BOATS AT THE CLUB This is another in the series of articles aimed at providing you with an insight into new boats and other boats of interest at the Club. Contact Pat Catley through the Club if you are interested in having your boat featured here.
Seastar Seastar is a Bavaria Cruiser 32, recently brought into the Club by Paul and Stella Foley. Her arrival brought additonal pleasure because the yacht formerly lived at the Club and was once owned by our President, Dominic Rinaldi. Dom sold the boat several years ago and it was taken to Melbourne. However, the boat was destined for the CYCSA because late in 2020 Paul and Stella found the yacht on-line, took a punt and brought her home, sight unseen. She was renamed Seastar after Stella whose full name is Stella-Maris which means Star of the Sea. This is a yacht with every available extra for easy sailing and comfortable cruising. The three cylinder Volvo engine has a diesel tank that holds 150 litres and the sail-drive has a two blade fixed propeller. She has a multifunction navigation system with auto pilot and depth sounder. The hot water system is linked to internal and external showers and a sink which are all connected to a fresh water pump with accumulator tank. The water tank holds 150 litres with a 70 litre holding tank so there is always plenty of water. In the galley is a two burner gas stove with oven and a fridge and Seastar also has a 240 volt shore power system with battery charger.
Seastar is fitted with a VHF radio with stereo and audio system plus a 240/12 volt television. The electric anchor winch makes mooring in a bay an easy task and those on board are protected from the elements by a matching grey dodger and
bimini. The folding wheel gives more space in the cockpit with a pedestal and table. A multi-function navigation system is useful for long trips, especially when the auto pilot is set on course and the depth sounder ready to warn of shallow waters. Paul and Stella began their sailing journey as newlyweds 41 years ago when Stella borrowed money from her Dad to buy Paul a 125 sailing dinghy as a surprise birthday present. They learnt to rig her on their front lawn from a book, took her down to Port Phillip Bay and learnt to sail by falling out too many times to remember. Luckily, Stella’s brother bought a Catalina 320 moored at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club, and they crewed for him for a number of years before moving to Adelaide. Paul had wanted a yacht for many years and last year his family said “This is the time Dad, do it!” Once again Stella found their boat on-line straight away. Paul was worried that she might do the surprise present all over again so he agreed to the purchase and the boat was theirs.
Their eldest son Dan sailed on Kinetic Energy a few years ago which led Paul and Stella to the Club for lunch one Saturday. Sitting in the bistro for lunch and being looked after and shown around by the friendly staff, they knew that this was the Club for them. They found it more relaxed with a friendly vibe and more modern than other clubs they’d been to that day so there was no question where Seastar’s new home would be. Both Paul and Stella have completed the VHF course with Andy Shipp who was pleased to see them having been to their son Dan’s 21st birthday. They love belonging to the CYCSA where they’ve made many new friends and now having introduced their three grandsons, Alfie, Teddy and Will, Paul and Stella are looking forward to many happy years of family sailing. Thank you for allowing me to feature your boat and I wish you fair winds and gentle seas while sailing on Seastar. Pat Catley
Sailing with the grand-kids
30
