Crew Wanted: Deliver 1984 Liberty 458 from Great Lakes to South Australia

[donradcliffe]

I am looking at your opportunity, and remembering that the time spent sailing across the South Pacific was definitely the best days of my life. I might have a third trip in me, and have been contemplating buying another boat to do the trip.

When I look at your boat, it has good bones but is older. You say it is ready for the trip, but I would have to confirm that myself.

Newer sails (don't listen to people who say you are going to put years of wear, 80 days is 80 days, and my dacron sails did a full circumnavigation before replacement).

A good running engine and non-leaking tanks.

Standing rigging less than 10 years old.

A modern anchor and windlass

A good below deck autopilot with spares.

Decent dinghy and motor.

Sat Coms (I have an Iridium GO and a Starlink).

If the boat has all that, maybe we can work something out. I am not looking to make the going wages. You are welcome to come on whatever legs work for you.

[Australis_458]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

I am looking at your opportunity, and remembering that the time spent sailing across the South Pacific was definitely the best days of my life. I might have a third trip in me, and have been contemplating buying another boat to do the trip.

When I look at your boat, it has good bones but is older. You say it is ready for the trip, but I would have to confirm that myself.

Newer sails (don't listen to people who say you are going to put years of wear, 80 days is 80 days, and my dacron sails did a full circumnavigation before replacement).

A good running engine and non-leaking tanks.

Standing rigging less than 10 years old.

A modern anchor and windlass

A good below deck autopilot with spares.

Decent dinghy and motor.

Sat Coms (I have an Iridium GO and a Starlink).

If the boat has all that, maybe we can work something out. I am not looking to make the going wages. You are welcome to come on whatever legs work for you.

Well, I must say that your good experience is inspirational. One reads about days and days of broad reach without touching a sheet. It's hard to put a dollar amount on that experience. It's certainly not just a delivery transaction. I've spent time working in the Pacific on ships and have experienced those conditions. The Australis would just love those conditions. Once the wind gets above 12-13kts she comes alive and is in her prime in 25kts, which is typical trade wind velocities in my limited experience.

None of the sails are new. Most are quite fresh through, having only been used for a couple of months a year and very little exposure to UV. I had a 130% genoa and the mainsail refurbished by SailCare in 2000 and I didn't launch the boat at all last year. I have a 100% high-cut jib/yankee which is in very good condition (I imagine that this would be most used) and the staysail is fine. I have an asymmetrical MPS which is also in good condition.

In 2000 I put a separate track on the mast to carry a trisail (not new but in very good condition; maybe never used) and I have a storm jib which has also had very little use. My hope would be to get the boat to Aus with what she has and buy her a full suit of new sails once I get there and resupply my coffers.

Engine: Perkins 236-4 2800hrs. No problems other than a replaced starter motor since I bought her in 2012.

Fuel Tanks are black iron. No leaks but old. I would drain and clean the tanks before heading out. There is probably sludge in the bottom which would get disturbed once she gets into a real seaway and which would clog the Raycor filter.

I'll change the standing rigging before heading out. I'll probably do this when I have to un-step to go down the Erie Canal. I want to change out the SS/bronze for Dyneema. I suspect that decision may spark some comments :-)

Original Muir windlass which is simple and runs fine with a modern Racor anchor and a Bruce and a folding danforth. 250ft of 3/8 BB chain and about 500ft of 5/8" 12 ply braid. A good sea anchor as well.

Comnav electro/hydraulic autopilot and I will be installing a HydroVane.

10ft RIB with 2000 15hp Tohatsu outboard.

I'll have Starlink. I also have already installed an ICOM HF transceiver and, as a backup to backup, a SPOT satellite comms thingy.

I have myself, my "significant other" and three mates who are keen to do legs of around 1-2 months a hitch. I expect "SO" and I would get her as far as Chesapeake ourselves. Maybe it would pay to do a shakedown trip up to Lake Superior in 2026 to get a feel for the boat in the most "ocean like" conditions available (though not very oceanlike in summer).

All this, for now, is just talk. Factus Non Verbus is my motto. This summer I'm finishing the installation of a bow thruster that I started in the fall and I'm going to install external chain-plates that will sister up to the existing chainplates (no evidence of trouble with them but they are totally encapsulated and there is no way to inspect them and they are now 40 years old).

[Patrick of M]

Good call on the chain plates. I'm doing mine and changing to silicone bronze before going offshore.
I'm a dyneema fan, but as there will be some creep at first would encourage changing it out sooner than later.
The st laurent will get you to sea without un stepping your mast, and you could pick me up as you went by Montreal

[icemate]

I took my 37' heavy duty cutter cruiser to Australia from Buffalo by going to Daytona to wait out hurricane weather and then to the Virgin Islands for a few days. Then to Panama to stock up on provisions (cheap) and check for any repairs of upgrades needed before heading to Tahiti. A couple days rest there and headed to Pago Pago, America Samoa. Then a quick short trip to Western Samoa to NZ before going to Brisbane. A lot of stops but waiting for a good weather window in important. Good Luck and stay safe.

[Leannepine]

We purchased our yacht in South Carolina and sailed her back to New Zealand via Panama Canal. This is a great downwind trip, with plenty to see and do along the way. I hope you are considering doing all or some of this trip with your boat. We deliver yachts all over the Pacific so please PM us if you need any info on this passage.

[Lcdr47]

I am an Ocean Yachtmaster Instructor from Melbourne who does deliveries. I charge only AU$450pd plus all found (do it for the love). I would sail through Panama for such a trip. Could do some or all as required. This might help with your calculations

[MJH]

Originally Posted by Australis_458

I want to get my well-founded 1984 Liberty 458 "Australis" from the Great Lakes to South Australia sometime over the next few years. I've owned the vessel for 12 years. She's too heavy for the quiet airs of the summertime Great Lakes but would be ideal in the gulf waters of South Australia where I grew up. I want to get it to SA as a place to snowbird to in the Northern Winters (I live in the US). My timing is flexible and I could sail aboard for some legs of the trip but I can't/dont want to, take the time off to perform the entire trip.

Why don't you sell and buy in Australia?

I don't really want to sell her to buy in Australia as:

a: I don't see boats of this price range and quality for sale in Australia.
b: I've just spent 12 years ironing out the flaws and issues and setting up the boat the way I like her. She's a very comfortable boat and all I want in a boat except that she is in the wrong hemisphere.
c: I don't want to be starting from scratch, which I'll be doing if I use the megre proceeds from a sale in the US to buy in Australia.

The Vessel is in good, safe condition and, by the time she departs the Great Lakes, will be well setup for safe ocean passagemaking.

At the end of the day, the boat is only worth about $120,000 so I won't be throwing more than, say, $30k into this project. I'm open to offers and suggestions from anyone who might be looking to sail across the planet, taking as long as you like (within reason), over some of the best sailing grounds the world has to offer, have an adventure, for little outlay.

I will need to be convinced that you have the necessary experience and skills to get crew and vessel there safely.

Thanks, Matthew

Thoughts of unintended consequences comes to mind.

I would spend a little time considering shipping overland to the west coast (most likely San Diego) and then the sail to Australia. The initial leg gets you to the Pacific quickly albeit with all the shipping prep and costs to contend with. But the good side of that is the opportunity to go over the boat just before the long overwater voyage.

I bought my boat in Florida but trucked it from Texas to Tacoma many years ago and somewhat wished I had done it from Florida as my first choice...some of those unintended consequences happened. Thats another long story.

Good Luck.

[donradcliffe]

Originally Posted by icemate

I took my 37' heavy duty cutter cruiser to Australia from Buffalo by going to Daytona to wait out hurricane weather and then to the Virgin Islands for a few days. Then to Panama to stock up on provisions (cheap) and check for any repairs of upgrades needed before heading to Tahiti. A couple days rest there and headed to Pago Pago, America Samoa. Then a quick short trip to Western Samoa to NZ before going to Brisbane. A lot of stops but waiting for a good weather window in important. Good Luck and stay safe.

Did you import the boat to Australia? I have several Australian friends who did this trip, and if I remember correctly, they planned to refurbish the boat when they arrived to cut down on the duty/VAT costs.

[mercater]

Hi Matthew-my wife and I are based in south Australia. We have our own yacht and sail the gulf. I have a lot of experience assisting in deliveries as crew and have most of my yacht masters. My wife has less experience but is very capable
Ive crewed off shore races and assisted in Thailand, Indonesia as well as around Australia.
We come as a team and would be interested in the home leg of the trip as crew.
Regards Philip.

[Navegue]

Matthew, I'd be interested in a couple legs of your journey.
Kenn +1 7049025478

[Thomas1985]

This sounds closer to a circumnavigation than a delivery

[Swimmingbird]

Where in the Great Lakes is she? I am a native of Mackinac Island.

[captpetermac1]

Hi Mathew,
where does she lie now ?
when do you anticipate she will be ready?
Is the $30k allocated for the delivery crew wages ?
Do you have funds available to cover the expences for the remainder of the trip?
I am a Yachtmaster (Ocean) largest sailboat 149ft Largest Power 238grt. got my ticket in 1980. Started sailing at 11years old. I love to teach navigation before GPS. best regards Peter Mac .