Testimonials
SV Nerida (crewman)
“It has been my pleasure to have known Grahame Bear for over 20 years both in his successful cleaning business and in the sailing world, where he has crewed for me on many occasions. Grahame is a most affable, diligent, reliable and knowledgeable yachtsman with many years of experience. I have no hesitation in giving this character reference, Yours respectfully, Jim Hardy"
Sir James Hardy OBE.
Sea Mist June 2020
“I engaged Grahame to skipper my 70 year old wooden sloop from Manly, Brisbane to Docklands Melbourne. The trip had to be broken into two parts originally due to the weather window and then Covid-19 restrictions. Grahame took everything in his stride including running repairs, changing weather conditions, navigation and ensured we made it down safely and in good time. Grahame is an incredibly experienced, knowledgeable and reliable skipper as well as a great person to sail with. We had a lot of memories and laughs along the way. I wouldn’t hesitate using Grahame again as professional delivery skipper, or in recommending him to anyone else.” Ross Joyce, Melbourne, Australia
Sea Lady January 2020
We contacted Grahame to deliver our 45ft Fly Bridge Cruiser from Townsville to Tasmania. From the very start, we were confident that Grahame was the right person for the job and ten days later we took delivery of our boat together with a list of all the repairs completed en-route and items that still needed attention. Grahame was forthcoming with advice, concerns and suggestions and displayed a level of professionalism and care rarely seen. We would have no hesitation in recommending Grahame for your next delivery.
Johanna II October 2019
We engaged Grahame to take our Hanse 355 yacht that we’d just bought from Melbourne to Auckland in September 2019.
We’d never done anything like this before but from the moment Grahame answered my initial phone enquiry he was friendly, interested, encouraging, open and transparent, and his communication was excellent.
During the lead-up, he kept in touch, gave good advice on preparing the boat and was always responsive to our queries.
We joined him on the coastal legs (Melbourne to Eden and Bay of Islands to Auckland), so we got to see Grahame, and his excellent crewman, Murray, in action – working as a team, and using their wealth of experience to take control, be clear and decisive and take great care of our boat. The two were also great fun and encouraging sailing companions.
Unsurprisingly, the Tasman crossing went without a hitch. Despite some woolly weather, Johanna II was delivered to us in Auckland in the same great condition as when she left.
We’d have no hesitation recommending Grahame and look forward to using him again. He was honest, careful and fun and the delivery was good value.
Evening Breeze November 2018
Grahame Bear sets the benchmark in yacht delivery. To my mind he is the go to skipper for short and long haul deliveries. In late November/early December Grahame and crew sailed my Catalina 350 from Sydney Harbour up to its new home in Airlie Beach, around 1,900 km or 1,200 miles. The boat had never undertaken such a long journey beforehand so you could expect the odd glitch to occur which in fact they did but Grahame managed these perfectly and kept me posted on the status of the boat and the journey. I never had to ask anything as Grahame was always ahead with SMS or phone calls. The boat was cleaned, everything put back to its prior position, it was if I was stepping on to the boat as usual in Sydney. I can’t recommend Grahame highly enough.
42 South November 2018
For me it was an amazing experience and I feel both honoured and grateful for the opportunity to spend it with you. Grahame, you in the section from Flinders Is and Murray your driving hard into the swell on the last night were inspiring. All along the way your teamwork and making me feel part of it made for a great trip – adventure.
Wine Down November 2016
Grahame skippered our yacht on a delivery from Melbourne to Jervis Bay. He had excellent knowledge of the route, weather planning and sailing requirements as well as being supportive of the crew. The yacht was delivered in excellent condition and it was a pleasure to sail with him.
Viva La Vita 2003-2015
Tony Bates writes…
Grahame is a true Man of the Sea – but strongly customer and service focused. Always excellent company on board a boat, and always keen to share his knowledge with whoever else may be there (if any ! ). A very experienced and active sailor and navigator, Grahame has a keen eye to detail and remains cool, calm and totally together no matter the circumstance.
Graham has done several deliveries of my yacht up and down the NSW / Queensland coast over the past years and has never let me down. Above all, he really does enjoy every trip – and this no doubt shows out in the way he handles the task and makes his “Special Deliveries.”
Tony Bates Viva La Vita – Viva Hanse 385