Windjammer: a beautiful old friend is back in the Bay

Windjammer: from the Bay journal 15.05.10


Many Redland Bay residences may recall the huge upside down boat that was being built on farmland at the end of Moore’s Road,now known as Orchid Beach.

Or they may remember the big green boat on the hill on the side of Redland Bay–Beenleigh Road slowly taking shape over 12 years

Launched “Leanne Marie” in October 1993 with many local residents attended the launching, it would never have been possible without the help and support of family and many friends.

The boat was sold and found her way to Sydney. Some may remember Leanne Marie accompanying the Young Endeavour into Sydney harbour.

Leanne Marie is considered to be one of the most beautiful yachts ever built in Australia. She has been the focus of many an article and the pallet of a lot of artists.

She is a 72' gaff rigged schooner replica of the famous 72' schooner 'Integrity"' designed and built by Pete Culler in 1960-62.

Culler's designs are considered so important that over a hundred of them are now archived in the Mystic Seaport Museum in America. Schooners like these had worked the Grand Banks in the North Atlantic and plied the east coast of America for 200 years as trading packets.

She has the grandest of schooner qualities, sailing at speeds of 10 knots or more on the beam and broad reaches. With 2000 sq ft of sail area with raked masts she is a spectacular sight.

She is a classic example of elegant lines and fine craftsmanship.

The appointments below decks are luxurious beyond the dreams of any 19th Century sailor; New Guinea rosewood adorns the interior with fittings reminiscent of a bygone era.

“Leanne Marie” has found her way home to her original owner builder for a refit, and at present is on the slip at Pelican’s Slipways

She is now known as “Windjammer” She has been in charter off the Whitsundays with Barefoot Cruisers for the past 16 years but now her owners Ashley and Cathy Kerr intend sailing her around the world, making sure she visits the US East Coast where her design originated.