[C320-list] an apology and Long Cruises

[Allan Field]

At the risk of being struck dead by lightning, I have to agree with Adam
that stories like what Bruce Stanley just did are very interesting.  As one
who probably will never see his part of the world, his story "put me there"
and for this, I am appreciative.  Thanks Bruce...and Adam.

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of brucestanley
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2007 7:44 PM
To: C320-List; esquirecatering at rcn.com
Subject: [C320-list] an apology and Long Cruises

Hi Adam

At my age very little upsets me (unless it is a pretty woman)

..."Bruce" is like most first names ... the owner eventually learns to live 
with it!

I will save my pennies and let you know when I get there ...Turkey and the 
Canals of France this year ... maybe US, Canada and Mexico in 2008.



Regarding your comment about Long distance Sail / Cruising (last week).

Our three Long distance sail/cruising trips to the Great Barrier Reef were 
done in stages.

Much like I think you would do sail/cruising from Frisco to Mexican waters.

It is always done with my wife and me.

We will do a 44 to 48 hour trip first up (north to Coffs Harbour); then a 24

hour trip to the Gold Coast 'Seaway Entrance' (south of Brisbane). From that

point on we are in Queensland waters and do 10 hr to 20 hr trips as the 
weather conditions allow. Under favourable conditions it takes us 4 days to 
the Seaway and then 3 to 4 weeks to get up to the Whitsunday Islands.

Sail/Cruising Sydney to Whitsundays is a little less than 1000nm, ome way.

When coastal cruising, we do not tackle seas of greater than 2.5 meters 
(8'3") or wind greater than 23 knots.

The big challenge is to from Sydney to Queensland.

Brisbane north is much easier due to the islands and Barrier Reef all 
offering protection and plenty of anchorages.

If you can 'google' it or find a suitable map/chart we have travelled as far

as Port Douglas (north of Cairns) and have visited the southern Queensland 
reefs of Lady Musgrave, Fitzroy Reef, Heron Island and adjacent reefs. Out 
at Lady Musgrave you get to be Whales, Green Turtles, tropical fish of all 
kinds and of course, the famous coral reefs. If you scuba dive you can also 
swim with the Manta Rays (Steve Erwin did it once to often).

South of Lady Musgrave is the largest sand island in the world. Fraser 
Island.

At the north end of Fraser is Hervey Bay ... an absolute must for visitors 
of all ages .. the August to October period is  the Whales calving time and 
you will see Mother and Calf at play ... plenty of them. We have spent a day

out there (sails down and motor off when you are within 100 meters).

My wife and I are now 70 (that is harder to write than 'Bruce') so we are a 
lot more conservative about doing it all by sail ...overnight passages, no 
big deal ...we tend to motor a lot and let the GPS and Autohelm get us 
there.

In the Whitsundays, we sail more than we motor (much like Sydney).

It strikes me that the adventurous sailors from West coast North America 
could sail their yachts down to Ensenada (Mexico). There is a shipping line 
that loads the pleasure craft onto the submerged deck and sails directly 
from Ensenada to Brisbane. Then you can play about in the Reef and even 
cruise down to Sydney ... piece of cake!

I promised my wife when I bought the new C320 I was not edging towards 
another Barrier Reef adventure ..  Months on the boat and good marinas can 
be very tempting!



Cheers and I know Happy SAILING



BruceStanley  C320 #1084

Fantastic Lady /Sydney Australia

===========
Original Message ----- 
From: "Adam Weiner" <esquirecatering at rcn.com>
To: "'C320-List'" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
Subject: an apology... Let it be known


> Okay, let's get this straight.  You would have to spend $1500 (U.S.$)
> for airfare for a dinner and sail on the Second Best Bay in the World
> (of course) Sydney is first best.  For that much money in airfare I will
> pick you up at the airport and you could stay at my house or on the boat.
> Bruce, I hope you won't get upset, but every time I see an e-mail from
> you I think of the Monty Python sketch "The Bruces."
>
> Warmest No Worries Regards,
>
> Adam
===========================
Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
> Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2007 2:58 PM
> Subject: an apology... Let it be known
>
> Hey Adam
> I like that ... the "List" will all get upset with you and
> the price we pay is a Sail on-the-Bay and a Gourmet Meal ...
> that would be hard to handle!
> Let it be known that I am working on getting upset ;)
>
> BruceS
> Fantastic Lady/Sydney