Let Steve Walter tell the story.

The story of “Beans” as I know it could not be told without first mentioning some of the previous owner’s history. His name was Geoff Howley and I was privileged to call him a friend. Geoff was a gifted man. An engineer and project manager by profession, he was equally at home building houses for friends and family, animal rescue shelters for his wife Margaret or boats, both power and sail with which they could enjoy another passion – the beautiful waters of Lake Macquarie, the largest coastal salt water lake in the southern hemisphere, just south of Newcastle.

As a younger man Geoff enjoyed adventure including diving and snorkeling around Pulbah Island from his home built cruiser or catamaran. He was a fine athlete representing the state in Rugby League and he seemed to easily master any physical pursuits he put his mind to. He loved catamarans because of the thrilling ride and the adrenalin rush that came with battling 25 knots when the southerly hit the lake.

The demands of family life caused Geoff to part ways with his boats but nearing retirement his hopes of were rekindled when he saw a boat that would give him his adrenalin rush, yet be comfortable for his wife and their friends. He had spied a Windrush 600 for sale at the local traileryacht yard at Belmont South. He quickly acquired the boat in 2000 and used it often.

One story he told me (with a glint in his eye) involved his two female cousins who had come to visit. Geoff invited them for a “cruise” on the lake. He failed to mention the approaching southerly front and took them on a beautiful cruise to “Pulbah” which included a picnic lunch. Keeping an eye on the weather he ushered them back to the boat in time to hoist the spinnaker for what he knew would be a “bit of fun”.

He didn’t go into detail about the reaction of the cousins when the front hit, after all he knew how the Windrush 600 came into its own in a blow, but he went into great detail about the way the boat took off under spinnaker, flying over the waves as they raced back to their northerly destination. I recall the smile and the energy in his voice as he related “its too windy to take the spinnaker down just yet girls!” The story finished with three words which stuck in my mind. “What a ride!”

I purchased the boat from Geoff early in 2007 after he and his wife became more involved in the native animal rescue cause.