oldgaffer
06-15-2003, 03:09 AM
I started my cruising career at the impressionable age of 19 with a converted Moreton Bay racer. A 26' gaff rigger that could do over 7 knots on a reach. (Aussie posters will appreciate the style.)
Unfortunately I stopped cruising some 4 years later, and lost contact with many of the characters that had help shape my views in later life.
There was Luke, the ferro Hartley Fijian owner - an ex Dutch Marine with a Samoan wife, who once made a quid transporting rice in the islands. He would always be inviting pasing dinghy drivers over for a coffe and a chat. Luke will be remembered for his well honed views on living life at the periphery - and for his coffee and sense of humour.
There was the charismatic John Louis from the convereted life boat Caribe - A boiler maker by trade on his trip around the world, the wrong way, with a girl in every port. Apparently he'd been way laid in Panama, and it wasn't just the coffee that kept him there. Last thing I heard he'd lost the beautiful fast Caribe on a reef south of New Guinea while making a rather too quick departure from Australian Customs. John was one of those short tempered, life loving rogues who, with one look into his boyish eyes, you immediately forgave of the worst indiscretion.
I can never forget Eric Hanquinet, Belgium's answer to JJ Cale, in his converted English fishing vessel, Boy Willie. Unfortunately Boy Willie was a bit of a dog, and was wisely sold to aspiring Australian sailor Norbert who soon gained the affections of the sexiest French woman in Cairns at the time. Unfortunately once Annie got her Aussie passport, Norbert became history. As for Eric, last I heard he was building Boy Willie replicas in Dumaghuete in the Phillipines, but had come unstuck, or so the story went, becoming just a little too friendly with the native ladies. I now end many emails with a "cheers", and at times even use "Hey Buddy" as a greeting, thanks to Eric.
And of course one can never forget the mercurial, Frenchman, Vincent Bonnet of the classic teak Falmouth Cutter, Amulet. Vince was one of those charming, winning types that could convince you to believe anything. (He convinced me that swapping two of my best polyester warps for a handful of brass piston hanks and some junk bits of hardware was a great deal.) Last I heard of Vince, he'd cleared Australia for the Pacific. I owe my contract negotiation skills to Vince - thanks mate wherever you are.
Of course there were many others, like John and his family on a converted Aussie Pearling Lugger. Or Cabbage (His real name never to be used) of the 100' timber trading vessel - a large, bearded, jovial man with 8 kids and a wife from the North NSW Coast, who made a living trading with the aboriginal communities in the islands off Gove. Cabbage simply lived life to the full - what a man.
So, if you're reading this - Luke, Vincent, Eric, John, or Cabbage, or know of these wily characters now of maritime lore, drop me a line and give me an update.
Happy cruising.
cheers
A.
Unfortunately I stopped cruising some 4 years later, and lost contact with many of the characters that had help shape my views in later life.
There was Luke, the ferro Hartley Fijian owner - an ex Dutch Marine with a Samoan wife, who once made a quid transporting rice in the islands. He would always be inviting pasing dinghy drivers over for a coffe and a chat. Luke will be remembered for his well honed views on living life at the periphery - and for his coffee and sense of humour.
There was the charismatic John Louis from the convereted life boat Caribe - A boiler maker by trade on his trip around the world, the wrong way, with a girl in every port. Apparently he'd been way laid in Panama, and it wasn't just the coffee that kept him there. Last thing I heard he'd lost the beautiful fast Caribe on a reef south of New Guinea while making a rather too quick departure from Australian Customs. John was one of those short tempered, life loving rogues who, with one look into his boyish eyes, you immediately forgave of the worst indiscretion.
I can never forget Eric Hanquinet, Belgium's answer to JJ Cale, in his converted English fishing vessel, Boy Willie. Unfortunately Boy Willie was a bit of a dog, and was wisely sold to aspiring Australian sailor Norbert who soon gained the affections of the sexiest French woman in Cairns at the time. Unfortunately once Annie got her Aussie passport, Norbert became history. As for Eric, last I heard he was building Boy Willie replicas in Dumaghuete in the Phillipines, but had come unstuck, or so the story went, becoming just a little too friendly with the native ladies. I now end many emails with a "cheers", and at times even use "Hey Buddy" as a greeting, thanks to Eric.
And of course one can never forget the mercurial, Frenchman, Vincent Bonnet of the classic teak Falmouth Cutter, Amulet. Vince was one of those charming, winning types that could convince you to believe anything. (He convinced me that swapping two of my best polyester warps for a handful of brass piston hanks and some junk bits of hardware was a great deal.) Last I heard of Vince, he'd cleared Australia for the Pacific. I owe my contract negotiation skills to Vince - thanks mate wherever you are.
Of course there were many others, like John and his family on a converted Aussie Pearling Lugger. Or Cabbage (His real name never to be used) of the 100' timber trading vessel - a large, bearded, jovial man with 8 kids and a wife from the North NSW Coast, who made a living trading with the aboriginal communities in the islands off Gove. Cabbage simply lived life to the full - what a man.
So, if you're reading this - Luke, Vincent, Eric, John, or Cabbage, or know of these wily characters now of maritime lore, drop me a line and give me an update.
Happy cruising.
cheers
A.