Andrew Hill, Tuesday, 20 November 2012
Hear how Andrew crossed to the dark side but came back!
I began sailing at Metung on the Gippsland Lakes in the 1970’s. My dad built an Aquanaught, (a Blockeys Kit Boat) which my older brothers and I learned in. We also sailed a Flying Ant and a Gwen 12. At some stage around 1977 we decided to have a sail at Balnarring, where our Uncle, Bryan Hill and our cousins sailed. We liked it! It was then decided to that we should sell the Aquanaught and buy a Heron and join the Fleet at WYC. After a season my brothers bailed to go surfing I ended up doing a season with a mate Geoff on the Heron (Geoff aka Goof, was the most uncoordinated guy to get in a Heron!). I didn’t like sailing the Heron – So I bought a Sabre (sail no 100!). I had great season sailing the Sabre, and worked out that I sail better alone.
Then it happened, I crossed to the dark side – Power Boat Racing! I sold the Yacht and built the 1st of many outboard powered race boats. I spent several years immersed in powerboat racing. The Pinnacle was a class win at Australian Championships in 1986. Power boat racing was a full on adrenalin buzz, but when thing went wrong – you got hurt!
Then it was time to settle down – I married Marcelle in 1989, the boat and Marcelle’s car were sold for as a deposit on a house. Our children, Erin and Chris arrived in 1993 and 1996.
I decided to get back into sailing in 2005. Balnarring was the obvious choice, especially because Bryan was still an active sailing member. I bought a Tasar and Erin and Chris crewed for me. The Tasar was a fantastic boat to sail, but after 5 seasons my main crew, Chris had reached 5’11’ and didn’t like being crammed into the forward section of the Tasar, so it was time to go back to a single handed boat. For the 2011-12 season I bought a Mosquito off Daniel Franke. One season later I am still trying to master tacking a cat!
Sailing is a sport for life. At Balnarring we have 7 -8 year olds sailing in Tackers, and we have Bryan at 81 year old still going strong. So even after crossing to the dark side and back, I still have plenty of sailing left in me!
Last Modified on 20/11/2012 21:45