The first encounter with a Bering vessel of the future owner was in 2014 while visiting Bali where he discovered Bering 65 “Namaste” part of the Expedition series. Soon after, he discovered Bering 55 “Mila” and was so impressed he decided to buy her and ship her to Australia.
After very successful sea trials it was decided to sail the vessel to her new home port in Fremantle, Australia. This first journey took him, his wife and a few friends on a 3,000 Nm voyage from Singapore to Fremantle. Afterwards they stated “Our little ship has performed outstandingly and has proved herself as a real sea going vessel.”
Among the small changes the owner decided to make to the boat include: adding a bimini top on the flybridge, new Comms panel with Barrett HF SSB and renaming the boat “Fonster” after his wife, Fonny.
Fonster’s next voyage will be a round trip to Western Australia’s Dirk Hartog Island in October 2016 where the first landing of Europeans in Australia in 1616 will be celebrated. Dave is planning on using the Fonster as an escort and communications control vessel for a fleet of racing and cruising yachts at the event.