latest news
Updated 17th October 2006
Sydney Boat Show
With a bigger stand this year, the Allyacht Spars crew were kept flat out throughout the Show despite a slight downturn in attendances, which has been put down to poor weather for a couple of days. If you missed us there, all our displays are set up at our premises in Brisbane, so drop in and have a look. Our Brains Trust is always available also to help you with your enquiries.
Geoff and Nard Go Bush
For a change from looking at masts, rigging, wind on the water and batten tensions, Geoff and Nard recently pulled on the leathers and went motor-biking through Kashmir. As they ease into semi-retirement, this was an attempt to move away from the tensions of being at the centre of the Allyacht Spars operation – to be replaced by the tensions of guiding the Royal Enfield bike around the edge of 1,000 foot cliffs, and greeting the local military gents every 400 metres, and.... Despite the challenges, the wondrous views of the Himalayas and tours through ancient palaces apparently kept the spirits flying high.
Cruising Thailand
Also getting away from Australia was General Manager Al Carwardine, who managed to try out the Charter Yacht scene in Phuket, Thailand, in which Allyacht Spars is involved by providing rigs (see News - 2nd August 2006). The report was glowing – beautiful cruising grounds, wonderful sailing conditions, always a safe anchorage, great boat, and excellent Thai food.
Raider 302
Multihull World is running a great story on the Raider 302, which is produced by ASA Yachts (also in the Allyacht Spars stable). The ninth of these exciting boats is nearing completion, so we would love you to have a look at how Multihull World sees this tearaway excitement machine.
Brenden Egan Trimaran
We are all eagerly awaiting more news on the racing trimaran that our engineer Brenden Egan is designing. At 7.8 metres long and with an expected weight about the same as a large sparrow, it should be a formidable competitor on the trailable multihull circuit.
previous news
Updated 2nd August 2006
Raider
ASA Yachts is close to finishing another new Raider, probably around the end of August. This will be the first cruising version to hit the water, and as it is headed for Mackay, its cruising capabilities will no doubt be put to full use in the wonderful tropical waters of North Queensland. With the proven sailing speed of a Raider, it will be able to cover plenty of ground, so we look forward to hearing some good stories. But of course a Raider is amphibious, being able to easily jump on to a road-trailer, so those stories might be coming from just about anywhere.
Boat Launchings in Multihull News
Multihull News is publishing a list of some of the recent boat launchings on its website. We are pleased to note that except for the first two listings, all have rigs from Allyacht Spars, and most also chose to also have their deck hardware package supplied by Allyacht Spars.
Whitehaven 11.7m Cats
The first two Whitehaven 11.7’s are entering the fray, both with Allyacht Spars rigs. Shayne Farnell’s “Sanuk” (which means “looking for fun” in Thai) hit the water a couple of months ago and has been showing good form. Built by Craig Saint (our Tracee’s better? half), the boat is already heading north for a six-month cruise up the Queensland coast, so we look forward to hearing of some adventures.
Rigs to Thailand - Silkline 560
We are about to send the rig for the 4th Silkline 560 catamaran to come off the production line in Thailand. Allyacht Spars are pleased to be working together with Sirus and Faraway Yacht Charters who are manufacturing and chartering the boats in Phuket, Thailand. As such, we will be sending a rigger over to Thailand in the next few weeks to set up the rigs on the first three boats which have been recently launched.
Sydney Boat Show 3-8 August
The biggest event on the Australian Boat Show calendar is just around the corner. As usual, Allyacht Spars Australia will be exhibiting, focussing particularly on masts and rigging, Andersen Winches, Moonlight Hatches and Easy Marine Gear. We look forward to seeing you there.
Electric Winches
Andersen Compact Electric Winches have undergone a significant upgrade, including the addition of an overload circuit-breaker, and also an improved control switch.
Practical Sailor – “ What a grind. Andersen muscles to the top in our winches test.”
USA-based magazine Practical Sailor recently published a comprehensive comparison of the major winches on the market. The overall conclusion was as follows:
“The gleaming, efficient Andersen was clearly our Best Choice. It’s easy to use, easy on lines, and easy to maintain, to boot.”
For more, go to the Practical Sailor website.
Winch Price Rise
Andersen Winches will raise prices on 1st October. The new prices will be valid until 31st March 2007.
Updated 1st April 2006
Aluminium Prices
As you are probably aware, Australia is enjoying the benefits of rising commodity prices. For the sailors amongst us, this unfortunately translates into higher aluminium prices. Our suppliers have raised their prices several times in recent months, and so we have reluctantly had to pass this on to customers.
Overseas Activities
In Thailand, Roger Kingdon's boat Moto Inzi, a Fire Fly 8 (with an Allyacht Spars rig), took line honours and first place on handicap in all 4 races at the Royal Langkawi International Regatta in February this year. This impressive little boat is going into semi production this year. The manufacturers, Latitude 8 Yachts based in Phuket, Thailand have recently taken 3 more orders for the Fire Fly 8. Allyacht Spars will supply the rigs.
Schionning Catamarans
Congratulations to Ross and Deb McCombe on the launch of their Schionning 1480 Waterline. The rig was stepped mid March.
Schionning Marine recently launched their new fast ferry for the Pacific Island of Vanuatu. The boat underwent sea trials in Australia and was then sailed to its home port. From all accounts the boat performed beyond expectations. There will be a more in-depth article to follow.
Short-handed 40
Congratulations to Ric Morgan on the launch of his new Murray, Burns and Dovell short-handed 40. The mast was stepped mid March.
Updated 24th February 2006
Staff
We would like to advise you of some recent changes within our staff here at Allyachts.
Geoff Berg has taken a step back from his capacity as General Manager to look ahead to the future and prepare himself for an exciting well-deserved retirement. Not escaping from our clutches and by no means slowing down to a pace other than full steam ahead, just yet, Geoff will still be found around the place and strongly involved as Director of the company.
Taking the helm as Manager is Alan Carwardine. For those of you who haven’t had contact with Alan before, he has been with the company for just over four years and in the industry for five times as many as that. Prior to this managerial appointment, Alan was on staff as our Sales Manager.
Thus, a space was empty in the Sales Manager Office. Joel Berg has stamped his authority and navigated his way to the role. Being the youngest member in the family owned business and having keen sailors as parents, Joel has been involved in the marine industry, since he was a young child. He has achieved a remarkable resume and a list of accolades throughout the years.
Lightwave 45
Recently Lightwave Yachts successfully handed over the 2nd Lightwave 45' cat to the new owners who are planning a world trip in the boat once they settle in to it. Because of the yachts permanent berth location on the wrong side of a 17m bridge, the owners criteria was to be able to easily raise and lower its rig which stands well over 18m above deck level. With the help of the Allyacht Spars engineering and fabrication departments, Lightwave Yachts was able to make this possible. The boat was fitted with a custom forestay lug within the forebeam, a heavy duty tabernacle base, and a support pole for the forestay as well as support wires. Running the raising/lowering rope back to the cockpit winches, the mast can be lowered back to a height less then 17m above the water without removing the mainsail, boom, headsail, furler or any stays, and winched back up to it's sailing position easily and successfully. Well done the Lightwave Yachts team for yet another successful launch.
Hervey Bay Trip
Our riggers have just successfully completed a trip to the Hervey Bay area delivering kit rigs and installing completed masts to some very happy customers. One of these is Tony Coy who is the proud owner of an Easy 11.6m Cat. Tony was kind enough to send us the following message of thanks:
Hello Chris,
Just a follow up email to say thank you for your help. Zam was wonderful, he contacted me, kept me informed as to times for his arrival, set up and stepped the mast and rig on a very hot day. I am very happy with the outcome and it has really set the cat amongst the pigeons in the marina where we have two new rigs stepped by the opposition and the owners are very unhappy.
My rig looks great and I am very grateful to you all. Special thanks again to yourself and Zam. Please feel free to reccomend me as a contact if you ever have someone local needing to confirm the excellent standard of your work.
Kind regards,
Tony Coy
Currently our riggers are back up at Hervey Bay, this time installing the rig on the latest Oram 60' Cat to come out of Streamline Cats. More on this next week after they return.
Raider
The Raider has safely arrived in South Australia for the start of the Adelaide to Port Lincoln Race. Later next week the team of four will be flying down to put it back together in time for the race.
The second hull of the new Raider has been popped out of the mould and the centreboard cases, ring frames and components are well under way.
Stealth 7m Sportsboat
The first Stealth 7m Sportsboat has arrived at Allyacht Spars so as owner and builder, Mark Buchbach, can have the centreboard and carbon fibre rig fitted to it. This radical little sportsboat designed by Allyacht Spars Manager, Alan Carwardine, will definitely be turning heads in times to come. Currently there are three other Stealth 7’s being built around South-East Queensland.
Honeymooners
The latest member of the Allyacht Spars sales team, Chris Somers, has just returned from his Canadian honeymoon with recent bride Tina Davidson. Congratulations to Chris and Tina.
STOP PRESS
Raider finished second overall in the Adelaide to Port Lincoln yacht race – more to follow.
Updated 24th January 2006
Carbon Mast on Raider
The latest carbon mast from the AYS factory has gone on to our own boat Raider, which will provide a perfect opportunity for the Allyacht Spars team to work with it in action and to evaluate its characteristics. Initial responses have indicated that it is doing all the right things and providing an opportunity for a significant lift in performance. As Raider is a trailable boat, another important advantage is the increased ease of handling in rigging and unrigging, one appreciated by the young blokes especially as they are the ones who get dobbed in for those jobs!
The testing ground will be the waters off Geelong, as Raider is lining up for Scandia Geelong Week, from which we are expecting some great results and some terrific stories - tune in here to read about it or go to www.geelongweek.com.au
Carbon Copy mast – a non-carbon copy of the last
Also lining up for the Scandia Geelong Week will be Darryl Dorsett’s 30 foot catamaran, Carbon Copy, thanks to a wonderful effort by the Allyacht Spars team. Darryl hails from “Hagar the Horrible” country where the trees have legs and move around when you’re not watching them. One particularly sneaky one jumped right into the path of Carbon Copy on the trailer as Darryl was getting her out on to the road to begin the trip to Geelong. The poor old tree is a bit sore from where the mast speared into it (not to mention where Darryl gave it a good kick in the butt), but as for the mast …..it was beside itself. Darryl was straight on to the phone and arranged a bit of a stopover at Allyacht Spars in Brisbane, before hopefully continuing on his way to Geelong. That he was able to do – he phoned from Hervey Bay on Friday morning at 8am, arrived at Allyacht Spars at 3:30pm with two-piece mast, then departed Allyacht Spars at 9:30pm with a one-piece mast. Through the morning, the team had prepared and anodised a section of AYS250WING and a sleeve (no it is not a carbon mast – it is the boat that is made of carbon) then when Darryl arrived, all the holes were cut, the replacement section fitted, and the rigging refitted. Well done to all – it was a great team effort!
Port Lincoln Race
Raider does not stop at Geelong. She heads straight over to South Australia for the Adelaide to Port Lincoln Race, a fun ride of about 150 miles.
New AYS Truck
In between races, the crew are travelling with a bit of style as they road-test the new AYS truck. An Iveco 50C17, it is ideally suited to take over from the old Ford which has been put out to pasture after many a long trip. Whilst the Iveco is starting off its AYS life by swanning around the country with the Raider in tow, she will soon be into the work routine of delivering yacht masts, which happens to be very satisfying work as it is helping those excited AYS customers to take one more step, one of the last, as they close in on their dream!
New Raider on the way
Meanwhile back at home base, a new Raider is taking shape under the care of ASA Yachts. More on this later.