Adrenalin Rush and a sailing lifestyle you could have

by Sail-World Cruising on 6 Jun 2010 You never know what will happen when you throw of the docklines and go sailing. For Keith Logan, taking a year off turned into a magic lifestyle and a business to keep him doing what he loved permanently, and which he can now pass on to others.

In 2002 Sydney-based sailor and one time hobie cat champion Logan took a year off from life’s demands and went cruising with an old navy mate who also needed some R&R.

The two friends cruised up the east Australian coastline and then spent quite a bit of time in the Whitsundays, that idyllic group of islands behind Australia's Great Barrier Reef. They both fell in love with Hamilton Island, which is easily done as the island is one of the most popular islands of the comparatively calm waters behind the reef. They both decided to stay for a while, but Keith needed a challenge to keep him out of trouble….

As an ex-Australian representative Hobie Cat sailor Keith has always been passionate about high speed sailing and wanted to share the experience with others. So the concept of a unique business was born as Keith saw an opportunity to introduce tourists and holidaying sailors to the exciting experience of catamaran sailing, not just any catamaran sailing, but the kind of adrenaline-pumping, up-on-the-trapeze catamaran sailing that he was so familiar with, and most of us only watch on television.

He remembered that an old sailing colleague who had an original Nacra 36 catamaran – the ideal vessel he thought – and he picked up the phone… .

This classic gem of a boat had just been sold to Roscoe Guinea of Brisbane Catamaran Centre. Roscoe’s plan was to build a modern version using the old (1976) model as a datum. Keith approached Roscoe and together they hatched a plan to build a sleek new 36’ Nacra cat to survey.

In the meantime Keith pitched the idea to Hamilton Island’s new owners the Oatley family. As internationally known and highly respected sailors they saw the unique opportunity of having the only commercial sailing vessel in Australia, and possibly the world, enabling sailors and not-sailors alike to go sailing at high speeds and out on trapeze. This would clearly be a real drawcard for the island.

Four years on and Keith has introduced over 8000 guests to the thill of flying at up to 22 knots out over the water on trapeze. Around 80% of his guests had never been on a sailing boat before, let alone experienced high-speed sailing. A number of these guests have since been in touch with Keith to let him know that the Adrenalin Rush Sailing experience was the catalyst for them to take up sailing.

With a long, diverse and successful career in the maritime industry under his belt, Keith has done what most of us only dream of. Set up a business that sees him spending his days of semi-retirement running a one man business which has him out on the water each afternoon.

If you look out from Catseye beach almost any day you will see Keith extolling the virtues of sailing in the beautiful Whitsunday’s and sharing his passion for a sport he truly enjoys with people from all walks of life from over the world who go to stay on Hamilton Island. Adrenalin Rush Sailing has featured on such popular TV shows as American Chopper, Getaway, Guide to the Good Life.

They say all good things must come to an end, and friends and family responsibilities are calling Keith back to the real world. With the reluctance and anticipation of a father seeing his daughter off on her first date, he is calling for Expression’s of Interest for someone to take over one of the most relaxing, stress free and laid-back jobs anyone could ask for.

Keith’s contact is keith.logan@adrenalinrushsailing.com.au, but be patient if you get an out of office messages that says: 'Sorry, gone sailing!'