Hanse Group Boats are Great Offshore Sailing Yachts
Next Annual Hanse owners Port Stephens trip is on the weekend of 15th and 16th September 2012.
Hanse group boats are great offshore sailing yachts (they are all categorised by GL as A - Ocean Going).
Our annual Port Stephens sail away is a fantastic opportunity for many of our owners to have their first taste of coastal sailing.
2011 was a fantastic event despite some very poor weather. Here's the full 2011 Port Stephens story
A mixed forecast greeted the Hanse Owners setting out in 2010.
With winds out of the west early Friday morning and a large swell predicted for the Friday evening some owners made the most of the conditions and headed up the coast during Friday.
Others with prior commitments, departed Friday evening for an overnight passage.
For some, this trip was their first taste of night-time coastal sailing.
By all accounts the amazing bright orange moon on Friday night was a site to behold.
The strong winds and large swells proved testing for our owners - the boats handled the conditions without any problems.
As dawn approached with clear skies, warm spring temperatures and an abating breeze, all the offshore sailing yachts headed in to berth safely at Anchorage Marina.
The remainder of the day was spent kicking back and relaxing, enjoying the fine weather and first class facilities at Peppers Resort.
As the sun set the crew gathered at the 'Captains Bar' for pre dinner drinks and then moved on for a 3 course meal.
A happy well-fed, but slightly tired group of owners retired for a well earned rest, while a hardy few continued to party the night away.
Peter Hrones, managing director of Windcraft Australia said
'When we set up Hanse Downunder the idea was to gather a group of owners with a common love of sailing and enable them to got more pleasure from their yacht than just sailing alone. The spirit of community, or family, that I see at events like this and our annual owners rally brings a smile to my face.
Having come to Port Stephens for four years with Hanse Downunder, it is great to see the same regular faces joined by new owners of both new and second hand Hanse Yachts. We are now at the point where we have owners who have bought a pre loved Hanse, and join in these events, enjoying a benefit of yacht ownership that is like nothing they ever imagined.
I'm passionate about sailing and have been since I was a child. It is a great pleasure to see so many owners here sharing that passion and experiencing the pleasure of owning a yacht.
Of course I've always known our yachts are great offshore sailing yachts and it's good to see our owners realising that for themselves.'
Sunday dawned overcast but warm and only a puff of gentle wind.
As some owners departed for a day sail to Newcastle, others headed out to Broughton Island.
In the calm waters on the north side of the island the owners had Providence Bay to themselves. Clear, calm and slightly cool water enticed a few to take a dip and swim ashore, while most sat back to take in the view accompanied by some fine food and wine.
After having a large school of dolphins ride the bow wave on the trip back to the marina, it was a casual barbeque and drinks on the dock to finish off a relaxing day.
Monday saw most owners head off at dawn for the return trip to Sydney with a much calmer ride than the trip up the coast on Friday, and sightings of dolphins and whales were common.
With all boats safely in their home port the trip is now but a memory but it has fuelled the fire to travel further as owners ask 'Where to next?'
