WWSA Spotlight
Gaye Jennings Vessel name and type: Schionning GForce 17C
WildFire
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How long have you been sailing and what lead you to start? First experience was on a mono RL24 at Eagle Point, Victoria, 25 years ago. A gust of wind had the boat heeled over. Of course, the kids thought it was marvellous, having enormous fun – woohoo let’s do it again! Me, I was packing my bags and getting off at the first opportunity, which was two seconds later as we were still tied up alongside (rolled eyes). I gradually progressed to a Super Tramp Trimaran. The Skipper loved it on windy days – for me the seas had to be as flat as a pancake, with sunny days – after all a girl has to work on her tan with a drink in her hand. Apparently, you need wind to sail? I then upgraded to ‘cruise ships’. Now that was the life, very decadent, and no wind required. Somewhere, somehow, along the line the Skipper convinced me to go ‘sailing’. Most people buy boats – but noooo we had to build a boat, and a big one at that! Crazy stuff. We launched two and a half years ago, sat in Queenscliff Harbour, Victoria, for approximately two years while we finished off the boat and explored Port Phillip Bay. We left in March 2020 and got as far as Paynesville in the Gippsland Lakes before COVID-19 hit. So, definitely still got the ‘L’ plates on but learning every day, especially thanks to WWSA. Who do you sail with (family/pets)? Captain Clint and Lady (Pomeranian - aka the
environmentally friendly vacuum cleaner) Favourite location(s): Any berth close to cafes, good restaurants, and hairdressers. Docklands Melbourne was perfect for this. At the moment all locations are largely new and exciting. Just loving the sunrises and sunsets at sea or on the lakes. What do you find the most challenging about sailing/cruising? The lack of ability to control expenditure - eg BOAT (Break Out Another Thousand!). The poor reliability of marine parts that break just out of warranty. Understanding the intricacies of weather. The overwhelming knowledge of how much I don’t know and still have to learn. What do you find the most rewarding? Definitely the meeting of new people. Kindred spirits and sharing different locations with fellow boaties and the subsequent friendships made Women Who Sail Australia 15
