The Jones family are well into their Spirited 480 project and are starting to see some results. With the shed still being built this didn't stop them starting on the furniture in their garage at home a bit over 18 months ago. Finally at the beginning of last year the shed was ready enough to take delivery of the balance of their kit. Since then there has been plenty of progress as shown in the photos below. Most of the major components are ready for the main assembly. We can't wait to see what the coming weeks hold because they have got until Easter to work full time on their boat. The level of work is impressive for first-time builders. Although this is not entirely accurate because you may remember that these builders tested their skills on a 3.2m Ripple tender before committing to the "mothership"! 

Denise had this to say about the experience so far:

"Joining the panels has been fun seeing our jigsaw pieces taking shape. Some are large and some are small with some weird shapes but it all makes sense when I understand the plans.

I am amazed at how simple it all is and once it comes together will be awesome! I look forward to seeing our bulkheads put in to place shortly and our new home taking shape.

I have a whole lot of new skills for my resume!"

We will keep you posted on the progress of this one...

Current stage above, hulls positioned and bridgedeck ready to be raised.

It's all happeneing! Furniture done, tick! Bulkheads done, tick! Bridgedeck done, big tick!!

Bridgedeck being turned with the use of the excavator, and the hulls being towed up the driveway!

We have been talking to Chris for the last couple of months about trying to organize a day out on his beautiful Spirited 380 'Tasha'. As it happened we spotted her out sailing on Port Stephens on New Years day! A rushed snap with the camera was all we got before she dissapeared from view. Chris has been sailing now regularly since stepping the rig in August last year. He has reported that the boat is very easy to handle on his own and he is loving his time aboard. Since launching the boat and moving to Port Stephens he has been a full time live-aboard. 

We will bring you better photos when we finally go for a sail with Chris!

We visited the builder in Taylors Beach to see the latest progress. Tony has advanced well considering he is only working weekends. He has fitted his Yanmar engines and steering, with his engine hatches also installed. It is clear to see the amount of thought he has put into these areas with all equipment well organized and laid out. Comparing the Yanmars to the Lombardini engines as used on Roam, the extra size is considerable however everything fits adequately. The boat is at the tail-end of construction and has mainly the hull sides to fit before moving onto the fairing and painting process. 

This boat has quite a bit of custom work done to it, namely a full interior, customized cockpit, extended cabintop, helm station with enclosed pod and foam core hulls. 

As soon as the hull sides are fitted we will bring you more on this project as it develops.

Wasting no time, the crew of Roam headed off the day after the shake-down sail, Friday the 18th of December. Averaging 9 knots for the trip they were back home in St Helens Tasmania on Sunday evening. Mick reports: "Awesome trip! She's sea-trialled now! Feels real nice, regularly hit speeds of over 20 knots with very light loads on sheets, rig and boat". They could easily reef downwind with the Harken slider system on the main which was originally a concern because they were not ball bearing cars. 

The trip can be viewed on the sailsurfroam website or below on an earlier news post.

The plan is to now circumnavigate Tasmania in the New Year and then across to NZ to do a lap of the North Island. Then across to Fiji!

Keep an eye on their site for more adventures! 

For those who are not on our mailing list you can view Craig's report on Roam's first sail here. 

We are delighted to announce the launch of the 24th Spirited 380 in Brisbane Qld on the 16th of December named "Bush Spirit". You may have read in a previous post where this boat was built at the back of the owners bush block. Access was via a rough 'goat' track and this is the same track the boat was brought down for launching! 

This boat will be sailing soon and we will hopefully have some sailing shots to post of 'Bush Spirit' very soon.

Congratulations to the proud owners!

This Spirited 380 was built literally in the 'bush' at a property in Cedar Creek outside Brisbane. The goat track to the building site behind their residence is almost unpassable in the wet and a challenge even when dry! The temporary shed structure required careful planning to disassemble in a way that wouldn't risk damage to the boat. This has been a family build through and through with all members of the family involved. The finish is first class and the eye-catching red stripe is definitely a head-turner! 

This project was started in 2008 with part-time dedication put towards it to see it through. 'Bush Spirit' is due to be launched prior to Christmas so we will keep everyone informed once we see the 24th Spirited 380 in the water!