Conception
I was conceived as a means to travel the world’s oceans carrying my 19 year old owner and his friends in comfort, at speed with safety. Mangrove Charlie was designed by me in 1985 and I finished building her in 1992. We have sailed and cruised together ever since.
Construction
I was nine years in the construction stage eventually being launched into the Pumas Stone passage on Australia Day January 26th 1991. I moved to Burnett Heads, Bundaberg for final fit out and mast and sail installation. I enjoyed my first sail of Bundaberg on Australia Day 1992
Cruising
On Anzac Day 1992 I departed Bundaberg with my owner now 29 and his female friend Dorothy. We sailed together for 11 years.
The three of us would usually depart Brisbane or Bundaberg around May bound for adventure and all ports north till November, then we would turn around and sail south arriving Brisbane or Bundaberg around January. During the summer months my owner would maintain and care for me between weekend sailing trips.
Disaster
On Australia Day 2013 Brisbane suffered a direct hit from an ex tropical cyclone and the Brisbane river flooded. I was bashed up for 12 hours and the aft 600mm of me was destroyed. It was my 21st birthday. Fortunately my owner still cared for me and for 12 month he lovingly and beautifully extended and refitted me. I was re launched on Australia Day 2014.
Some cosmetic surgery
After my 29th birthday my owner felt that I was starting to look a little old, lucky for me he spent every spare minute working on my appearance and giving me a new look, I very happy with the results of the year long makeover and on Australia Day 2020 I was relaunched .
Currently
Currently I’m at the Gold Coast Queensland Australia receiving the final preparation for an extended cruise.
Mangrove Charlie.
She was designed by me in 1985 and I finished building her in 1992. We have sailed and cruised together ever since.