Sailing dog

Sophie has always been a reluctant sailor. In an effort to improve Sophie's sailing legs I bought her some dog shoes which arrived in a fashionable red with high tech tread for extra grip. After some hilarious dancing around (from Sophie) after the shoes were on, she was none too pleased with the final result. After reading the instructions, I discovered the one thing you shouldn't do was laugh at the dog once the shoes were on...oops too late. And too cute.

Red sky in the morning

Very interesting weather day today. Red dust storm from the west with extreme high winds. Sky was blood red in the morning with the sunshine reappearing in the late afternoon. The winds also eased. During this time our neighbouring moored yacht broke her lines and ended up beached on the lake shore. Coastal rescue pulled her off. Third time it's happened apparently.....

Annual liftout

Samaya has been been out of the water for over a week for antifouling and regular maintenance. Previous antifoul starting to come off in unexpected sheets. So this required complete restrip and start again....that's boating...

Being a larger yacht than our previous 30ft Airwaves, we need a larger marina and yard where the yacht can be lifted in a sling (pictured) for maintenance. Quite a sight seeing your yacht hovering over dry ground.

From "Exeter" to "Samaya"

A little over one year ago we puchased our new yacht with a view to cruise the coast and beyond. A 2003 Jeanneau 43DS, a popular charter vessel for the Med and Carribean - not quite so well known in Australia. Unlike our previous yacht, his one is full of the comforts of home - hot water, generator, TV, anchor winch, a variety of instruments and, last but not least, easy to move around down below. We promptly renamed her "samaya" - which poetically means "a place in the heart".

So here begins the learning curve!

Since sailing samaya from Sydney harbour to Lake Macquarie we've had work done on the engine, rebuilt the rudder and replaced the furling headsail after furling bits plopped into the Lake after a day sail.

On the good side, we've had great days sailing, warm afternoons sitting on the sugar scoop drinking champagne and sailed with dolphins off the bow.

This is the journal of our leaning curve to prepare ourselves and our yacht for longer term crusing.

Our first yacht

For over 5 years we owned a great 30ft yacht "Airwaves". Airwaves was a Cole Traditional 30 and a great way for us to step into yacht ownership. We had many great day (and a few overnight) sails on the Lake before we bid her farewell.

Ironically after we sold Airwaves, I drove past a her on the F3 freeway as she was being trucked to Melbourne. That was weird.