It's just over a year since Shidig was lost in a massive dust storm. Here's a photo essay to comemmorate the refurbishing and eventual demise of my little Beneteau First 235:
Delivery from Queensland by road to Noakes Boatyard Nelson Bay:
Initial Refit at Noakes (May 97):
Relaunch:
Lazy days cruising Port Stephens:
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| Cruising offshore - Tomaree Headland in background |
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| Les 'Spanky' Spanheimer at the helm |
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| The brothers enjoying a Belgian Ale in North Arm Cove |
Major Refit Sep 1997, I replaced all deck hardware, fittings, running rigging, electronics, added an auto tiller, as well as some structural improvements to the rudder...:
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| The new cockpit, Tacktick Instruments, Garmin GPS... |
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| New custom rudder mounts and new window |
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| New signwriting |
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| Fitting the furler with Mike Lee of MDL Manufacturing Yachtmasts and Rigging |
The new boat, she was looking good for a 20+ year old yacht!
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| Racing under spinnaker |
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| Snug on her mooring in Salamander Bay with new boom tent |
The Oct 2009 Dust Storm:
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| Caught under the bow of the 'Black Pearl' - it dragged its mooring onto Shindig and the rest is history! |
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| Surveying the damage next morning |
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Matt Bonser from Noakes Boatyard helping me recover Shindig.
I motored her down to Noakes at Nelson Bay, testament to how well built the yacht was. |
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| Close up of the port side damage. Trashed I think is the word! |
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| An ignominious end - on a trolley in the boatyard awaiting disposal by the insurance company. |
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