The beginning...

When really was that?

The dream was always to do it, but life, in the form of work and providing for four children delayed that dream until our fifties. Then, we decided - now or never...

So the search began, we were going to have a "real" boat - a monohull, classic, very seaworthy, ocean going, built to stand the test of all that was put in front of her.

What happened?? 

Well after about one or two years of looking, checking out a few actual yachts, sailing with Ian Cooper on his Schionning Cosmos catamaran, "Nicky C" to New Caledonia in June 2015, and after going to the 2015 Sydney Boat Show, Jamie suddenly says - what about a catamaran???

I'd never thought about a cat either, but when we started looking, they were much more liveable - they are more comfortable to be living on long term than a monohull. So we started to look seriously at them. And missed out on a perfect one for sale in Greece, we weren't ready to buy as we hadn't sold our house!!

So kept looking in Europe as we really would like to spend some time in the Med and travel through Europe while we were there. But with the Aussie dollar at the moment it appears to be better to buy in Australia and then sail through to New Zealand and then the Pacific and then maybe up to the Med, but actually with the dramas in Europe with the ISIS and terrorism right now it maybe the further away the better!!

Anyway, we saw a cat we liked the look of, in fact three to look at - So a couple of weeks ago, my birthday weekend, - I said to Jamie - lets go boat looking - so we set off to eliminate some. And decided to eliminate a couple!!

Friday night, July 8th, 2016, we headed north on our boat hunting expedition flying into Cairns on Saturday morning at the ungodly hour of 1.30am.

We had 3 days and 3 yachts to see which included 9 hours of plane travel and about 16 hours driving.

First up was SOL, a Schionning Wilderness 41, she was in Townsville, but we just happened to pick the weekend that the supercars were racing in Townsville, so all flights and accommodation were well booked out.

Hmmmn, only way was to fly to Cairns, about 370km north then hire a car and drive to Townsville and meet Sid, who was looking after the broking business while the broker was away. Sid was super helpful and patient and gave us a good look at SOL.

After that it was back to Cairns to fly to Brisbane, hire another car there to see "Cruis'n Hues" a  Fusion 40, about an hours drive south, on the Sunday, then drive to Mooloolaba, (north of Brisbane, of course - couldn't be in the same area!!) to see "New Tricks" another Fusion 40.

And in the middle of this I just had to get a nasty tooth abscess that required many painkillers and a visit to an emergency dentist late on the Sunday afternoon for it to be drained and to get stronger painkillers and antibiotics. Jamie was really concerned that I was so out of it with the pain and the painkiller meds I was dosing myself up on that I would not remember seeing the boats and the differences between them!!

We were home on Monday night, heads buzzing, but decision made...
We would put in an offer for SOL



SOL

   

More stressful than buying a house - especially when you still have to sell the house! And SOL is two and a half thousand km away. So what with looking, then going back for survey and sea trials has meant a fair few miles covered even before we take possession.

OFFER ACCEPTED !!

Whoop whoop - we nearly own a boat!

Back to Townsville 3 1/2 weeks later, 3rd August, for survey, haul out and sea trials.
This time it was just a flight to Townsville, and we got to stay in the same place for three nights! No hire car and hours of driving either - bliss. Almost holiday-like.

Haul out and out of water survey having been done yesterday, today we were meeting at the office of the broker (Ron) then going to SOL to meet her current owners, George & Corry, and the surveyor, Bligh.

Survey completed and the "thumbs up" from Bligh then off with Ron, Sid, George and Corry for lunch at Townsville Yacht Club. Just the sea trials tomorrow...looking good!

Dinner again from a super fish and chippery, "Simply Tops", on Palmer St. We had grilled garlic Morton Bay bugs and a nice piece of Coral trout - neither of which we had tried before.

Thursday 1pm Ron picked us up for our sea trial. Rather nervously we boarded SOL and sailed out into Cleveland Bay, we hoisted all the various sails, tried out the auto-pilot, checked the chartplotter and other instruments. Everything seemed to work just as George and Corry had said. It was a perfect afternoon out, and two hours later we were back in the marina sharing a bottle of wine with George and Corry.

WE WERE SOLD !!!

Sea Trial Track

So with settlement down for the 19th August all we had to do was to organize insurance, marina, and transfer of the money.

Then the logistical exercises begin. We will have to leave SOL in a marina about 4 hours flight north of where we live and still work until the house sells. Then, pack up the house and store all our "stuff" in preparation for life aboard. We aim to move SOL down to a marina or mooring that's closer to home - but will probably have to leave her where she is for a month or two as the prevailing winds are not good for the trip south until possibly October.