Back in 2015, Dean and I found ourselves wandering the bustling aisles of the Sydney Boat Show, our imaginations set ablaze with visions of our own boat someday. At that time, we’d only dipped our toes into the sailing world – chartering monohulls around the harbour – and Dean even recalled his youthful adventures on a Hobie Cat. Still, the spark was lit.

The Boat Show That Changed Everything

The boat show was nothing short of an eye-opener. Surrounded by sleek, state-of-the-art vessels, we were captivated by a particular boat that boasted a lifting garage door, a solid foredeck, and even a full-size fridge in the galley. That day, we made a silent vow: if we ever bought a boat, it had to be something extraordinary like that.

A Shift Toward Catamarans

In the years that followed, our sailing experiences grew through charters in Sydney Harbour, Pittwater, and eventually the Whitsundays. It was during these trips that we discovered our preference for the spacious comfort of catamarans. We experimented with different brands – Seawinds, FP, Lagoon, and Leopard – each journey deepening our understanding and desire to one day own a catamaran.

The Bali Connection

Our dream started to take a definitive shape in 2019. When we learned about Bali catamarans, the same brand we had admired back at the boat show, it felt like destiny. Connecting with Dream Yacht and Christophe and Amara Vanek only solidified our choice. Two years later, at the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show in 2021, we finally stepped aboard a Bali 4.2. With Christophe and Amara’s guidance, we took the plunge and made the purchase. Naming her Queen Lizzy – in honour of our beloved Siberian cat—was the perfect tribute to a vessel that was just the right size and spirit for us.

Learning the Ropes

Owning a boat was as much an education as it was a dream realized. We quickly discovered there was a steep learning curve involved in boat maintenance and safe sailing practices. To build our confidence and competence, Dean and I enrolled in various sailing courses. I started with the Competent Crew course, while Dean tackled the Day Skipper course. Over time, our skills were put to the test on longer journeys—from sailing with a skipper from Newcastle to Airlie Beach to navigating from Airlie Beach to Sanctuary Cove. In 2024, we even embarked on a nearly seven-week solo trip from Airlie Beach to Hervey Bay and back, a true testament to our growing abilities.

Charting New Waters with Queen Lizzy 2

It wasn’t long before our love for long, intimate sailing trips became undeniable. We began dreaming of the Mediterranean – the crystal-clear waters, historic harbors, and endless adventure calling our names. With that vision in mind, Queen Lizzy 2 was born. We reached out once again to our trusted friends at Dreamyacht, and today, here we are in La Rochelle, ready to begin our Mediterranean chapter.

Safety has always been our top priority.

Dean has already completed his RYA Competent Crew course and later his RYA Day Skipper certification—a must-have for charter and private boats alike in the Mediterranean. I too have completed my RYA Day Skipper course, and both of us have enriched our knowledge with additional training in VHF radio, radar, and diesel maintenance. Dean is even on track to complete his RYA Yachtmaster Offshore training later this year!

Join Us on the Journey

As we prepare to set sail for up to six months, we’re excited to announce that we’ll be sharing our adventures through a YouTube vlog, Sailing Queen Lizzy. Launching in May, the vlog will be our way to keep friends, family, and fellow sailing enthusiasts updated with every twist and turn of our Mediterranean escapade.

We hope you’ll join us online and, on the water, as we chase our dreams and explore new horizons. Until then, here’s to the thrill of the open sea and the promise of adventures yet to come!