The relaxed atmosphere around the starting area, admiring white sails and long overhangs, was all I could ask for. It was quite a sight generated by sixty-one yachts gliding between Shark Island and Point Piper. Smiles and waves of acknowledgement add to the good vibes when many like-minded sailors come together to display their love of an era of elegance.

But one of the stainless bolts broke off in my hand. The original silicon bronze bolts appeared to be excellent condition and not replaced. New silicon bronze bolts replaced the old stainless steel bolts.

While there are hundreds of beautiful words, lyrical and practical, used to describe the hull a boat, when it comes the interior there are few. Words seem to describe the atmosphere rather than the space. Those that do define space seem to have come from via the Navy rather than from the lips of the designer.

In late primary school, I was dragged by my father to Sydney on one his boat buying expeditions. At Middle Harbour, we saw DEFIANCE, which was not for sale but that was the boat for us.