Big Mama Sailing

Lisa and Stu live aboard Big Mama, an 18-metre ketch built up the coast at Bloomfield, and run sailing trips out of Townsville and Magnetic Island with their son and the boat dog. The fleet is three: Big Mama; Ragamuffin 111, a German Frers racing sloop that was the third of Syd Fisher's famous Ragamuffins; and Samurai, a 1979 Sparkman & Stephens they bought neglected in 2023 and brought back. They sail rather than motor wherever they can — stated as the point, not a slogan — to the bays of Magnetic Island you can only reach by water, out to the Palm Islands and the reef. Groups stay small, twelve at most. Ecotourism Australia has certified them long enough to make them a Green Travel Leader, and the recycling aboard raises money for the Magnetic Island Turtle Hospital. Half-day, sunset, full-day and overnight; from the mainland and the island both.