Exchange rate sailing

Well-heeled Australian yachtsmen have coveted the beautiful M36 daysailer from the US east coast builder Morris Yachts since the first one hit the water almost 10 years ago -- but the unfavourable exchange rate between the US dollar and the South Pacific peso ensured that none were shipped to our shores.

However with the Aussie dollar now buying over 90 US cents, American-built boats suddenly make economic sense for those who don't mind paying for the best.

To that end the 60th hull from the M36 mould was rolled out of the Morris Yachts' yard in Northeast Harbour, Maine, early this year and prepared for the long trip to Australia. The yacht was loaded aboard a freighter on January 25 and early last month it arrived at Port Kembla on the NSW south coast.

The yacht, completely covered in shrink wrap to protect it from the conditions, was lowered onto a truck and driven to the Noakes Yard at the old Woolwich dry dock just west of the Sydney Harbour bridge.

Morris' Wythe Ingebritson flew out to meet the yacht and supervise its transfer to Woolwich and subsequent stepping of the mast and commissioning of the boat.

Named Casamajor by its proud new owner, the yacht was revealed to be in perfect condition when the plastic was peeled off to reveal its sparkling hull. The only hitch in the commissioning came when the hub of the custom-built wheel the owner had had made didn't fit the steering pedestal. A quick trip to the local Edson dealer by Ingebritson saw a correct hub fitted.

As the American yachtmaster reported this week on the Morris Yachts' web site, when he reached for his wallet the reply was "no worries, mate. It's covered."

So on March 16, Casamajor -- with the owner at the helm -- slipped out of the Woolwich dock for its first sail on Australian waters. Ingebritson stayed on for a week ensuring everything worked perfectly and the owner was completely familiar with every aspect of his new toy.

A very traditional looking daysailer with long overhangs, a huge cockpit, easy sail handling and minimal accommodation below, Casamajor is now floating happily at the private jetty below the owner's north shore home.

Check out the Morris Yachts.com website for more details on the M36 daysailer.