Not the only one
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail-WorldCruising.com 16 May 2019 10:00 UTC
Jason Chipp at the controls of the Nautitech 40 Open when leaving Grenada © Jason Chipp
It would be wonderful to be able to do all the miles you have in your mind. Alas, especially at the moment, it is just not going to happen. So it is kind of cool to be able to share the wealth a bit, and be really happy for someone else taking in a grand jaunt.
It does not even matter if you have been there previously yourself, or not. You either relive your own adventures in part, or go totally vicariously and immerse yourself, like jumping in off the bow in some new anchorage and completely immerse yourself, both figuratively and literally.
So today's cruiser in kind, as it were, is our pal Jason Chipp from Ensign Ship Brokers. They very much sail with their clients, whether it is delivery handover, or a full week's passage from A to B. Ensign handle Bavaria sail and power in Australia, as well as the French subsidiary, Nautitech Catamarans. A lot of clients also take delivery in Europe. Chipp commented during our chat, "It is great to be fortunate enough to sail on numerous Nautitechs up and down the East Coast of Australia, to head to/from Hamilton Island and Airlie Beach Race Week campaigns, and cruise the Whitsundays."
"I have even sailed down the coast of France, Portugal, Italy, and other places in the Med on board Nautitechs, but never had the opportunity arisen to sail in the Caribbean, which has to be one of God's gifts to the catamaran world! So when a delivery voyage of more then 1,600 nautical miles from Grenada to Miami on board a well-equipped Nautitech Open 40 came up, including some time to take a bit of a look around, well I jumped right at it!"
Best of all, he's documented it, and we'll be able to check in on that later. They'll be worth watching too, for he's not the kind of guy to get into inane blogs about nothing, given his very much hands-on experience with building, project managing, and now selling boats for over 20 years.
Whether you are new to sailing, new to cats, or quite the accomplished sea dog, I bet he'll work through cable versus hydraulic steering, mini keels (keelsons) versus daggerboards, helm position(s), gennakers, screechers, kites, and just exactly what is it like to do more than a thousand nauticals dead-down wind while keeping to a schedule.
"Joining us on board was sponsored Kite Surfer Dave Serrano, who took to the blue waters of Turks and Caicos like it was Disneyland. We also had the quintessential All-American sweetheart, Jessie Jackson, come along for a sail most would put on their bucket list, and few actually get to enjoy let alone call work!"
"We are going to premiere the new model Nautitech 40 Open at this year's Sydney International Boat Show. We'll also highlight the new look 46' Open, that forms the range with the 46' Fly bridge, 47' Powercat, and the flagship 54' sailing cat. Actually, just on the latter, I'm heading over to the factory in July to oversee the final phase of commissioning of a new 542. We'll sail her down the coast of France, Portugal and Spain, before stopping off in Gibraltar to hand her over to her proud Melbourne-based owners, all ready for their voyage of a lifetime through the Med."
I think there will be some terrific videos to come out of that as well. In the meantime, as Jason says, "If you wanted to talk with someone who eats, sleeps, and more-importantly USES the product they sell, then feel free to call to give me a call on +61 448 061 660."
Today you will find that we have information for you about the ARC Europe and USA, the incredible Jeanne Socrates, the World ARC and coming to Australia, autonomous shipping is a reality, Thailand, ICOM radios, Greek Cruising Tax now in play, research vessels, the Caribbean, USCG radio activated sound signals, as well as much more.
So you see, there are stories, lessons, inspirations and history to regale yourself with. Please do savour... We're really enjoying bringing you the best stories from all over the globe. If you want to add to that, then please make contact with us via email.
Remember too, if you want to see what is happening in the other Hemisphere, go to the top of the Sail-WorldCruising home page and the drag down menu on the right, select the other half of the globe and, voila, it's all there for you.
In the meantime, do you love being on the ocean? Well remember to love them back too. They need our help. Now more than ever! Until next time...
John Curnow
Editor, Sail-WorldCruising.com