Winning in Summer
Wednesday 6 February 2019
The forecast was for afternoon thunderstorms - PROB30 INTER VRB20G35KT 3000 TSRA
Fortunately for us, they weren't expected til later in the day ... and we had a great day on the water
A great team - David, Massey and Brad, ideal winds, a sea state that suited us and a couple of good tactical descisions put us in the lead of Wednesday Wonders race #18 ... a lead that we managed to hold onto.
Unfortunately, Some of our friends up the bay at Hobsons Bay sailed later in the day and were not so lucky
The thunderstorm came through and we t-boned an out-of-control boat while out on trapeze on the Diamond. Dismasted and went for a dip but no crew injuries.
Race Report: Wednesday Wonders Summer Series 2018-19 Race 18 (6 Feb 2019) - Another Close Finish
Ups and Downs of Winter
Monday 15 October 2018
Like the wind graph, our winter sailing has had its ups and downs.
On the upside …
- Some great winter sailing days with a great crew; and
- Great open day with family, crew and friends.
Catch-up news - Jan 2018
Thursday 11 January 2018
It's been a while since there has been an update ... So here is a quick summary of the last few months ...
- Our Bora Bora sailing adventure
- Captured on canvas
- Tranistting the "Heads" at the helm of Maverick as part of the ORCV's Beyond the Bay course
- New Year's Eve at Yarra's Edge with family and friends
- Watching the start of the Volvo Ocean Race Leg 4 Melbourne to Hong Kong
- With team Maribel
- and of course, regular sailing in the SYC Wednesday Wonders
Note: The footage of the Volvo Ocean Race boats transitting Port Phillip Heads (The Rip) provides some great, rarely seen aerial views of the Rip. Volvo Ocean Race: Epic helicopter footage of Leg 4 Start!
Winners are Grinners
Wednesday 19 April 2017
Maribel is off to a great start in SYC’s Wednesday Wonders 2017 Winter Series thanks to great crew, and weather that has suited the boat.
WWith a 3rd and 1st we are at the top of the leader board … and get to fly the yellow leaders flag for the next race.
The race is a pursuit handicap start, and I think that our handicap will be adjusted for next time, so we probably won’t have the leader flag for very long.
For now though, Winners are grinners :-)
For all of the race details, see
SYC Wednesday Wonders Race 3 Winter Series 2017 Report
End of Winter Sailing
Wednesday 24 August 2016
It might have been a windy (often too windy) winter, but there have been some really good days.
With a SSW 10Kt, we took a leisurely lunch-time sail from SYC to Station Pier and return. The winds increased to 10-15kt for the return trip, and we had to skirt around a racing fleet, but that just set us up for a close-hauled leg straight back home.
Another great sailing day.
May on the Bay
Saturday 14 May 2016
With my sister visiting from interstate, we planned on a family cruise and lunch on the bay.
The weather did not look good ... Northerly 20-25, with nearby airports forecasting gusts to 38kt.
But then ... the skies were clear, the wind eased a little ... so we put in a reef and headed out for a short sail and lunch on the water ...
An unexpectedly great sailing day on the bay.
Docklands
Sunday 3 April 2016
Our first little adventure ... a trip up the bay and the Yarra River to Docklands with family.
This was also our first opportunity to try our assymetric spinnaker
Last Blast
Thursday 31 March 2016
Blast: a strong gust of wind or air … gust, rush, blow, gale, squall, storm, wind, draught,breeze
The Last Blast - the last race of the Twilight series was anything but a blast - not a waft, puff or flurry of a breeze - dead calm.
Still … a very pleasant night with a great crew. Thanks to everyone who sailed with us throughout the series.
Unfortunately, we did not maintain our early series lead ... and Aurora finished just ahead of us
You can check on our series performance here ...
Twilight
Thursday 15 October 2015
Maribel has a series entry in SYC's Thursday Twilight Series.
The series, which runs during daylight savings, is a "pursuit" style race to accomodate the large variety of participating boats.
The twilights is one of our excuses to go sailing, to enjoy our boat, and share pleasant evening sailing with friends.
So far ... with the support and advice from a great crew ... we've managed to be in second place in Div 2 after two races (with only our sister Sun Odyssey 349, Aurora, ahead of us).
You can check on our series performance here ...
Commissioned ... handed-over ... sailed
Tuesday 4 August 2015
Maribel has been commissioned, handed over and we have had our first sail.
Handover was completed on Saturday 25 July. Unfortunately, we could only complete the formalities and operational briefings - the weather was unsuitable for a handover sail - that had to wait a few days.
We finally took Maribel out for some manouvering and berthing practice and a short sail on the following Wednesday.
Weather and other factors again came in to play, and it was not until Tuesday that we got to go for a more lengthy sail.
Feet Wet
Thursday 16 July 2015
Maribel was launched at Sandringham Yacht Club Marina today as a part of the commissioning process by the team from 38 South Boat Sales.
The mast has been stepped and rigged, most of the rigging installed, and electronics installed
The electronics will be calibrated tomorrow, and then the dodger and bimini will be added.
Despite the cold and wet conditions, commissioning is on schedule
Feet Dry
Tuesday 7 July 2015
Our newJeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 "Maribel" arrived at Sandringham Yacht Club Marina today.
Over the next two-three weeks, the team from 38 South Boat Sales will commission her in preparation for final handover late July.
First step will be to attach the keel, then the rigging work can start.
Destination: Melbourne
Saturday 23 May 2015
Our new boat, Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349 #193 was uplifted from Le Havre, France today on board MV Titania (a large vehicle transport ship).
Destination: Melbourne, Australia
Sailing via the Atlantic Ocean, Panama Canal and Pacific Ocean, Titania is scheduled to arrive in Melbourne, Australia on 4 July, 2015.
After off-loading, it will be 2-4 days to clear customs, and then our Sun Odyssey 349 will be transported to Sandringham Yacht Club for commissioning.
Jeanneau Rendezvous
7 March, 2015
The 2015 Victorian Jeanneau Rendezvous was held in conjunction with Sandringham Yacht Club's Cruise-in-Company to Martha Cove.
Even though we did not yet have our boat, we made the trip down the road to catch-up with other Jeanneau owners - especially the owners of Aurora, the first Sun Odyssey 349 in Melbourne.
A great day.
Sun Odyssey 349 on order
21 November, 2014
Our Sun Odyssey 349 yacht was ordered today through our friends at 38 South Boat Sales.
Thanks Rohan.
Expected delivery date: July, 2015
