Hi,

Time Bandits is now 11 at Easter this year (2006). She is doing really well and gets taken out every week. This year we are back into racing and she / we still has the highest handicap in the club 0.99. This year we will do the Townsville to Hinchinbrook Regatta which we did very well at last time (2004) setting a record of 8 hours and 20 minutes for the 112 mile course. We beat the fastest mono by 3 hours but they did not give us the line honours trophy because we are in a multi. Each year we see more and more multis and more Pescotts doing the big trip north. Time Bandits was the first plans for the Whitehaven 11.1 and the second to hit the water. She still has very good performance compared to all the recently constructed boats and other than a recent new set of wires and paint; she has had no serious work done.

As you know, we have really done some miles and under occasionally very bad weather conditions. So her excellent condition after 11 years is a tribute to her design. She has won the Laguna Quays regatta, The Queensland Multihull Offshore Championships, the St Helena cup, the QCYC offshore and winter series, we have won and come second in the Dunk Island race and a third and a 5th in a very competitive Brisbane to Gladstone fleet, in addition to many minor races. There is no doubt that she is the fastest bridge deck cat under 12 mtrs, and faster than many above that size.

With the speed comes comfort with two queen bunks (slumberland), 240 volts through an inverter, microwave, two fridges, nav computer and plenty of fuel and water capacity and a new profurl. She is also a very happy cruiser. She now has a cot, a netted in area for the kids bunk, and all the occasionals that comes with youngsters. And because of her performance when sailed fast, to throttle back with the family using only the furling headsail, gives trouble free sailing for the family while still getting across the bay quicker than most. In the last 11 years we have recommended the Whitehaven many times and not always successfully. Many people, mostly those who are unfamiliar with multis and many unfamiliar with sailing, have chosen other designs mostly due to a quality salesperson.

I can't honestly think of anyone who failed to go Pescott that went on to keep their boat for 3 years, let alone 11. You don't see many Pescotts for sale and that says simply, people like them. Time Bandits is truly a performance cruiser in a way that no other designer has matched, and the proof is on the record.

Mike Shelly & Cath, Juliette (4) and William (2).