Hanse 505 – Shimmer
Skipper: Steve Twentyman
Safety Beach Sailing Club (SBSC)
Shimmer is one of the yachts I sail on most regularly, and over time she’s become a familiar and trusted platform. Sailing out of Safety Beach Sailing Club, much of our time together has been spent in the rhythm of Friday twilight races and Sunday club racing, building consistency, teamwork and a deep understanding of how the boat likes to be sailed across all conditions.
Beyond club racing, Shimmer is an active and well-prepared ORCV campaigner, regularly lining up for offshore and coastal races. The boat is exceptionally well kept and thoughtfully set up, with a strong sail inventory that includes a J0, Code 0 and multiple asymmetric spinnakers, allowing us to stay competitive across a wide range of angles and conditions. That versatility really shows offshore, where sail selection, preparation and timing make a meaningful difference over long legs.
Across the past couple of seasons I’ve raced Shimmer in events including the Apollo Bay Ocean Race, Melbourne to King Island, Melbourne to Devonport, ORCV Coastal Sprints, and longer coastal returns and deliveries back to Safety Beach. These passages have added up to a lot of miles together — racing, delivering, and problem-solving — and have given me exposure to multiple roles on board, from bow and mast work to trimming and helming, depending on the demands of the race or delivery.
What stands out most about sailing with Steve and the Shimmer team is how well the program is run. The boat is prepared properly, the crew is trusted to do their jobs, and there’s a calm, methodical approach to offshore decision-making. Whether it’s setting up for a night leg, managing sail changes offshore, or working through light and difficult conditions, there’s always something to learn simply by being part of the process.
Sailing Shimmer hasn’t been about a single standout race or result — it’s been about consistency, repetition, and miles. The combination of regular club racing, ORCV offshore events and return deliveries has made this one of the most valuable yachts in my recent sailing experience, and one I’ve genuinely grown with over time.
Blogs
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