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Waiting for the Window

 Docking in the Gale & Waiting for Weather

After a wild night at anchor, a berth became available for us at the marina. Of course, the wind was still gusting fiercely, which led to a challenging docking maneuver.

a white Excess 14 catamaran in a berth during a yacht delivery with blue sky the view is from the bow looking aft

With a 20-knot crosswind pushing us off the dock, we had to thread the needle, fitting the boat's 8-metre beam into a 9-metre-wide berth, all with a bit of a crowd watching! It was a tense few moments, but the responsive twin engines allowed for precise control, and we brought her in perfectly.

With the lines fast and the engines off, there was a collective sigh of relief. It’s amazing how good a hot, still cup of coffee tastes after being bounced around. After consulting with Micah the broker with Flagstaff Marine, we made the call to pause the delivery here. It's the safest and most cost-effective decision. Before settling in to wait for the weather, we gave the boat a thorough wash-down. It’s a matter of professional pride to look after a vessel in our care, no matter the weather.


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Location: Port Stephens, NSW, Australia

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