The #36 Story
Windrush 600 #35 "Beans"
Let Steve Walter tell the story.
The story of “Beans” as I know it could not be told without first mentioning some of the previous owner’s history. His name was Geoff Howley and I was privileged to call him a friend. Geoff was a gifted man. An engineer and project manager by profession, he was equally at home building houses for friends and family, animal rescue shelters for his wife Margaret or boats, both power and sail with which they could enjoy another passion – the beautiful waters of Lake Macquarie, the largest coastal salt water lake in the southern hemisphere, just south of Newcastle.
As a younger man Geoff enjoyed adventure including diving and snorkeling around Pulbah Island from his home built cruiser or catamaran. He was a fine athlete representing the state in Rugby League and he seemed to easily master any physical pursuits he put his mind to. He loved catamarans because of the thrilling ride and the adrenalin rush that came with battling 25 knots when the southerly hit the lake.
The demands of family life caused Geoff to part ways with his boats but nearing retirement his hopes of were rekindled when he saw a boat that would give him his adrenalin rush, yet be comfortable for his wife and their friends. He had spied a Windrush 600 for sale at the local traileryacht yard at Belmont South. He quickly acquired the boat in 2000 and used it often.
One story he told me (with a glint in his eye) involved his two female cousins who had come to visit. Geoff invited them for a “cruise” on the lake. He failed to mention the approaching southerly front and took them on a beautiful cruise to “Pulbah” which included a picnic lunch. Keeping an eye on the weather he ushered them back to the boat in time to hoist the spinnaker for what he knew would be a “bit of fun”.
He didn’t go into detail about the reaction of the cousins when the front hit, after all he knew how the Windrush 600 came into its own in a blow, but he went into great detail about the way the boat took off under spinnaker, flying over the waves as they raced back to their northerly destination. I recall the smile and the energy in his voice as he related “its too windy to take the spinnaker down just yet girls!” The story finished with three words which stuck in my mind. “What a ride!”
I purchased the boat from Geoff early in 2007 after he and his wife became more involved in the native animal rescue cause.
At that point the boat didn’t have a name so with the help of my kids we chose “Beans”. The kids liked it because it was an acronym for the names of the family members. I liked it because of the energetic spirit the name implied.
Sadly Geoff lost his battle with cancer in 2010. He kept in touch with us and took particular pleasure in the joy my three kids got from using the boat.
“Beans” is a great boat for us. Being trailerable I can maintain it with ease. I can cruise with the kids and their friends and can even tow them on boards behind the boat. I aim to set the boat up for some friendly racing in summer 2010 and take the kids camping in the holidays. Being trailerable, we also have quick access to some of NSW best sailing and cruising areas; Port Stephens, Myall Lakes and the Hawkesbury.
Boat Details
Windrush 600 narrow version. 2.5m wide.
The hulls are white with an aqua trim.
UPDATE
The boat now has a new square-topped main from Adams Sails (of Flower and Adams fame) and a new prodder to fly a 16ft skiff #2 assymetric kite.
I use a sailboard boom attached to the centre beam to assist with mast raising. It accepts the forestay and the winch hook and provides a really stable, light and simple system. Trapeze wires keep the mast straight.
About Lake Macquarie
Lake Macquarie is the largest coastal saltwater lake in the Southern Hemisphere and is home to several popular sailing clubs including; Belmont, Wangi, Speers Pt, Teralba, Mannering Park, Sunshine and Toronto. The prevailing wind in summer is the nor’easter. The lake is virtually cut in half by Wangi point which keeps the lake fairly flat in most winds. However, when the southerly hits, the swell can get quite steep.