Primitive Cool (aka AFR Midnight Rambler) at the start of the 2006 Rolex Sydney Hobart      Image- Carlo Borlenghi/Rolex

Primitive Cool comes from a strong racing pedigree having previously been called AFR Midnight Rambler.  A modified Farr 40 One Design, it was the second boat built in the series of boats named Midnight Rambler.  The previous owners have now taken delivery of the third Midnight Rambler which will continue to race out of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia - home to the famous blue water ocean classic – the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

In her previous incarnation, Primitive Cool was modified for better performance in the ocean by shortening the keel and increasing the weight of the keel bulb. The boat competed in six Sydney Hobart Races, the last in 2010.  She also won the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s Blue Water Pointscore in March, 2007.

Now renamed Primitive Cool, John is keen to see the new livery painted on the boat which is scheduled for slipping just after Easter. Until then her new name has been painted on the transom.

The ORCV Port Fairy Race will not only be a test for John as novice skipper but also for the other novice’s  on-board.   Fifty percent of the crew is competing in their first ocean race. To overcome any short comings John has done the sensible thing and has put together an experienced support team to assist him and help him prepare for the race.  He has engaged Matt Fahey as the boats ocean racing coordinator and team manager, along with Bretlyn Brown, who will assist with crew training.   Matt Fahey will act as navigator, Bretlyn Brown will be the sailing master and John Newbold will be skipper on the Port Fairy Race.

Matt said his strategy for the race is “to play hard and stay safe while nurturing the new Primitive Cool team to the finish line at Port Fairy.”  Depending on the conditions, Matt prefers a three hours on and three hours off watch format with two watch groups.  As team manager he will make sure there is a good mix of experienced and novice crew on each watch.   This will help build the overall skill level of the team as well as instill confidence and cohesion in the new crew.

In anticipation of the race, the crew has been doing some sail training sessions on the bay and has entered the Simrad Big Bay Challenge organized by The Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron.  This overnight race is for IRC, AMS and performance handicaps as well as a Cruising Division and will be held on March 30-31, 2012. The BBC as it is known - challenges crews to navigate the bay overnight and in the dark which will be good preparation for the Melbourne to Port Fairy Race.

 If time and tide permits at the finish line, Matt would like to take the boat into the Moyne River and tie up near the Port Fairy Yacht Club.  He says  “one of the great things about ocean racing for the new crew is to  experience  the shared sense of  achievement  and  the opportunity  to enjoy  the camaraderie  of the other boat crews after the race”. He adds “the Port Fairy Yacht Club always puts on a great country welcome and is very supportive to the visiting boats”.  Of course there are also the many other charms of Port Fairy - like lots of great pubs and restaurants - for those wishing to explore more of this quaint historical town.