Banu Oney has always been destined to be a sailor. Her life has taken many twists and turns, but she has ended up right back where she belongs: on the water.

Banu was blessed to be born into a sailing family. Having grown up racing yachts all across Turkey and Greece, Banu shared that, now, in the second half of her life, sailing has become an obsession. Her father, Muhittin Oney, was a prominent Turkish yachtsman, and where the story of Banu and boats was born. However, rather than sitting his daughter down and teaching her to sail, little Banu fell in love with it on her own, absorbing all her knowledge whilst spending time aboard with her father.

As she got older, Banu drifted away from boats, attending university to study Psychology. But Banu doesn’t do anything at less than 100% and studied her way to a PHD. The newly titled, Dr Oney then spent many years as a professor in Istanbul, Delaware and Illinois. But in 2005, Banu’s life was upended with the shocking news that she needed brain surgery. Suffering from a brain aneurysm was a catalyst for the lifestyle overhaul that threw Banu back into sailing. She told her surgeon that she had dreams of sailing the world and he assured her that she still would. Less than two months after her operation, Banu had quit her teaching role and was on her first boat in Turkey – a 44-foot Beneteau.

After taking an incredible leap of faith, in 2006 Banu sailed to Barcelona where a persistent salesman made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. Banu was able to upgrade herself to a 46-footer!

Banu, once again, set sail on her new boat and in 2009, took a trip to Gibraltar. It was there that she met her great love, a Kiwi by the name of Peter Saggers. He was a boatbuilder and shared her dream of sailing the world. Banu lovingly described Peter as “superman”. After spending 3 years working on their boat, Banu and Peter headed to Portugal, crossed the Atlantic, down the Hudson River in New York and to the Great Lakes. Reminiscing on this trip, Banu notes that the Great Lakes is still one of the best cruising areas she has ever sailed. A big call for someone who has sailed most of the world!

Peter and Banu’s journey continued with a new method of travel. They put their boat on a truck and headed to Seattle, Alaska and San Francisco where they would then spend the next 2 years. Peter was volunteering for the Spalding Marine Centre, constructing the American prototype boat for disabled sailors. This amazing contribution is something that still causes Banu to beam with pride, even today.

2020 was a difficult time for many due to the COVID-19 pandemic but on top of that, Peter and Banu had to contend with a cancer diagnosis and not knowing where they were allowed to sail with so many borders closed. Luckily, they were able to wait in French Polynesia, until other destinations slowly started to open up to yacht travel again. Then, onto Fiji and New Zealand. In New Zealand came another boat upgrade – trading in the 46-footer for a 56-footer, Banu’s current boat and the last boat she would share with Peter after he lost his years-long battle with cancer in July this year.

It may have been 20 years since her brain surgery, but Banu still updates her surgeon with every new country she has been lucky enough to visit. Her advice; never postpone your dream. She hears people say they will do something later, but Banu knows “later is now”. Still crossing bucket list destinations off, next up is Japan and then onto Seattle to spend time with her daughter and soon to be grandchild.

We welcome Banu to the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron as our guest in the Marina. If you would like to hear more from Banu, she has kindly agreed to speak on her adventures at our January Topic Talk to be held on Wednesday the 28^th of January. Keep an eye on our website and socials for more information closer to the date.

Do you have an interesting story to share? Contact Abigail O’Sullivan at digitalmarketing@rqys.com.au and say hello!