Ropes to pull, sails to strike, rigging to climb, courses to follow and decks to scrub... I was in heaven. So OK, the deck scrubbing wasn't that great but I was onboard the Tall ship 'Windeward Bound' headed for a high sea adventure from Sydney to Hobart. For those who don't know what a Tall Ship is, just think pirate ship without a skull and cross bone flag or a captain with an eye patch, bad breath and a wooden leg.
It's a matter of opinion but for me Tall Ship sailing is sailing adventure at it's best and is enough to cook anyone's chicken. It is at times strenuous. A crew pitches themselves against the wind and sea to sail the ship. It is revealing. The world looks very different when there is no sight of land, the sky is filled with stars and the sway boat against the swell is the only noise. When you're up a mast over 60ft high, leaning over a yard arm, tying down the sails in a growing storm and have lightening striking the sea all around you, you know that this experience is something you'll never forget.
That's the great thing about Tall Ships, it is hands on, it can be intense, inspiring and exhilarating all at the same time. It is very different from the bulk of sailing trips offered in places such as the Whitsunday's. But of course, there are plenty of times to just sit back on the deck under a blue sky and just chill, marvel at the dolphins as they race by in formation and realise that you're just were you're meant to be!
I had joined the Windeward Bound in Sydney and our voyage was part of the Harris Sydney to Hobart Classic Boat Cruise 2000. In the fleet of the cruise were other classic boats including two previous winners of the world famous Sydney to Hobart race. The classics version, that I was taking part in, is also a yearly event and information about places for boats and crew can be found through this web site: http://www.classicboatcruise.com.au. The Tasman Sea and Bass Strait are some of the most notorious waters in the world. This is the home of the 'Roaring 40's' where chilling southerly winds can whip up a sea into stormy fury - not exactly your paddling pool experience.
The voyage was an experience that offered everything. We had weather from one extreme to another; fog, brilliant sun, rain and storms. We called in and dropped anchor in sandy bays and historic towns on our journey to Hobart and saw pods of dolphins and colonies of seals.
Experience to crew onboard the ship is not necessary. Everything you need to know about futtocks, lizards, bunts and clews is taught onboard. The ship also has a no pressure policy, so if you don't want to make the climb to the top of the mast in gale force winds, you don't have to. From an educational point of view, this very manual type of sailing is a great way to learn the basics of sailing. The Windeward Bound is actually a sail training ship that also takes underprivileged kids on voyages.
The Windeward Bound, however, doesn't just offer charters across the Tasman Sea. It's schedule offers sailing to suit adrenaline junkies and fair weather sailors alike. Mainly sailing up and down the East Coast of Australia, including the Whitsunday's, the Windward Bound runs day trips to 5-12 day voyages and welcomes the individual and well as group bookings.
Essentials
The Windeward Bound Website
Email: windbound@southcom.com.au
Ships Phone: (03) 6224 0205
Mobile: 0418 120 399
Questions?
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