yachts

Lan Menzies Re

ports from Darwin:

FREEDOM 111 has proved an ideal yacht for Willem Smits and Judy Ezzy for their voyage of re-discovery to Europe.

Their hard chine, steel cutter is proving a very stable and sea-kindly passage maker.

Launched in 1979, she was built by Moresteel of Mus wellbrook some 126 kilometres from the ocean in the Upper Hunter district of New South Wales.

Willem has altered the origi nal John Pugh “Saraband” de sign and raised the aft deck and cockpit to give greater interior volume. Weighing in at 13.5 tonnes, Freedom 111 measures 12.19 metres (40 feet) overall and, with her long full keel, draws 1.7 metres (5 feet 8 ins).

The interior is completely fitted out in Australian red cedar a timber which, in these days, has become something of a rarity. Light in tone and colour (and very easy to work) its reddish hues impart a warm

hospitable atmosphere a re freshing change from the dark traditionalism of teak.

Brass gimballed lamps and fittings, complemented by col ourful curtains and fabrics, add the the relaxing mood of the interior.

To power her along in light winds, Freedom 111 has a 55HP Isuzu four cylinder diesel hid den beneath the cockpit sole.

Through two banks of batteries an attached generator powers the Encel 12 volt DC refrigera tor and freezer while solar panels provide an energy source back-up.

Never one for over sophistication, Willem has kept his electronics to a minimum, A Coursemaster 300 autopilot has proved a good investment while the 27 MgHz radio is his only communications aid.

All navigation is by chart and sextant.

Mediterranean bound, Wil lem and Judy planned to stop in the Seychelles before tack ling the Red Sea.

Danielle Pater

SON reports from

Port Moresby: show ME. From Vanuatu, their pre vious port of call, Les Fike (the owner), Herb Kindel (skipper) and crew Laura Barr and Rocky Sergeant arrived in Port Mores by on the Herman Fraers designed fibreglass sloop Show Me.

The boat, a Swan 651 built in Finland and registered in the US, is 65ft overall with a beam of 17ft and draft of 11 feet 6in.

She is powered by a Perkins 120 HP diesel.

On board communications consists of two types of tele phone: one connects to land phones while the other is an onboard telephone. The trans ceivers include a Kenwood VHF set, a Stevens SSB, a CB and a ham radio.

Show Me has a wide range of navigation gear to help with her circumnavigation as well as a comprehensively equipped gal ley with fridge, freezer, gas stove and microwave oven.

It even carries TV and video

tapes.

Show Me was due in Fremantle this month for the Americas Cup battle. TEMPO 111. The 13.5 metre Crowther designed cutter rigged catamar an sailed from Newcastle in 1984 with owners Ron and Brenda Lovett, son Craig and crew Lance and Meagan Rus sell. They arrived in Port Mores by from Alotau.

Tempo 111 has a beam of 8 metres and a draft of 1.3 metres. She is powered by two 55HP Perkins diesels and is constructed of foam sandwich.

Her galley contains a micro wave oven, a freezer, fridge and stove.

Communications are by means of a Wagner VHF and a 27 meg CB transceiver.

Tempo 111 had been cruising in PNG waters for two months.

She visited the Trobriand Is lands, Louisiade Archipelago and other Milne Bay areas before arriving in Moresby.

Ron is writing a story of their adventures on their circum navigation and stores it in the on board computer.

Show Me in Milne Bay waters.