One of the things we like most about cruising is the interesting people one meets. As you get closer to the Arctic Circle, the folks become even more fascinating. So it is with Roger and Ben Wallis, the father and son team that run the expedition and support vessel Australis.

Roger and Ben have run their expedition yachts in the high latitudes for the past twelve years. Their normal cruising area starts in Tierra del Fuego, runs to the Falklands, the South Georgia Islands, and on to Antarctica. Dealing with icebergs, pack ice, hurricane strength winds, and aggressive sea mammals is all part of the job. That much of this takes place in seawater near or sometimes below freezing, and in even colder air, makes it all the more interesting.

Their clients include scientists, mountain climbers, back country skiers, and those just looking for an extraordinary vacation (www.ocean-expeditions.com for more information).

Rafted to such a database of high latitude experience was a rare treat for us. We spent several days looking through Australis, showing Roger and Ben Wind Horse, and discussing the FPB 64 and our goals for the design.

Australis is a Kiwi-built Lidgard design, heavily constructed in steel, and modified by Roger and Ben for working in the high latitudes. This is their fourth expedition yacht, and Roger comes to this from a background in commercial fishing. We’ll show you some of the gear that caught our attention.

Starting with ground tackle, Australis uses a 300-pound (133kg) plow anchor as the primary hook. This double gypsy hydraulic windlass works anchor and shorefast lines. There are hydraulic winches aft for additional shorefasts and warping.

Chain is 3/4" (19mm) BBB chain. Much stronger than it needs to be, but they like the weight to add catenary to the chain.

For shorefast they use nylon forward, and polypropylene aft. The nylon sinks so it can be eased under ice. The aft lines float and stay clear of the bottom.

The blue spring line from Wind Horse is around a stainless bollard, welded in place (these are all around the deck).

A clear view, necessary according to Roger, in snow and sleet. When we asked about wipers he said they were OK, but you had to start them before they became immobilized by ice build up.

Pilot house windows are double glazed to prevent condensation.

The gear shift for the Gardner diesel and its transmission.

Speaking of which, how does three tons of iron for 150 HP (at 800 RPM) sound? The Gardner’s are efficient to run, and go forever. You can take cylinders off-line and run on four of the six jugs.

They swing a 44" (1.1m) four bladed prop. It is a special casting, with oversized hub, wide blade roots, and thicker blades for chopping ice.

Refleks heaters seem to be the high latitude standard. Simple and reliable.

Hot water is pumped to a series of home style radiators. Good heat is essential to keeping guests happy when outside ambient is often well below freezing.

They use their watermaker every day in high latitudes, averaging about 85% of capacity due to the reduced efficiency in cold water. This is one of two swimming pool filters installed to clean plankton from the water.

Sea water then flows through three more prefilters, all of which are cleanable. Note the socks over these to stop ultraviolet light from helping algae grow.

Australis has a large aft cabin with a table to seat twelve guests. This clever notch allows you to extricate yourself from the middle (the table rotates as you walk towards the edge).

A final small, but interesting detail. Note the bungee cord strap to reduce the bulk of jackets and foul weather gear. We’ll be copying this ourselves.