Sail Escapade's Vanuatu Sailing Centre

24/07/2026

Thank you to Hobsons Bay Yacht Club for the acknowledgment at the Awards Night. Many thanks to the club members who supported the preparation, race and return home ⛵️🇦🇺🇯🇵🇦🇺⛵️

11/01/2026

Not quite Vanuatu but still Melanesian! Edel and I are back in Madang mainly to instal a marinetraffic.com land based AIS receiving station (long story). That took only one day and has been operating very well since Monday. Anyhow we are back staying in the same Madang Resort hotel were we stayed on the way back from Osaka (which is lovely if you want a holiday with a difference). Outside the front gate we have the local artists displaying their wares. I’ve attached a couple of photos of their paintings which are all on canvas and I found them very vibrant and well done. If you see anything you fancy please let us know and we’ll barter for it - prices start around $40 (the photo with the car in the background) and go up to about $200 for some in the second photo although he knocked $40 of the $200 one without me even trying to barter. If anyone is interested in any of the paintings let me know and I can take a closeup if you want a better look. If you like anything let us know and we will be happy to acquire it on your behalf. P.S. Edel has already claimed the lighthouse 🙂 The only catch is we need to know by lunchtime on Monday - we’re on the 7am flight out on tuesday.

08/11/2025

It’s taken a while to put this collection of photos together. 📸

It was a wonderful experience reviewing them and remembering everyone who contributed to getting Escapade to the Start Line, the race, the celebrations, and all the people we met and the places we visited along the way home with our crew. Finishing with a great Welcome Home party at HBYC organised by Bruce and his team.

Thank you to everyone who joined in our adventure⛵️

https://youtu.be/y0OdN1oyhaYme mnrure

Escapade completed the race in 41 days 8 hours 11 minutes and 10 seconds ... Followed by three weeks in Japan and 4 1/2 months travelling back through the we...

05/10/2025

Thank you to all the volunteers, led by Bruce, who provided Escapade and her crew with a very warm “welcome home.” It was a lovely way to end the journey and we sincerely thank everyone who supported us along the way ❤️

04/10/2025

The second last leg on the journey home. Escapade departed QCYC today, came up the Coles Channel and is heading for Wyndham Harbour. Based on tomorrow’s forecast, the shorter trip should be (slightly) more pleasant! Looking forward to celebrating her return to HBYC tomorrow in the sunshine so come along and join us from 1pm! 🇯🇵⛵️🇦🇺

29/09/2025

Escapade is safely tied up in QCYC. Thanks to Michael, Rob, Jeff and Colin for completing the legs from Coffs Harbour to Queenscliff.

Her final leg home to HBYC will be on Sun 5th Oct, arriving at 1pm. For planning purposes, please RSVP to Bruce Reidy (0407 404 499 or [email protected])

28/09/2025

It gets a bit hard to see but Escapade came out of Port Welshpool (yellow circle), sailed south and then turned SE around Wilsons promontory. They are now passing Cape Liptrap. Their Sked said that they would reach Cape Schanck at 0405 Monday morning and all was well. They are making good progress motor sailing. Head sail is down and they have 2 reefs in the main. The wind is a little from the S of W and hence pushing them up. The course ahead is approximately the blue line. Then they will wait until slack tide to cross the Rip through Port Philip Heads -one of the last big navigational obstacles. Once through, they will take a quick left hand turn into a narrow channel called The Cut and tie up in Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club.

Please come along and welcome Escapade back to HBYC on Sun 5 Oct at 1pm. RSVP to Bruce Reidy, 0407 404 499, [email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GtfphM9rw/?mibextid=wwXIfrim

27/09/2025

Escapade has been moored in Port Welshpool for the past fortnight having been safely delivered there by Michael, Rob D and Jeff. Thanks to Rob for the photos! There is a weather window to allow Michael Bradley and Colin Leake to deliver Escapade to QCYC departing Port Welshpool at 6am on Sunday. We wish them a safe voyage back to Port Philip.

We are very grateful to the extended extended sailing community for helping to find a third crew member at very short notice.

A huge thank you to Bruce Reidy who has been coordinating shore operations during this time, as well as planning the Escapade Welcome Home party at HBYC for Sun 5th Oct. Please come and join us from 1pm if you can! Don’forget to RSVP to Bruce ⛵️

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GtfphM9rw/?mibextid=wwXIfrim

26/09/2025

Many hands make light work! If you’re available to help Bruce, we’d really appreciate it Looking forward to coming home to HBYC! ⛵️

If you’d like to take part, or volunteer at the club, please RSVP to Bruce (see details below) who is coordinating the arrangements:
Bruce Reidy, 0407 404 499
RSVP: [email protected]