Matt Harvey – Buys 70-foot expedition yacht 'sight unseen' in Tahiti

10/17/21 • 62 min

I met Matt Harvey in June 2021 when he joined me onboard Silver Fern as Chief Mate on the 600nm passage from Southport to Hamilton Island, Queensland. With the various challenges that unfolded along the way, Matt proved himself as a capable and composed skipper, especially under pressure.

Fast forward 4 months and Matt has just completed the purchase (sight unseen) of a 70-foot expedition yacht, that’s been parked up in Tahiti for 18 months (thanks to COVID-19) after it was halfway through its second circumnavigation. With a 200,000nm and 30-year history of ocean sailing and adventure, the yachts previous expeditions include one to Antarctica by the British Army, who retraced Ernest Shackleton’s famous voyage.

Matt’s passion for sailing has him plunging headfirst into commercial yacht ownership and joining Ocean Sailing Expeditions, with his 70-foot expedition yacht to be renamed “Salt Lines”. This enables us to increase safety on remote expeditions with 2 yachts and expands the range of sailing adventures we can offer. This episode covers the journey so far for Matt, the sleepless nights and what lies ahead next for Matt and his delivery crew, including sailing 3,300nm across the Pacific to Australia for 2 months of upgrades and repairs, so she’s ready to go sailing from February 2022.

Find out more about podcast content and sailing opportunities: https://www.oceansailingpodcast.com

Find out more about podcast content and sailing opportunities: https://www.oceansailingpodcast.com

Previous Episode

Maryanne and Kyle Webb - 5 Pacific Crossings and a catamaran cruising tale

With a dream to sail the Atlantic one day, Maryanne (Scotland) met Kyle (USA) in 2002 and setting abut turning her dream into reality. They kicked their adventures on a 25 foot monohull on Lake Eerie and 19 years later they have not only crossed together but have also crossed the Pacific 5 times and have spent the last decade as live aboard cruisers. They share the tales of their travels including the strangest Customs border clearance ever experienced, in a tiny coastal town in Ireland.

They also share the sad story of the loss of their brand new catamaran in a storm, when a lee shore anchorage pushed them aground on the coast of Italy and the stress of flying home to the USA to find a replacement yacht and decided to restart their adventures on an 2001 Fountaine-Pajot Athena 38 named Begonia, which they live on today.

Find out more about podcast content and sailing opportunities: https://www.oceansailingpodcast.com

Next Episode

Dan Farmer wins division in Sydney Hobart Race on yacht B52

Dan Farmer, owner and skipper of the Sydney 41 yacht ‘B52’, shares the story of his epic adventure in the 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race, where more than 40% of the fleet retired due to damage or injuries.

Dan explained crew selection, training, boat preparation and their strategy in the the first 36 hours of the race when more than 30 yachts retired in the tough ‘wind against current’, southerly conditions. Dan shares his thoughts on what went well, the importance of onboard leadership and an emotional crossing of the finish line. From 2 to 40 knots, this edition of this famous ocean race had everything.

Find out more about podcast content and sailing opportunities: https://www.oceansailingpodcast.com