 2016
June 2016... Another trip across the bight this time into the breeze! Along with crew mate Blair the trip took 16 days which included a couple of days waiting for a weather window in Pt Lincoln and a "pit stop" in Esperence to remove the rear platform (which had partially broken) and the...
Continue reading‘Bella Luna’ X-Yacht 40 Melb. to Pittwater May 2016
May 2016... An old school mate and newly retired Peter bought himself and wife Sue a present to enhance their new lifestyle. Wilsons Promontory was rather windy with gusts in the high 60's so we had to postpone our departure by 2 days. When we did leave we were very conservative with our sail...
Continue reading