Mediterranean to Australia in our Jeanneau 42DS
Dreams add the essential colour and spice to our largely routine daily lives. The island state of Tasmania has a strong maritime heritage, that and the outstanding cruising grounds have been the catalyst for many to dream of one day owning and cruising a fine boat. Some of these dreams are grand; to cross oceans, visit foreign countries to be captain of a fine vessel and have the thrill and satisfaction of bringing the boat safely to her home port. Other dreams may not be quite so grand however cruising the coast and the magnificent sheltered waterways can be just as fulfilling.
We at Boat sales Tasmania are in the business of selling the dreams, a wide range of dreams, power and sail, new and used.
Here is a recent true story of one couple who realized their dream. The vessel they chose was a Jeanneau 42 Deck Saloon. These fine French yachts have become a boat of choice by Tasmanians with some 35 new boats sold in recent years. Most order their new boats to be commissioned and handed over in Hobart; however some, such as Derek and Maryanne have opted to take over their boat in Europe.
Derek and Maryanne’s Story “Adagio’s Voyage”
Our boys had grown up and left home, we had money saved up and no reason not to start the next chapter in our lives – a world cruise. This was a long held intention of mine; one my wife Maryanne knew was inevitable and was happy to go along with. As a compromise on a full “round the world for as long as it takes” version we had agreed on a 2 year Mediterranean, Caribbean and Pacific voyage.
For the previous 6 months we had been wandering the docks and marinas of Hobart and searching the internet looking for yachts satisfying several criteria; safe at sea, easily sailed primarily by me, comfortable, open and light interior, readily bought in Europe and sold in Australia, a known and trusted make, well-engineered, aesthetically pleasing and within our budget of $2 – 300,000 fully equipped for ocean cruising. Our search lead us to the Jeanneau dealer in Hobart where a Sun Odyssey 42 DS was moored. It filled most of the criteria but the 3 cabin layout meant the owner’s cabin was too small for Maryanne’s liking. We were being shown over the yacht by a friendly Jeanneau owner who happened to be passing by and on hearing our reservations he invited us aboard his 39 DS which had a 2 cabin layout. The king-sized berth and gracious feeling of the vast aft cabin instantly won Maryanne’s approval and that was it. We arranged to buy a new 42 DS with the 2 cabin layout to be commissioned in Antibes, France and named her Adagio II.
During the following 2 years we very happily cruised Corsica, Sardinia, the Mediterranean coasts of Italy, France, Spain, Gibraltar, crossed the Atlantic via the Canaries, Capo Verdes, to the Eastern Caribbean Leeward Islands of Iles de Sainte, Guadeloupe, Antigua, Barbuda then down the chain to Granada, via the San Blas Islands to Panama, through the Canal and across the Wide Blue via the Marquesas, Tuomotus, Tahiti, Bora Bora, Suvorov, Niue and Tonga to New Zealand. The final leg from New Zealand to Sydney via Norfolk Island was completed all on one tack ending after 11 days with a spinnaker run to the Heads. A magic trip, a lucky, happy boat, many friends made, many, many wonderful memories. We sold our lovely yacht to an enthusiastic cruising couple through the Pittwater Jeanneau agent the day we put her on the market. She had fulfilled and exceeded all our requirements to the end and now is ready to do the same for her new owners.
Derek & Maryanne, S.V Adagio