tingling sauces of the Thai dinner in the wok; these are absolutely compulsory to survival at sea.

Forget the technicalities and performance statistics - after all, a boat is a boat right? Delivering the food and wine in a consumable and memorable state is the ultimate test of a good sailboat’s capabilities. This axiom followed a weekend with Roger Barnett, a former Commodore of Mooloolaba Yacht Club, and his wife Jacqui, as four of us sailed their boat in the calm waters on the inside of Fraser Island just a few hours north of Brisbane and our homes on the Sunshine Coast.

With gusto, we consumed the multi course Thai dinner of wok fried calamari and prawns, curried chicken with green beans and pineapple then, some forgotten dessert that I concocted over the portable two burner gas stove. Oh, and the fine red wine we all overly indulged over some hours. This is a memory still talked about in noisy yachtie circles.

That night was the turning point in my assessment of serious boating requirements. Just how comforting is the indulgence, bodily relief and the recovery - this is the real test of a fine craft.

While the BIA Sydney International Boat Show gave ample opportunity for the testosterone pumped performance freaks to examine the latest technologies, cloths and gadgets, there is the serious side to boating. For me, examining the lifestyle creature comforts of the cruising yachts was the main event.

Can there be anything more off putting than being harangued all the way home with the bride repeatedly reminding you of the champers that spilled on the white slacks, or the curry stain on the specially procured blouse? Worse is the ‘multi pee stops’ trip home because the “damn boat” wouldn’t keep still. So, for personal and domestic harmony, it is imperative to know whose invitations to accept, right?

But of course, some selfish boat owners don’t want too much company at all. Just that one special person with whom to engage in gestures of goodwill between two people that come about in harmony with nature and the comfort and inducement of the senses, inspiring squeals of pleasure and consensual acceptance for the ultimate prize.

So, I set off to the Boat Show in empathy with the non-owner sailors who want to spot the dolphins and whales while not spilling the champagne or beer and, while keeping a gourmet dinner in their bowl rather than between their toes. Oh, and with some vigilance on behalf of those selfish romantics keeping their deeds and their boat to themselves.

Bobbing along the floating marina crammed into Darling Harbour especially for the Show and edging through the shoulder to shoulder Sunday crowd, I happened upon the Beneteau flotilla. What a display! The excitement generated by a Beneteau is reminiscent of the hysteria of a “baby boomer” seen at a Beatles or Rolling Stones concert four decades ago. I had not sailed on one of these, just heard about them. And it seemed their reputation is well deserved for what I had in mind.

On the Cyclade 39 Helen Taylor (find her at helen@vicsail.com ) embalmed me in information. We perched on the timber inlaid cockpit seats with width enough for a whole upper leg and, I was able to lean back against the combing in relaxed style. The fixed white moulded table in the centre (without drop sides) had a good sized ice bucket and drink holders built in, giving proof that drinking and dining in this cockpit, with a few cushions thrown around, was all space and comfort for many.

Helen pointed out that whilst the 39 has three fine cabins, it can be rigged to be sailed by a couple so they can sail off with or without their friends as their mood takes them.

The Beneteau finish had started to engulf me and so, the Galley was next. This is definitely for the lifestyle seeker and creative chef who can move in small circles. But the thing you notice on descending the companionway is the mid toning of the timber used throughout the saloon. The contrasting near white cushions create a sense of the Colonial era and the class of those times, but in a modern and functional way.

The deep frig accompanies adequate storage facility for pots and pans, the jars and bottles plus, the fresh vegies with herbs of basil, coriander, ginger and garlic that would allow for inspired edible delights.

But what about the famous “wok test”? The majesty of a one pot cooker is that it can create a whole meal in one go but, a finely rounded bottom requires persuasive control. I soon discovered that the solid pot holders on this stove should hold a rain water tank steady, certainly a loaded wok – quite unlike some of the other boats I saw later.

The oven appeared big enough to cook the office Christmas party so it should willingly accept the fish that jumped on your line, or the roast. A fitted cutting board for the essential preparation hides the double sink. In the frig, the champers and beer will stay cool til needed as will the cheese and dips. This galley has plenty for the day tripper or the extended cruiser, in abundance and comfort.

You can spread the galley treasures over that fixed table in the cockpit and still leave plenty of room to move around. The deck is clean and free of obstructions so there should be no spillage or damage, rendering the first aid kit unnecessary. Then, lean into the moulded combing, relax and indulge.

This cockpit area is a key feature for the lifestyle minded and yet, the ‘sailing’ is also practical and enjoyable. While under way, the Skipper commands the helm seat behind the master’s wheel at the rear of the cockpit and keeps out of the way of the party animals and thrill seekers. Our skipper though, retains his part in the scene and can easily be handed a coldie or his plate.

On a different occasion the saloon offers largish lounges surrounding one solid, no (need for) drop sides table. Dining here with appropriate lighting and music, with some imagination, resembles the dining tent of an Arabian Nights fantasy.
 
And yes, when relief is needed, the head is a seated affair on which the ladies could remain positioned in most sea conditions and then wash up in the sizable sink while taking in the lavender of pot pourri to further relax the senses.

My ongoing inspection discovered that for the romantic ‘two up’ sailors, overcome by the fresh sea air and sensational indulgences, with the auto pilot engaged or when securely anchored, the solid saloon table and the cockpit table are incredibly sturdy, whilst the cabin bunks would give solidarity to any tender moment - places individually able to play their part in a memorable sail.

All up, the Cyclades is a roomy boat, built with style and complete comfort.

Helen then sent me over to Beneteau’s Lagoon 420 – now this is a Cat with purr -to meet Caju Barbosa. Whilst he hails from Brazil, he has sailed the world and has stories aplenty to tell. Being the Gold Coast rep, Caju has lots to offer Queenslanders (find him at caju@vicsail.com).

Undoubtedly, this cat IS lifestyle. Stability and space, it erupts with open areas. The saloon and galley are restrained from falling into the cockpit by just the “kitchen bench”, allowing maximum interaction between all on board. The chef’s creativity is barely interrupted to pass the hors d’ouvres, the fresh coldies and the hot dishes prepared in oven, microwave or the gas stove – all without a stumble up any stairs.

The saloon of the Lagoon is all usable space of table, lounges, cushions and floor area encapsulating the galley. Plus, a chart table of adequate proportions tucked into its functional corner. This internal area can be closed off with the sliding doors to the cockpit if weather dictates, and still have that party crowd or extended family reconvene in comfort.

The cat is just made for entertainment or cruising in comfort and it seems unimaginable that the glass will tip or the food spill. What’s more, the ladies could be relieved “hands free” in the head or even “bucketless” on the transom that seems so stable, and it offers privacy and easy access.

The helm is raised on the port side of the cockpit area, elevating the skipper to exert control without interference, but while maintaining his role in the lifestyle action of the group. And, the helm seat is big enough to invite that special friend to be close when needed or, simply to be providor when the drinks need refilling.

The Lagoon range has various configurations of cabin numbers and is so big you get queen size beds for rest and play. Even so, the Lagoon design can be rigged for couple sailing, with ease and safety.

As you’d expect in a comfort machine, the cockpit is protected from the elements with a fitted Bimini. It is obstruction free, as are the spacious decks, to make this boat your floating palace that will cast the office into the antiquity of a deserved faded memory.

My imagination catapulted to visions of romantic indulgences in all areas of the Lagoon that put this boat on the “toy to have” Christmas list. But then, the family scene also reappeared with axe belting reality and this floating play station was there too. Ah, truly a boat for all reasons and all seasons.

Moving on, next was Beneteau’s Oceanis Series and aboard the 373. There are new designs here and the quality remains unmistakably ‘Beneteau’. Whilst these are not Cyclades in size or features, the quality is ever present.

Being a smaller boat, the cockpit doesn’t have the space and feel of the Cyclades but, the purpose is different so expectations are revised. The cockpit wheel cleverly rotates to give access for arrivals and departures over the transom but this interferes with one side of the table until restored. However, when re-rotated, space usage returns.

Down below, the galley is L shaped where a few pirouettes would put out a multi star menu, with or without that wok. The frig will give you accompanying drinks at the right temperature for meals and the in between refreshers. Storage in the galley is adequate while cold storage is fine for short trips and cri-o-vac should fulfil for extended sails.

In contemplation of my future lifestyle on the high seas as I figure the sailing Gods intended, I recall the words learned very early in my young military career – “any dill can be uncomfortable, with just a bit of effort you can make hardship easier”. Sailing does not have to be hardship when you have craft and comforts like these - space, high quality living features and their ability to imbibe the party when guests are involved.  Then of course, these are the same places for that intimate mood with that special person.

What ever your cause, lifestyle comforts aboard make sailing the effervescent stimulator and the right mix will have you longing to be invited the next time. But hey, if the skipper has got the wrong boat, tell him Gilligan, you and the crew are somewhere else next time.