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We
are the People that are FREE! |
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From
The Coastal Passage, issue #20 |
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Jeff and Lorraine Schionning have to have one of the most recognised
names in the boating community. Their philosophy of sailing and
boat construction is now imprinted on Australia and drifting
world-wide as the saying goes. Originally from South Africa they
migrated to OZ in the mid eighties and have been wandering about
the place since. They are keen motorcyclists! Starting out as
a boat yard business they took their passion to design and now
I thought you might be interested in knowing what they look like
because after all is said and done... they are just another couple
of sailors! |
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Bob Burgess was one of a group of people sailing and learning
to build boats around the Gold Coast and northern NSW in a time
of extraordinary experimentation and progress in multihull design.
Some of those went on to become well known and others just went
about what they do for enjoyment and are known to “insiders”
or old mates. Bob builds boats, sails them for a while then sells
them and builds another. “Ama Two” “Adios”
&“Pronto” to name a few.
Bob’s impact on the genre is likely to be important if low
key...
There is a french influence on Bob’s boats but Annie’s
lovely continental accent is probably only a coincidence. I hope
I get invited for a sail on B52 when she finally gets launched.
Sipping wine at 20 knots would be fun... and bloody different! |
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I happened upon the weekend races
at the Townsville Sailing Club and was impressed with the number
of people they had rigging up for a blast around the bay. A great
family club with a very long and glorious history and situated
right next to the marina. I stopped to find out who these
people are. Peter Cook, above in the tattered old PFD,
came out from England about 20 years ago. He sailed
to the Carribean in a 25’ folkboat, then switched to a 30’
Muir which he sailed here via Panama. Suffering a bout of responsibility,
he now gets his sailing fix in small quick doses. Just as I was
getting all that, Karen Carcary showed up with her tidy
Pfd and harness, said, “Come on, lets go sailing! Photo?
US? The Coastal Passage? SURE!” Not 5 minutes later I took
the photo at right, Peter and Karen having a ball, sailing smartly
out on the bay in their 125! (12’5”) |
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You can’t talk about the recent
history of the Whitsundays without talking about Allen &
Barbara Southwood. Just the fact they were one of the two
boats that created the fun race is enough to qualify for importance
but there is much more than that. You could fill a stadium with
people who had their first reef experiences aboard their vessels.
It wasn’t just a business but a passion as well. They now
live aboard their great vessel Solaray (so named because of the
huge array of solar panels she carries) and as I write this they
are steaming far north in the company of “Freeway”
& “Lauriana” and more. If you see the fleet out
there, give a hoy! |
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IN MEMORY OF
Dick Van Duyn of
SY JOHANNA
Dick Diederik Adrianus Van
Duyn- to give him his
full title was born in Holland in 1931 and migrated to New Zealand
in 1952 with Johanna whom he first met when they were
16 years old. Here they married 8 weeks after landing. Dick set
to work as a carpenter and Johanna as a dental nurse. At the
same time he renewed his love affair with the water which had
begun in Holland, when at age 12 his mother gave him a Canadian
style canoe which was quickly converted to sail. For the next
20 years they sailed New Zealand and Pacific waters before settling
in Australia. They built their much loved home in Brisbane in
1983-85. The 42' Van De Stadt “Johanna” was launched
on the 14 of June 1985. On the 14th of June 2006, Dick suffered
a massive heart attack and died whilst raising the mainsail at
'River End' on the Mary River in the Great Sandy Straits. 21
years to the day from the launch of his beloved “Johanna”.
After 54 years on the water the sailing community has lost one
of its stalwarts. He will be remembered for his generosity to
all who looked to him for advice and guidance; for his willingness
to help, giving freely of his time and expertise as a sailor,
shipwright, carpenter and builder. We will remember him for all
the happy hours we spent together and for the joy he found in
the life we lead. Farwell Dick. Fair winds, calm seas and a star
to guide you home. For that was all you needed when you started
out.
By Sam Chambers, MY
“Priority 1” |
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