This not a uniquely Classic Yacht matter but its an matter that we should all be aware of especially if heading off shore.  Perhaps it will be the impetous to bring back the art/science of celestial navigation. The reputable UK Guardian has recently run a report in its technology section entitled “GPS system close to breakdown”
“US government officials are concerned that the quality of the Global Positioning System could begin to deteriorate as early as next year, resulting in regular blackouts and failures – or even dishing out inaccurate directions to millions of people worldwide.”

For the full article go to  http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/may/19/gps-close-to-breakdown

In the meantime brush up on your azimuths, declinations and Greenwich hour angles

The schedule for the Season of Classic Yacht Sailing in and around Morton Bay is now complete. It kicks off on the 6th and 7th June with the Gaffers Regatta at QCYC sponsored by Pussers Rum. For those not familiar with this event it is held at QCYC in Sandgate & regularly attracts 30 – 40 boats or more. The club is well equipped with boat ramp, showers & bar & there is usually plenty of rafting space. Please visit the club website at
http://www.qcyc.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=70
The postponed May Day event is still firmly on for 25th/26th July so please keep it pencilled into the diary. On September 12th there is the Bribie Cup followed a week later by the Scarborough Classic Regatta run by John Paul Mira on the 19th and 20th. The St Helena Cup will be run out of WMCY on the 3rd and 4th October. Finally Ivan Holm is running the now famous Deanbilla Bay Classic race on the 12th December

To Download the full calendar click here qld-classic-calendar-2009
or Contact Dan DeBuriatte at ddeburiatte@tjh.com.au

Aoma was designed and built in 1899 by the famous Logan Brothers in Auckland. She was one of the champion 30 foot Linear Raters (such as Heather (renamed Ranee), Sunbeam, Petrel and Culwalla I (renamed Yuelba)), that dominated the elite class racing on Sydney Harbour. Built for the famous Sydney yachtsman, C.T. Brockhoff, Aoma raced to her first win in her maiden race and later won the prestigious Gascoigne Cup in 1905.
She was built in triple-planked kauri with the typical gaff rig and bowsprit of the era. Her hull is in great condition, has been dynel sheathed 20 years ago and is still water-tight. The owners at that time decided to give her a cruising-type life and raised her freeboard by three planks, fitted a 35 HP BMW diesel, wheel steering and a new coach-house along modern lines allowing normal headroom, six berths, a water tank, metho stove and assorted electric instruments. A successive owner enlarged her rudder, shaped the keel somewhat and added wheel steering.
The mast has recently fractured at the top and middle spreaders and was removed. While many fittings and the roller-reefing boom were kept, the mast is not repairable. She is ¾ rigged. The deck and superstructure are in good condition and the sails are all old but usable (mainsail, #1, #2 & #3 headsails, one spinnaker). The BMW motor recently flooded during a Melbourne northerly when the anti-siphoning was not up to the task of a heavy slop in the harbour and it islikely to be heavily corroded internally. Lack of maintenance in the last 2 years show them sevles in superficial rot around the companionway and any serious renovation would remove the current cabin and superstructure anyway.
Aoma is looking for a new lease of life, maybe from a syndicate or small group who could put the time and funds into her.
The owner is very realistic in regards to the value of the boat and keen to see her restored to her former glory
Contact info@blackchiropractic.com.au
Visit       http://www.squidoo.com/aoma

David Gray, the Director of A.Mylne & Co based in Fife Scotland,  is keen to hear from any owner of a Mylne Designed Yacht now sailing in Australian waters. He has created a wonderful website at http://www.mylne.com and can be contacted via email at david@acemarine.co.uk

Tony Blake, President of The CYANZ recently contacted the CYAA in regards to the participation of our boats in the 2009/10 NZ Summer sailing Season. The CYANZ is in the process of securing sponsorship that may be targeted at Classics that can be shipped to New Zealand for the racing (especially Couta Boats). They may also be able to help with costs in relation to Yachts that might consider making the journey on their own bottom.

Tony writes……

“We are now well into the process of planning for our 2010 Regatta. 

1. Friday January 29th. Devonport Yacht Club night race to Mahurangi. (24 miles)Smaller yachts( less than 38ft), including the Coutas, would start at 3pm- hopefully finishing before dark at 9.30pm. Larger yachts start at 6pm. Classic launches will accompany the smaller yachts and provide accomodation for those that have a need.
2.Saturday January 30th. Mahurangi Cruising Club Classic Yacht Regatta and Classic Launch Rally. A fabulous day harbour race within Mahurangi Harbour area. Approximately 80 yachts and 20 launches take part each year. A BBQ, prizegiving and dancing ashore at a historic harbourside house takes place Saturday evening.
3. Sunday January 31st. CYANZ Mahurangi to Auckland Race.( 24 miles). Start 10am. All vessels raft up in the Viaduct Harbour after the race and stay overnight- providing a great public spectacle.
4. Monday February 1st. Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Regatta. Yachts, launches and tugs parade down harbour at 9am, watch the tug boat race at 10am and then the yachts race, starting around 11.30am. Approximately 15 to 20 miles. 
5. Southern Trust Classic Yacht Regatta.Based in the Viaduct Basin, downtown Auckland.Thursday Feb. 11th . Skippers briefing, followed by dinner at The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
Friday Feb. 12th. Race 1.
Saturday Feb. 13th. Race 2 followed by Race 3.
Sunday Feb. 14th. Race 4.
Results of each days racing, spot prizes and food is available each evening. Formal prizegiving is on Sunday evening.

We will be asking our membership to assist in offering homestay accomodation for those who would prefer to stay with a New Zealand family rather than in paid hotel/motel accomodation.
We hope to be able to offer substantial sponsorship for shipping your yachts, but it would also help to know which of your members would be prepared to pay some of the shipping costs, especially in these financially ’strapped’ times. Our aim is to be able to offer berths for your vessels, also at a substantial discount.”

If you are are considering  being part of this amazing adventure please contact Mark Chew  mark@blueboat.com.au