Paradise Blue is a
Bruce Roberts design Sloop.
Work commenced eight and half years ago by Kim and Stephen
Budd. Stephen, an aluminum boat builder for 12 years
did all the welding himself on the 64ft all alloy sloop, in
his "spare" time – Saturday afternoons, Sundays and public
holidays.
Inexperienced but willing wife Kim, who didn't know anything
at all about sanding and painting timber, has learned her trade
well, over time, with the entire interior of Paradise Blue
completely fitted out in timber. Australian red cedar walls,
South African mahogany in the galley area, jarrah stairs, teak
floors in the "wet" areas of the bathrooms, and the ceiling
throughout the yacht are South African Kodah. |
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Did
I mention Steve’s first trade was carpentry? That’s
right - he fitted out Paradise Blue’s interior
as well. Family and a few friends in the trades of mechanic,
plumber, electrician, radio technician helped the completion.
For the finishing touch professional yacht painters were used.
Paradise Blue was launched 1st August 2001.
37 tonnes of yacht, 12 tonnes in the keel (made up of eight
kilo ingots of lead, hand placed by Steve and Kim).
2.4 metre draught and 5 metre beam.
Paradise Blue is truly an impressive lady who has handled
the sea since her launch and maiden voyage from Kiama on the
South Coast of NSW to Cooktown in Far North Queensland with
consummate ease. |
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Tracey
Lee
Shoot
to the Great Barrier Reef on the ultra fast Tracey
Lee - 7 metre, purpose-built Predator Boat with a walk through
transom for the ease of divers and snorkels into the best
diving and fishing area in the world - the Great Barrier
Reef - only 45 minutes from Cooktown. |
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The "Ducky" (Not pictured)
Used to transport passengers from Islands back to Paradise Blue |
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