Roam Guest Blog

After completing our first international sailing adventure from Tasmania, New Caledonia and on to Fiji for the season, we would love to reflect on some of the great times and special moments we shared with our families and friends who were able to join us.

So I thought what better way to get another perspective on our amazing experiences than to ask our special guests who made our trip even more memorable. I have put together a little questionnaire with a few points to get the words flowing. We would love to hear and share your experience, thanks so much for joining us - Liss, Mick, Andy and Holly xxx

Hi Liss

Hey, congrats on getting the boat safely home. Not that there was any doubt. I put together this little story below for the guest blog. Writing is not one of my forte's but at long last here it is. This is the story of how that came to be.

Introduce Yourself, Who are you and how do you know the Roam crew?

To introduce myself, my name is Bronc Krasevac.

Born in Croatia, grew up in Germany and Canada and based in Australia for the last 43 years more or less. Have owned many yachts and sailed across most of the worlds oceans, but never a passage on a catamaran.

It was "Winey Wednesday" at the bar at Vuda marina Fiji, I noticed that the crew from ROAM were there also. Having seen them around the islands, I thought I should finally introduced myself to them. With a few drinks under my belt I mentioned that I was looking for a passage back to Ozz . When Mick offered me a spot for the passage I was a bit hesitant. Looking for a passage, Yes, but not the next day! Me being a " boat bum " and spending the season in Fiji sailing on Bev's yacht Kokoh. I needed to give her a little notice. There were still things we needed to do to prepare her boat for the cyclone season.

After a sleepless night and Bev's blessing I could not say no to Micks offer, So with a slight hangover I packed my bags and said some quick goodbyes and was ready by 10 am with Passport in hand to be put onto ROAM's crew list and depart Fiji. The weather was unsettled with good wind and some squalls around. Soon after taking off we were doing in excess of 15 knots, Wow! Among other reasons that's what I came for, to experience sailing on this modern machine and to learn from this young but experienced crew.

So after deciding to join Team Roam for the passage from Fiji to Australia, having never been on Roam before, nor sailed a Catamaran, what was your impression?

Straight away after looking over the boat I was impressed with how well ROAM was prepared. Drogue's tied on and ready to deploy. Just in case. A unique boom that made mainsail handling much easier, jib furler, continuous furler on the stay sail, excellent Harken winches and hardware. Yeah this was a well thought out modern boat.

What sort of sailing conditions did you encounter and how was sailing with the crew? How long did the passage take and what went on during this time whilst you were all probably all feeling a bit sad leaving Fiji ?

With the wind picking up we put another reef in the main and slowed the boat down for the night. That's how it was for the next few days and we were well on track to make it to Bundaberg in 7 days. We got into a routine and the days passed. The food was great, innovative and healthy. The girls and guys really know how to put together a great meal. I spent quite a bit of time looking through the escape hatch that was in my cabin and watching the water rush by.

The weather settled and the wind eased and the boat slowed down. And then it really lightened off, backed behind us and 7 days turned into 10. We could only discuss and surmise how well we would sail if we had a downwind sail like a spinnaker. Maybe for the next trip!

I didn't mind I was enjoying the company and the beauty of the ocean . The happy hour drinks and the sunsets over the water. Andy showed me how to splice dyneema and I picked up some cooking tips and how to bake a proper rotti.

A typical Roam slap together feast. Rotti base pizzas with Spanish mackerel caught in Fijian waters and a raw veg patter with beetroot dip. I hope you didn't miss your red meat and sugar whilst on board for ten days Bronc ;)

When It was time to face the real world again and clear into Australia, Roam cleared in at Bundaberg after recommendation from John and Leanne from the Down Under Rally. How did you feel being back in Aus and where to next ?

Arriving in Bundaberg we met up with the "Down under rally" and had a couple of great nights there. We met some great people and I was so taken with how friendly everyone was, even the authorities that checked us in. I was going to get off in Bundaberg but my friends that live there were still sailing up north and when Mick mentioned he wanted to cross the bar and sail the boat into Noosa .

I couldn't resist and stayed on for the next leg. A bit of restocking and we were off again, overnight with the intent of getting there in the morning at the highest tide. The wind angle was not good and it was touch and go but with the sailing ability of this boat we managed to squeeze that extra speed we needed to make it in time for the tide. Another great experience crossing the bar and anchoring just off the town center.

Waiting to be cleared in on the arrival dock, we were greeted in Bundaberg by the Down Under Rally on a glorious sunny day.

A few nice days spent there and then it was definitely time for me to end my journey on ROAM.

Thank you for sharing your adventure with me.