Get on Board - Help Fund the Completion of AUSTRAL and come sailing!
I have long dreamed of building a traditional boat to offer participation-style day sail charters on Sydney Harbour for newcomers, enthusiasts and old salts alike.
AUSTRAL, our current project is now 75 per cent completed. With your patronage we could have her sailing early 2023. A few unforeseen disruptions and a diversion to help with the life-saving efforts of Australia's nautical heritage elsewhere during 2021 have left us needing support with funding for the boat’s completion.
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This characterful boat will become a highly visible icon of Sydney Harbour. With a hand to the halyards and spray in your hair, you could be part of this beautiful vessel's life. You will become part of her family and history in the making by donating.
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As an acknowledgment of your generosity, you'll be first on board for a range of pre-launch offers, including:
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Substantial discounts for pre-paid harbour picnic-sailing cruises
Discounted skippered day charters
Skippered multi-day or time-share opportunities
Regular progress updates
An open invitation to visit her being built on Sydney's waterfront
Invitations for a variety of events during the remainder of the build and launching
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Rising Tide Donor
All donors can receive a 25% discount of the donation value from the ticket price for a catered picnic lunch sail, sunrise cruise or twilight sail. These walk-up ticketed charters* will have estimated prices ranging between $120 and $250 per person (example: Donate $200 and receive $50 discount, or donate $1000 and receive $250 discount from the price of single or multiple tickets)
Spring Tide Donor of $1400 or more
Donators of $1,400 (or multiples thereof) can enjoy an full day charter* of the vessel for your private use for up to eight guests, with skipper. This will be a 25% discount from the estimated day charter rate
King Tide Donor of over $5000
Donators of over $5,000 can enjoy multiple day charters* at a rate of $1,250 per full day, with skipper, or some other equitable agreement. (example: $5,000 gets you 4 individual day charters at your choosing)
Flood of Biblical Proportions Donor over $15000
For substantial donations of $15,000 or more we can arrange 15 full day charters* of your choosing within 24 months from the commencement of operations, or some other equitable agreement such as half days, twilight race sailing, classic boat regattas, Xmas, NYE , Sydney to Hobart Race start etc.
PLEASE READ THIS!!!
Need More Details or Discuss Other Arrangements? Please contact me by phone or email if you would like further details, or to discuss other equitable arrangements regarding benefits for your generous donation.
Operating Company. The vessel AUSTRAL is being built by Stem & Stern Pty Ltd and will be operated by Classic Sail Sydney Pty Ltd. I, Robert Gordon am the director and sole share holder of both companies. GordonWoodenBoats is an entity created for for the display and promotion of my, and my father's boatbuilding.
Charters, Participation and Experience. Charters will most often skippered by myself but alternate qualified skippers will likely be employed from time to time. No sailing experience on your part is required, but you are welcome and encouraged to help sail the vessel under the expert guidance of the crew. Each day will be a different experience and we will sail to the weather conditions. The concept for this unique vessel is a participation-style experience for customers, within their abilities and capabilities.
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*Standard Charter Days. Times and days available for discounted charters for donors include both standard week and weekend days but does not include Special Event days such as Christmas, Boxing Day (including the Sydney to Hobart Race start), New Years' Eve, or classic yacht regattas. Walk-up cruises will typically be between 2 and 4 hours duration. Skippered day charters will typically be eight hours, negotiable.
Every effort will be made to give donors who have contributed to the completion of the vessel priority over other customers but this will not always be possible given advanced bookings and limited numbers, and scheduled maintenance.
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Fair winds,
Rob Gordon
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