the personal journey

Over the last 12 months we have sailed/motored Manatee at every opportunity. The day after Manatee arrived in Sydney we ventured out to explore the harbour. AK took the wheel after a few hours. Manatee's wheel house has been designed for comfortable travel - all running rigging/winches are accessible and the canvas sides and back can be raised in warmer weather.

Our friends Steph & Elle with Jackie (in life jacket) were the first on board. The day went well until AK managed to get the dinghy painter wrapped around the outboard propeller when dropping Steph and Elle back to shore from the mooring. Elle was brave enough to not emphasise that she couldn't swim repeatedly!

Late 2007 AK got sick and was unable to continue working full time and Margot was offered a redundancy (both were public servants) so our dream of cruising was brought forward. We sold our house and most of our possessions and in May 2008 moved onto Manatee with our fur family in preparation for turning left outside the heads. We've made a few alterations since living on board, namely removing the carpet in the saloon/galley and taking some previously indespensible items (clothing, books etc) off for storage up North.

Marg preparing dinner in the galley. The galley has a kero stove, fridge, freezer and twin sinks.