Young gun Ben Coad wrapped to make his Launceston-Hobart debut in The Dog House

Ben Coad, 13, is already a seasoned sailor, and he is excited about making his debut in the Launceston to Hobart yacht race on Sunday.

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HE started sailing before he could even spell the word.

That’s why Ben Coad, 13, is so excited about making his debut in the Launceston to Hobart yacht race on Sunday with his dad Peter on The Dog House, a 30-footer owned by his Great Uncle Ambrose.

As the youngest sailor in this year’s edition of the 285 nautical mile race from Beauty Point to Hobart, Ben is part of the next generation of Tasmanian keel boat sailors who may go on to tackle the big one, the Sydney to Hobart, in the years ahead.

Ben Coad, 13, will be taking part in his first Launceston to Hobart alongside his dad, Peter Coad, and great uncle, Ambrose Coad. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Peter, 47, a stevedore in Hobart, could not be more proud to sail with his son.

“I’ve been sailing all of my life — I started at about seven down at Port Huon,” Peter said.

“This is my fourth Launceston-Hobart and we do a lot of other long-distance races as well.

“We’re really excited to be doing the race together.

“It’s going to be a big moment for both of us.”

Crew from boat The Dog House who will be competing in the Launceston to Hobart (front) Charlotte Frankcombe, Ben Coad, 13, and Peter Coad and (rear) Roger Masters, Ambrose Coad, Steve McConaghy and David O'Neill. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The Dog House sails out of Kettering and Ben is still learning the ropes.

“He’s a very quick learner,” Peter said.

“You only have to tell him or show him something once, and then next time it happens he knows exactly what to do.”

Ben started sailing on Michael Rowley’s yacht Planet X, and then moved onto The Dog House.

His duties are trimmer, pit and bow, and for Ben nothing compares to the spray in his face and wind in his hair.

“I like racing against the other boats and doing as well as we can,” he said.

“I did the delivery from Hobart to Launceston to qualify for the race and I’m excited to be doing it with my dad.

“I’d also like to do a Sydney-Hobart one day.”

A fleet of 31 yachts will tackle the 14th Launceston-Hobart, run by the Derwent Sailing Squadron.

It starts at 11.30am.

LAUNCESTON TO HOBART — AT A GLANCE

Edition of the race: 14th

Starts: Sunday

Where: Beauty Point (45km north of Launceston)

Finishes: Sydney-Hobart line, Castray Esplanade

Distance: 285 nautical miles

Entries: 31

Most wins: Fork in the Road (Gary Smith)

Race record: 1 day 9 hours 33 min 58 sec (Crotty Dental (Gary Smith/Geoff White), 2008)