The Yachts

Ocean Gem

Ocean Gem

 

Ocean Gem joins She and Wildflower 2 in representing race finisher, Southport Yacht Club, in the Land Rover Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race. The Beneteau was originally sold new in New Zealand in 1992 and purchased by the current owner, David Hows, in 2011. She was berthed in Auckland until late 2013, when extensive cruising was undertaken around the top half of New Zealand’s North Island. In November 2013, Hows sailed her across the Tasman Sea via Norfolk Island. The boat is now permanently berthed at SYC, where she has been competing in both the offshore and twilight racing series since January 2014 and this will be their first try at the 384 nautical mile race. Ocean Gem was named overall 2016 Bartercard Coffs to Paradise and Sail Paradise champions, after winning IRC division in the Coffs to Paradise race and scoring second in division in the regatta. Hows’ teenage daughter Madison is aboard.

 

Competitor Details

Yacht Name Ocean Gem
Sail Number 8810
Owner David Hows
Skipper David Hows
Navigator Steven Humphris
Crew A Lomakin, E Van Coeverden, K Schroder, M Hows, P Chapman, R Durham, S Hanrahan, S Laughlin
State QLD
Club SYC
Type Beneteau 445
Designer Bruce Farr
Builder Beneteau Yachts
Construction Fibreglass
LOA 13.5
Beam 4.1
Draft 1.8