A centre cockpit ketch built of fibreglass, Nova Vida was initially fitted with a 28hp Watermotor (actually a Ford Cortina 1600cc engine converted to diesel). This was replaced in 1996 with a new Volvo MD2040 of 40hp which powers her today. Apparently Nova Vida was the very first Duncanson 37, from which the mould was cast for making all subsequent ones.
Original owners were D.B. Trewartha and John W. Inverarity of Adelaide who kept her until 1980. Owners since then have included Robert and Barbara Ward of Sydney (1980 - 1984), Alexander and Carmen Jimenez of Sydney (1984 - 1988), Ken Sharp and Barry Priestley of Melbourne (1988 - 1991), Helen and Barry Priestley of Melbourne (1991 - 1994 ), Stephen Renfree of Point Lonsdale Vic. (1994 - 2002), Graham T Findlay of Flinders Vic. (2003 - 2004), David Kidd of Maryborough Qld. (2004 - 2007) and now Victor Martin
Perhaps the most adventurous of all Nova Vida's owners are the Jimenez family who sailed her around the world between 1985 and 1987.
CIRCUMNAVIGATION:
Alexander and Carmen Jimenez were migrants from Spain who settled in Sydney and soon established a thriving business. With no previous experience of boating they were thinking of retirement plans when they met another Spanish couple who were circumnavigating the world. The idea evidently appealed to Alex and Carmen who discussed it thoroughly and departed Sydney Harbour on their own circumnavigation within a few months! Their story is told in more detail in the book "Cruising Australians" by Alan Lucas which is thoroughly recommended.
Son Ernest accompanied Alex and Carmen on their circumnavigation. His brother Valero who sailed Nova Vida from Sri Lanka to Port Sudan recalls:
"My brother Ernest is the one who sailed her, pretty much single-handed around the globe. My Father was an excellent "Captain". Despite the lack of sailing experience, his understanding of the weather, the sea, discipline and good decision making ensured a safe and enjoyable cruise around the world. My mother (Carmen) was an absolute "Legend". Everyone knows how difficult it is to cook on board. More often than not, the galley is the first place you start to get sea sick. Mum was not only NEVER sea sick, but she would cook the most amazing meals, including PAELLA!
"Nova Vida is a fine boat. I remember the night my brother Alex made the call to Mr Ward asking about the vessel. Back then, we were not very well versed in the terminology and Mr Ward picked it up straight away saying.. " have you just won lotto or something?" We had sailed little 12' skiffs (Cherubs) in Sydney but had no idea what a sailing yacht looked like! Ernest was only 17, I was 18 and Alex 19. Dad was 56 and had really no knowledge of sailing at all! But he was (or is as he is still with us) a well educated man.
"Ernest is the real hero. Remember that he sailed without a furling headsail all the way to Spain where she was fitted for the first time with the furler. Every shift in wind was another full sail change for him, no matter what time of day! Just Mum, Dad and Ernest went all the way around. Also, remember that they didn't have the modern GPS. They had the old SatNav system which gave a fix every 10 hours if you were lucky and the accuracy wasn't the same. Also, no HF radio. Only VHF for boat to boat and boat to shore for short distances. The EPIRB was also the old type that sends a signal to overhead planes only. Not the fancy stuff we have today! Oh, and if that's not tough enough, the fridge compressor which was running off the main shaft broke down before they even left Sydney and Dad felt it wasn't necessary. No refrigeration at all. Not even one of those plug in types you can pick up for $100!"
The route followed on the Jimenez circumnavigation started in Sydney, cruising north along Queensland's coral coast to Darwin and from there across to Cocos Keeling Island. The worst storm they experienced on the whole trip occurred just two days out of Sydney! From Cocos Keeling they sailed Nova Vida to Sri Lanka, Port Sudan, and through the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean. After resting at Cyprus they continued on to Malta, and then to Spain where they spent several months. The homeward return commenced early in 1987 with a crossing of the Atlantic to Martinique, and from there to Panama via Los Roques Island. Through the Panama Canal, a brief visit was paid to the Costa Rican island named Cocos before heading out across the Pacific Ocean to Australia, which they reached safely late in 1987.
VOYAGES OF CAPTAIN KIDD:
Descriptions of Nova Vida's voyages whilost David kidd was her owner are given on this separate voyages page.
MORE?
If anyone reading this knows more interesting history about Nova Vida please contact David Kidd so that we can add it to this page.Home Page : Below Deck : Crew : Voyages : History : Equipment : Sequel
Copyright © March 2005 by David Kidd. All rights reserved.
