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We
are the People that are FREE! |
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From
The Coastal Passage, issue #27 |
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Fun
Family Fleet? or Fun Fleet Family?
(try
to say that fast!)
I caught Carl at work on his BIG
54’ ketch in the marina. As I thought he could use a break
I began to ask questions. I guessed TIC TAC to be steel but he
corrected me, she is alloy. He and Bev had spent 2 years
re-fitting her down south before the voyage north and had several
disasters along the way. Bent shaft and prop... the usual. One
of the dumb questions I asked is how they got into cruising?
“Cause of Brian on PANDORA, my daughters partner.
He’s right there.” HUH? Carl went on to explain that
it was cruising with their daughters family a few years ago that
did it and now they were cruising as a fleet. PANDORA was just
one berth away, all 57 steel feet of her. Amazing! So I stirred
up the whole family and got lucky with a fleet photo. Below
are, from left, Brian (AKA the instigator) Belinda (AKA partner
in crime) and daughter Jemma with Bev and Brian (AKA victims!)
So if you see them sailing into your anchorage, give a friendly
wave and leave them lots and lots of room...... |
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What about the opposite approach of the family
fleet? How about one boat and share it around.. Sometimes sailing
together and not to worry about those long watches or switch
off between crews as holidays are available. And a cat is perfect
for this. Imagine, you only have to anti-foul one of the hulls?
Seriously, for couples who get along that well this arrangement
makes perfect sense. Caught in the act of changeover, from front
in yellow and going clock wise; That's Lena (part owner),
Gail and Ken (guests), Mike (part owner with Lena), and Steve
and Lin (the other owners). Half the cost and half the work
and boats don’t mind being used as much as being neglected.
Well done! |
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When Heath got tired of bouncing off
the tarmac whilst racing motorbikes in North America, he went
to sea and has covered a lot of ocean since. He has been a skipper
of large fishing and cargo vessels and an officer with P&O.
About ten years ago he migrated from his native Canada and lately
has found a vessel to suit him. The very unusual little ship
is tough as, being built to withstand the roughest weather the
north sea can dish out. Though there have been boats built to
the Ole Fiskar design in Australia, this one is from Denmark,
brought to New Zealand by a cargo ship skipper on deck. The little
boat was later sailed across the Tasman to Manly where Heath
acquired her. This very sturdy craft has seen many miles since
and some blue water as well. Fishing and touring, just brilliant! |
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Beate (Norway) and Jan (Denmark) went through a storm and the risk of
Australian “hospitality”to get here. Wonder which is
more dangerous!
It is very good to have the foreign
boats cruising along with the fleet and getting rarer lately.
So they are all the more welcome.
Bon Voyage SY FRIGG! |
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