To join the fun sail crew call Kelvin Markham on 0419 152 612 or send an email to kelvinmarkham@gmail.com

Thanks

KM

Two years ago Allistair Martin was running the childrens program at what was then BayWest Anglican Church in Sandy Bay. He asked me if I knew anything about sailing and if I had a Motor Boat licence. I was able to say yes to both though I didn't know why I had bothered to renew the licence for so many years without using it. Anyway The funny thing is I always said "It's better to have a friend with a boat that have one yourself" Funny how what you say is what you get, because Al is the boss of an organisation called Mission Afloat and they had this lovely little ketch called Aubade, designed by Carl Seager, launched in Melbourne in 1980. Aubade was given to Mission Afloat a year or so earlier and they needed a custodian, and people to sail her. Well after taking a look at her I couldn't beleive it, we had a yacht to use, beauty! Tina and the boys were stoked and we sailed every weekend even into the winter. Staying overnight in the comfy little yacht was great, the four berths, galley and so on all beautifully tucked inside the deceptively spacious hull.

Then circumstances changed and a couple years later we were in a position to buy another boat, Katy Rose a 1942 Kauri 5 tonner and another, Melida, a Ken Beashel folkboat.

Wow we started to return the favour, now we sail the fleet, joined by lots of different people we've met and some we've known for ages.

Now anyone is welcome, so if you want to have a go call me.

Remember, it's better to have a friend with a boat than have one yourself. I just didn't know I'd have the boat which belonged to the biggest and best friend any of us could have.

KM