Melbourne to Hobart - Answering the call

9:44 PM Wed 12 Aug 2009 GMT

'This is what has kept the ’Biddy Hu II’ and a lot of us motivated over the years... - Melbourne To Hobart Eastcoaster' John Curnow

It's time to begin the focus on the Christmas Races and as such, it is fantastic to have another Melbourne to Hobart first-timer this year - Paul Lindemann, Sweeney Real Estate franchisee for the Altona and Point Cook, and crew on 'Biddy Hu II'.

Hailing from the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, this Beneteau Oceanis 50 is no lightweight at over 14 tonnes, but then she'll be very comfortable, have awesome food, proper bunks, showers, real heads and in a blow, well, then she'll definitely come into her own.

Biddy Hu II needs the breeze to really get moving - Melbourne To Hobart Eastcoaster - John Curnow

They have decided to answer the call of the sea and the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria's desire to assist more yachties to go out and stick their nose in it.

It was only last year, when at Lakes Entrance for the holidays, that they decided that they needed to have a crack at this ocean-racing thing and so will be on the Portsea start line this year for the second running of the Melbourne to Hobart Eastcoaster (remembering that the 2007 race was actually part of the Melbourne to Launceston centenary celebrations).

Paul bought the boat in May 2008 for his young family to have something to do together. He's working on getting them organised as additions to his race crew, presently.

Good luck. 'Biddy Hu II' is named after his sons Boyd (who calls himself Biddy) and Hugh, three and two years of age respectively. I think that means the 'Biddy Hu I' was in fact his last dinghy. The other main reason for buying the boat was to get all his sailing friends together for a 'bit of fun cruising and racing'.

Paul and the crew bought his boat down from Sydney and they are keen to get back out into the big blue. They have a good group on board. In fact, they got together as part of a 'If you can't beat 'em - join 'em' operation.

They all used to sail dinghies and trailables from the Altona Yacht Club and actually raced against each other.

The core members of the crew have known each other for more than 20 years. Paul 'Mel' and Grant 'Spud' Case are twins that have raced against the skipper for ages and he sailed with them on a castle 650 called 'Torquing Point', which actually won the National Trailable Championship. Andrew Dawson was his Best Man. They met through the Altona Yacht Club, have done some more casual sailing together as well as diving, surfing and skiing.

Craig 'Killer' Shepherd sailed Lasers against Paul and they crewed on an Elliott 7 together. Former Altona Yacht Club Commodore Les 'McGoo' McKee painted, fixed and made our boats look good.

He always helped us. Les has sailed mainly Mosquitoes, but never any boat against or with Paul, who is looking forward to rectifying that.

Later additions to the crew are Navigator Rik who was introduced to Paul by the ORCV and Wayne Butson, who Paul met on the quay at Royals and is actually now married to the Property Manager from his office - love that one and half degrees that only Melbourne can do.

At any rate, they have completed all the pre-requisite Ocean Racing Club of Victoria safety, radio and medical courses and have been working on getting the boat ready for safety checks etc, with new bilge pumps and all those small fiddly jobs that never take five minutes.

I asked Paul about his dealings with the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria, to which he answered, 'The ORCV has been great for helping all this come together, especially Simon (Simon Dryden, Sailing Committee Chairman), who is no doubt sick of my calls, but is always polite and supporting.

We have done the Sea Safety and Survival Course and this almost turned some of my crew around from going to Hobart, however the thought of that cold beer at the end was just too appealing, I still don't know if I will be able to put up with some of them 24/7 for four days - thank God for the life rafts!!!

We had great fun doing this course and it was a real eye opener to the dangers of the big blue. Also, it was a bit of a reality check, as to what we have to do to the boat and of course the costs.'

This could be the start of bigger things for them and they are 'keen to find out how much fun we can you have with seven of your friends for four days on a 50ft Yacht in Bass Strait. or NOT!' Paul added.

So well done to Paul and crew and may you get the strong reaching breezes you desire. We look forward to seeing you in Hobart this year and we hope you enjoy all the Cock of the Bay, King of the Derwent and Hobart activities as well.

Paul's wife, Jodie, leads the shore crew. 'They think I'm crazy and are very concerned, however they have faith in my ability and also that of the crew, so are supporting me 100%.' Paul told me today.

Incidentally, they are finding it difficult to get a house or something to fit all the families in. Anybody with a solution can call his office please.

Note to Bob 'Freight Train' Williams and his 2011 Around Australia Ocean Race and Rally - he's keen to take the family around Oz, which is why Paul is sticking his nose out into the blue and getting more experience, thereby ensuring a safer ride for his A Team when they finally do their lap.

They may get to combine that with his other Wish List item - Hamilton Island Race Week.

One last thing - yes, the inner spring mattresses, disco ball and coffee machine are going to Hobart with them, but the six-person spa is staying!

Seems they definitely know when cocktail hour aboard is then, which is definitely answering the call in style. So I think I just found where I'll be crashing in Hobart.Cheers!

by John Curnow