How it all started for me in 1968

I climbed the Sydney bridge with a friend in 1968. We saw many things from up there.

Opera House

There was the Opera House nearing completion, a hydrofoil coming from Manly to Circular Quays...

Spinnaker!

...and most important of all, a yacht passing under the bridge!

Ever since then I dreamt that one day I will sail in my own yacht. The seed was sown in Jan 1968 and took almost 30 years to germinate. Who says that miracles doesn't happen any more?! Today I own a 22-foot yacht, the Nanook.

Noelex-22

My Nanook has 4 berths (beds) inside the cabin, a porta-loo, cooker and even a kitchen sink. In fact it is a floating caravan designed for a small family, with very low running cost because it is wind powered (no petrol required) and is [moored] on the front lawn, all year round for free! Larger yachts of 28 foot and above are parked at the marina (fees required) with the mast permanently up.

The hull being immersed in sea water for long periods will need to be scrubbed and barnacles removed once every year or so. I sail my trailer yacht mostly in the fresh water lakes of the North Island. Some times I tow my boat to Tauranga harbour and launched it there for a day or two. I have explored many fresh water lakes near Rotorua and also Taupo. Most of my sailing is done on Lake Ngaroto, near Hamilton.