Cruising Sunrise

Cruising Sunrise chronicles the extraordinary retirement voyaging odyssey of Australian couple Russ and Margy as they trade land-locked living for full-time ocean adventure across Australia, Southeast Asia, and the remote archipelagos of Japan. Beginning their journey aboard a Leopard 50 sailing catamaran, the couple later engineered and commissioned a custom 58-foot expedition power multihull—Sunrise III, a Longreach 58 Expedition built in Thailand. Blending practical mature-cruiser ergonomics, transparent naval design breakdowns, and immersive cultural exploration from the rugged Kimberley coast to the subtropical coral waters of Okinawa, the channel provides an authoritative blueprint for comfortable, long-range retirement voyaging.

Key Takeaways

• Sailing Catamaran to Power Catamaran Transition: After extensively cruising their Leopard 50, Russ and Margy made the deliberate decision to commission a custom Longreach 58 Expedition power multihull, sharing transparent operational comparisons regarding maintenance, single-level living, and passage reliability.
• Trans-Oceanic Range & Fuel Efficiency: Designed by naval architect James Dewing, their 58-foot power catamaran utilizes slender, low-drag displacement hulls powered by twin Yanmar diesels, delivering thousands of nautical miles of range at passage-making speeds.
• Pioneering Japan Island Cruising: The channel is one of the very few cruising documentaries detailing independent foreign yacht travel through Japan's southern Nansei / Ryukyu chain, including Okinawa, the Kerama Islands, Yoron Island, and Amami Oshima.

⚓ Quick Specs & Channel Vitals

Meet the Crew: Russ & Margy

The charm of Cruising Sunrise lies in the warm, authentic companionship between Russ and Margy. Dispelling the myth that ocean voyaging belongs solely to youthful twenty-somethings, they demonstrate that retirement offers the ultimate canvas for learning new maritime skills, discovering remote cultures, and living deliberately.

Russ (Skipper, Systems Planner & Technical Lead)

• Primary Expertise: Expedition yacht design, diesel mechanics, passage plotting, remote-control maneuvering systems, and electrical energy auditing.
• On-Camera Style: Pragmatic, thorough, analytical, and engaging, explaining engineering choices with accessible Australian clarity.

Career Transition & Technical Discipline

Following a demanding professional career in Australia, Russ sought an active retirement that paired mechanical challenge with global exploration. After gaining extensive sailing experience on their Leopard 50, Russ analyzed their real-world usage patterns. Recognizing that true ocean voyaging involves significant motoring through calms and adverse currents, Russ collaborated closely with naval architect James Dewing to build a purpose-engineered expedition power catamaran from the keel up. His video walkthroughs—such as How to build a long range, power catamaran and Power Catamaran, BOAT TOUR around the outside. Longreach 58 Expedition—offer some of the most thorough multihull build documentation on YouTube.

Margy (First Mate, Galley Chef & Cultural Ambassador)

• Primary Expertise: Shipboard provisioning, gourmet galley cooking, anchoring communications, local market provisioning, and cultural exploration.
• On-Camera Style: Joyful, enthusiastic, grounded, and observant, highlighting the lifestyle pleasures and community interactions of foreign cruising.

Island Discoveries & Life Afloat

Margy brings heart and culinary delight to the expedition. From whipping up fresh seafood risottos with dockside catches to embarking on pushbike explorations across remote Japanese islands in Amami Island Paradise, Margys Perfect Day in Japan, Margy showcases the sheer joy of cultural immersion. Her candid reflections on boat life adjustments, anchoring dynamics, and shore excursions create a relatable connection for mature couples contemplating similar voyages.

⛵ Fleet Forensics: The Longreach 58 Expedition & Leopard 50

The central narrative of Cruising Sunrise is defined by a bold, deliberate fleet evolution: moving from a production sailing catamaran to a custom-built expedition power catamaran engineered specifically for long-range oceanic self-sufficiency.

Flagship: Sunrise III (Longreach 58 Expedition)

Built at the PMG Shipyard in Rayong, Thailand, under the guidance of designer James Dewing, the Longreach 58 Expedition is a true trans-oceanic passage maker. Featuring slender, wave-piercing semi-displacement hulls, high bridge deck clearance, and lightweight vacuum-infused composite construction, Sunrise III achieves remarkable fuel efficiency—burning a fraction of the diesel consumed by traditional monohull trawlers while delivering a stable, level ride across open ocean swells.

🛠️ The Gear Locker: Engineering & Remote Docking

Cruising two-handed on a 58-foot multihull demands thoughtful hardware integration that eliminates physical strain and stress:

1. Dockmate Wireless Remote System

In No more anchoring arguments!, Russ and Margy demonstrate their game-changing remote-control docking and anchoring setup. Using a handheld Dockmate transmitter, Russ can step away from the flybridge helm to stand directly on the foredeck or side decks, controlling engine throttles, bow thrusters, and anchor windlass with millimeter precision—completely eliminating shouting matches during tight marina docking or anchoring.

2. Yanmar Diesel Powerplant Integration

In Finally got our Yanmar engines! Longreach 58 launching is close, Russ details the engine installation process. Selecting electronically governed Yanmar common-rail diesels, the propulsion package delivers whisper-quiet operation, minimal vibration, and optimized fuel mapping that allows continuous 24-hour displacement passages at extraordinary economy.

📊 Vessel Systems Health Scorecard

Cruising Chronology & Geographic Milestones

The voyages of Cruising Sunrise trace an ambitious arc across the Western Pacific and Southeast Asian seas:

🏆 Top Episodes & Must-Watch Stories

To experience the engineering excellence and scenic wonder of Cruising Sunrise, explore these standout episodes cataloged on WeBoating:

• The Full Longreach 58 Tour: In Power Catamaran, BOAT TOUR around the outside. Longreach 58 Expedition, Russ provides a comprehensive exterior tour showcasing hull lines, engine bays, and deck hardware.
• Docking Without Arguments: In No more anchoring arguments!, the crew demonstrates how the Dockmate remote control revolutionized their two-handed vessel handling.
• Cruising Okinawa & Kerama Islands: In Cruising Japan, Okinawa and Kerama Islands, viewers experience the azure waters, rich maritime heritage, and welcoming hospitality of southern Japan.
• Sailing vs. Power Catamarans: In Why build a Power catamaran? Why we changed from sailing catamaran, Russ delivers an objective, experienced breakdown comparing the practicalities of sail vs. power.
• Kimberley Dream Voyage: In A DREAM COME TRUE! Kimberly fishing and Aboriginal Rock Art, the couple navigates one of the world's last true wildernesses aboard their Leopard 50.

🧭 Similar Channels to Explore on WeBoating

If you enjoy Cruising Sunrise's focus on expedition catamarans, mature couple voyaging, and off-the-beaten-path destinations, explore these kindred channels on WeBoating:

• Yachting World: Authoritative independent sea trials, multihull walk-throughs, and technical naval architecture reviews of long-range passage makers.
• Sailing Tranquilo: Fil, El, and Aiden navigating their Hanse 455 on a 20,000nm global circumnavigation concluding in Sydney Harbour.
• Sailing In Okinawa: Dedicated coastal and island voyaging through the Ryukyu archipelago and southern waters of Japan.

Frequently Asked Questions