Sailing on Salt
Solaris 50
I’ve recently had the opportunity to sail aboard Salt, a 2021 Solaris 50, under the guidance of James Marshall, the boat manager, and Ian Fankhanel, the owner. Both are central to how the boat runs: James keeps the crew organised, ensures everyone is in position, and calls the boat’s rhythm, while Ian shares the helming responsibilities and helps steer the team through manoeuvres. My role on board is as bow person, handling sail changes, lines, and positioning during manoeuvres — a position that’s especially critical given the boat’s high-performance sail inventory.
Our main event this season was Festival of Sails 2026, where Salt competed in the Passage Spinnaker Series, Division 1. The crew includes experts in key roles — particularly the tactician and navigator — whose decisions were critical in securing the overall victory, finishing ahead of our nearest rival by 12 points. I also had the opportunity to work closely with Peter Dowdney, whose extensive knowledge and experience proved invaluable throughout the event. While those key positions guide the strategy, every role on board contributes to operating the top-down furling asymmetrical spinnaker, symmetrical 1.5 spinnaker, Code 0, and staysail efficiently.
I also got a chance to work with Aaron Cole from North Sails, who provided insight on the new sails and their handling. His involvement, offered a useful perspective on performance trimming and sail management.
Overall, sailing on Salt has been an insightful and enjoyable experience. It’s a chance to work as part of a highly organised crew, see a modern performance yacht in action, and contribute in a key on-deck role during competitive sailing.
Learn more about The Festival of Sails
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.
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.
Australian Yachting Championships (IRC)
Racing on Tenacity in the 2025 Australian Yachting Championships tested precision and teamwork on Hobart’s Derwent. Handling halyards and sail changes as mast person, I experienced the split-second decision-making, calm control, and clear communication required to keep a high-performance Mills 41 moving efficiently through shifting river breezes.