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**Coops** · 12-01-2012, 01:53

I am actually a pom that left the UK in 1974 to go and live in Australia. I learnt to sail in the UK on the Norfolk Broads on a Robert Tucker designed caprice, an 18' bilge keeler.
In Australia I have had a succession of yachts, starting with a Swanson 22, then a Top Hat 25, Spacesailer 24, Santana 28(Australian design, not the US. one), Swanson Carmen 31, Thomas Colvin Gazelle class and then a Roberts 34. I swallowed the anchor for about 10 years and then i met a lady who was interested in trying sailing so we got a Sunmaid 20, which is really a trailer sailer, but a seaworthy one, and she loves it, so who knows? Maybe the keelers will make a reappearance.

I did spend two years 1979/80 cruising around the East coast of Australia and would like to return to the lifestyle. Have enjoyed reading this forum for several months and feel the time is right to join and post. Hope i can add something here and there.

In case you doubt the claim of the Sunmaid being seaworthy, the original owner sailed it from New Zealand to Australia. Braver man than I.

Coops.

**Jim Cate** · 12-01-2012, 02:02

G'Day coops, and welcome to CF. Far as I'm concerned anyone who learned to sail in the shadow of the Swallows and Amazons can't be all bad! Hope that your thoughts of returning to the cruising community work out -- we'd be glad to see you out here.

Cheers,

Jim and Ann

RigelKent · 12-01-2012, 02:25

**Coops** · 12-01-2012, 02:26

Thank you, I remember two weeks that i spent in Eden in 1985, thought it was a tremendous place.

Coops.

**boatman61** · 12-01-2012, 03:25

Hi Coops... Welcome to CF..
Thought about escaping the 'Lunatic Asylum' myself back in the 70's but... met a woman so ended up staying..
Welcome back to the village..

**GordMay** · 12-01-2012, 05:04

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Coops.

maxingout · 12-01-2012, 05:50

Dreams come in all sizes. A twenty foot dream is a great place to start.

swagman · 12-01-2012, 05:52

G'Day Coops,
Welcome and good luck in getting back out on the water.
Sail safe
JOHN

**Coops** · 12-01-2012, 13:08

Thanks for the warm welcomes. We are sailing small but we are out on the wet stuff every week at least once. My new lady loves the whole thing and so the loony village is a possible permanent abode.

Coops.