Benné bowen

I like to see how close to shore I can get

Benne recently crewed on my rrimaran. He crashed it twice before we left Flinders Is. Ran it a aground and then into the wharf and dented it, that I requested we not tie up to that day because if 35kn winds and rough conditions. I originally was nimpressed by his ability ro ketch an anchor to get out of the shore where hed run the boat agroind before the tide marooned us. But I realised later its because he has had so much experience running aground. He also ran aground the other trimaran which caused some damage which had to be fixed. I was just lucky it was on a seaweed bed and not the rocks. He was good at fixing things but was a risk taker and frequently went to do unessesary actions whilst underway without consulting. His final act was to put the boat into reverse without notice when I was at the hlem doing 12kn down a wave. I then ended up loosing a 15" flexofold 3 blade prop wirth thousands as a.result and had to get anither prop ordered and get towed to a.paid mooring. Best thing that hallened was when I put him on a.police rescue boat back to shire

25th Aug 2023

Reccomended Competent crew...watch leader.

Benne crewed for me on a Aust East Coast delivery - 30ft Tri , summer 2023. I have 40 years sailing, 25,000 miles mostly coastal, one ocean. Benne is among the best crew I have had. Benne is energetic, fit , cheerfull and does not shirk any task, will roll with the situation and will muck in with the hard stuff and happy to help as the boat needs...he is not the one trick "I am special/ rockstar" raceboat delivery crew type...he is a genuine guy and a good sailor, practical, and good with his hands, happy to do his chores in the galley. Example, when first on the boat with me, I had no proper berth mattress, he slept on cushions with no complaint for two nights..only after I sorted with proper berth arrangement next port did he say how uncomfortable it had been. Can be trusted to take a watch and will follow a passage plan provided explanation is properly provided...he is not mindless and will contribute to planning...brings his own screens and is tech proficient, operates apps well . Good helmsman and jib trimmer. Fast learner on specifics of multihull once understood the loading characteristics. We had couple of days fast downwind , surfing in moderate swell with cross sea wind chop. Socially, excellent company , intelligent, being Aussie/French Canadian he loves it when you take the pxxs out of the Frogs...(make sure you do) I reccomend Benne highly - He is a good guy with personal integrity and a good sailor. Pete Smailes

31st Mar 2023