COGNAC-THE STORY

VERSION ONE

What is the difference between a boat and a mistress????Not much: they both cost a lot of money!

There I was on a dirty weekend in 1999, in Hobart, Tasmania after my wicked way with a woman.

I ended up, as usual, looking at boats...one of my passions in life.

After a few hours looking I found myself in Margate, some 20 km south of Hobart, standing in front of 54 foot piece of fibreglass. I liked it...a lot.....great shape and absolutely “stuffed “(falling apart).
A deserted boat that had potential, if one was game. At that stage, I didn’t know if it was for sale or not. I could tell that the boat, or rather what was left of it, had great lines for a cruiser.
I always like to buy things I don’t think I can get...it is cheaper that way.
I approached the yard broker, who, after breaking into the boat, showed me all the benefits-possibly none...he was “full of shit” (exaggerating) but needed a sale.
I found that the boat was built in the Brisbane River in approximately 1985. To our knowledge it was THE ONLY JOHN PUGH WINDSTAR. All other John Pugh designs are mostly steel.

The boat was named Panatela, basically stripped, and possibly originally fitted with a motor, (which must have been sold at some stage) with a rig that had never been stood, but sold off by the owner, Norm Hunt.
I added up what I thought was good and overlooked the bad.
I placed a price on my unknown problem. This I left with the broker and after a period of time my proposition was accepted. Contracts were signed and I was left asking myself a question: “Shit. What do I do now?”
I guess, lucky for me, the owner died before dollars changed hands! His family decided that the boat was worth much more than we had agreed. They reckoned they could fix it and tow it back to Perth to be rebuilt. Now the picture is filled in. The boat I’d bought then lost had been towed from B??? To Hobart by a notorious yachtsperson named Norm Hunt. Norm towed the boat behind a tugboat he had bought (acquired - whatever) for $1.00. Norm had sailed the world in a boat called Patenella. This boat was meant to be his next adventure. Patenella was mysteriously lost off Sydney Heads, with the loss of 4 lives. This mystery has never been solved til this day.
After 12 months, late on Christmas Eve, I was approached again, and asked if I was still interested in the hull. If so, I could have it at my original price. I had to place in the bank before Santa came. I needed a project so I took a little off the purchase price and labelled it “harassment”.
Now I had my project! The broker was great. He arranged the boat builder, electricians, mechanics and more. It took a while and a lot of money but he was an absolute fraud, as was his alcoholic builder. The only time any work got done was during the trips to Tasmania to see the boat.
At least I can look back now and be pleased that I kept 2 or 3 families off the dole for 12 months.
Pity I didn’t get a letter of appreciation from the government.
After the sacking in a small town mentality...I was told of a ship wright in a small town of Kettering and as my luck would have it this ship wright died. His partner in business took over the “revamping” which really stands for re-exit of money from my account.
This ship right has proven to be as crazy and eccentric as anyone including me and he was good-better than good. His name Angelo Perry and yes he was and still is a genuine ship wright .
Can we do it?
Can I afford it?
And are we going to do it?
Were my 3 standard questions.
Angelo had 2 young ship rights who were brothers that worked for him.
Bogi Boys they were called Rod and Duncan. Both great kids that enjoyed their work and were great to work with.
After 3 years and lack of money we were basically finished with the revamping, although what is finished?

Cognac was evolved!

                                                        VERSION 2
The purpose of this site is to show that anybody with enough stupidity can tackle and conquer any project they desire.
Cognac is a 54 foot yacht John Pugh sailing Ketch. She was found abandoned like a lost puppy looking for a home, or a stray that needed attention and love and in return would give you their heart and protect you through good and bad.
Cognac started her life around 1985(we think) She was built in the Brisbane river and unlike most of her sister ships she is plastic YES a 54ft GRP John Pugh Windstar
The hull has a full length keel; full of lead .She weighs in at 23 tons.
At some stage in her early life she was sold as an unfinished project. Just like a Christmas puppy that got to big.
She was then taken to the pound and sold then somehow found her way to Tasmania .The story tells us that she was towed there by her new owner behind his newly acquired tug that he purchased for a dollar. The mystery thickens…
Once in this quite beautiful island paradise she was used as a waterbed. This lady was used as backpacker accommodation.
She had never sailed or been motored – A VIRGIN. Over the next few years she was hauled out of the water and placed on the hard (sad).
But she was ready for her next adventure this was to be scooped up loved and revamped to be a proud and leading, lady of the sea.
Cognac had a different name before her current life, she was called Panatela and was owned by a renowned sailor who owned a previous boat called Patanela one of Australia’s maritime mysteries (refer to the book PATANELA IS MISSING – Australia’s greatest sea mystery by Paul Whittaker and Robert Reid).
Cognac spent many lonely nights and days being reinvented. She was stripped naked then with lots of “botox” rebuilt by an amazing shipwright called Angelo Perry in Kettering Tasmania.
Three year transformation turned the ugly neglected puppy (with potential) to a magnificent sailing craft.
Cognac was fitted below with a 135H/p Volvo Penta motor a 7 kva Onon gen set Simrad electronics and a magnificent West Australian Jarrah fit out. She can sleep 8 easily and be handled by one.
Above deck Harken gear was used with the help of Profurl in boom furling she was ready for anything.
In 2001 she sailed, leaving Tasmania behind, across Bass Straight bound for Victoria.
Pleasant shake down cruise.
Then it was north first across the Paddock between Wilsons Promontory to Eden and then onto Sydney venturing further north, to finally end up in Mackay Queensland where she has a permanent home.
Cognac has sailed the far north coast of Queensland for some years, during that time I have made few small changes.
As a skipper I have been impressed by this craft as both a stable vessel and a great fun cruising boat.
This year 2010 will take Cognac further north than her highest past that of Lizard Island
Ysabella “Tinker” and myself will take Cognac to the tip of Australia and then turn to port in Darwin .With our tanks full and our fridges stocked we intend to have our adventures from Darwin to Indonesia and beyond - although every day is an adventure.
If you wish to be part of our adventure Please keep in contact with us, so maybe is some way we can help you achieve your dreams.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE ORIGINAL DESIGNS WHICH HAVE BEEN ALTERED