Innholdsfortegnelse for April 17 i Cruising Helmsman

Infiniti Performance Yachts has announced the Infiniti 56C designed by Farr Yacht Design, the first performance blue water cruiser in the market utilising Dynamic Stability Systems foils. Following its success in the racing world and recent acceptance in the superyacht market it is now available for performance cruising. “The Infiniti 56C redefines the performance cruising market,” said Britton Ward, vice president and senior naval architect at Farr Yacht Design. “We have designed a stylish, modern yacht, with a deck and interior arrangement equally suited to offshore passage making as well as entertaining at anchor.” Thanks to the added righting moment and lift provided by the retractable DSS foil, the yacht will be capable of high average speeds, resulting in significantly shorter passage times. This is true in all conditions: in…

Sailors from around the Pacific and beyond are already signalling intent to be part of the Musket Cove Fiji Regatta, which will be staged from September 15 to 20. Organisers’ are confident the fleet size will exceed last year’s record of 101. This will be the 34th running of the regatta, which is sailed out of Musket Cove Island Resort and Marina, located on Malolo Lailai Island and amid the beautiful Mamanuca Islands a ferry ride west of Nadi. The region is widely claimed as being the sunniest in the entire South Pacific. As to be expected in this region, the Musket Cove Fiji Regatta is famous for its traditional, warm hospitality, excellent racing and ‘fun factor’ cranked up to eleven from start to finish. The program is simple: sail…

In the five years since the publication of my previous survey on the global movement and distribution of sailing boats in 2010, the world has been confronted by two major phenomena that have affected offshore cruising both in the short and long term. The political upheavals in the Middle East and North Africa have greatly affected cruising in the Mediterranean as well as passages through the North Indian Ocean and Red Sea but, while those effects can be regarded as regional, the consequences of climate change are now affecting the entire world. Global weather conditions in 2015 were also affected by a prolonged El Niño episode that exacerbated the ongoing effects of climate change, most notably in the NW Pacific where at least one typhoon occurred in every month of…

Inflatable technology has increased over the years with its use in dinghies and, recently, stand up paddleboards. Now one company has taken it a step further to produce the Tiwal. The Tiwal inflatable sailing dinghy has already sold over 600 in more than 40 countries. Its ability to be packed away into two bags makes it suitable for cruising yachts that already leave space for SUPs. It only takes 20 minutes to assemble and be on the water for some fast, easy, safe fun. The Tiwal can easily double as a non-powered tender to get from ship to shore or a sporty vessel to zip around on for fun or get to a sightseeing destination. Shown for the first time at the Düsseldorf Boat Show in 2013, a young French…

Ensign Yacht Brokers announced the ‘Style’ package is available for its Bavaria Cruiser 51 and Cruiser 46 models. Bavaria Cruiser yachts are developed as a collaboration between the builders and design teams. Combining their knowledge of decades of experience sailing, countless races and, along with customer feedback, has been incorporated into the overall design of each Cruiser yacht. The end result provided the pathway for Design Unlimited to take, who are responsible for the design above and below deck, as well as the construction. The Cruiser 46 Style has luxurious interior design in a small yacht. The range utilises the use of best materials, comfortable upholstery, classically elegant ambience and plenty of light plus the possibility of customisation: for example in the colour of wood, the floor and the choice…

When you decide to move onto a boat one of the most obvious lifestyle differences is space. Even a small apartment will seem palatial compared to most cruising yachts. So how do you cull your possessions and what do you do with those precious items? Getting rid of ‘stuff’ can often be seen as getting rid of memories: that old t-shirt from your first rock concert? Really should have been thrown out decades ago. They are the easy things. But the hardest, emotionally-tied items are those which bring back family memories or moments of real love. There is a good article (https://cnet.com/au/how-to/how-to-scan-and- archive-your-old-printed-photos/) which provides advice on four ways to scan your photos. One is to outsource the job to someone like The Magic Shoebox. For around $200 you can…

Kirsty Watson made this versatile stable table for her home, the 16 metre Amel Mango ketch Jasmyn, by covering a piece of plywood on both sides with non-skid matting. Kirsty used Araldite to attach the matting but you could also use other glues like contact cement. The table can be used on its own as a lap table, or on an appropriate cushion. Being flat, it will stow easily under a bunk cushion when not in use. CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME Ideas Locker is your forum to share tips that make cruising easier, safer, or more fun. Email Petrea@ petreamccarthy.com or write to Cruising Helmsman at GPO Box 606, Sydney 2001. Photos should be clear close-ups of the item described – if electronic; jpgs of at least 250KB. For more cruising ideas…

As a previous customer of Team Windcraft, after buying both a Dehler 38 and an Axopar 28, Anthony Bishop liked them so much he did a Victor Kiam and “bought the company” last September. A New Zealander from Christchurch and Wellington, Bishop, like most NZers, has always sailed. First in an Optimist built by his grandfather, then gathering his racing knowledge doing harbour twilights in Wellington. He knew Windcraft was Australia and New Zealand’s yacht brokers for importing, commissioning and servicing Hanse, Moody, Solaris and Brenta yachts. Via the purchase of his two yachts through the team he knew and liked that the company was run like a family business. Yet he could also see opportunities to take the brand further. Career-wise Anthony started out in the information technology industry…

Medical Sailing Ministries back to Vanuatu It is said that if you ask a mountaineer why they risk life and limb to scale a peak, the classic answer is supposedly: “because it was there.” Similar feelings emerge as I contemplate this year’s journey back to Vanuatu with Medical Sailing Ministries (MSM) where volunteer sailing crews provide remote access medical transport and logistical support to remote islands using the 30 ton, 53 foot cutter-rigged vessel Chimere. The venture will extend from May to November. After three earlier endeavours in 2009, 2010 and 2013, by now you would think the urge to climb this particular Vanuatu ‘peak’ might have been satisfied. The feature of this year’s undertaking, however, is that along with transporting local and volunteer dentists, optometrists and doctors we will…

There are three imperatives on board a cruising yacht that tend to rule what comes on board and stays on board: power usage, space and waterproofness. If you can find a product that fits those three necessities then it usually stays on board. Luci lights may well be suited for the cruising yacht life. In terms of power usage, the Luci light is solar powered, taking just eight hours to fully charge on a sunny day. Once full it will light up your cockpit for seven hours on its brightest setting, or 18 hours on low light. Even if used every day the Luci light is built to last you for up to two years. In regard to space the Luci light, in its unused form, collapses to just over…

‘Escape from it all’ is the inspiration behind Beneteau’s Sense 57 and 51. Designed by Berret-Racoupeau and fitted out by Nauta Yachts, these two yachts offer comfort to encourage you to set sail to wherever. The deck plan is a change from the normal; down below the cabins are located at the bow so, on deck, the aft cockpit enjoys a lower position. This relates to fewer steps to reach the saloon making access easier. The Sense profile view is now lower on the water, making its lines sleek for such large yachts. The stemhead and continuation of the coachroof portholes line, renders the profile sleeker than previous editions. The Sense 51 and 57’s hulls offer fast but safe speeds at sea. Balanced under sail and highly manoeuvrable with a…

Big waves, the top end of the Beaufort scale and hidden reefs are not the only hazards confronting those of us who choose to venture out into the big deep. There is another hazard, perhaps even harder to recognise. I am talking about the bloke who is out to satisfy himself without giving away any hint that he is lacking in practical, self-funded, hard-won expertise. He gives away no indication that he sees you as a sucker. To these people, any foreign yacht in their port is a potential opportunity to escape and escape is what drives them. As for honesty! Surely the core element of honesty is being trustworthy; without that, honesty is as elusive as the green flash of a sunset. These leeches do not know the meaning…

Along with about 120 other entrants our first foray into cruising through South East Asia was in 2008 when we, along with a throng of others, met in Darwin for the Sail to Indonesia Rally. At the time it was our second offshore adventure and, although our first experience to New Guinea was exceptional beyond words, this was, for Brian and I, an absolute eye opener into a culture that clearly we knew little about. Indonesia sits on Australia’s north western doorstep and, other than the holiday destination of Bali and the controversial ‘boat people’, we knew little of this country. Lying as close to Australia as it does it still has such small numbers of people cruising its islands. But it was not long before we found the first…

Once again the overseeing body for sailing, Australian Sailing, has teamed up with Cruising Helmsman to celebrate the ‘Cruiser of the year’ for 2017. Nominations are now open to recognise an Australian individual, couple or crew, who has done something beneficial or exceptional in the cruising community. At the end of the year a panel will select a winner who will be announced at the Australian Sailing Awards held in late 2017 and featured in Cruising Helmsman. If you know of an inspiring cruising individual, couple or crew who you think should be recognised send your nomination in to Cruising Helmsman with as much support documentation as you can. All nominations can be sent to: philross@ yaffa.com.au. Inaugural award winner last year was Alan and Patricia Lucas for their outstanding…

Presented at the 2017 Düsseldorf Boat Show, the Swan 65 is a continuation of Nautor’s trend towards modern performance cruising yachts. Designed, as usual, by Germán Frers the Swan 65 follows the bluewater performance design philosophy and parameters as her larger sister, the Swan 78. The deck layout is designed to be managed by a family crew, with or without a professional skipper. The deck ergonomics also allow the Swan 65 to be raced efficiently with a full competitive crew. According to Germán Frers the concept of the Swan 65 takes inspiration from the Sparkman & Stephens yachts of 1972. A high-prismatic bow profile is intended to allow for smooth wave riding, while the powerful volumes aft ensure speeds downwind and low drag in light air. Elegant proportions of the…

Yachts are, by necessity, intricate pieces of work. Many different facilities have to be placed in a small, cramped housing. This complexity, naturally, can lead to dangerous situations; especially when having to perform repairs or maintenance on the various systems within the yacht. Here I have listed my top thirteen dangerous electrical hazards you may encounter and how to minimise the risk. 1 Power tools Using portable hand tools in explosive atmospheres has the potential to be fatal. Unfortunately there is also a real possibility the resulting explosion and fire could also cause serious damage to neighbouring vessels. Most portable power tools, either battery or mains powered, have brush-type motors. The brushes contacting the spinning commutator generate sparks in operation. The internal workings of the tools are cooled by having…

Raymarine’s Axiom provides a multifunction navigation display with the ability to present all the information you require to remain safe. Built into the Axiom controllers Raymarine has included its RealVision 3D sonar, plus the latest LightHouse 3 operating system to provide quad core performance. It is available in 7”, 9” or 12” display options. LightHouse 3 is easy to learn and the uncluttered interface is easily personalised by each sailor for their own preferences when navigating. The touch screen is optically bonded to the display to provide brighter colours and sharper contrast even in bright sunlight. RealVision 3D sonar shows up life-like 3D imagery of structures and fish, an unprecedented view of the underwater world. The 4-channel sonar not only supports Raymarine’s RealVision 3D but also Chirp DownVision, SideVision, high…

On the 16th January 2017, Nathan Hardinge of The Basin, Victoria, set out for a day’s fishing on Westernport Bay with his nephew and young son in his Haines Hunter SF535. After a successful day fishing offshore for Gummy sharks and whiting, Nathan and his crew were returning to the Stony Point boat ramp after nightfall when their boat ran aground on a large sandbar approximately five kilometres from shore. With the incoming tide moving ever faster and the boat firmly stuck on the sandbar, they very quickly began taking on water. Within a matter of minutes the boat was under water and Nathan and his crew were forced to abandon the vessel. Luckily they were well prepared with the appropriate safety equipment including lifejackets, flares and their GME EPIRB,…

Only 200 nautical miles south of the popular and crowded anchorages of the Algarve in Southern Portugal, lies Morocco a cruising ground that has been largely ignored. The Algarve is an interesting mixture of cruisers as it lies at the crossroads of the Atlantic and the Straits of Gibraltar leading into the Mediterranean. Cruisers make their way south from northern Europe, seeking the promised dream of the warm tranquil waters of the Mediterranean. Alternatively, for those who have cruised the Mediterranean, the Caribbean beckons. Rabat Our plans were to cross the Atlantic in November from Cape Verde, but we had had plenty of time having reached northern Spain in May. From Lagos in the Algarve, Rabat in Morocco was an easy two day sail with good prevailing winds and the…

Like many other readers, frequent Ideas Locker contributor Ian Wallis agrees that most expensive is not necessarily the best or most practical for boat work (Cheap vs. quality power tools, IL Feb 2017). He also shares the common frustration of preparation time to use power tools, like setting up power cords and extension leads for a ten second job with a grinder, but baulks at the price of conventional cordless tools. Having noticed Aldi advertising their range of WorkZone cordless tools, Ian decided to try them out. Aldi employed their usual marketing strategy of making the tool skins available one week and the chargers and batteries the next; but for around $230 he soon had one of each tool: grinder, circular saw, renovator tool and even a garden blower, using…

If you are entering temperate or higher latitudes, the simple bimini top that works well in the tropics just will not provide adequate protection on extended cruises. This was made abundantly clear to us when we sailed our 43’ cutter Phoenix into New Zealand for the first time in 1991. We added a hard dodger on our next trip in 1995 and found that it made a big difference even in coastal hops. So when we sold Phoenix in New Zealand and bought a larger boat that needed serious upgrading, one of the first upgrades we thought of was adding a hard dodger. If you spend much time on the water and have an eye for detail, you may have on occasion been struck by how the lines of a…