LOWANA COMES TO DARWIN
By Russ Swan
By Russ Swan
Introduction
Welcome to the first in a series of stories about actual voyages under sails. I'll be adding other voyages as separate blogs in due course. I hope you enjoy them.
The stories originally consisted of notes taken during the trips, then later typed up and put into a photo album. The resulting photo-journals were meant to be a permanent reminder of the trip and to share the experience with family and friends. Later stories included notes as a reference source in case I ever returned to an area, or if any other sailboat skipper needed information about a place I'd visited.
I'd thought that only people with an interest in the sea would appreciate them. But I soon discovered a surprising widespread interest. Associates and work colleagues read them enthusiastically and kept asking for more. I was also surprised to learn just how closely readers followed events and progress with the available charts and photographs.
Some people made comments about publishing. I was not all that convinced and a bit reluctant, until I showed the story "A Tanimbar Experience" (in its note form) to my good friend and neighbour, Mr Dave Fields. Dave happened to be a freelance journalist and a published author. He knew what he was talking about, and I knew I could respect his opinion. Dave not only encouraged me to publish the material, but also showed me how to improve the text.
I would like to thank Dave for his enthusiasm, friendship and voluntary practical assistance in getting started, thus bringing these stories to you. I must also thank my wife Delma for her support, and the many who have stiffened my resolve when I needed it.
The stories originally consisted of notes taken during the trips, then later typed up and put into a photo album. The resulting photo-journals were meant to be a permanent reminder of the trip and to share the experience with family and friends. Later stories included notes as a reference source in case I ever returned to an area, or if any other sailboat skipper needed information about a place I'd visited.
I'd thought that only people with an interest in the sea would appreciate them. But I soon discovered a surprising widespread interest. Associates and work colleagues read them enthusiastically and kept asking for more. I was also surprised to learn just how closely readers followed events and progress with the available charts and photographs.
Some people made comments about publishing. I was not all that convinced and a bit reluctant, until I showed the story "A Tanimbar Experience" (in its note form) to my good friend and neighbour, Mr Dave Fields. Dave happened to be a freelance journalist and a published author. He knew what he was talking about, and I knew I could respect his opinion. Dave not only encouraged me to publish the material, but also showed me how to improve the text.
I would like to thank Dave for his enthusiasm, friendship and voluntary practical assistance in getting started, thus bringing these stories to you. I must also thank my wife Delma for her support, and the many who have stiffened my resolve when I needed it.
About This Story
This story briefly describes the transition of a landlubber to yacht owner, including the trials and tribulations of arriving at his new boat and getting it ready for sea. It goes on to describe day-to-day events during the actual sailing and the places visited. It includes coloured captioned photographs and digital charts, which readers can use to follow the adventure closely.
This story briefly describes the transition of a landlubber to yacht owner, including the trials and tribulations of arriving at his new boat and getting it ready for sea. It goes on to describe day-to-day events during the actual sailing and the places visited. It includes coloured captioned photographs and digital charts, which readers can use to follow the adventure closely.
Now let's suppose your only sailing experience consists of an introductory sailing course and a week's holiday bareboat charter sailing. You are the new owner of an 8 tonne 30-foot cruising yacht but it's not only in another city, it's in another State. Suddenly the reality of it closes in. You must make a decision about how you're going to get it home. You can truck it, get it delivered or sail it.
The first two options are unrewarding and just too mail-orderish. Nothing could be gained from it except a depleted bank account and it would then be necessary to start learning through trial and error after it arrived.
That leaves sailing the 1,600 miles of the Australian coastline from Mackay, Queensland to Darwin, Northern Territory. It also means facing the daunting prospect of getting the boat safely up through the Great Barrier Reef, across the fickle Gulf of Carpentaria, and the open coastal waters of the Arafura Sea.
The first two options are unrewarding and just too mail-orderish. Nothing could be gained from it except a depleted bank account and it would then be necessary to start learning through trial and error after it arrived.
That leaves sailing the 1,600 miles of the Australian coastline from Mackay, Queensland to Darwin, Northern Territory. It also means facing the daunting prospect of getting the boat safely up through the Great Barrier Reef, across the fickle Gulf of Carpentaria, and the open coastal waters of the Arafura Sea.
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