June, 2012
Hi Chris,
Great to hear from you. I hope you are well and enjoying summer! How is the new 47' coming along?
Yes - we're into the swing of cruising now, and I'm increasing in confidence daily. There have been several things to get used too, and I'd put navigating coral reefs near the top of the list, but overall I've been amazed how easy it has all been, and what a wonderful cruising area Fiji is. We're constantly meeting people who've cruised here several years in a row, sailing from Australia or New Zealand each season...
My biggest lesson so far is 'less is more' - less planning, less ambitious itineraries, fewer commitments with fly in guests.... That won't surprise you. We've just decided to take New Caledonia completely off the list for this trip, and concentrate on Fiji and Vanuatu in the remaining months. I'm looking forward to it all.
Resolute is fantastic - not a day goes by when I don't see another aspect to the design which 'just works'. I amuse myself sometimes by effortlessly sailing past other boats, but it is cheap fun, and mostly we're slowing the boat down and being conservative. I can totally see the logic of your new Mast Foil, and am eagerly waiting to hear how she sails in practice.
Warm regards
Ken Gibson
You can follow Resolute's cruise here with two videos:
Resolute sails from Sydney to Lord Howe
Resolute sails from Lord Howe to Fiji