Multihull sailing
Rushour – Qualifying Passage Southport to Sydney
In preparation for the 52nd Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster, I sailed aboard Rushour, the 50-foot high-performance catamaran skippered by Drew Carruthers, for the required qualifying passage from Southport to Sydney. The passage, covering approximately 430 nautical miles over two and a half days, is designed to ensure that at least 60% of the intended race crew have experience on board before the main event—a critical step in high-speed offshore racing.
Departing Southport late in the evening, we immediately felt the responsiveness and raw speed of Rushour as she cut through the waves under a strong easterly. With a mostly asymmetrical spinnaker up for significant portions of the journey, the yacht flew down the Queensland and New South Wales coasts, demonstrating the thrilling combination of power and precision that defines Drew’s design.
For me, this passage was an outstanding learning experience. I was involved in all aspects of the boat—helming in a range of conditions, adjusting sails under asymmetric spinnaker trim, managing watch rotations, and maintaining focus during the long overnight legs. The pace was relentless, and the conditions constantly varied, giving me a real insight into how high-performance multihulls behave in offshore conditions.
Experiencing the power and responsiveness of Rushour firsthand, alongside a skilled and cohesive crew, reinforced the importance of disciplined sail handling, proactive communication, and vigilance on watch. The qualifying passage was not only a vital step for race eligibility but also a unique opportunity to gain confidence on a fast, modern offshore catamaran, knowledge I carried straight into the Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster itself.
Blogs
Port Douglas Race Week 2026
Working the bow aboard Y Knot at Port Douglas Race Week 2026, racing for the iconic Clipper Cup on the Coral Sea. Five days of tropical sailing — from glassy Day One conditions to 25 knots of south-east trade wind. Shaun McKenna reports from one of Far North Queensland’s sailing events.
North by Northwest
Pinned in Nelly Bay by the south-east trades, we waited four days before heading north aboard YKnot, a Hanse 430. What followed was 199 nautical miles of downwind sailing — island anchorages, unexpected hospitality at Dunk, a sea turtle at Fitzroy, and a tide-dependent entry into Port Douglas. The difficult days are always worth it.
ORCV Coastal Sprint #3
Sam Backwell’s first ocean race. Six yachts crossing ahead of an inbound cargo ship. Ginan sweeping all three handicap divisions. The third ORCV Coastal Sprint packed a full season’s worth of sailing into 27 nautical miles off the Mornington Peninsula — and Shimmer was right in the thick of it.
Luxury cruising
Some boats are built for the marina. Others are built to move. Shooting Baruch — a 2019 Nautitech 542 — for Inspire Marine, it was clear from the first frame which one she is. Fast, refined, and strikingly photogenic, she’s a French multihull design that earns its reputation both offshore and at anchor.
Salt
On Salt, a 2021 Solaris 50, I sailed as bow person with James Marshall and Ian Fankhanel. Festival of Sails 2026 saw us win Division 1, thanks to a skilled team including tactician, navigator, and Peter Dowdney. Aaron Cole added sail expertise, highlighting how experience and teamwork make a high-performance yacht excel.
Shimmer
Shimmer, beautifully maintained by Steve Twentyman, is sailed regularly from Safety Beach Sailing Club. With a versatile sail inventory including J0, Code 0, and asymmetric spinnakers, I’ve gained experience across bow, trimming, and helming roles. Calm leadership and preparation make her a reliable platform for club racing, ORCV coastal events, and Category 2 offshore races.
S2H 2025
White Spirit – 80th Rolex Sydney to Hobart
I completed the 2025 Rolex Sydney to Hobart as 2IC and Navigator aboard White Spirit (Beneteau First 50), skippered by Cyrus Allen. Responsible for routing, weather analysis and sail strategy, I supported the helm and watches through a demanding, multi-system offshore race.
Cabbage Tree Island Race
As part of White Spirit’s Hobart preparation, I helmed through extreme conditions in the Cabbage Tree Island Race, sailing into a rapidly building southerly front with apparent winds peaking at 74 knots. The execution and boat handling through the system resulted in my appointment as Second in Command for Hobart.
Airlie Beach Race Week 2025
Airlie Beach Race Week tested sail handling, coordination, and timing across long island legs. On Y Knot, managing the bow meant staying ahead of multiple sail changes under shifting trade-wind breezes. The combination of fast offshore conditions, complex courses, and a skilled crew made it an intense and rewarding experience.
Magnetic Island Race Week 2025
YKnot’s performance demanded anticipation, precise sail transitions, and constant awareness on the bow. The warm waters, trade winds, and tight fleet kept everyone alert, while the relaxed island atmosphere ashore highlighted why offshore racing is as much about people and experience as it is speed.
Cartouche
Cartouche – Beneteau First 50 (RBYC)
I’ve sailed regularly aboard Cartouche, a Beneteau First 50 owned by Steven Fahey, across club racing, ORCV events and major regattas. Racing within a family-run team sharpened my big-boat awareness and offshore readiness, while reinforcing consistency, preparation and calm decision-making across varied conditions.
Scarlet Runner
Delivering Scarlet Runner back to Melbourne with owner and skipper Rob Date after the Melbourne–Hobart Westcoaster was a masterclass in offshore seamanship. A demanding Bass Strait crossing shifted the focus from racing to judgement, restraint, and boat care, highlighting the balance between performance and protection that defines successful offshore sailing.