How will this need be addressed?

We are looking at creating a rear roll-on wheelchair accessible yacht (after considerable modification to give wheelchair skipper position on starboard side with possibly hydraulic steering and an electric lift or lowering mechanism into the cabin and toilet). This will be suitable for Bay sailing and we are searching for a 25’ to 30’ yacht with plenty of beam (over 3m) with a decent amount of keel weight to give a very stable, moderate performance, safe yacht. This type of yacht is available in Italy and Greece, but not to our knowledge in Australia.

See optimal Italian solution at http://www.velaetica.it/caratteristiche.html . Note: These are commercial hire boats that are owned by a sailing school who, incidentally, ran the 2005 Liberty Single Person World Championships (where Colin came second).

The yacht would be stored at Royal Yacht Club of Victoria (RYCV) 120 Nelson Place, Williamstown. The club is fully wheelchair accessible, with adequate parking, two disabled toilets and wheelchair accessible pontoons already. Other uses would extend to other clubs by sailing or motoring to other clubs around the bay.

Price is an issue as modifications will be expensive and the budget is limited but the better quality boat that can be found to start off with, the less will need to spend in money and time to get to safe general sailing state. Budget is ~ $20,000 at most for the base yacht before modifications. Modifications of cutting and opening up the rear deck space to provide wheelchair access from the rear with space (including required tie down points for safety) for wheelchair seating, designing and building a tilting skipper’s chair, and then some sot of internal lift to provide access to the enclosed cabin and toilet. All these additions will cost al least another $15,000.

We (Colin and Moira) are willing to cover the initial purchase of the basic yacht, but assistance will be needed to carry out the extensive modifications to make the yacht an example of what could be achieved in other club or other private yachts to accommodate wheelchair users.

The aim is to create a yacht where not only can physically and other disabled people be taken sailing safely but, those capable, can actively participate in sailing the yacht from adjusting sail trim to navigating and steering the yacht. This could be a valuable experience in participation in an exciting activity that enables team participation in a sport that is currently unavailable at this level.