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We
are the People that are FREE! |
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Passage people are
those that have been met at anchorages or marinas or beaches
or whatever along the way. They are featured perhaps because
they are unique and special or because they are not, rather because
they are just typical examples but of an extraordinary group.
By being cruising boaties, all of these people have stepped off
the well trod path and done something exceptional with their
lives. |
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From
The Coastal Passage, issue # 14 |
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"Desert
Wind"
Poor Mike and Sandi..
all they have for running around the ocean is a Perry 43. They
must suffer. When it all gets too much they may bolt back to
Tucson Arizona, where they stay sometimes for a dose of good
Mexican food and a rest! Their (seriously) beautiful Perry cat
makes a fine get away and they use it. We met last year at Lizard
Island. Don’t miss a chance to say “Howdy” if
you see them... but GEEEZ, they have a funny accent! |
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"Freefall"
Mike has been a professional
fisherman which suits him as he is keen. Then he stuffed up and
bought a yacht.. a multihull at that. The 10 metre Sea Wind is
still a work in progress, good thing he has help from first mate,
Gonzo. Mike and Gonzo are the more colourful type you see at
the Mackay Marina but I think they are getting itchy feet. The
far north calls........ |
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"Acropora"
I’m sitting in
the office in Bowen all rugged up from the cold... and what does
that have to do with Sally, Martin and Samantha?! Because they
had a ski rental business down by Albury and the weather report
I saw last night reminded me. The boat was left in Gladstone
but anytime now they should be back in the tropics. Maybe New
Cal this year. Maybe just hanging around the Whit’s again.
It was great fun meeting last year on the ‘paper delivery.” |
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"Iwalani"
I’ve run into Eric and Fay all
over the place but it took some major refitting at the Mackay
Boat Yard for me to have a chance for a yarn. They bought the
boat 7 years ago and did a refit then. Now another to repair
a chronic water ingress by the keel, reshape the rudder, cabin
refit and the windows.. all the usual. I asked Eric what was
the best of their cruising so far, Lizard Island got the nod.
They were there last year for the “medal.” When I asked
what was the worst, he couldn’t think of any! After some
prodding he admitted there was a time when they had to sail back
to Mooloolaba from Wide Bay because the weather was too rough
to go over the bar. They must be doing it right! Fay was visiting
family when I caught up so I’ll have to have another excuse
to chat up down the way. When she returns it’s her turn
to do the inside...new cushion covers, curtains and the rest.
The boat name??? Iwalani is a mythical Hawaiian sea bird. |
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"Code
Zero"
“We were in the
Solomons anchored next to Code Zero when..” “They were
leaving the Louisiades as we arrived.” Etc etc.. For a while
I thought there must be 10 boats named Code Zero but no, it’s
just that Ken and Christine get around a lot on their Woodward
47. They have been sailing a long time. They raised two kids
on boats. They base themselves in the Whitsundays but I don’t
see how they could spend much time there! |
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