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

Phil Bolger was a renowned and prolific boat designer, author and eccentric — with a playful creative streak and a penchant to make boating easy.Sunday, he killed himself by handgun behind his West Gloucester house overlooking the Jones River where decades ago he perfected the wooden kayak. His wife and business partner, Susanne Altenburger, said yesterday his decision to take his own life was a long-contemplated, reasoned and principled act — though Bolger gave her no advance warning or hints in recent behavior. ”How he died is part of his narrative,” Altenburger said. “He died an extraordinarily violent, purposeful and soberly considered death. “Gloucester-born and raised, Bolger designed 680 boats, including the world’s smallest dinghy, “the folding schooner,” a novelty innovation of convenience, as well as the HMS Rose, which was given celebrity in the 2003 movie, “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.” He was in reasonable health for his 81 years, but felt himself slipping mentally, Altenburger said. ”He was perhaps the best and most diverse small boat designer in the world,” said his friend, the Gloucester and naval historian Joe Garland.

For the full article from the Gloucester Times see  http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_145224017.html

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

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

Gabriella Szondy has brought to our attention the sad situation regarding the forced closure and demolition of the traditional boatyards in Port Adelaide.
She comments….”The Jenkins Street boatyards had been operating for nearly 170 years, with one of the boatyards, A. McFarlane and Sons, managed by the 5th generation of the family. These Birkenhead boatyards formed the backbone of the establishment of the colony of South Australia through the role they played in import, export and settlement of the state. However, the state government had earmarked the location for development of high-rise accommodation and the last of the remaining boatyards, Searles Boatyard, ceased trading on 15 April 2009 under an order to evacuate the premises by the end of May. The sites will not be built on for the next 3 to 5 years and the vacant land will most likely be used to stockpile contaminated soil from other stages of the Port Adelaide development. Several eminent Australians including yachtsman Sir James Hardy had written to the South Australian Premier requesting that the boatyards be given another year of operation in order for their significance to be properly assessed and design concepts developed to allow them to be incorporated into the development plan. Sadly, neither these nor the National Trust’s efforts were able to save the Jenkins Street boatyards.”
She has posted a selection of beautiful photographs at http://www.flickr.com/photos/imagegallery/sets/72157616404006051
None of the boatyards have been able to relocate mainly due to high rental costs and lack of slipping waterfront access. Many of the boats built by these boatyards in the 1920s and 1930s are still being sailed and would come back regularly for maintenance including some that are current members of the Classic Yacht Association of Australia.

Where men are men, boats are REALLY boats and the ladies are happy about it! The 2010 Whyte Just & Moore, Geelong Wooden Boat Festival! Labour Weekend, March 2010
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 and possibly, 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. This weekend will provide something for everyone. Just don’t miss it! If you want to enter, contact the RGYC at e-mail, info@rgyc.com.au, put the dates into your diary NOW and 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.

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