The Book of Resolutions

by John Curnow on 25 Jan 2017 Originally, I had thought that this very editorial might be entitled, ‘the book of revelations’. However, as it all panned out, the real inference hardly seemed to be new. So it is much more of a resolution, and it is not associated with any new year’s kind of rigmarole.

Indeed, it is much more associated with grand escapes, full of adventure, water, sea life, new countries, investigations, explorations, and time with new people and/or cultures. Most specifically, it was @islandjems material on the beautiful and significant Raine Island on the Great Barrier Reef that got me going. (The full report on such is part of this newsletter.) So there can be no doubt that this natural wonder is something to behold, and no matter how many times you have seen it, there is always more.

Stretching out over 2300km (which is virtually the same distance as London to Moscow), with 900 islands, you can appreciate that it is expansive. Yet it was only last year (Southern Summer) that it did take a bit of a belting, which was possibly over-reported around the globe. Alas, this time it was not so much human factors, but natural ones, with a super-hot Summer, and little rain with its attendant clouds, meant the Coral Sea got a bit hot. That’s not ideal for coral.

It took some time for reports to come in, as 344,400km2 is a large area to cover. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority was quick to point out that although there had been significant damage in parts, some had survived well and even the damage was expected to self-repair, over time.

Now as marine tourism of the area is expected to do nothing but rise geometrically as the next 20 years unfolds, proper management of the resource is a given. That is all in place, and cruisers only need to continue to show respect for it to remain a non-issue. The once telegraph track that ran all the way up Cape York to the top is now a bit more of a well travelled highway, with 4WDs making the four-day trek (each way) so often now as to almost form a conga line.

Should the same sort of thing occur at sea, then a lot of what makes it so will change. Alas, tyranny of distance will work in its favour for some time yet, but change is a comin’. Raine Island is not even at the top, which goes to show you just how many places there are to see and stop to take it all in.

Out of the numerous times I have been through the area, by sea I have not made it much further than Princess Charlotte Bay, and that is one big haul in, and of itself. So that means then that the book of resolutions is not so much a novel, as it is an executive summary. Best I contact my travelling friends now and get the planning started, and the boat in the next paragraph could well be something totally brilliant to do it in…

Interesting news indeed! Beneteau’s semi custom Oceanis Yacht 62 has just won the European Boat of the Year – Luxury Cruiser Category. At under €600,000 it already commands attention, but it also has caught my eye for its distinctive design, which is a collaboration between Berret Racoupeau and the Italian designer, Pierangelo Andreani. The latter has been working with CNB for some time on their Monte Carlo powerboat range.

Gianguido Girotti (known as G3) is Beneteau’s relatively recent addition as sailing yachts director, and he was keen to find something different for this new range of yachts. Whilst giving a real presence to the craft, the ‘stripes’ down the topsides actually incorporate all the portholes, and add even more light and air to the very spacious three or four cabin layout. A full tender garage, massive outdoor galley across the stern, and an innovative fixed (rigid) bimini option for warmer climes ensure there is plenty to investigate with this boat as soon as I can get my hands on one.



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