Welcome
We are Dione and crew.
Dione is our 40ft sailing boat we purchased in Scarborough, Queensland, July, 2024.
We were new to sailing and operating a boat of this size and keen to be living the dream. Over many years we have owned and enjoyed power boats and water activities mostly in South Australia and Tasmania.
As part of our travel experiences overseas and in Australia, we have travelled on a number of cruise liners, which were a highlight of our trips.
Since living on Dione in Scarborough Marina, we have started sailing in Moreton Bay and surrounding Islands to find our sea legs and prepare ourselves, and Dione for future sailing adventures.
We look forward to sailing to new destinations along the East Coast of Australia.
First day on board and moving in.Experiencing our first sunset from Scarborough Marina carpark.Searching and finding Dione
Finding Dione was our first adventure in itself.
Prior to us actively looking for our boat, we crewed on a 32 ft keel boat for a race on the Port River, which fired up Markus to pursue his dream of one day owning and sailing his own boat.
From February 2024, we commenced our search for our boat in Adelaide, North Haven Marina. Our adventure had already started even though we didn’t realize. By looking at these potential boats we were learning more and more about the sailing life onboard a boat. The people we met along the way have been lovely, very helpful and knowledgeable, and it has been amazing listening to all their stories from the times they sailed, some being amateurs like us at the beginning, to some sailing to many parts of the world.
Our first interstate trip was to Western Australia where we visited and stayed in Ningaloo. Whilst we were in Ningaloo we dived and snorkeled, the world heritage Ningaloo Reef. While in Perth we visited Mindarie Marina to view a boat, however, not quite what we were looking for, so the search continued. The trips to see these boats were never a waste of time or a hassle, even though there was usually some long distance travelling to arrive at these marinas but were always, definitely worth visiting. There was a lovely walking track at the marina with cafes and restaurants, where we stayed for dinner that night overlooking the boats and watching the sunset. Travelling to Mindarie Marina was also a scenic drive from Perth.
Next trip was a short visit to Hobart, Tasmania (Sandy Bay and Lindisfarne’s Farm Marinas) where we viewed a couple of boats which one of the boats was almost what we were looking for, but decided in the end to keep looking, so it was back to Adelaide to keep searching.
Next on our agenda was to view a few boats in New South Wales. Our trip to Sydney was so much fun, and we saw some lovely marinas and places in Sydney we would not have seen if we weren’t looking for a boat. Cammeray Bay is just stunning and the water taxi ride to the boat was so picturesque and memorable.
After viewing boats at Bowen, Scarborough and Manly, Queensland, we found our boat, Dione, at Scarborough Marina. So now the fun begins!
Lindisfarne’s Farm Marina, Hobart Tasmania
Coral Bay, Ningaloo Reef, WA
Mindarie Marina, WA
Cammeray Bay, NSW
Bowen, Qld.
The making of Dione
Dates on photos, indicate that building of Dione commenced in Sydney, NSW in 1986 by Vasin Craft Sydney, and was completed in December of 1987.
From records and photos found onboard, it appears Dione had already completed many voyages (since March 2016) which included Alaska, Tonga, Samoa, Guam, Saipan, Japan, Vanuatu, Canada and the USA.
It also appears that Dione spent many years in Adelaide, South Australia before moving to Queensland.
Dione is a steel, A40 ft Adams design. In 2005 a sugar scoop was added to the stern and in 2006 a hard dodger was installed to replace the soft dodger that had been used for many years.
Hull completed
Interior fit out in progress
Motoring after launch 20/2/1987
Dione with a soft dodger
Mast stepped, & rigging completed
Draft drawings to modify to hard dodger
Lifted out of the yard
Ready to sail 26/12/1987
Information on Dione’s design
Heading to Marina for launching
Sailing the seas 10/2/1989
Hand drawn by Tina - Dione with hard dodger and my hammock :)
Maintenance and Upgrades since purchasing Dione
BOAT is said to stand for “bring out another $1,000”. However, since ownership we have heard another definition, that it stands for, bring out another $10,000……… which unfortunately seems the case, even though we had a surveyor conduct an inspection before purchase.
Many boats sit in marinas most of the time and are not taken out for extended voyages, they can degrade and develop many issues when sold and used constantly by a new owner. We have found our experiences common amongst other boaties, therefore, a stock of spare parts and equipment are usually carried on board for emergencies, breakages and particularly for long voyages.
The list so far for major items:
· anchor chain re-galvanized
· remote control for anchoring installed
· replacing toilet and inlet/discharge lines
· water maker overhaul
· 3 house batteries replaced
· inverter battery system installed
· fuel tank drained and filters replaced several times plus fuel lines replaced and modified
· replaced drinking water and sink taps in galley
· replaced AIS and antenna
· installed an additional solar panel and controller
· replaced auto pilot drive pump and cylinder plus moved flux gate compass
· designed and commissioned emergency rudder handle and shaft
· replaced foresail
· updated sim/maps for Chart plotter
· new propeller shaft, bearing, seal and drive coupling (2 separate haul outs which included paint and anti-foul repairs)
· LPG gas system upgraded and made compliant to the current Australian standards
· fridges – replaced and upgraded with 2 new plates and 1 compressor
· had a cage installed for the run light on the mast and light replaced.
· both wind turbines repaired
· water trap in the exhaust replaced
· replaced carbon monoxide alarm, fire extinguisher, smoke alarm
· replaced seacocks (valves)
· and many other minor repairs such as leakages from hatches