The News, Culture and Practice of Sailing woodenboats
in Australia, New Zealand & The South Pacific.

SWS is a not-for-profit enterprise, created for and by the traditional maritime community. If you read and enjoy it, consider supporting us financially.
Click Here to Donate

PODCASTS Mark Chew PODCASTS Mark Chew

MATILDA RADIO - How do you pronounce Trapani?

This episode comes to you from west coast of Sicily, near Siracusa. Apologies in advance for the sound quality. This is what happens when you try and make a podcast, on deck, while you're sailing, with an engine going...We're chatting southern Sicily, Greek ruins, cloud inversion, Sam and Jim.

Read More
PODCASTS Mark Chew PODCASTS Mark Chew

LAUNCHING MATILDA RADIO

WELCOME TO MATILDA RADIO a weekly podcast from two mad Australians who gave up living the norm to attempt to live the dream. This episode comes to you from the south coast of Sardinia, under the Roman ruins of NORA. Mark and Sal introduce you to MATILDA their 47 foot S&S Swan while chatting about their five year plan (or eight year, or two year...)

Read More
MATILDA Mark Chew MATILDA Mark Chew

Forestay Failure in the Straits of Bonifacio

It was another week to remind ourselves that we are doing this out of choice not obligation. A dramatic night in the windy passage between Corsica and Sardinia, taught us some good lessons, and put the breaks on any overconfidence that might have been creeping in.

Read More
CRUISING Mark Chew CRUISING Mark Chew

Donkeys and Dons-Asanara

We were the only visitors to the village and he and his wife are the only residents, having moved there from the central Sardinian mountains forty five years previously, to complete his national service. He never left. Despite it only being 1030 in the morning, Enrico offered us a chilled vermentino from a jug, and some delicious sweet biscuits.

Read More
MATILDA, ADVENTURE Sal Balharrie MATILDA, ADVENTURE Sal Balharrie

Enhanced Thinking

Initially we chose four things to spend money on, to make the cruising we intended to do, more enjoyable. In this video we explain what we have done and try to provide the rationale around our choices.

Read More
FILM Sal Balharrie FILM Sal Balharrie

MATILDA to Corsica

MATILDA’s shakedown passage from Le Lavandou to Corsica in 20-30 knots. Loving and learning along the way.

Read More
ADVENTURE Mark Chew ADVENTURE Mark Chew

Across the Gulf of Lion.

It was a little tense but not unpleasant sailing and after a few hours we popped out of the murk to a starlit sky and a building North Easter. We could just lay the Ile Pomegues off Marseille and the 1970’s S&S design began to live up to her reputation as a windward wizard

Read More