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News & Events Archive
News & Events - Tasmania & SA
Entries for the 174th Australia Day Regatta close today with the Sailing Office at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, with regatta organisers expecting up to 140 yachts and skiffs to compete in the historic Sydney Harbour event and in the traditional short ocean race to Botany Bay and return.
The Australia Day Regatta will be sailed on the harbour from 1.30pm on Australia, next Tuesday, 26 January while the ocean race will start at 11am with the fleet heading down the coast to Botany Bay.
Casual entries are also being received by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia for the Botany Bay Race, which is part of the club’s Ocean Point Score, the Grant Thornton Short Ocean Point Score, with the Grant Thornton Short Haul (non-spinnaker) fleet also joining the race this year.
A feature of the harbour regatta will be the emphasis on the early days of yacht racing in Sydney, with up to 30 original or replica ‘old-timers’ taking part in the Gaff-Riggers, Classic Yachts and Historical Skiffs divisions.
Among entries for the classic yacht division are 1966 Sydney Hobart Race line honours winner Fidelis, now owned by Nigel Stoke, and the 8-metre class yacht Erica J, owned by Les Goodridge. Erica J last year celebrated her 60th anniversary and a career that included winning the coveted Sayonara Cup for Tasmania in 1953.
The gaff-riggers division is headed by the famous Ranger, with octogenarian skipper Bill Gale again at the helm and proudly carrying the sail number A1 of the Sydney Amateur Sailing Club.
The nine Historical Skiffs are all replicas of the spectacular gaff-rigged 18-footers that raced on Sydney Harbour a century ago, many helmed by modern-day skiff champions including John Winning (Australia IV) and Michael Chapman (Yendys). Built to the original plans, these icons of Sydney Harbour carry colour emblems rather than sail numbers on their massive mainsails. — Peter Campbell
In conjunction with the Melbourne Wooden Boat Festival the famous tall ship the “One & All” will be sailing to Melbourne.
Opportunities are available to take the trip of a lifetime onboard and join the delivery voyage to the inaugural Melbourne Wooden Boat Festival. Departing Adelaide and sailing via Portland to Melbourne the voyage on this unique vessel takes in over 500 miles of breathtaking southern coastline featuring the picturesque Coorong National Park and historic Shipwreck Coast
This is perfect short break for those that have dreamt about sailing on the ocean onboard a tall ship and experiencing the romance of a traditional sailing life at sea. Enjoy life onboard as an active crew member by participating in sailing shifts with also plenty of time to relax, eat, swim and just simply enjoy the abundant natural features of the ocean and the coast as the modern day world slips past.
This is a unique experience that provides an insight into our sailing heritage.
Three journey options are available – you can experience the wonder of the complete voyage Adelaide to Melbourne, or join the crew from Adelaide to Portland or Portland to Melbourne.
Partial voyage – Adelaide to Portland or Portland to Melbourne $860 per person
The complete voyage – Adelaide to Melbourne $1,500 per person
Voyage Dates
Adelaide – Melbourne Depart Feb 10th – Arrive Feb 18th
Adelaide – Portland Depart Feb 10th – Arrive Feb 13th
Portland – Melbourne Depart Feb 14th – Arrvie Feb 18th
For more information see www.woodenboat.com.au/advertiser/satallships_oneandall_home.asp
Norm Souter-Smith recently contacted the Register of Australian and New Zealand Ships and Boats to find a good home for his very historic yacht Oimara.
Norm wrote:
“It is with a lot of sadness that my wife Beryl and I have come to the decision that Oimara should be passed to a younger person or organization with the enthusiasm and enterprise to restore her to her former glory”.
For the full story and some lovely imagery visit
Expressions of interest are pouring in which indicates that next year’s Wooden Boat Festival will be bigger, better and more beautiful than before! The massive program on 6th, & 7th, March 2010 includes the crowd pleasing Grand Parade of boats, the Classic Yacht passage race from Melbourne, the Couta Boat passage race from Portarlington, harbour races on Corio Bay, demonstration races by a fleet of ‘Herons’, the added bonus of the Couta Boat Victorian Titles AND an outstanding shoresides display!
Here, at the 150 year old Royal Geelong Yacht Club, Australia’s maritime heritage will be on show during the Labour day weekend holiday of 6th & 7th of March with an expanded shoreside display as well as producing some never-to-be-forgotten sights on the waters of the jewel-of-the-south, Corio Bay.
On shore, the public, with easy access, will be able to meander along jetties and soak in the beauty of this display of well loved wooden boats! There’ll be old ocean racers, fishing boats, harbour greyhounds, and ex-pilot launches plus large topsail cutters, putt putts, dories, classic speedboats, yachts and clinker built dinghies. Each one absolutely gleaming with the sheer care, love and attention showered upon them by proud owners.
At the Presentation Dinner, Tim Phillips will speak of his pride and joy, ‘Storm Bay’ then at lunchtime on Sunday, David Ramage will tell of the building of ‘Metani’ and his experiences when sailing her to the Caribbean.
Shore-based displays will include prominent boat builders whose exhibits will complement this historic assembly of Victoria’s outstanding maritime heritage.
The 2010 program will again include the magnificent Cavalcade of Sail at the Grand Parade, the Concourse d’ Elegance, racing on the bay for the Corio Bay Couta Boat Cup, The Couta Boat Victorian Titles and the fleet of ‘Herons’ zipping around close inshore in their demonstration races! There’s only one word for it – - ‘Spectacular’! Make sure that YOU do not miss it!
And, as the man said – ‘There’s MORE!’ – Rope making, boat building displays featuring some of Australia’s prominent shipwrights, a display of the Royal Geelong Yacht Club’s 150 years of history, A BBQ and sausage sizzle will add to these attractions. Truly, a genuine salty flavour to a weekend of seagoing delights!
Saturday and Sunday will surely be massive days out for the public, when all displays, exhibitions and displays will be open to all.This is only a teaser of the impressive display of beautiful craftsmanship, glorious history and tradition that will be on display at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club over the weekend of the 6th. & 7th. of March 2010.Everyone is welcome and for the general public, entry is free! So skippers, take command and give the orders; ‘Let go forward, let go springs and let go aft!’ Now set your helm for the Wooden Boat Festival of Geelong in March 2010!
Registration forms will be available within the next 2 weeks. Further information (03) 5229 3705 or visit www.rgyc.com.au
Bob Appleton.
Rees Martin Writes…
“After a very successful Six Metre World Championships in Newport R.I. it is clear that Classics Sixes are still being found and restored . Several were converted for cruising in the 1920s; some raced in the Solent as Q Class yachts. I suspect there are examples where the owner may not even know they are 6 Metres. Uffa Fox wrote enthusiastically about several – at least two of which have disappeared.
Could I ask your readers if they own or know of any Sixes sitting under wraps, being cruised or lying derelict in a yard? The Class has extensive records of all the Sixes built and most have been identified however there are several important examples still to be found and bought back to race again!”
Replies to Rees at rees@6mr.org.uk
Alan “Doug” Scott is trying to learn the whereabouts of Finisterre, the famous
39-foot yawl that Olin Stephens designed for Carleton Mitchell 55 years ago.
Scott may be contacted at:
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 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.