Just came across this video, how footage quality has changed over the years. I was crewing on Bill Pslatis's S&S Meltemi, a wonderful sturdy boat, which was needed during the storm preceding/during the big seas in Bass Strait, we pulled into into Eden to make some running repairs before continuing to finish after 5 days. A memorable trip on a great boat. I sailed with with Bill Psaltis in various events in the Med 78/79, and his son has gone on to an illustrious career in the Hobart.
I trust that is the same Mike Fletcher of Australian Olympic fame, legend. Did some coaching with us back in the 90’s,with Club Marine 18’ Skiff, amazing knowledge and insight.
The worst of this race was the night in Bass Straight when aircraft could not fly and cameramen could not see. We tied up Queequeg (S&S45) alongside UK boat Knockout in Constitution Dock and they showed us their windgear still stuck on 60 knots. The waves in Bass Straight were very steep because it is shallow (It was above sea level only 50,000 years ago when the aborigines walked to Tasmania). This video shows how you have to ready for everything to go to Hobart.
The little 29/30 ft boat Mulberry is a Swanson 30, IOR 1/2 tonner. She competed in 6 Sydney to Hobarts, 6 Melbourne to Devonports, a Melbourne to Hobart as well completing a VDL, plus many trips to the Furneaux islands etc, as well as a 2500 nm passage from Hobart to Opua (NZ) return. A pretty credible record for a small boat. With a friend/crew member of the last 3 years, we now own her and will continue to race and go cruising on her. One mighty tough little boat.
This is great reporting - holds no punches and very objective. I have a small (28ft) boat, Tampico II that was in the 1970 race. I will never do the race but I will sail solo Sydney to Bermagui regularly and this is really valuable.
Mark Clapshaw my late husband sailed on Wimoweh. I think John Crisp who owned Mr Juicy fruit juice owned the yacht & Graeme Lambert who made the plastic bottles for the juice was on board.
