The Abrolhos are phenomenal! Clusters of islands and reefs hover just a few metres above sea level and are interspersed with fishermen’s dwellings that are occupied during the high season.

The young colonial town of Auckland, built on the isthmus between the Waitemata and Manukau harbours, for centuries traversed by Maori waka, was completely dependent on sea transport.

FLIGHT was used as a Patrol Boat on the Tamar River in the last years of the War. Thereafter , she was used as a pleasure craft, the Flag Vessel for the Derwent Sailing Squadron and hosted the Queen and Prince Phillip during the Royal Tour of 1954

Lewis was born in England, of a Welsh-Irish family, and brought up in New Zealand and Rarotonga, where his unconventional father sent him to the Polynesian school - for ever after he was really a Polynesian under the skin. He always called himself a New Zealander.

Driving south on a family holiday, our road rounded a point to open a view over Kahana Bay - a shallow open bay protected from the south-east winds which were currently blowing at 25 knots. Working its way back and forth across the bay was a small craft with what appeared to be a lateen sail.

Sure, the videos still have a slightly annoying millennial sensibility, but by combining some authentic James Wharram footage she makes me think that she would have fitted in well aboard TANGAROA in 1955.

“I don’t think I will ever forget the hours at the helm, three on -six off. All woollen clothes soaking wet under oilskins and seaboots; safety belt hooked into the eye of the cockpit; and end of the main sheet around the waist, made up on one of the jib cleats It was bitterly cold but I didn’t feel it.”

MAIWAR is fully loaded with enough food and water, spares and supplies to last me the five months. Her diminutive size means that for the first few weeks I’ll be sharing my bunk with my onboard pantry, I’ll by eating my way into more comfortable accomodation.

The word Sharpie has always appealed. They were 1960’s working class street gangs with flash style and tough attitude. Melbourne’s own West Side Story was Romper Stomper, a movie made in Footscray and Spotswood, next door to the Royal Yacht Club Victoria in Williamstown. The club had its own fleet of Sharpies in the 1950’s and 60’s and hosted the Olympic Sharpies at the 1956 regatta.

Earlier this month 23 Fife yachts raced on the Clyde Estuary in Scotland. Images from the Regatta are somehow a relief from the sunny, sparkling press releases that seem to flow like Veuve Clicquot from the Mediterranean at this time of year.

Former Chair of the AWBF, Peter Higgs once described the Festival as an elephant on roller skates, zooming down a hill. In the words of the current General Manager Paul Stephanus… “Well, we are are now almost seven months out from the big day, and the beast is well and truly picking up momentum.“

Motoring under the Harbour Bridge on Saturday morning headed for the SASC, there was a sudden and very loud bang from the engine.

Now I pride myself on being a rational person.  I’m a card-carrying atheist, and I’m more than happy to walk under ladders… but I don’t like to leave on a big sailing trip on a Friday, and the sight of those bananas engender a small, sharp intake of breath!

Pole fishing might have been full of adventure, but it was also a dangerous industry. A memorial for those lost at sea lists more than 50 fishers who never returned to shore, including whole boats. Among the names is Mr Bellamy's brother, Keith.

When did Asian spices first step off the Spice Route and make their way into Australian bush tucker? Did Aboriginal people and Asian people trade before European Settlement? Enter the Macassans and what Mathew Flinders referred to as, The Malay Road.

I know that winning races isn’t really what owning a classic yacht is about…. But you have to admit that winning is generally more fun than losing! So when SWS was aproached by The Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron to find a new custodian for HIRONDELLE, the first thing that occured to us was the potential this historic boat has, to earn some serious silverware.

The crew of VANITY needed a sailing fix and Race 3 of the Commodore’s Cup on November 13 was to be our antidote. The forecast was not promising — a gusty nor’west to west wind boxing the compass while it decided which direction it really wanted to punish.

In a truly mammoth and unique transport task, an historic 100-year-old paddlewheeler will make its way across three states, travelling on a 1700-kilometre journey to its new home.

Recently I heard, via the SWS grapevine, EGRET is alive - she’s in Beashel’s shed in Elvina Bay. So, this week, for SWS, I’ll rekindle old love and write an article about EGRET. I’ll call Colin and find out what’s going on with the vessel, I believe to be one of the most beautiful in Australia.

Yes we have been slack. 18 months is too long between updates. We could call “COVID” but really its just time and resources. (Hence the “Donate” button at the top of the page!) So here’s a short update on how the beautiful old lady is coming along….And we promise it won’t be 18 months before the next one!