- Wrecked on a coral reef in the Tasman – a reflection on the story of Bill Belcher
- Latest photos and progress on the boat being built in Glasgow
A locally well-known experienced yachtsmen sailed smack into a reef mid-ocean during the Trans-Tasman Single-handed Yacht Race. It was 1978, and Bill Belcher had won the previous race in 1974. But four years later it all went horribly wrong. Luckily he survived, and went on to share his experience in a book. I’ve just re-read, it’s quite a story.
Aboard The Aegre we came oh-so close to sailing onto a reef ourselves at dawn one morning in 1974. Since then I’ve often wondered how things might have panned out if we hadn’t seen the reef ahead just in time.
Of course today with GPS and electronic charts it would never happen – or might it? Things still go wrong. Anyway I think it’s worth sharing something of Belcher’s experience, so if you are out there, or planning to go, or just like sea disaster stories, go to the Lesser Known Inspiring Reads pages of The Aegre website where you’ll find my reflection on Belcher’s account of it all.
Meanwhile in Glasgow, boat builder Peter Matheson has been enjoying the company and assistance of a French student boatbuilder, Eleonor Pichon, for the last month and been making good progress with the decking of the boat he’s building inspired by The Aegre. For the latest photos and commentary on progress go to https://nicholasgrainger.com.au/the-aegre-inspires-a-new-build/
Nick Grainger
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