Visiting Australia

[sandy daugherty]

A group from my sailing club will be coming to Australia in November, 2010 to bareboat charter in the Whitsunday Islands. I intend to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime trip to see as many of the multihull builders in the area as possible. Could those of you familiar with the area make some recommendations? If the dollar gets a little healthier by then, I might also be able to see New Zealand!

[TaoJones]

Originally Posted by sandy daugherty

A group from my sailing club will be coming to Australia in November, 2010 . . . If the dollar gets a little healthier by then, I might also be able to see New Zealand!

It's a shame, really, that you won't get to see New Zealand.

TaoJones

[bill good]

G'Day Sandy,

Maybe able to assist with your visit. Send Private Message.

Regards Bill Goodward

[Hud3]

Tao,

Don't be a wet blanket!

[44'cruisingcat]

Sandy, Fusion catamarans used to be built up at Airlie I think, but I also think they've moved overseas. Might be worth your while checking though. There's an operation that assembles the kits, but they're in West Aus I think.

If you're willing to travel from the Whitsundays there's quite a few boats (Spirited 380's, Orams, and others) being built down this way, (Hervey Bay) and further south in the Brisbane/sunshine coast area. A long way from the Whitsundays though - it would be a big day's drive to here, (guessing, but around 12 hours or more) and another 3-4 hours to Bris.

I'd invite you to come and look at my boat build, but it will be in the water by then. (It bloody better be) Still welcome to have a look though.

[Factor]

PM me with your details, If you are coming near Brisbane I will be very pleased to take you around to the Lightwave factory, Perry, and Shawn Arbers yard amongst others, and show you a few boats in a few marinas, and organise a sail or two.

Fusions aren't made in airlie any more (I think) But I can show you a couple of good ones in Brisbane.

If you are going to sydney I can assist with contacting the right people at Seawind.

[GordMay]

It may be out of date, but Fusion Catamarans Australia Pty Ltd is still listed at Airlie Beach, by the Queensland Gov’t site at:
Queensland Business Directory Company Listing

Fusion Catamarans
PO Box 606, AIRLIE BEACH, QLD, 4802
No1, Shop 4 Shingley Beach Resort, AIRLIE BEACH, QLD, 4802
Telephone: 07 49464659
Fax: 07 49464679
E-mail: jim@fusioncats.com
Website: Fusion Catamarans - La Passion Catamarans - Platinum Catamarans

[Reefmagnet]

Fusion have a shed in Mackay (about 1.5 hours drive south of Airlie) where they looked to be in the process of building a cat when I drove by a couple of weeks ago.

[Robertcateran]

Pacific Multihulls Mark Stephens is a bit further down the coast just south of Coffs Harbour at Uranga. You could check out some Harryproas round there while you were at it

[sandy daugherty]

What a wonderful bunch of suggestions! I may wrangle an AirPass with Quantas thru American Airlines, which would let me travel wider. Its a shame about NZ though. [g]

[TaoJones]

Originally Posted by sandy daugherty

What a wonderful bunch of suggestions! I may wrangle an AirPass with Quantas thru American Airlines, which would let me travel wider. Its a shame about NZ though. [g]

Sandy, I'm pleased to see that you took my little jab at our currency in the spirit in which it was intended - too true to be funny, but still grin-worthy. Hud's a good guy, but I was afraid his comment on my post might negatively color your response.

Have a great trip down under, Sandy, and I hope you get to see (and to sail) so many cats that you come home purring.

TaoJones

[lolanreg@smartc]

Hi Sandy, Check out the Inspirations at Rainbow Beach not far from Gympie, in Queensland. A good honest cat at 11 metres. I had one. Natureboy.

[Factor]

If you go to Rainbow - go also to Tin Can Bay - Peter Kerr at Lizard Yachts has done some nice 13-15 metre aluminium cats.

[Hud3]

Originally Posted by TaoJones

Sandy, I'm pleased to see that you took my little jab at our currency in the spirit in which it was intended - too true to be funny, but still grin-worthy. Hud's a good guy, but I was afraid his comment on my post might negatively color your response...

TaoJones

I was KIDDING, Tao.

[ameardevil]

Hi Sandy
A couple of months ago we visited Airlie and the guys from Fusion took us to see one of their boats being built by an amatuer builder. They also have professional's building for clients.
Many cats come in kit form and are being built all around Aus with a fair few up in North Qld. Depending on the time you have and your transport options when you get here the range of builders is huge. I would say to contact Schionning and Fusion to find out where boats are being built at the time you plan your visit. They are generally helpful.
All things going well we will be in the water and cruising the Whitsundays when you visit.