The idea of sailing brings up many delightful and romantic images especially if it happens to be in crystal clear warm tropical waters abounding with aquatic life and with many small islands within easy reach, some of which are uninhabited.

My wife, Denise, and I have been lucky enough to do just this in the Philippines for 3 months. This arose because at Junction Boat Works Inc, the boat building enterprise of our son Andrew, three James Wharram Design Hitia 17 catamarans have been constructed with the intention of offering them for hire off Alona White Sand Beach on Panglao Island. Our brief was to help with the day to day running of this new venture. It has also enabled us to get away from normal European winter weather during December, January and February.

For this type of sporting activity it is essential to have local knowledge of such things as tides, currents, and weather, and what regulations there maybe for mooring and use of the beach and so on.

It was also necessary to have someone who fully understood the construction of the boats and to make sure they were regularly checked for being in sound sailing order. It fell to Dominic Butalid ably assisted by another Filipino called Abraham to cover all these aspects and more. Their enthusiasm, energy, and hard-work made it very easy for us and we could always call in extra help if needed from the boatyard.

Next year, god willing, we become octogenarians, and although we have participated in many sports, sailing has so far eluded us.

To have learned the basics of this new skill has been rewarding and fulfilling and given a real sense of achievement. Our special thanks to all those who helped us to learn the ropes, and patiently watched over us as we gradually got the hang of it, and worked out what we were supposed to be doing.

Sailing an Hitia has many similar characteristics to riding a thoroughbred horse. You need good hands, total concentration, and there are no brakes! The sensation in a strong wind is a trill not to be missed.

As she slices through the water you know you have what in horse riding terms is a double-

handful! All credit to the James Wharram Design team and all those involved in the construction.

The Hitia design originates from the boats used by the natives of Polynesia. A feature of the main-sail is that there is no boom and the brightly coloured sails, made by Hyde Sails, stand out very clearly.

On those occasions, when there is very little wind, the peace and tranquility has to be experienced to be believed. Sailing must be one of the most environmentally friendly means of enjoyment. The complete opposite of the those awful anti-social jet-skis.

For novices, like we are, the Hitia is easy to handle, extremely stable, and when you did make mistakes very good tempered and forgiving. This enabled us to gain in confidence without major mishaps. They can be sailed single-handed, but because of the generous deck-space can comfortably carry 4/5 people something most mono-hulls would be hard put to compete with.

The sun, the warm clear sea water, the beautiful white sandy beaches, the idyllic islands, the coral reefs, and the ability to travel without the need for an engine has opened up a whole new world. Perhaps to be totally nomadic all one needs is a tent to go with the boat.

To complete the fleet at the present time there is a 20ft launch named Denja (Denise and Jack) and a small speed boat. The venture is registered as Islander Charter and Endeavour Inc or Ice Inc for short. However, there is a logo or fun name, which is on the hull-sides and sails of the boats, and that is Jack’s Cats. A special thank you to Andrew for such a kind gesture and the prestige that goes with it.

Hitia, means the East and Sunrise. The sun rises here around 6am, a sight not to be missed whilst out on the sea. At the same time it is possible to watch the dolphins as they swim in, and around, and under the boat, leaping playfully out of the water, and swimming so close alongside that you can almost touch them. Witness this and you will have seen a small piece of paradise, that will stay in your memory forever.

Denise and Jack of Jack’s Cats Dec 07/ Jan and Feb 08