Almasts - Testimonials

Testimonials from valued
Almasts Customers

Mr Mitch Ranson
Almasts Australia Pty Ltd
6 West Tamar Rd
Launceston 7250

Dear Mitch

Easter 1994 we purchased one of your Reefit Model B furling systems for our 34 foot sloop. This was as a result of a rough trip from Melbourne to the Tamar River which demanded many sail changes and discomfort to all involved. We decided on your furler as it was the best value, locally produced, and looked as though it would manage the distance and conditions which we were planning.

Christmas 1994 we left Melbourne and sailed as far as Sydney. We suffered a knock down in Bass Strait off Lakes Entrance, no damage done. 13 March we left Sydney bound for the Bay of Islands in New Zealand. The trip was a 'baptism of fire' with 7 out of the 10 days spent sitting on the floor hanging on. One 24 hour period we averaged 5 knots without any sail up, boom lashed to the deck, and wind vane steering. The Tasman Sea is certainly not a place to be taken lightly! We cruised the east coast of the north island of New Zealand as far south as Auckland and finally headed to Tonga in early June. A very light trip largely on the nose. Tonga was absolutely delightful and we cruised in tropical bliss through the 3 main groups. From Vava'u we sailed via Vatoa Passage to Suva. In Fiji our engine packed up and we sailed via Noumea back to Coffs Harbour where we rebuilt the offending piece of machinery. We finally arrived back in Melbourne 3 days short of a year and dreaming of the next trip.

The sailing was varied with everything from 50+ knots on the nose to virtually nothing. I am pleased to say that the furler functioned in all conditions. The Furler was certainly one of the more robust that we saw whilst we were sailing and I would be pleased to speak to any of your prospective buyers. Presently our furler is down whilst we do major maintenance to the mast and I am pleased to say that it does not seem worse for wear for the 9000 nautical miles sailed last year.

We intend sailing again in the near future and will keep you posted as to our adventures.

Yours sincerely
Angus W

Dear Mitch

Thank you Your REEFIT furling system.
As you know, I fitted the system for my trip in Glenshiel VII from Hobart to the Louisiade Archipelago in New Guinea, & return, a trip of 2000 miles.
It is a wonderful product, & makes cruising so much easier, especially as one gets older. I had previously used a slightly cheaper & much older furling system, & changing to your system was like going from a T Model Ford to a Rolls Royce.

Regards
Hugh G

Mitch

Arrived in puerto williams, chile, south america 28 Jan, 47 days and 5300 miles out of Hobart after a slowish passage. Saw a few icebergs on the way, but now too late to go to Antarctic so heading north along Chilean coast. A bad gybe bent stainless plate in gooseneck to 60°, and a big breaker bent sprayhood but you expect these things in Southern Ocean gales - hope to repair them in Punta Arenas, meanwhile sailing under trysail and genoa.

Hugh C

Editor's note: This boat has since sailed up the west coast of South America, visited the Galapagos Islands, transited the Panama Canal, sailed the east coast of North America and Canada to Hudson Bay, crossed the Atlantic to the UK, and won the British Three Peaks Race!.

Dear Mitch

It is a year and half since we launched "Xyris" at Bellerive Yacht Club. We often have compliments on the way you built the rig, you will be pleased to hear! We have sailed 5500 miles so far, between Hobart and Bowen, everything has worked fine. We hope to go to New Zealand in October.

Kind regards
Richard S