On water lockdown

A post-apocalyptic silence looms over the bay; a distant siren adds weight to the scenario. Well, that’s a slight exaggeration but there is a noticeable difference of activity for a weekend day. A COVID-19 lockdown has finally caught up with us, but instead of being in the thick of it we are floating around on the peripheral, literally.

A glass out, until the wind changes.

Living small: motorhome versus yacht

You might have noticed that adventures in Delvy have currently been replaced with adventures on a big red yacht.  We’ve swapped one isolating lifestyle for another; a green landscape for blue. Living in a small space on land and water has similarities, but there are plenty of differences. Knowing how to sail is one of them!

Having spent a few years roaming the vast land of Australia in our Toyota Coaster motorhome, life on the water kept beckoning, so we have found ourselves a floating home once again. This sailing vessel is a little different to our previous yacht, Lady Katherine. We are now the proud owners of a 71-foot Pacific Proa. What’s that you ask? More on that later, but in the meantime let’s compare life on the road with life on the water.

Whitsunday Twilight Sailing

Apart from the sheer joy of being on the water, one of the best things about Whitsunday Twilight Sailing in Airlie Beach is it breaks up the working week. There's no better way to spend a Wednesday afternoon than pulling some lines onboard the Lady Katherine around the triangular course laid on Pioneer Bay.

A fun Wednesday Twilight Sail, Airlie Beach

Downwind leg onboard Lady Katherine

Under the expert tuition of skipper and boat owner, Gary Hughes, the crew enjoyed a fabulous sail under light north easterly conditions.

Skipper Gary provides expert sail training onboard Lady Katherine

The 43ft Petersen design held her own as she reached 7.5 knots of hull speed going up the breeze, with an average of 6 knots around the course. The sail was so awesome we don't even know where we placed at the finish, nor did we really care, as it's all about getting out there.

Crossing the finish line

Beautiful sunset sailing on Pioneer Bay, Airlie Beach

Every Wednesday afternoon, Bluewater Maritime offers introductory learn to sail from 1.30pm, followed by participation in the twilight race. If you're looking for something different to do while in Airlie Beach, or you've always wanted to try sailing, or you just want to understand why the locals live here, then come onboard Lady Katherine and join in the adventure.

Sail training vessel, Lady Katherine is a 43ft Petersen design