Where's Moondancer ?
Moondancer has been conspicuous by her absence in the winter races this season. Disinterest however is not the reason. Clashes of dates have seen Moondancer’s skipper away from our competition and working his way into the crew of this Swan 65 ft ketch. Built in 1978 she is solid fibreglass, weighs about 35 tonnes and is decked out below with teak cabins, a large saloon, navigation station and galley.
The yacht can get along alright too. Built initially for the Parmelia England to Australia race, which she won, the old boat can ramp up to 16 knots and can carry 2 headsails, main, mizzen, spinnaker, mizzen spinnaker, bloopers and mizzen topsail.....all at once ! Keeps the crew busy !! Winches are manual and winching the No 1 and No 2 headsails ensures that nobody gets cold. The manual on CPR is kept in close proximity!
The plan is for the yacht to participate in the ORCV cruising division including the Melb 2 Geelong, Queenscliff to Stanley, Cock of the Bay, Melb to Hobart and Melb to King Island. She is still being prepared for the races after being laid up for 2 years but all being well there should be some fascinating adventures ahead.
