Ever wanted to cruise the islands of the Barrier Reef? “No better way to do it than on a Nautitech Catamaran” according to Ensign sales professional, Nautitech specialist, and charter skipper Andrew Pearson.
Andrew, a veteran of 21 Sydney Hobarts including two overall wins, hung up his race shoes over winter and headed to the Whitsundays, cruising on a Nautitech Open 40 and bringing her down to Sydney.
After two years of 'no go' due to Covid, it was finally happening. We were off to the Whitsundays for the charter season. I had family coming up and there were a few things I had always wanted to tick off, but never got to in the past. Do it whilst I can I thought! So, we rode the fresh to heavy Southerlies North, and whilst August was a bit cold and windy, September and October produced superb weather. Sun, warm water, and winds, unlike our southern wet states.. it was perfect!.
Our vessel “Flo” was a Nautitech Open 40 and has been in full survey since 2019. She is in fantastic condition and can very much be classified as a Luxury Charter vessel. The Open 40 is a good boat to sail as well, with luxurious appointments, and she has the advantage of being a good “passage maker” so were able to get to all the best spots on the same day. One of the great points of Nautitech catamarans over the competition.
Highlights for me included a Whitehaven Beach BBQ with sundowners and lobster tails, hand feeding “Max” the giant Moiré Wrasse on Bate Reef, walking soft silica sands and swimming crystal clear warm water, sailing with the warm afternoon breezes around unspoiled islands to whale watching in the Whitsunday passage. I really enjoyed meeting all the different people. Honestly, the looks on their faces from arrival to departure were noticeable and there is no doubt both Tom, my co-skipper, and I have made many new friends.
Through LuxeSailSydney, we offer fully skippered and crewed charters through the Whitsundays, meaning that you don’t spend all day learning about how to sail the boat, weather conditions, or where to go before you are allowed to leave… We are basically bringing our expertise to the table, and given the short time available, take the anxiety away. Then we get on with the adventure of seeing the best of the Whitsundays, and do some great sailing at the same time, teaching clients along the way.
We started coming home to Sydney in early November for the Sydney Charter season where we also offer charters on the Harbour and Pittwater. "Flo" handled the long ocean passage home perfectly.
Find out more about Andrew Pearson on our Ensign Crew page.