I have been sailing since 2004 when I bought a old 14′ Wayfarer dinghy in Abu Dhabi and taught myself to sail from a book bought at the Marina Mall.
Since then I have owned a 21′ wooden gaff-rigged trailer sailor (2005-2012 – pictured below) and a Northshore 27 (2012-2017) before acquiring Freebooter in 2019. I sailed her down to Tasmania in early 2020 and plan to explore the waters there for a few years before, with luck, cruising up the Whitsundays and beyond to the South Pacific.
Hi Geoff,
Just now, for the first time, opened your ‘blogg’. What a delight to see good pictures of Freebooter, once again doing what she was designed to do, travelling interesting waters, and looking after her crew.
I will be most interested keeping up to date with your travels, and news.
Looking forward to catching up in Tassy sometime early next year.
Cheers,
Tim.
Hi Tim, thanks for your comment.
It’s wonderful to be back on board and busy again. Dorothy, as Paul has Christened the 80HP Perkins, started first time and I have given her an oil change and topped up her anti-freeze. I was pleased to see that there has been no transmission fluid loss at all since the repair.
I had dinner with Peter and Allison last Saturday – fine seafood and great company. Peter hopes to help me setup the self-tacking jib the week before Christmas.
I started a high-pressure wash yesterday in preparation for oiling the rub-rail.
My friend, Neil arrives on Monday for a five-day cruise around the Tasman Peninsula. I’m joining the Cruising Yacht Club of Tasmania and will join their New Year cruise from Southport to Barnes Bay. I’m planning to join their two-week week cruise to Port Davey in early March if I can find a crew. I’m hopeful Paul will join me in January and possibly March.
Looking forward to catching up soon.
Cheers, Geoff