Hanse delivery Melbourne to Newcastle
Owner: Scott Knights
Vice Commodore
Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club
There is a specific kind of magic that happens when a boat begins its next chapter. Last week, I had the pleasure of joining Scott Knights, the Vice Commodore of the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, and our third hand, Damien, for a milestone journey: delivering Scott’s newly acquired Hanse 385, Mell, from the calm waters of Martha’s Cove to her new life in Newcastle.
Mell is a special example of the 385 series—one of the last built in 2017 and kept in immaculate condition. With a fresh set of standing rigging and an upgraded 38HP Volvo, she was more than ready for the 600-nautical-mile trek up the coast.
We slipped out of Port Phillip Bay, leaving the heads behind as we turned the bow East. The Bass Strait and the Tasman Sea can be fickle in March, and it was. As the sun began to dip below the horizon near Gabo Island, a notorious graveyard for ships and a pivot point for any East Coast delivery, we found ourselves suddenly snagged. A stray lobster pot line had found its way around the rudder. It caused a fair bit of havoc for a moment. Fortunately, we managed to work the line free without having to go overboard in the fading light, and Mell was back on her lines, charging toward the NSW border.
If there was a theme to this delivery, it was the company we kept. We were never truly alone; large pods of dolphins escorted us almost the entire way up the coast.
The highlight for me, happened under the cover of darkness. The phosphorescence was incredible—the boat’s wake glowed like a neon trail. But the real show began when the dolphins returned at night. They looked like green, glowing rockets underwater, stirring up the bioluminescence as they jumped and played in the pressure wave of the bow. It’s one of those sights that a camera can never quite capture, but I can assure you it was spectacular.
The wildlife didn’t stop there: We encountered several whales, including one particular individual that put on a spectacular display, breaching and crashing back into the water repeatedly. While I was off-watch, Scott and Damien were treated to a rare sighting of a pod of Orcas. I’m still a bit gutted to have missed that one, but that’s the luck of the watch system!
We made one strategic stop at Bermagui. We ducked in for three hours—just enough time to refuel the tanks, grab a hot breakfast, and stretch our legs before pushing North again.
My journey with the boys came to an end in the early hours of Tuesday, as we pulled into the Royal Motor Yacht Club at Broken Bay, Pittwater. After nearly five days at sea, seeing the rugged cliffs of the Hawkesbury was a welcome sight. While I disembarked there, Scott and Damien continued the final leg to bring Mell home to her new berth at the NCYC.
Having spent nearly a week living and working on Mell, it’s easy to see why this model is so highly regarded. Between the electric winches making short-handed sail changes a breeze and the warmth of the Italian Oak interior after a cold night watch, she is the perfect blend of performance and comfort.
Fair winds to Scott and the crew at Newcastle—you’ve got a cracking boat on your hands.
Blogs
Belle – IY60
Racing offshore on Belle, a 60-foot IY60, was a high-intensity test of big-boat handling. Loads, sail changes, and manoeuvres demanded precision, anticipation, and clear communication. The ORCV Coastal Sprint format sharpened situational awareness, adaptability, and crew coordination, giving valuable experience in managing a large offshore yacht under pressure while maintaining speed and control.
QuiXotic
QuiXotic is a well-sailed X-41, but what stands out most is the crew. Andrew Middleton and the team create a positive, easygoing environment on board, focused on enjoying the racing and sailing well together. It’s a boat where good company and good sailing go hand in hand.
Rushour
On Rushour, I completed the 430nm Southport to Sydney qualifying passage, involved in all aspects of high-performance multihull sailing. From helming in varied conditions to managing asymmetric spinnaker trim and watch rotations, this experience built the discipline and confidence I carried directly into the Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster.
Fast Forward – Sydney 38
Faster Forward isn’t just a respected Sydney 38; for me, it represents the heart of sailing culture. After the Melbourne to Hobart, I was adopted into this tight-knit team, learning that success is built as much through shared dinners and crew camaraderie as it is through miles on the water.
Alex Team Macadie
Alex is a boat with a massive reputation, especially for its legendary double-handed feats. Racing with Jock MacAdie provided a firsthand look at how this Hart 14 has stayed competitive for decades. It’s a platform built on grit and offshore history, where the focus is always on high standards and coastal discipline.
Wings
The 1,100nm delivery of Wings from Hamilton Island to Sydney was a lesson in persistence. Most of the trip was spent punched into 18 to 25-knot headwinds and heavy seas. It was a great chance to get some serious hours on the helm at night and see how offshore routing actually works in the real world.
Unprecedented
Sailing out of Safety Beach on this modern Jeanneau Sun Fast 3300 was a shift in perspective. Lighter and more responsive than most cruiser-racers, the boat is purpose-built for efficiency. Managing the running backstays and highly loaded rig highlighted the technical precision needed to keep such a performance-focused platform moving at its best.
Airlie Beach Race Week 2024
The Whitsundays definitely showed their teeth during the 2024 regatta. Working the bow on a Hanse 430E, I spent the week wrestling with 30-knot gusts and complex island tides. It was all about staying one step ahead of the next sail change while navigating the narrow, choppy channels that define racing in this part of the world.
Hot Chipps
Club racing on Port Phillip Bay provided the perfect introduction to the Dehler 46 platform. Spending time on this versatile yacht was great preparation for a later coastal delivery, offering hands-on experience with its systems and deck layout. Assisting with a new mainsail setup also gave me a more technical look at the boat’s performance beyond just pulling ropes during a race.
Arcadia
Sailing on this Archambault 40RC across club and ORCV races has been a masterclass in team efficiency. PJ and the crew operate with a calm, quiet precision that makes even complex sail changes look routine. It’s a great environment to observe how a cohesive team relies on clear roles and consistent repetition rather than noise to maintain performance under pressure.
It’s not just sailing
Racing the Dufour 40 near the Yarra River mouth keeps us on our toes. Beyond the technical challenges of Port Phillip Bay, sailing with Peter’s team highlights the social side of the sport. Post-race drinks in the galley are as vital as the racing, cementing the camaraderie that makes club sailing worthwhile.
Adams 10.6
Sailing aboard Cloud 10, an Adams 10.6, provided a classic club racing experience out of RMYS. This 35-foot Australian design is a staple of the local fleet, known for its one-design competition. Getting time on this platform was a practical way to broaden my experience across a different style of local yacht.