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News & Events Archive
News & Events - New South Wales
Joyce Talbot writes from New Zealand……
Join us for two fabulous weeks of classic sailing and racing on the spectacular waters of the Hauraki Gulf and Waitemata Harbour, and the enjoyment of the warm hospitality and camaraderie of Kiwi Classic Yachties. Bring your own yacht or crew on one of our beautiful ladies…………..
Schedule of Events:
Friday Jan 29: Devonport Yacht Club Night Race to Mahurangi. (24 miles)
Saturday Jan 30: Mahurangi Cruising Club Classic Yacht Regatta & Classic Launch Rally – non-series optional event
Sunday Jan 31: CYANZ Mahurangi to Auckland Race. (24 miles) Start 10am
Raft up in Viaduct
Monday Feb 1: Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Regatta
The Southern Trust Classic Yacht Regatta: 11-14 Feb, with Race HQ based in the Viaduct. Food and bar open each night after racing
Thursday Feb 11: Skippers briefing, followed by dinner at the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron
Friday Feb 12: Race 1
Saturday Feb 13: Race 2 followed by Race 3
Sunday Feb 14: Race 4 & Official Prize Giving
For More information download the Flyer and Entry form here
or
email joyce at joycetalbot@xtra.co.nz
Brian Hunter (WBA of NSW Pittwater Regatta Delegate) writes……
The summer sailing season is fast approaching and I have news that the Pittwater Regatta will be held on the weekend of 27 – 28 th March. Last years Timber and Classic division was a great success and we are hoping to make this years event even bigger. If there is enough interest we would look at events over 2 days for classic yachts with a raft up and social function on the Saturday evening. With this in mind we invite the Classic Yacht Association and its members to become involved.
Pittwater is the best cruising location on the coast of NSW with many fantastic anchorages and great sailing, with the regatta as a focal point, it presents a great opportunity for owners of classic yachts to have a memorable cruise and show of their pride and joy.
The Balmain Regatta is an historic event. It was first held in 1849 and continued until 1934. It was revived in 1994 by the Wooden Boat Association. The Balmain Sailing Club participated in the Balmain Regatta in 1995 and 1996 as one of the Spring Series races. In 1997 it was run as a separate event, jointly organized by the Balmain Sailing Club and the Wooden Boat Association. The Sydney Heritage Fleet (formerly the Sydney Maritime Museum), the Balmain Association and other bodies have joined forces to make the Balmain Regatta the spectacle it was in days gone by.
The 2009 Balmain Regatta, marking the 160h Anniversary of the first event, will be held on Sunday 25th October 2009.
The original Balmain Sailing Club was formed in October 1885. This was the era of the wonderfully over-canvassed open boats that varied in length from the 22 footers down to the impossibly proportioned six footers – the hull was six foot wide and six foot long, but they were 22 foot from the tip of their bow-sprit to the end off the boom! The eighteen foot open boats were the forerunners of the thrilling eighteen foot skiffs that skim the surface of the Harbour today, and have ultimately led to the Olympic Class 49ers.
The Balmain Sailing Club was re-established in 1995 after a period of little activity. BSC is a friendly community-based sailing club with active training, racing, cruising and social programs.
The emphasis is on fun; providing friendly competition in a social atmosphere. Memberships is around 300 and always open; membership forms are available from the club and on the web (www.balmainsailingclub.com), so feel free to encourage your crew, relatives and friends to join.
Download the relevant forms here.
Balmain Regatta 2009 NOR Preliminary
The Premiere Classic Regatta in Victoria and probably Australia is ready to go again. The Notice of Race and Entry forms are downloadable here!
More information will be sent out shortly in regards to the improved format this year, however you can bank on three days of exciting racing and celebration. So far we have had commitments from Classic Yachts and Working Boats from as far a field as Mornington, Sorrento, Queenscliff, Sandringham, Brighton and St Kilda. It promises to be a great weekend. Spread the word, and lets get another great fleet of beautiful craft, racing on Port Phillip.
David J. Elliott, Project Co-ordinator at the British National Yachting Archive writes…..
I have had a request for information to try and track down the whereabouts of the 5.5mR ‘The Deb’ which was K1. This is an historically important boat, designed and built by Nicholsons. The first ever 5.5mR. We have had one report that she may be in Australia, perhaps Queensland, – another 5.5mR, Bjarne went to Australia. So, I am contacting as many people in Australia as I have details for and who may have noticed a possible 5.5mR on a mooring or tucked away in a yard as they travel around the country. I am casting around widely since we have no idea where it went and maybe you could forward this message on to anyone else you feel may be able to help. So far as we are aware, the last time it had a confirmed sighting was at the 1969 Worlds at Poole although Paddy Briscoe reports that his father sailed it after that from Weymouth to new owners on the Isle of Wight. Val Provoost reports that in the early sixties she was owned by the Solent School of Yachting operating out of the Hamble River and later saw her at Castle Cove Sailing Club at Weymouth. Late sixties/early seventies there were three 5.5s sailing at the club, K1 The Deb. K18 Medina and K32 Bjarne. Medina was wrecked and sold to Belsize boatyard but was restorable. She then believes The Deb went home to the Dorset farm where her owner lived for a refit. Jeremy Lines (C&N Archivist) reports that she was at Tormentor Yacht Station at Warsash in 1957 but last heard of was in 1968 when she was owned by John S.Mead (he still has the drawings). She is in the 1967 Lloyds Register, but not the 1970 one.
“Medina” was in fact repaired and eventually made its way to Northern Ireland then sold again in rather poor condition with a lot of rot. Last heard was that in spite of a lot of effort on the part of the new owner it was beyond repair and is believed to have been scrapped.
Please let me know if you have any information and many thanks for your help – much appreciated.
The beautifully restored former America’s Cup challenger Gretel II will return to yacht racing this coming Saturday with the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron on Sydney Harbour. Gretel II will line-up in the competitive Division 1, with a fleet of 106 yachts so far entered in four mixed divisions and in the one-design Etchells, Dragon and Yngling classes for the opening day of the summer season of 2009-2010. Owner Michael Maxwell has brought the wooden International 12-metre class yacht back to racing condition after purchasing the America’s Cup challenger of 1970 and 1977 from the Sydney Heritage Fleet in 2005. The Alan Payne-designed yacht was skippered by Squadron member Sir James Hardy in the 1970 Challenge by the RSYS for the America’s Cup and after being remodeled, another Squadron member Gordon Ingate led a so-called ‘dad’s army’ challenge in 1977.
More at www.sail-world.com:80/Australia/Gretel-II-returns-to-racing-with-Royal-Sydney-Yacht-Squadron/60874
Three of Australia’s most famous older ocean racing yachts, Sanyo Maris, Pacha and Ray White Spirit of Koomooloo (the original Ragamuffin) are among a strong fleet of 16 boats nominated for this year’s Hempel Paints Gosford to Lord Howe Island Race.Conducted by Gosford Sailing Club, the 414 nautical mile race is the only annual Category 1 ocean race in Australian waters outside of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.Fleet numbers are limited because of the World Heritage listing of the tiny island across the northern Tasman Sea, with many of the entries again using it as their qualifier for December’s Rolex Sydney Hobart.Despite the Lord Howe Island Race being open to canting keel maxi yachts for the first time, none have entered, with the largest boat in the fleet being Pacha at 16.21m LOA. The emphasis this year will definitely be on IRC and PHS handicap results in a closely matched fleet. Sanyo Maris, the Alan Payne-designed timber yawl skippered by Ian Kiernan, won this race last year on IRC corrected time to celebrate her 50th birthday. Pacha, a Camper & Nicholson-designed sloop, won the 1970 Sydney Hobart Race and has been lovingly restored to her best by Gosford Sailing Club member Bill Koppe.
The Queensland-owned Ray White Spirit of Koomooloo is the original Ragamuffin, a Sparkman & Stephens-designed 48-footer that in 1971 won the Fastnet Race in England and also contested three Admiral’s Cups as a member of the Australian team. Then, as Margaret Rintoul II, she continued to race to Hobart before being bought by Queenslanders Mike and Don Freebairn to replace another grand old yacht, Koomooloo, that foundered during the 2006 Hobart Race.
The Hempel Gosford to Lord Howe Island Yacht Race 2009 will see the return to ocean racing of Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron member Bill Gilbert in his Jutson-designed Southern Cross. — Peter Campbell
Shiver your timbers and buckle your swashes!! That’s if you want to be a ’swashbucklng’ seafarer! But even if you only want to be a ‘landlubber’, the Geelong Wooden Boat Festival will nibble into men’s brains until they can get to the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, here on Corio Bay for the incredible assembly of sheer craftsmanship in the realm of boat building and sailing, during the weekend of 6th. 7th. & 8th. of March, 2010. Early indications are that the 2010 event will eclipse all previous festivals held in Geelong.
There’s no doubt that this assembly of well loved wooden boats, ranging from clinker built dinghies, large topsail cutters, putt putts, dories, classic speedboats, yachts, fishing boats, old ocean racers, harbour greyhounds and ex-pilot launches will satisfy the most critical connoisseur in the world of wooden boats and even delight the casual viewer.
Everyone attending will be delighted with the display of classic yachts, wooden boat building, possibly actually in progress, the grand parade of boats and the magnificent cavalcade of sail, plus the competition between boat owners for the Concourse d’ Elegance. Add many of the most loved and cared for wooden boats in the southern hemisphere to the racing on Corio Bay and you’ve got an atmosphere that surely will please everyone! And, as the man said, There’s more! Racing for the Corio Bay Classic Wooden Yacht Cup, Passage Races from Melbourne and Portarlington plus the outstanding bonus – the Couta Boat Victorian Titles! What more action is possible?! Undoubtedly, a Spectacular weekend! Free and easy access for the general public will enable them to get full enjoyment of the outstanding display of brilliant craftsmanship that has been handed down through the years. There’ll be displays by many excellent boating virtuosos such as Yanmar Marine, Four Winds Marine, Dec Doc Timber Finishes, The Wooden Boat Shop and many more. . Sponsored by Whyte, Just and Moore, Longboard Wines, St. Quentin Surveyors, Freedom Bay Cruises, Power Drive Marine, Netpress Printing Bakers’ Delight Torquay, Four Winds Marine, The Wooden Boat Shop, John Gill Butchers, Club Marine and Lillbrey on Barwon Holiday Accommodation to name just a few giving their support. With that line up, there’s something for everyone over this weekend. Just make sure that YOU don’t miss it! Should you wish to enter, contact the RGYC at e-mail, info@rgyc.com.au and put the dates into your diary NOW. You will not be disappointed! For more information, contact the Royal Geelong Yacht Club on (03) 5229 3705 or the above email address.
Bob Appleton.
The third and revised iteration of The Melbourne Cup Regatta is planned to get underway on Friday the 30th October with two special contests. The first is 2 on 2 boat contest between the CYAA gun racing boats from the 60’s. Mercedes III and Boambillee, and two of the hottest boats from the Couta Boat Fleet. The “Guineas Trophy” as it will be called is the brain child of Martin Ryan, who was fascinated by the speed of the fishing boats compared to state of the art 1960’s Ocean racers. A thousand Guineas will be on the table for the winning Association. For more information see the guineaschallenge offical document.
At the same time Melbourne’s re-energised Tumlaren fleet will compete to find the top Boat on Port Phillip, reliving the glory days of the 40’s and 50’s. After these two new events there will be a Opening Cocktail Party held at The Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, looking across Hobson’s Bay Back to the City of Melbourne. We are hoping to arrange for as many vessels as possible to be berthed out the front of RYCV, rafting up and creating a fun social atmosphere in which we can share stories and information on our magnificent old boats.
The Regatta proper will start on Saturday 31st October with a 20 nautical mile Passage Race around the top end of the Bay. Sunday 1st November is a day for the purists with two short laid courses, testing the pure sailing skills of the racing fleet. Monday 1st November will see a morning pursuit race based on the corrected handicapps from previous races with the aim of a grouped finnish at RYCV at around lunch time. On Monday afternoon we will hold a massive gourmet BBQ followed by the Presentation of trophies and prizes. Any if you still have any energy left you can always go to the other “Cup” on Tuesday.
As always we are encouraging our interstate and Trans-Tasman members and enthusiasts to attend. They can be guaranteed a great weekend of sailing and socializing whilst celebrating The Melbourne Classic Fleet. Be a part of it!
Some Comments from 2008
“The racing was fabulous and close and the company superb. A great event and one which the CYANZ will be promoting as a ‘must do’ for next November.” Tony Blake CYANZ President.
“Thank you to you and your team for putting on another special Cup Weekend Regatta…… the conditions were excellent for sailing, which we really enjoyed; plus the good company of the Kiwis we had as crew. The voyage across the bay to Sorrento, which I also enjoy, worked out well with quick and easy passages both directions.” Rod Martin Couta Boat Skipper.
Entry Forms will be available on this Site on the 1st August.
With the launch of their new Association and website,the Australian Square Metre Association hopes to engender the beginnings of new friendships and the opportunity to talk about what they have in common, Square Metre Yachts, or Skerry Cruisers as they are often referred to. So a search is underway. With the first 2 yachts built back in 1937, to the more recent fiberglass yachts built at the turn of the century, there is a wealth of history. These boats with their distinctive shape and flair, they are boats that will have been noticed throughout Australia.
For more information go to www.asqma.com