Just home from my maiden sail aboard my Cavalier 32

[bruceinOz]

Hi All. Just bought a brand new (to me) Cavalier 32. A good mate and sailing guru Brien and I left the pen here in Newcastle Australia this afternoon and, under headsail only, reached out of Newcastle Harbour and out a few miles into the open sea. Fantastic!! She sailed beautifully, better than I could have hoped. The sky was blue, the ocean swell was maybe 2-3 metres, bigger than anything I had experienced, and yet she rose with each crest and drove on at 4.5 kts in the 12-15kts breeze. We tacked and reached back towards the harbour and the shelter of the breakwall, ghosting at 2kts all the way back to the yacht club where she slid into her pen and a couple of celebratory beers were opened. A great, great day. I've dreamt of doing this for 15 years and here I was, the skipper of my very own keel boat out on the open ocean. A big thank you to all the sailors out there who have taken the time out to chat to that bloke looking dreamily at your boat and imagining himself doing just that one day. The amount of time I've watched YouTube posts and read cruiser forums....and now I can contribute. Happy days people, happy days
Cheers
Bruce

[WebWench]

congratulations! Sounds like you have many great sails in your future. Enjoy!!!!!

[Coops]

First time offshore in your own boat, a very special experience. Congratulations to you good sir.

Coops.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Bruce.

Congratulations!

Nice boat ➥ Cavalier 32 Review : Bluewaterboats.org

[casual]

Good Show Mate

[Wanderlust]

Welcome to the forum Bruce, and congratulations on your first outing from another Cavalier owner located in the Central Coast.

The Cavalier is a great seaworthy design. You may know one of these has successfully completed a few Sydney Hobart races with trainee crew.

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by bruceinOz

Hi All. Just bought a brand new (to me) Cavalier 32. A good mate and sailing guru Brien and I left the pen here in Newcastle Australia this afternoon and, under headsail only, reached out of Newcastle Harbour and out a few miles into the open sea. Fantastic!! She sailed beautifully, better than I could have hoped. The sky was blue, the ocean swell was maybe 2-3 metres, bigger than anything I had experienced, and yet she rose with each crest and drove on at 4.5 kts in the 12-15kts breeze. We tacked and reached back towards the harbour and the shelter of the breakwall, ghosting at 2kts all the way back to the yacht club where she slid into her pen and a couple of celebratory beers were opened. A great, great day. I've dreamt of doing this for 15 years and here I was, the skipper of my very own keel boat out on the open ocean. A big thank you to all the sailors out there who have taken the time out to chat to that bloke looking dreamily at your boat and imagining himself doing just that one day. The amount of time I've watched YouTube posts and read cruiser forums....and now I can contribute. Happy days people, happy days
Cheers
Bruce

Good for you!!!!!

[cruzer757]

Congrats!