Astral Express - Background Information

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The Astral Express

Designed by world renowned marine architect Greg Elliot, the Astral Express is a fast 12.5 metre cruising yacht with a deck saloon-pilot house with inside steering necessary for Arctic conditions.

Built of Kevlar to a specification stronger than alloy, with a reinforced bow, and steel retractable keel to attain a minimum four foot draft. This is a high performance yacht developed for long distance passage making, with a small easily managed sail plan.

Built from existing moulds in Melbourne and finished in Auckland, the Astral Express has built in buoyancy to render it unsinkable. Its sister ship was recently tested, on delivery from Sydney to Brisbane in moderate to severe conditions. The yacht will carry an inflatable dinghy and outboard, large windlass with extensive ground tackle and equipment for arctic conditions. The Astral Express has been constructed with each facet overseen by New Zealand’s best boat builders and associated tradesmen.

Curriculam Vitae – Graeme Kendall

On yachts of his own, has cruised and raced over 100,000 miles during the past 35 years to become a competent seaman, navigator and cook. With the necessary experience and temperament to make a successful attempt on this record.

Solo sailing attempt around the world via Arctic North West Passage


	To make a donation of $25 to Variety - the Children's Charity please call 0900 CHILD (0900 24453) The Astral Express © Mike Hunter, Boating New Zealand Designed by world renowned marine architect Greg Elliot, the Astral Express is a fast 12.5 metre cruising yacht with a deck saloon-pilot house with inside steering necessary for Arctic conditions. Built of Kevlar to a specification stronger than alloy, with a reinforced bow, and steel retractable keel to attain a minimum four foot draft. This is a high performance yacht developed for long distance passage making, with a small easily managed sail plan. Built from existing moulds in Melbourne and finished in Auckland, the Astral Express has built in buoyancy to render it unsinkable. Its sister ship was recently tested, on delivery from Sydney to Brisbane in moderate to severe conditions. The yacht will carry an inflatable dinghy and outboard, large windlass with extensive ground tackle and equipment for arctic conditions. The Astral Express has been constructed with each facet overseen by New Zealand’s best boat builders and associated tradesmen. Curriculam Vitae – Graeme Kendall © Mike Hunter, Boating New Zealand Sailing record - As Captain Lyttelton to Fiji return Lyttelton to Hawaii via Cooks, Society and Marquesas Islands Hawaii to Lyttelton via Fiji two handed Picton to Lyttelton and races, solo Picton to Sydney Lyttelton to Melbourne Around Tahiti race Melbourne - Osaka two handed race Lyttelton Chatham Island return Circumnavigation of South Island Extensive sailing about cook strait and French Polynesia Dozens of coastal trips to Marlborough Sounds and Auckland Sailing Record - As Crew Kenwood cup yacht race series Hawaii Whitbread Round the World Yacht race Bluff to Lyttelton with Sir Peter Blake Many delivery trips On yachts of his own, has cruised and raced over 100,000 miles during the past 35 years to become a competent seaman, navigator and cook. With the necessary experience and temperament to make a successful attempt on this record. Being a fit sailor, has in the past nine months, helped deliver yachts from Tonga to New Zealand, Sydney to Brisbane and Auckland to Picton.
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