From Bain and Gomati, on Aroha
Price is still $165,000.
As there are already heaps of photos on the website, I guess it is action
shots you are after.Unfortunately we have still not had the right bar
conditions, coinciding with our availability, for going outside lately. Have
sailed up and down the river a few times just for fun though!
The very first trip out of here was in a choppy sea with a big swell and a
nasty head wind all the way up to Coffs. The little Honda 15 managed to push
her through it easily making about 6 knots into 20knots of wind at 3/4
throttle.
Most of the seas we had on the Queensland trip were fair with low winds, to
the point of having to motor a lot of the way to get inside before dark.
There was one trip outside from Southport on a stormy day, where the sea was
very lumpy it had been 30 knots over night with quite a bit of current
running and there was a big swell rising over the bar. The wind was 20 knots
and gusting . Water was coming into the cockpit and almost everything
inside was on the floor!.Being so light she bounces around a bit in these
conditions, but Bain could still handle her easily on his own. He manages
most conditions fine with just the one winch on the boom, with two rope
clutches.
Definitely the most impressive stunts so far have been some hairy bar
crossings. (No doubt you heard about the first attempt to get out of the
Bellinger with Mark on board! ) She has been in and out a few times since in
less swell with no trouble at all. Steering is a little tricky though coming
into the shallow Bellinger bar, with only the one outboard and dagger boards
at minimum 2'.
Ballina bar was a high adrenaline rush. We had been waiting out for some
time for the tide. Coast guard warnings were not good and other boats were
still waiting out. We gave up waiting and made a run for it. The swell was
lifting really high and breaking. Looking ahead, Bain had both hands firmly
on the helm and throttle. Looking astern I could see the wave breaking
behind us. It was a good size. Aroha surfed at 15 knots all the way into the
river mouth. Wohah...needed a whisky after that one. She was fine though.
There have been a few sails in ideal conditions where she makes good time -
12 knots in 20; 10 knots in 15; 6 knots in 10 etc. And these times are
without any fine tuning on the rig and sails, which is still to be
done.Still amazed at the performance in light winds especially since she is
in cruising mode.
The shallow draught is great in the rivers. We spent some weeks pottering
around in the Clarence river, sometimes resting in the mud between tides.
Also up in the mangroves from Broadwater, we were able to get right away
from all the gold coast madness where the other yachts can't go. The huge
deck space is a treat too.
Bain's pop top is a great idea and works really well. The Queensize bunk is
extremely comfortable and spacious, easy not to get out of too some days.
P.S.Have had no trouble with the steering in fact really pleased with it.
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