Vendee Globe sailor, Bruce Schwab, calls himself a certified boat bum. Then, humbly adds, he’s ‘sailed around the world a couple of times’. Watch the restoration of – THE IMPROBABLE. Not so much a restoration, it’s more a design update.

It is impossible to stand under Lonsdale Lighthouse and not wonder just how those early pilots guided a ship into this harbour. And, how did those on board feel, after a 6 month journey, from the other side of the world.

The five films span the period from 1955 to 1988 and cover subjects such as Cray Fishing, The Tasmanian Boat building industry in the 1950’s, Scallop Fishing and the 1988 Tall Ships Parade.

The Sydney to Hobart over 628nm has been sailed annually since 1945. The race was Covid cancelled in 2020 and there is a real possibility of no race in 2021. While waiting for a decision, SWS speculates about State based “on water matters” and possible alternatives.

As we move towards the 2021-2022 season, it’s a good time to remember how the ‘League’ began and how the original club administrators generated the enormous public support that has endured.

By 1963 things were getting professional with the CYCA getting graphic artists on board. The winner was still there on the cover but groovy fonts and relaxed super-graphics were in vogue. By 1967 the “Opera House Effect” was in play.

My boat is not perfect and if I built a second one it would be better. So if you wanted to build something similar perhaps you can learn from what I did.

We were one of 747 boats in the Douarnenez Festival and won the Marco Polo award for having travelled the furthest. We were treated like rock stars.

“For such a hunt to take place in 2021 in a very wealthy European island community just 230 miles from the UK with no need or use for such a vast quantity of contaminated meat is outrageous.”

Rob Read, COO at Sea Shepherd UK

We remember what we have heard or seen on the water when any number of situations arise on land, and are likely to say, “It is just like being on a boat.” Sailing is a metaphor for everything.

A flawed attempt to settle Australia’s ‘empty north’ triggered an epic 2,300NM open boat voyage along the unexplored northwest coast, from Van Diemen Gulf down to today’s Geraldton.

The Regatta is open to any yachts that have competed in a Sydney-Hobart race pre 1976 and a few other Classics by special invitation.

Traditional wooden boatbuilding and seafaring are integral to the long history of an archipelago of islands that became Indonesia. This is Australia’s northern neighbour that we sadly ignore except when making a holiday dash to Denpasar.

In 1963 after rounding White Island , we had some fresh headwinds , and after one very noisy crash off a sea , we hove-to for the night , sort of slept. Next morning , we cooked bacon and eggs for breakfast, and in moderated conditions got underway again.

While re-reading Ian Fleming’s oeuvre recently, I seem to remember that my wife remarked… ”This is misogynistic crap” …and she’s probably right.

The wind strength increased all night until in the vicinity of Bustard Head lighthouse it topped 100 knots. Our last remaining canvas, the Spitfire jib was hoisted, and KINTAMA lay ahull. The crew exhausted, replaced the storm boards, piled into the soaked bunks and fell asleep

“Were a settlement to be made at Port Phillip, as doubtless there will be some time hereafter, the entrance could be easily defended. It is capable of receiving and sheltering a larger fleet of ships than ever yet went to sea, and the region has a pleasing and in many parts a fertile appearance.”

This week, we’re not tracking the Fastnet, or the Sydney to Hobart. This week we’re tracking the great classics; the survivalists of the ocean – the Southern Right Whale.

In one season alone Coles made sixteen Channel crossings in COHOE, but her most famous voyage was the 1950 Transatlantic Race from Bermuda to Plymouth.

"If you can remember it, you weren't there", a phrase often used in connection with Woodstock, but equally applicable to the infamous Auscrew parties of the Admiral's Cup era of offshore racing