happy birthday flying machine

After five years sailing out of Port Nic Yacht Club one of the greatest things I missed about Wellington was getting out on the water during weekends. So I was lucky this winter to pick up a ride in Christchurch on Flying Machine, a Young 88 keelboat pictured above. Ironically I used to sail on Flying Machine a few years ago when she was owned by Mike Upshon.

18 years ago Flying Machine was first launched in Wellington on 8 August 1988. She still hums along, and with the new owner investing in a new main she is competing well with the small fleet of Young 88s down south. The Naval Point Club at Lyttelton runs the Cardrona on Avon Winter Series and this year Flying Machine did well winning the series on club.

I still miss sailing and friends at Port Nic though especially the easy access to facilities, and firing up the BBQ outside the boatsheds after a hard days racing.