9:08 PM Mon 8 Mar 2010 GMT
Sail Port Stephens 2010 was the deadline for a passionate couple with a fantastic project of resurrecting their racer cruiser that had literally been put out to pasture just over eight years ago.
And they've made it, with weeks to spare !
Let's Go, an Adams 15 that from 1992 to 2002, enjoyed a healthy and successful racing career, was carefully placed in the middle of a paddock at Al and Danielle Ovenden's yabby farm in Karuah, where she had a lovely view of the yabby ponds and took pride of place for a number of years as a big garden ornament.
Every chance that Al and Danielle have had over this last eight years, they've worked on their dream of converting the boat into a vessel capable of cruising around the world, with the project really taking shape over the last two years.
And her first test will be Sail Port Stephens in a few weeks time.
'We knew we had to give ourselves a deadline to work to, and because we had so much fun at the regatta last year on a mate's boat, we really wanted to be on Let's Go at the 2010 event' she said.
Over time, the whole boat was stripped out with brand new wiring, plumbing, radios and instruments, ceiling and wall insulation installed.
There are also some cruising luxuries that have been snuck in the re-fit process, which of course will be very handy in the Commodores Cup and Performance Cruising divisions in which the boat is entered in at Sail Port Stephens.
'We'll be racing with some great tunes on board - so depending on the mood and the weather each day, it could be anything from a Chill Out CD to Dean Martin, the Sex Pistols or Bob Dylan - all heard through our awesome sound system' Danielle said, giggling.
'Whilst Al is happy to just cruise, I still enjoy a bit of racing, so Sail Port Stephens is perfect for us and satisfies both our needs - we're really looking forward to it and catching up with a whole lot of people we met last year who are coming back again - it's fantastic for us to have a regatta of this calibre and with this much potential to grow, right in our own backyard'
The Let's Go crew, most of them from Lake Macquarie, are reforming after an eight year hiatus, and like most reunions, everyone's really excited about all the gang getting back together for the boat's first big outing on the water.
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Let’s Go is looking forward to being amongst it with boats like Flyblown and Patrice Six in the Commodores Cup at Sail Port Stephens - Sail Port Stephens - Danielle Ovenden
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In fact, the crew are all looking forward to seeing each other so much, and with her newly refurbished cruising conveniences like TV, shower, and extra long galley bench top with a very handy freezer incorporated, everyone, ranging in age from 25 to 70, will be bunking on the boat - utilising the fantastic facilities available on site at d'Albora Marina.
And whilst they have some great plans to set off cruising up the east coast of Australia this year, they might have to interrupt the Australian holiday cruise next year for a trip to Croatia if their boat's name is the lucky one drawn from the barrel on Sunday the 18th of April, and they are announced the lucky winner of the major prize of a Mariner Boating Holiday for two to Croatia.
By entering before March 12, they've secured themselves another two bonus entries in the draw - and for every race they contest at Sail Port Stephens, they'll get another entry - so there'll be eight Lets Go entries floating in the mix - as Trevor and Maggie Joyce, owners of Mariner Boating Holidays draw out the winner at the regatta presentation on site at d'Albora Marina.
Coming to Sail Port Stephens and haven't entered yet ??
Enter before 5pm this Friday March 12 to secure your bonus two entries.
And then get ready for the fun at Sail Port Stephens, with daily prizes awarded from Sail Solutions, including healthy discounts on Rolly Tasker Sails and gorgeous Fendress Fender Covers.
There's plenty to do off water throughout the event, with a lively social program that travels to a different location via Yachties Bus each night of the regatta.
A special guest will join the Tyrrells Gala Yachties Ball on Friday night at Wests Nelson Bay Diggers and the stories he has to tell, you won't want to miss out on.
All tickets for all social functions are available on-line at
www.sailportstephens.com.au
now, so lock yours in today.
Family Friendly, Affordable and Fun
This is Sail Port Stephens
And the Best is yet to come.
by Jody O'Brien
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