A wise man learns more from fools
than fools learn from him.
-Cato-



A fresh and gusty southeasterly wind is sweeping across Cairns Harbour, in the north eastern corner of Australia. Yachts and boats are returning from their day sails and from the Barrier Reef. One small trailer sailer is setting up her sails and slowly drifting out towards the entry channel - out to sea. It seems odd that a boat that small would be heading out, no mast head lights and no chance of getting anywhere before dark.

With a blue inflatable one-man kayak strapped to its side, the little yacht disappears out of the harbour and away from the coast.

But the little yacht that we see departing the harbour is no trailer sailer. Nor is it attempting to get anywhere by sunset. The little yacht is WE-TU, a Bristol 22 - just under seven meters long fiberglass yacht designed by Heresoff and built 1969 in Rohode Island, USA.

In the helm of WE-TU stands Bill Wolfram, a 53-year-old sailor who has used up his 3-month visa in Australia and returning home - via Chile.

Bill has been sailing from a young age, but WE-T0 is his first ocean voyager. For US 2500 it was a bargain that Bill could not resist. "I never thought it was too small for ocean crossings" says Bill. "She sails well, very seaworthy and strong"

A home of four years, WE-TU appears a little more than a floating swag. But it is just right for Bill who is proving that world cruising is not a matter of money. Relying on his savings account, Bill has spent little money on the yacht that has carried him across Pacific Ocean to Australia. "The motor (A little Evinrude outboard) is probably the most expensive thing" Bill says, adding up the maintenance cost over the years at up to a few hundred dollars.

A newly acquired bamboo stick is ready to be made into a pole, while all other gear is proper. "I try to spend my money on the right things. As long as the money lasts, I'm a free guy and boy do I like my freedom!!" Some of the 'right things' includes an autopilot, some new rigging and a USD 15 Toshiba laptop computer in full working order. (Amazing what one can find in a charity shop, remember Windows 3.1?)

Bill's yacht looks suspiciously messy, being about to take out to sea. "The first 24 hours are always chaotic. I'll be really tired 24 hours from now. But when it's time to leave, it's time to leave and everything can be sorted out at sea." Bill's attitude towards pre-departure ship-shape is perhaps influenced by the Immigration officer who gave him until midnight to leave the country. "She wasn't real nice", says Bill. "I asked if I could make a stop in the Barrier Reef before heading out to sea and she just pointed out that my visa runs out today and I must leave today".

But lets not worry about small stuff. The next landfall is three months away. Chickpeas, carlic, olive oil and soy sauce. Muesli for b/fast Bill does not catch fish. A fish - like a bird - offers a far better opportunity for learning than for eating. Bill Wolfram, Bristol 22, from Rhode Island, USA (just under 7m) 2850Lb 1100Lb in the keel Design by Heresoff, I got to talk to him on the phone. Got to talk to a famous man... Built in 1969 (325 built until 1980) Bill has sailed since he was young, but WE-TU is his first voyage making yacht. He bought it for US 2500, and has been living onboard for four years. Has a leak in the keal (osmosis) Every 3 months put under water epoxy to keep it good. Lived onboard 4 years (2002) Born 11 February 1950 in Ohio Financing his cruising from his savings account. (The most expensive thing has been the motor, an Evinrude outboard, which has taken a good 300-400 dollars in maintenance during the years. What drives him? Optimism. Problems are temporary and solutions are just around the corner. Beauty - beauty of everything and anything; a woman, ocean, flowers, sounds...