Groundswell May 2015(web) by Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia

M Ay

2015

groundswell A r e g u l a r J O UR N A L f r o m t h e C r u i s i n g Y ac h t C l u b o f So u t h A u s t r a l i a

inside > Crabbing Day > Riviera Port Lincoln Experience > Easter Cruising > Lincoln Week > Adelaide/Port Lincoln Race > fishing the fiords > encounter dinner > Ketches of South Australia > solar cells for the club

Andrew Saies President

From the President Board of Management President Treasurer

Andrew Saies Chris Wood Wayne Coonan Peter Hall David Murray Glenn Spear Sam Tolley

Flag Officers Commodore Vice Commodore Rear Commodore

Geoff Boettcher Rowland Richardson David Knights

My report will be of a different nature this time.

Staff Chief Executive Officer Craig Evans Admin & Ops Manager Jenny Krogdahl Finance Manager Marina Segodina Comms & Member Services Mellissa Vahoumis Leasing Coordinator Kirsty Winstone Receptionist Andrea Boylon Marine Academy Coord Matthew Young Racing Manager Jess Hargreaves Food & Bev Manager Mario Cataldi Head Chef Dorian Molga Port Vincent Marina Rob Marner Association Chairpersons Cruising Richard Lea Fishing John Colella Racing Rob Sellick Social Activities Pam Humeniuk Life Members Arthur F Carolan Geoffrey R Catt Richard H Fidock AO Graeme L Footer John D Gerard James A Henry (Dec’d) Malcolm A Kinnaird AC (Dec’d) Peter J Page Editors of Groundswell Gay Footer, Mellissa Vahoumis, Owen Mace, Don Burrow, Terry Lockwood Contributions to reception@cycsa.com.au Advertising in Groundswell Mellissa Vahoumis: Telephone 08 8248 4222 Groundswell is the official journal of the Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia Inc. Lady Gowrie Drive, North Haven PO Box 1020 North Haven SA 5018 Telephone: 08 8248 4222 Facsimile: 08 8248 5888 Email: reception@cycsa.com.au Web: www.cycsa.com.au Phone Port Vincent: 0414 611 110 Registered by Australia Post Publication No PP565001/00184 ISSN 1039-4230 Graphic design by Trevor Paynter Printed by Reflex Printing

The recent Naval Military and Air Force Club ‘Encounter Dinner’ held at the CYCSA as a combined event highlights the desire of both Clubs to try and create opportunities and experiences that add value and interest beyond the immediate core activities of the respective Clubs and perhaps creates an additional reason to join or to remain a member of either or both Clubs. The NMAFC, while having its origins deeply embedded in military traditions and interests, is trying to find ways to broaden its membership base and to ensure its relevance into the future. From all reports those of their members who attended the dinner at the CYCSA were very impressed with our dining area, food and service on the night and enjoyed the impressive outlook over the marina. On this occasion we featured representative vessels from France and England moored at the bottom of the walkway and beautifully floodlit by our recently fitted outside lights. Thank you to Alan Cotton and Bronwyn who brought Cabaret around for the event and well done to Mario and his team who brought all this together and thanks to those of our members who embraced the formality and protocols of this official annual naval dinner. Thank you also to Geoff Catt who worked with the two Clubs to enable this dinner to happen at the CYCSA. As we analyse our own demographic it is evident that our membership is slowly getting older. We tend to have two spikes with racing crews tending to be younger perhaps with a range of ages from twenty to forty while boat owners tend to be on average fifty plus with many in their seventies still active members of the Club. Boat owners tend to remain members and retain boats while racing crews come in and out of the sport and the Club depending on their own sailing aspirations and life commitments. For example many sailing crew aim to compete in and complete a Sydney to Hobart and get involved in the sport and the Club specifically to achieve this goal. Once achieved and after say three to five years of involvement they may move on from the Club and the sport. It is not an automatic transition from crew to boat owner and skipper. There are obvious financial challenges in becoming a boat owner and thereby a senior member of the Club. Keel boat racing and power and sail boat cruising as recreation only appeals to a certain small percentage of the market that otherwise has the means to own a boat in South Australia. Our day and weekend destinations are limited and although enjoyed by those passionate about their boating, they don’t compare with the great harbour cities, or the Swan, or the Pittwater, as idyllic all weather cruising destinations. And our Club isn’t just ten minutes from the CBD for an easy corporate outing or twilight yacht race. By contrast our longer term cruising grounds and destinations including the many islands and anchorages that make up the Flinders Baudin Challenge are exceptional in their natural beauty, remoteness and interest. Those who have come through the sailing ranks from off the beach dinghies as kids and remained involved throughout life in the sport of sailing in our Club are few and far between and include the likes of Rob Sellick, Craig Evans, Chris Tillett, Robin Townsend, Geoff Boettcher, Mark Hutton, JD, Rob Human, Michael Warman, Paul Martin, Andrew Lloyd, Colin Gordon and I am sure one or two others. The challenge and future of the CYCSA is to find people like these from the ranks of the current generation of young sailors and make sure they ‘graduate’ into sailing and competing in big boats at our Club and when the time is right hope that they become boat owners themselves. The Marine Academy has as one of its goals to create opportunities and pathways for people of all ages and means to experience sailing and develop some competencies which will enable them to start crewing on boats and start that journey towards a lifelong interest in boating. ...continued on page 4

Cover Photo: Nick George’s impressive NordHavn 55 Exile IV, built at Dana Point in California and powered by twin 175hp Lugger engines, returning to berth in Marina West. Photo by Craig Evans

Craig Evans Chief Executive Officer

At the Helm

As previously reported we have purchased a new ‘blue’ tractor for the use of hardstand berth owners to launch their vessels. This was done to replace the old ‘yellow’ tractor we have been planning to retire over the past few months. The ‘yellow’ tractor is now gone and any member wishing to use the ‘blue’ tractor is to be inducted by staff prior to operating it. The ‘yellow’ tractor is currently being refurbished and will be used as a yard tractor for staff but will also be able to be used as a back-up in the event that the ‘blue’ tractor is out of action. We are currently awaiting approval for a shed which will be built in the near future to house both tractors.

he summer boating season for 2014/2015 has come and gone. It was certainly a mixed bag of weather conditions this year with very strong afternoon sea breezes that upset those going fishing and also many race days being blown away due to no wind at all. Autumn conditions often result in better and more consistent conditions for cruising and fishing. Hopefully many of you get the opportunity to hit the water in the coming months. For those of you heading out you will notice that maintenance dredging is currently taking place in the entrance of North Haven Marina (see photo below). We advised the Department of Transport that the entrance required dredging back in September of 2014. Unfortunately they have not been able to action this until now leaving us with shallower than agreed depths over the summer period. Dredging commenced in late March 2015 and is expected to take three to four months. On completion the depth should be around 3.3m at a tide of 0.00m.

This summer saw an increased number of weddings at the Club. Weddings and other functions at the Club significantly improve our position financially, introduce new people to our Club and provide the community with a unique function venue. The establishment of our Ceremony Area a few years ago has proven very successful by creating a separate zone for wedding guests. The second stage of the Ceremony Area, a shade structure, will be completed during the winter months. The shade structure will comprise a number of angled shade sails supported from posts.

Early April saw a couple of days of storm conditions and our staff were busy tending to vessels in both the marina and the hardstand areas of the Club. With higher tides, increased swell and potentially stronger winds that can be experienced over the winter period, all boat owners are reminded of their responsibility to make sure their boats are safe and secure. Now is the time to check and replace mooring lines. It is also the time to adjust mooring lines. Many people tie their vessels very close to the pontoon fingers and main walkways to make access to and from the boat easier. This is ideal when the weather is calm however in storm conditions the boat will move, mooring lines will stretch and damage to both the boat and the marina pontoons will likely occur. Canopies on power boats and biminis and boom tents on yachts should also be checked and secured or in some cases removed if possible prior to strong wind conditions. Halyards on yachts should be clipped well away from the base of the mast and tightened to avoid damage and minimise noise. If any members, particularly newer members, would like any assistance or further information please do not hesitate to contact the office so that I or my property staff can assist.

A shade structure has also been designed for the Port Vincent Marina BBQ area. We await council approval before proceeding but it is hoped this structure will be in place well before next summer. Over the past 12-18 months a great deal of work has been carried out on repairs and maintenance of the Marina East pontoons. This period has provided us with an opportunity to try various repair techniques and materials. Some sections of the marina have been refurbished and will provide many more years of service to our members. With the work carried out to date and with the understanding that we now have an initial survey that has been carried out to consider where immediate repair is required, areas that can be refurbished and also where we have no option other than replacement. We will be looking at an extensive program of works over the next six years or so to improve Marina East. Craig Evans, Chief Executive Officer

President’s Report continued from page 3 The Academy, after a good trajectory in its first five years, has had its own challenges this last year and a full review is under way. However, anecdotally, two quite independent people have spoken to me this last year on how much they enjoyed their introduction to sailing course and how well it was run. Finding and keeping new members and in particular finding the formula that engages Generation Y is going to be a challenge for all Clubs like ours and the sport of sailing generally but in my view at least, it is the competitive sailing calendar that regularly puts boats on the water and people in the bar. Andrew Saies, President

Geoff Boettcher Commodore

Commodore’s Report

With the racing season over the IRC fleet seemed to share much of the glory. Shining Sea took out the SA IRC State Championship in Division 1 with Concubine reversing the roll winning the AMS State Championship in Division 1 and Doctor Feelgood won AMS Division 2.

or many of us it is time to neatly pack up our boats to prepare for the winter months. Yacht owners, I recommend that during winter months you take the opportunity to have a rig check. There are many yachts in our marina that are overdue and not only is it expensive losing a rig but a danger to your crew. Annually, at least, have a visual inspection by a qualified rigger to identify any physical damage, wear or rust areas. A total rig removal with maintenance should be carried out every three to five years depending on the intensity of your sailing program. More importantly check your insurance policy to see if you comply with their requirements for rig maintenance.

Offshore IRC was won on a countback by Concubine from Lucette (RSAYS) and third was Shining Sea by one point. In AMS Lucette took home the silverware from Shining Sea and Schools Out won on PHS. Other major series were the Club Inshore Series won by Shining Sea in IRC and AMS in Division 1 with Locomotion winning AMS Division 2. PHS Division 1 was won by White Knight and Division 2 by Locomotion. In J24OD Such is Life showed she was the yacht to beat. The Premier’s Cup, after much controversy, was justly awarded to Caillin Howard’s Aikin.

With winter we are inclined to experience strong north west weather fronts that can cause damage especially to boom tents, covers, canopies and furled jibs. Ensure these loose items are stored or secured to withstand these extreme conditions. Power boats have a greater windage area than some yachts and it is imperative that extra mooring lines are added to take this extra load during high winds. Halyards left ‘smacking’ against masts are not only disturbing to our neighbours but will reduce halyard life. Remove or tie halyards away from your mast. I am aware our members are all highly skilled and responsible seamen but these points are purely a reminder for you to action your winter boat maintenance responsibilities before football takes a grip on your life. In saying the above, some of our best days on the water occur in Adelaide during these winter months, provided you check the weather forecast.

The well supported Twilight Series 1 was taken out by White Knight and Series 2 by Liberator with the overall winner of Series 1 and 2 combined Greg Patten’s G-Wizz. The Standalone Ladies Helm Twilight deserves a special mention. The winner was Janet Bonner helming Liberator from Tracey Pegler helming Another Planet. Thank you to our sponsor, Phil Hoffmann Travel, for their ongoing support to ensure successful Twilight Racing. Andrew Corletto, Jason Ward, Jason Coonan, Adrian Wotton and Peter Hall will be the grinners at Presentation Night taking home the silverware from a good year on the water. From the competitors a thank you to all the volunteers assisting with on-water race control. This year seemed very challenging with the spate of fickle winds they had to contend with in trying to get races started.

For our tougher yachties don’t forget the Winter Series Racing commences on 17 May and consists of a six race series run on alternative Sundays. For the not so tough we pack up and go north. Secret Mens Business will travel to Sydney for the Sydney to Southport Race in July and will then sail on to Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island where the IRC National Titles are to be held. My apologies for not mentioning other boat owners going north but the rumour mill has not been forthcoming.

The Social Activities Association has put together some great events for members. By the release of this May Groundswell the Boat Hop on 2 May will have happened. The Club’s next premier event ‘An Evening with David Tillett’ is scheduled for Friday 22 May. David has been officiating Olympic Games and America’s Cup events for over 17 years and has enviously combined his professional career with his passion for yachting. The next major event planned by Pam Humeniuk and her Committee will be the Commodore’s Dinner on Saturday 1 August - an evening not to be missed. Details will be released for this event soon and can be found on the Club Events Calendar on our CYCSA site.

Maintenance dredging of the entrance and channel into North Haven commenced in March. Well overdue but out of the hands of the CYCSA as it is a Government requirement. What a shame the dredge didn’t begin at the start of our season and not at the start of winter.

Geoff Boettcher, Commodore

Wayne Abbott Wayne Abbott is not a Club Member but his influence and time at the Club has been substantial. He is the Club solicitor and has worked with and for the Club for over 30 years and this is his story.

ayne is an Adelaide boy and after attending Scotch College went to Adelaide University where he completed a law degree. He graduated in 1964 and did his Articles over two years and was admitted to the Bar on 1 March 1966. After embarking on the obligatory overseas trip he came back to Adelaide and worked for another law firm for 20 years before setting up as a sole practitioner. He works as a general lawyer but mainly does real property work; leases, conveyancing etc, together with some commercial work. Now 72 years old, Wayne is married to Christine who works as his ‘Lady Friday’ in the practice and they have two sons.

council from the government and the sub lease from the council to the Club. A fresh lot of Berth Agreements had to be prepared and approved by the Department of Transport.

Wayne’s introduction to the Club came in 1978 when one of his The Western Basin, when it was finally approved after much debate, then partners brought Dick Fidock into his room with the North took up another load of Wayne’s time and energy and the updating Haven Trust’s initial version of the lease for what is now the Eastern of the Club Constitution was another major task. Basin. Wayne took part in the protracted negotiations to improve Mark Johns Katherine Binks Wayne has been listening ear and sounding board for questions the lease assuming it would be a one-off job. The rest, as we say, Julia Beardsley Greg aMeyer the and last three months and issues from Club management and the Board and has is history. He set up the berth licensingOver system that concept Paul the Normandale Paul Brown the following have Scott force and voice of reason within the Club always been Glenn a stabilising stayed throughout the subsequent purchase of the people basin by the ClubWendy Burrill joined the Club. environment.John Snoad with the help of two Board Members at the time, Arthur Carolan Harry Carter Al Vos Thomas Fidler and John Johnson, and still exists today. This purchase led to the Please make them welcome. David Green Matthew Over the years WayneWalsh attended many, many Club Annual General establishment of the Unit Trust which Wayne set up and the title to Meetings and was always present if there was an issue and when the Club’s land is still held in that manner. explanations may have been required. He has been an ever present force with the Club over the last four decades and the Club is very The paper work for the purchase was complex and took a lot of time grateful for his guidance and knowledge. His rather dry, droll sense and effort and in order for the contract to get down to the Club for of humour has always been appreciated as it helped calm many the pre-organised signing ceremony, Wayne personally delivered the situations and Wayne describes himself as “calm on the surface documents in order for it to take place on time. but a duck paddling underneath”. He found the Club a good fit With the purchase of the Southern Land negotiated for the Club and good people to work with and Wayne has enjoyed his time by then Board Members David Urry and Graeme Footer, Wayne with us. The major tasks with the Club are settled for the present was once again in great demand as this entailed some complex and Wayne is having a well-earned breather but is quite sure that alterations to easements etc. The subsequent division and sale of something else will emerge in the future. portion of the Southern Land meant Wayne’s expertise was again At the moment retirement is not on his immediate radar so the Club utilised and this acquisition meant the Club was able to extend the can be sure of his counsel in the near future. When he does retire Clubhouse to its present size and to increase the hardstanding area there will be a fountain of knowledge lost and a transition will be and carpark. extremely difficult as Wayne has been an ever present force as long The acquisition of the Western Basin from Pioneer Homes, coupled as we can all remember but, being Wayne, he will do all he can to with the navigation channel from SA Marinas, had Wayne once make the path as easy as possible. again stretched to the limit but with his help and expertise all went We thank you Wayne for all you have done for the Club and hope smoothly. for several more years of association with you. Port Vincent was the next major project Wayne was involved in Gay Footer and he negotiated with the local council regarding the lease to the

NEW MEMBERS

NEW MEMBERS Over the last three months the following people have joined the Club. Please make them welcome.

Katherine Binks Julia Beardsley Paul Brown Wendy Burrill Harry Carter Thomas Fidler David Green

Mark Johns Greg Meyer Paul Normandale Glenn Scott John Snoad Al Vos Matthew Walsh

NEW BOATS

Photo by Take 2 Photography

This is another in the series of articles aimed at providing you with an insight into a few of the ‘new’ boats to the Club over recent months. While not all are newly built, most are relatively new to the Club and others have moved to new owners within the Club. We warmly welcome all ‘new’ boats and owners.

Editors’ Note: If you would like your boat

featured in this section of Groundswell, please contact Mellissa in the Club office or Terry Lockwood on the GS Editorial team.

bazaar secret mens business Never to be without a boat for too long, Geoff Boettcher has come up with a new racing boat called Secret Mens Business. She started life as the TP52 Matador and won the TP52 world championship in 2009. King Juan Carlos of Spain campaigned the boat in 2011 as Bribon, finishing second in the Mediterranean Cup and winning the Copa Del Ray. The boat then came to Australia as Team Beau Geste for the TP52 Southern Cross Cup Series winning all four events to claim the title and going on to win the New South Wales State Championship and Audi IRC Australian Championship. This is obviously a well credentialed boat. Geoff purchased the boat in 2014 after she won the Kings Cup Regatta in Phuket and two of his crew, Tim Cowen and Geoff Common, sailed the boat to Singapore and after the removal of the keel and rig, she was shipped to Fremantle and trucked to Adelaide. She is now rigged to race under the 2013/14 IRC rule and will compete in this year’s Sydney to Southport Race in July and the Australian IRC Championship’s at Hamilton Island in August before returning to the Club. Locally SMB had a great debut in the Adelaide to Port Lincoln race being first boat over the line but in Geoff’s words “was cheated out of a handicap win by a fickle breeze”. SMB is a tremendous addition to the CYCSA fleet and we wish Geoff all the best in his racing on the ‘new’ boat.

sea quest Sea Quest is a Radford IOOD50 designed by Graham Radford for short-handed long distance sailing. the fibreglass vessel was built by McIntyre Marine and launched in 2002. It was used as an offshore sail training vessel in NSW until approximately 2009 and was then based in Hobart for several years. Kym Holly purchased Sea Quest in May 2014 and in mid October of that year sailed the vessel from Hobart to the CYCSA. With winds varying from 5 to 35 knots and mainly on the nose Kym and his crew were able to give Sea Quest a good shakedown during the delivery voyage. Originally from the Fleurieu Peninsula Kym has worked within the marine industry for 35 years starting his career in the fishing industry on Western Australia’s mid and north coasts. With a Master Three Certificate Kym’s areas of operation have included Western Australia, Northern Territory, Victoria, South Australia, PNG, the Western Mediterranean, West Indies, Central America and USA. He has been the Master on fishing vessels, tugs, offshore supply, sailing and motor yachts and has close to 40,000nm of mainly offshore sailing experience. With time spent in the charter industry and Sea Quest once being in survey, Kym would like to use Sea Quest as a sail training vessel to give the general public and disadvantaged youth an opportunity to experience the joys of sailing. Kym has not spent any time in the western Pacific and has a desire to circumnavigate Australia so it is hoped these dreams may be fulfilled on Sea Quest. 7

Tony Riggs has been a member of the Club since 2014 and he recently purchased a new boat named Bazaar, a Sovereign 4000, built in 1989 by Kavarli Marine at Hastings in Victoria. She is powered by twin Caterpillar 3208’s at 375hp each giving a top speed of 22 knots and an economical cruising speed of 16 knots. Tony has farmed on Kangaroo Island for some time and with boating/diving/fishing mostly at the western end of the island being part of his life, Bazaar should fit nicely into that scenario. Interestingly Tony took possession of the boat in Sydney and along with his sons, Ben and Henry, Scratchy (ex cray and charter fisherman from KI) and Rob (from Sydney), motored her back to the CYCSA departing Sydney on 11 January with stops at Ulladulla, Eden, Lakes Entrance then Port Welshpool for four days sitting out the weather with wind gusts to 62 knots reported at the bottom of Wilson’s Prom. There was a crew change with Henry and Scratchy departing and Allan and Nick getting on. They then snuck back to the beautiful Refuge Cove for a dawn dash to Apollo Bay to refuel and continued to Portland to pick up another crewman, Tom, and then on to Robe followed by Wirrina arriving at the Club on Thursday 22 January into berth B27 at 1200 hrs. Unfortunately the leg between Robe and Wirrina was somewhat delayed due to some top tuna fishing with two triple hookups landed. Sounds like a pretty good delay. Also, on the east coast out of Batemans Bay, they hooked a marlin but could not land it. We look forward to seeing Tony and his family at the Club and wish him many happy times with Bazaar.

what a great

Catching, cooking

his year, due to Fishing Association members feedback on timing and ambiance of Crab Catch and Cook Day, the day was bought forward to 15 February, away from the March long weekend. The numbers were also scaled back to target an event more focused on members and the use of the CYCSA BBQ area. This seemed to work well with many members and their families attending the day, participating in the catching of crabs and then enjoying a fine buffet lunch. Approximately 123 people attended with 23 boats going out in the morning to catch crabs. The crabs were not running hard but in total 165 large and vey full crabs were caught. These were cleaned and cooked (also as Chilli Crabs) by the Fishing Association Committee and volunteers then served up with plentiful salads provided by the Club kitchen. Prizes were awarded to category winners with the Largest Crab Prize, at 66.3cm claw to claw, going to the boat Rozanna, skippered by Yaroslav with his wife Mary and son Steven Bojko. The Biggest Crab Junior Prize was won by Sam Stunnell who netted a 52cm crab. We received good feedback for the whole event and plan to follow a similar format and date for next year in mid February. The Fishing Association Committee want to thank all who went out to catch the crabs as the whole day hinges on boats participating to bring in the crabs. We look forward to strong support from members, their families and friends, at future events. The Crab Catch and Cook Day was proudly sponsored by Port River Marine Service and Secure Fence Hire. Future Fevents for the Fishing Association are a Kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fishing Day and Cockle Catching at Goolwa so watch out for those. John Colella, Chair Fishing Association

day!

and eating crabs...

iviera 445 SUV, Esprit, was looking forward to her first run to Port Lincoln. The trip was to be primarily for the 2015 Riviera Port Lincoln Experience on the weekend before Easter this year. On the day she left Adelaide the Bureau of Meteorology was measuring swells up to eight metres at Cape du Couedic. Eight metres! Nevertheless she set out in company with two relatives from the family of Riviera power boats. The weather was perfect, the seas flat in the morning - but they didn’t stay that way. By the time she reached Spencer Gulf the swells were building. Up to, she reckoned, four metres. Pretty scary for the first time time she had experienced this sort of thing. Even the two large flybridge cruisers disappeared from view from time to time including aerials and outriggers. But Esprit took the swells in her stride and continued purring along until she reached the calmer waters of Thistle Island and soon after, Port Lincoln. Her owners (Delia and Owen) had thoughtfully booked her into a comfy berth in the Lincoln Cove marina. A good bath to wash off the salt water and she settled in for a few days before the start of the Experience where she could have a good old chinwag with some of her relatives. On Friday afternoon she set off with her owners to Fisherman’s Cove and what a sight it was. Sister boats in all directions. Soon enough Delia and Owen were collected by the Riviera boat, a strange looking thing with big black wheels. They said that it put the wheels down as it approached the beach and then drove up onto the beach. Didn’t even get their feet wet! Unlike Esprit.

...continued on page 12

Riviera Port Lin Photo courtesy of Riviera Adelaide

But Esprit took the swells in her stride and continued purring along until she reached the calmer waters of Thistle Island and soon after, Port Lincoln.

ncoln Experience 11

Don’t Get Wet Feet Coming Ashore

Happy Campers at Fisherman’s Cove

The feast on beach was something to behold. The best wines, fresh Spencer Gulf seafood and the company of other Rivieras. Tired, well fed and watered, Delia and Owen returned late.

Homestead Bay offering joy rides. Well, Owen once worked on helicopters but had never flown, so he was up for a ride. And what a fabulous view of the fleet, the bay and the island. Pity the shearing shed roof has collapsed.

The next day Esprit found a spot to catch a few whiting and garfish. Then across Boston Bay to the Swimming With Tuna fish farm. Lots of tuna, kingfish and snapper in the farm enclosure waiting to be fed by the visitors. More excellent food, drinks and company for Delia and Owen before they once again returned to Esprit.

Back at the marina it was a quiet time chatting to other boats who wanted to stay for the Tuna Shoot Out a couple of weeks later. There was even a sister boat next door so they exchanged ideas about how to run their owners. Then on the weekend after Easter a new person arrived to stay on board – Nicholas, Delia and Owen’s son, who lives with his family in London. Three beaut days renewing family ties before setting out for Adelaide after a night in Memory Cove. The trip back was in nearly ideal conditions, sunny, light winds on the stern quarter and one metre swells - a real doddle.

On Sunday morning chokkie Easter eggs and the Sunday Mail were delivered to the boats by Paul and Ross of R Marine. Thanks guys and thanks for your pictures of the Experience. Then the race to Revesby Island. No, no, not a race at all but rather the boats travelling together. A quiet night then a beach BBQ on Monday for the final event of the Experience. But there was one more surprise – a four seat helicopter arrived on the beach at

Owen Mace

Photos courtesy of R Marine

Recreational an

d Sports Boatin

t the Marine Academy we are still busy completing courses but have seen reduced numbers in enrolments this year. The down turn in enrolments are due to our early successes in being the only providers of internationally accredited sail training in South Australia and the fast uptake of people completing these courses. Our future projects are focused on finding new people to become involved with our fantastic array of courses while still providing accreditation appropriate for the needs of our members. Recent completed courses include a March Three Day Live Aboard, Start Yachting and Discover Sailing Sessions.

This year saw the generous donation from members in the form of the Marine Academy Foundation.

This year saw the generous donation from members in the form of the Marine Academy Foundation. These funds have been used to replace and enhance the assets used for training by the Marine Academy. We have a new cover for CYC3 and a Floating Dock system (see photos above) to promote the longevity of the Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ridged inflatable boat and provide quick and easy access to the water between events.

New courses are being programmed for the coming winter and for the new summer. Alternate formats will include a Safety & Sea Survival Certificate which will be introduced with lower student maximums to increase learning and the offering of updated courses for seasoned racers. The introduction of Club based courses will make an emergence within this coming program to promote interest in how training can improve the enjoyment of memberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities.

A new training liferaft and dock ladder has been purchased. Our training liferaft receives much punishment from our SSSC course participants scrambling aboard and its replacement will be greatly appreciated and will be used for several years to come.

Over the last few months we have been working to develop new Marine Academy Instructors. Having a supply of instructors is an important asset to our program and requires constant development and nurturing. Help from our existing instructor base is important providing understanding with the pathways towards completing instructor qualifications and bridging the gaps in knowledge. This constant promotion allows the Marine Academy to have a strong base of instructors. 13

New lighter, stronger and movable tables will replace the existing tables in the Kinnaird Room providing a great surface for chart work and fitting students comfortably within the space. A huge effort from Andy Shipp has seen the replacement of wiring, Instruments, chart plotter and batteries on our flagship Academy 1. The new modern equipment will further enhance the sailing experience along with its new headsail. Matt Young, Co-ordinator â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Marine Academy

quanimity set out for Port Lincoln on Tuesday 24 March in company with Portia (David and Natalie), Geordie Bay (Rowley and Glenyss) and Selkie (Chris and Rosie). A steady south easterly of around 18 knots ensured a speedy crossing to Port Vincent. Our luck didn’t hold however with strong winds confining us all to the Port Vincent Marina for the next few days. We managed to amuse ourselves with the occasional sundowner and pleasant walks into town to sample the local caffeine and other gourmet delights. By Friday though we were getting marina fever so the brave crew on Equanimity, ignoring all perils to life, limb and paw, headed off in the general direction of Port Lincoln. Portia, now joined by Far Star (Royce and Delene), was to follow a couple of days later. Geordie Bay and Selkie had a change of plans and decided to stay in the local gulf. Equanimity travelled via Edithburgh and Pondalowie to Whalers Bay on Thistle Island. The perverse wind direction required frequent use of the iron mainsail but the skies were blue and seas relatively calm so we had no cause to complain. At Whalers Bay we had a very pleasant couple of days fishing and walking our faithful hounds on the almost deserted beach until the outboard carked it and we rediscovered the joys of rowing until one of the oars departed this mortal coil. This meant we had to head to Port Lincoln marina for repairs before Easter closed everything down.

Happy walkers at Memory Cove

Portia and Far Star in the meantime had sailed directly from Pondalowie to Port Lincoln and put down their picks in Boston Bay. Then the weather again turned for the worse bringing strong winds and rain. While safely in port we enjoyed meals at the Lincoln Marina Hotel, met up with the crews of Portia, Far Star, Calista and Apogee at the Boston pub and even scored a feed of fresh mussels from the boat we were berthed beside in the commercial marina. Our outboard now repaired we ventured out of the marina on Good Friday into quite a strong north east wind thinking we might head up to Reevesby Island but we got psyched out by all the tuna farms to be dodged and by the feisty north easterly up to 25 knots on the nose. So we headed south for the shelter of Taylor Island. It was our first anchorage there and we had a very comfortable night despite the persistent north easterly. We arrived at beautiful Memory Cove on Easter Saturday morning and were joined by Far Star and Portia in the afternoon. With the wind turning to a strong south westerly for Easter this was a good spot to be.

Len and dogs at Whalers Bay

On Easter Sunday David, the intrepid skipper of Portia, led the six of us on a gruelling wilderness ramble to the top of the cape at the entrance to Memory Cove (access to this track is from the beach). Needless to say the lack of a ready supply of Easter chocolates on this expedition was much lamented by some participants but the prospect of once more connecting with the outside world on our mobile phones made the chocolate deprivation, strained muscles, sore feet and attacks by local fauna (refer savage and unprovoked attack on David by an ant) almost worth it. The winds finally abated and we left Memory Cove on Tuesday 7 April and headed for West Cape. Far Star had a problem with its impeller and needed to take refuge in Whalers Bay where Royce very cleverly undertook repairs while Portia and Equanimity made it to West Cape that night. We were about to set off for Edithburgh on Wednesday morning when Portia discovered a problem with her engine – an absent propeller. Portia’s crew decided an overnight sail back to Adelaide was the best way to avoid trying to moor on the way home without an engine so Equanimity decided to tag along for our first overnighter. It was a truly worthwhile experience – we hadn’t realised how dark it would be or how disorienting! Our newly installed AIS came in handy to warn us of the commercial shipping traffic in the gulf. Mind you it kept us a bit over vigilant with the alarm going off every few minutes so not much rest was had on the trip home. Portia made good time under sail and arrived near North Haven around 2am and was met by some loyal friends who assisted her with docking. We arrived in the Club marina around 3am in the morning exhausted but with wonderful memories of beautiful bays and many fun times spent in excellent company. Far Star also made her way safely back a couple of days later. A great trip was had by all. Elizabeth Stephens

Moon at Taylors Island

Easter Cruising in Spencer Gulf So the brave crew on Equanimity - ignoring all perils to life, limb and paw - headed off in the general direction of Port Lincoln.

Rainbow sailing into West Cape

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Lincoln Week Regatta L

incoln Week Regatta is South Australia’s premier regatta outside the CYCSA. The regatta organisers attracted 33 monohull yachts comprising of 26 monohull racing division and six monohull cruising division yachts. Courses are set in some of the most spectacular waters in the state. Unfortunately the multihull yachts were missing this year but hopefully will be back. Lincoln hosted yachts from nine individual yacht/sailing clubs including three from interstate. The Regatta Week is a credit to Andy Dyer, Chairman of the Lincoln Week Committee, and his dedicated crew and the Port Lincoln Yacht Club including Commodore Jonathan Newbury. Weather became lighter as the regatta proceeded. From the overcast first day the fine West Coast February weather came good but produced some very light condition on the last day. The six race program for Monohull Racing Division was reduced to five races due to the light winds.

Winning SMB Crew, Port Lincoln Week A pleasant part of Lincoln Week is the social side of the event. Megga’s Beach BBQ at Spalding Cove is always a huge day especially for the interstate crews who have not experienced the event before. Guest Speaker at the Cocktail Party was Roger Hickman, winner of last year’s Hobart Race, who gave a down to earth commentary of his sailing experience including many Hobarts. He captured the audience with a very honest look at the race as a crew member up to achieving a result in his own older style yacht Wild Rose. The girls frocked up for their Diamond Day at the Races with many a good champagne drunk and good prizes won. The boys and girls glammed up for the closing Regatta Week Prize Night with the CYCSA yachts coming home with most of the silverware.

Rivalry was paramount between the Victorian Scarlet Runner and Secret Mens Business. SMB not only had his measure around the course but the CYCSA yachts Concubine and Shining Sea gave him grief on handicap results. Results in IRC Division 1 were SMB, Concubine and Shining Sea. In Division 2 Sextant from PLYC took first place from Bacardi out of the Sandringham Yacht Club. AMS Division 1 went to SMB, Shining Sea and then Concubine. AMS Division 2 went again to Sextant, Peer Gynt from PASC and then Hush from Sandringham. PHS Division 1 went to Concubine, White Knight then Fresh from PLYC. PHS Division 2 was won by Blue Max from PASC from Sextant then Splitter from PLYC. One Design was won by White Knight from Slipknot then Asylum. Monohull Cruising was won by Steeple Jack from Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club from Tanqueray from PASC then Jupiter from Garden Island Yacht Club.

Thank you Lincoln for another excellent regatta and with an even better turnout of yachts than last year. We all look forward to next year and winning a few more crayfish as daily prizes. Geoff Boettcher, Commodore CYCSA 17

CLUB MARINE/LEXUS

Geoff V

Adelaide to Port Li 18

t the briefing on the Thursday the Bureau told the skippers it would be a light weather race so all thoughts of breaking records went out with the breeze but at least the boats and crews would not get a pounding as so often happens. The Cruising Division which started at 10am were in the doldrums right from their start but at least by the time of the Racing Division start at 3pm there was some breeze, in fact, a bit more than predicted so they were off to a good start. Beautiful conditions were experienced going across the foot of Yorke Peninsula but Spencer Gulf once again became a parking station for all of the yachts at some point in time.

Team Trophy - Shining Sea. Two True, The Gnome

Vercoe

SMB had a good lead on Scarlett Runner but when Geoff Boettcher approached Point Donnington the wind dropped for him and he watched as Scarlett Runner drew closer. The margin however was enough such that SMB took line honours and then it was a waiting game while the rest of the fleet sailed in. Handicap honours went to Andrew Corlettoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shining Sea, one of the few boats that seemed to keep the breeze for the entire race.

John Sibly

Andrew Corletto

The major good thing about a calm weather race is that very little damage occurs and the insurance companies are always very happy even if the sailors prefer something a little more challenging.

RESULTS Club results for the race were: IRC Division 1 1st Shining Sea Andrew Corletto AMS Division 1 1st Shining Sea

Andrew Corletto

PHS Division 1 2nd Shining Sea 3rd The Gnome

Andrew Corletto Geoff Vercoe

PHS Division 2 4th Locomotion

Peter Hall

Team Trophy Shining Sea, Two True and The Gnome PHS Cruising 1st Coco John Sibly 2nd Wind Weaver Wayne Grant Main photo by Gay Footer

incoln Race 19

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GSR D1 winner Shining Sea

‘Wild Oats’ Great Southern Regatta The ‘Wild Oats’ Great Southern Regatta was held at the CYCSA on 21-22 March in conjunction with the J24 State Championships. We had a decent fleet for the event this year with 28 entrants in total with 11 in PHS Division 1, 11 in PHS Div 2, 6 in PHS J24, 9 in AMS Div 1, 7 in AMS Div 2, 7 in IRC Div 1 and 6 in J24 OD. The weekend was a typical for season 2014-15 meaning that there was little to no breeze to start the day’s racing and the breeze picked up a bit in the afternoon.

Crew of G-Wizz

After the first day of racing was over the Racing Association and the Hospitality Department had organised a BBQ in the BBQ area as a social function for those racing and there was a good turnout to this.

Phil Hoffmann Travel Twilight Series Wednesday 25 March wrapped up our Twilight Season for 2014-15 and what a dud note it ended on – quite the reflection of our season as a whole really. Wind gusts of over 30 knots saw our Twilight Race Officer Ray Evans make the very popular decision to abandon the race before 6pm. Aside from our Duty Boats, only two super keen boats made it to the start line, so special mention to School’s Out and Wind Weaver for their enthusiasm! The majority of crews who turned up stuck around to make a night of it – dinner was served early and end of season presentations were made with the assistance of the lovely Christa from Phil Hoffmann Travel.

Lack of breeze on the second day meant the last race was cancelled and it was agreed this was a good call and everyone headed back to the Club for the presentations.

Results of Great Southern Regatta: Division 1 PHS 1st Shining Sea 2nd Concubine 3rd Aikin

Congratulations to the winners of Series 2:

Andrew Corletto Jason Ward Caillin Howard

Division 2 PHS 1st Doctor Feelgood Jason Coonan 2nd Julia Richard Harries 3rd Vostok-Europe Ken Abbott

Cruising B 1st Wind Weaver Wayne Grant 2nd Kudos Vlad Humeniuk 3rd Schools Out Adrian Wotton Cruising A 1st Liberator Geoff Catt 2nd Rapid 1 Keith Finch 3rd G-Wizz Greg Patten Series 1 and 2 Congratulations to the overall combined winners 1st G-Wizz Greg Patten 2nd Wind Weaver Wayne Grant 3rd Schools Out Adrian Wotton

Division 1 AMS 1st Concubine 2nd Shining Sea 3rd Aikin

Jason Ward Andrew Corletto Caillin Howard

Division 2 AMS 1st Doctor Feelgood Jason Coonan 2nd Julia Richard Harries 3rd Young Einstein Rob Sellick Division 1 IRC 1st Concubine 2nd SMB 3rd Shining Sea

As an overview of the season, in total three races were abandoned this season, two in Series 1 and one in Series 2. Out of the 18 races that were run the J24s in the fleet did not start in seven of them as the wind speed was predicted to be 20 knots or over which is the limit for J24s. In Series 2 the average wind speed of seven of the races was 15 knots or higher. For the first race in Series 2 (a Standalone on 7 January) no boats finished the race within the time limit due to the lack of breeze. The second last race on 18 March had an average of three knots of breeze. In general the weather gods were not on our side for the Twilight Races this season! Let’s hope for better conditions for the 2015-16 Season!

Jason Ward Geoff Boettcher Andrew Corletto

J24 State Championships 1st Macquart Marine Clinton Hood 2nd Stockcar David McKay 3rd No Eye Deer Andrew Townsend J24 Great Southern Regatta 1st Cookie Monster Rob Hogan 2nd Witch’s Thimble Robin Townsend 3rd Such Is Life Dave Nicolson 21

RACING ASSOCIATION

J24 State Champs winner Macquart Marine

The launch Legacy

FISHING THE FIORDLAND NEW ZEALAND

Graeme Footer lands a premium blue cod

relatively sheltered waters of the Sounds after the expeditions outside. The scenery was superb and we had a special treat when our ninth member joined us by helicopter and we were able to go up and look around the Sounds. It was absolutely spectacular and when the pilot suggested he land half way through our flight so that we could change seats I was a little perturbed to say the least. Where did he think we were going to land because it looked a trifle mountainous to me? No worries apparently, he just found a bit on the top that looked a bit flat and down we went. He told us to stay in our seats and he would open the doors and we watched as he found a rock and put it under a corner of the helicopter to make it more stable. Out we clambered and duly changed our seating arrangements before setting off again to return to the pad and the next group went up. It was an awesome experience and the views were stunning – well worth the flight. The cray pots went down every day and every time we pulled them there were cray. On one pull in one pot we had over twenty cray and all up we kept about eighty – unbelievable! The boys and girls (but not me) were catching double headers of Blue Cod and Blue Nose in particular and Graeme’s double header of Blue Nose was so heavy he could barely lift them.

ast year our sailing mate from New Zealand, Bob Culbert, decided that we should all go on a fishing charter in Fiordland in the South Island of New Zealand. He had been on two trips and declared it to be absolutely fabulous so together with Howard Bone, also from Adelaide, Graeme and I set off.

It was quite an industry on the boat as the fish and cray were processed. Steve gutted, cleaned and filleted the fish and the boys had a production line going as they packed, cryovacced and snap froze the fish. We of course had several meals of fish and crayfish during the time together with roast mutton and ox-tail stew – the food was great. Several of the cray were cooked whole and the rest were broken into body and tail and the bodies were cooked and the tails snap frozen.

We flew into Queenstown and were met at the airport by Bob and some fellow New Zealander’s, Helene and Mike, and we all drove down to a town on Lake Manapouri called Manapouri where we stayed overnight at the Lakeview Motor Inn. After a great dinner and a good night’s sleep and an early breakfast, we made our way down to the wharf where we left the cars and caught a boat across to the other side of the lake where there is a hydro-electric station. In order to service the hydro station a road has been built across the pass through to Doubtful Sound and buses and service vehicles ply the route. This ride took about an hour and we were soon at Deep Cove in Doubtful Sound which is about a third of the way up the west coast of the North Island. Our home for the next six nights, a launch called Legacy, was waiting for us and we all clambered on board.

We stayed in several different anchorages in Doubtful, Bradshaw and Caswell Sound as we meandered around. The one negative about the whole trip was the sand flies. They are actually black flies and are bigger than our sand flies but that still makes them very small but boy could they bite. Graeme had knowledge bumps all over the bare bits (which are getting bigger) on the top of his head and I had bites all over my feet – ouch! They took about ten days to clear up and were very itchy and even though we all used repellant they were very forceful. We were told to take small eskies over as at the end of the trip the catch was divided up and what a haul. Graeme and I bought home about 20kg of assorted fish and crayfish and they have all taken up residence in our freezer. It was not a problem to bring them into Australia – we declared them and they were only interested in whether they were filleted and most particularly, dead. We met the criteria so all was well and they didn’t even look at them.

There were eight of us for the first three nights and nine for the next three and being the only three Australian’s we took a fair load of ribbing but our shoulders were broad. The skipper and his wife, Steve and Lee-Ann Fishburn, were great and it helped that Lee-Ann was a great cook and wouldn’t let any of us near the galley – not even to help with the washing up. Our first task was to pull the cray pots Steve had put down the day before and we were all soon into the swing of things. We didn’t get too many on this first pull but better was to come. Blue Cod is the premium fish caught in New Zealand waters and we caught our fair share along with Yellow Fin Tuna, Grouper, Blue Nose and Terakiki. The Blue Cod were caught both inside and outside the Sounds and the tuna and Blue Nose outside so it was a bit rolly while they were being caught and it was a relief to get back into the

At the end of our time we took the reverse trip to Manapouri and back to Queenstown. Our daughter Nicole had suggested we go to a restaurant called ‘The Botswana Butchery’ in Queenstown as we had a night to kill so Bob booked for eight and it was well worth it as the meal, wine and service was fantastic. I would recommend this trip to anyone who loves fishing as you will never be empty handed and the scenery and hospitality were great. If you want some more details about the charter email me a gay@footers.com. au but I warn you, they are heavily booked and it was easy to see why. Gay Footer

Encounter Dinner O

ur associated Club in the city, The Naval, Military and Air Force Club, held their annual Encounter Dinner at the CYCSA on Friday 10 April. The format for the evening was that of a traditional service dinner where the seating was arranged as two long tables from a head table and a gavel was used as the means of calling all to order. Some 73 attended and it was an interesting evening with great camaraderie between the members of the two Clubs. The Dining President for the night was Lieutenant Michael Manetta, RANR, who welcomed everyone to this prestigious and historical occasion. Michael also provided the guests with a running commentary of the proceedings of a formal Naval Dinner. The President of the Naval Military and Air Force Club, Brigadier Atkinson AM, RFD, was in attendance and later spoke of the importance of our two Clubs working together. From our Club, Geoff Catt and Andrew Saies gave the keynote addresses and Lieutenant Commander Adrian Wotton (the Dining Vice President for the night) proposed the Navy Toast. Geoff’s address was most informative and enjoyable and told the story of the background to the event after which this dinner is named, that of Baudin with his two vessels, Le Geographe and Le Naturaliste, meeting up with Flinders with his vessel Investigator at what is now called Encounter Bay. To illustrate this Alan Cotton’s Cabaret and Andrew Saies’ Two True were moored on the walkway between B and C row. In 1800 Napoleon Bonaparte authorised an expedition to the great southern land and appointed Captain Nicolas Baudin to lead it. When the British heard about the French expedition they hastily assembled their own and appointed Matthew Flinders as the captain. Baudin initially sighted Cape Leeuwin in May 1801 but detoured to Timor for some rest and recreation before sailing down to southern Tasmania where he explored the south east coast of the island, marvelling at the rainforests and collecting numerous shells and butterflies. In mid-March 1802 he crossed Bass Strait and started moving west. Flinders had already sailed to the Southern Ocean twice before, spending two years at Port Jackson and exploring Victorian and Tasmanian waters including confirming and naming Bass Strait. He reached Cape Leeuwin in December 1801 and commenced charting the southern coast of Terra Australis from west to east including all the South Australian waters, our gulfs and Kangaroo Island. Baudin came from the east and Flinders from the west and they spotted each other in Encounter Bay. They ran up their respective ensigns and hove to. They exchanged passports and agreed to stay close overnight and meet for breakfast when they exchanged charts and other scientific information before continuing on their respective ways, Flinders continuing eastwards and Baudin to the west via Kangaroo Island. They met again in Sydney some months later and got to know and respect each other quite well even though France and England were still at war. Andrew spoke to the meeting about the Flinders Baudin Challenge, the maritime Heysen trail of coastal islands and important

destinations off the South Australian coast. 2002 marked the two hundredth anniversary of the historic charting of the unknown south coast of Terra Australis, predominantly by Flinders, from the head of the Bight to Encounter Bay and to a lesser extent by Baudin who charted from the east in Bass Strait and the south coast of Kangaroo Island. A number of commemorative events were planned throughout South Australian coastal towns that year culminating in a major celebration at Encounter Bay on 8 April. Family descendants of Matthew Flinders came out from England and a French naval frigate also attended the event at Victor Harbor. Andrew and his friend and fellow crewman, Evan Hiscock, felt that there should be some type of race to commemorate the remarkable achievements and endeavor of Flinders and Baudin and put a proposition to Events SA and the respective commodores of the RSAYS and the CYCSA. Due to the stringent safety requirements many potential South Australian yachts that might have participated in a commemorative race would be eliminated so the idea was abandoned and a yacht rally or cruise in company was mooted. Logistic hurdles such as the unsuitability of the anchorage inside Granite Island put paid to that idea also. Andrew and Evan eventually came up with the concept of sailing to and logging the passage to each of the 41 South Australian coastal islands and significant destinations from Nuyts Archipelago at the top of the Bight in the west to the lighthouse at Cape Dombey and Baudin Rocks in the east. The islands and destinations chosen for the trail had all been named and charted by Flinders or Baudin and they called it the Flinders Baudin Challenge. A log book was printed and a special medallion was struck. About 50 log books were sold and the concept fired the imagination of many would be modern day explorers and navigators. However the tyranny of time rather than distance seemed to be the hurdle that prevented our modern day explorers from visiting the islands and completing their log books. One yacht successfully completed the challenge and submitted a meticulously recorded log book towards the end of 2002. For this person the challenge proved life changing and, in her 50s, this woman went back to university to write a botany thesis on a particular plant species she had found during the course of her visits to the coastal islands. Though infrequently pursued, the Flinders Baudin Challenge is there for any to take up and is a reminder of the feats of the navigators and explorers, Flinders and Baudin. After the Loyal Toast to Her Majesty the Queen, Lieutenant Commander Adrian Wotton was given the task of the second toast of the evening which was a traditional Navy Daily Toast for each day and, as it was a Friday, the toast was to “A willing foe and sea room”. The third toast of the evening was proposed by Rowland Richardson to the Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia and the Naval Military and Air Force Club of South Australia. The tradition of these toasts is that all drinks are cleared from the table and the port decanter is passed around from the Dining President and Dining Vice President and water is provided if port is declined. The evening proved a great success and for those who had not attended a formal armed services dinner before it was a bit of an eye opener. We hope it will be the first of many reciprocal functions between our two great Clubs. Gay Footer 23

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n a recent Ladies Twilight Race it was pointed out how unusual our crew on that night was. We had grandmother Pamela Humeniuk, daughter Karen Humeniuk and granddaughter Charlie Lawrence all participating. Pam and Karen have both been sailing for a lot of years and love it but Charlie is a new addition to the Kudos crew.

Three Generations of Female Sailors on Board Kudos

Charlie, now aged eleven, began crewing in the 2013/14 Twilight Season. At that time we were careful not to scare her and only took her out when it was less than 15 to 20 knots. That season gave her lots of confidence and this year, 2014/15, she has handsomely coped with winds up to 30 knots and more. Charlie is not just a passenger and uses her skills in releasing the genoa as we tack, going forward as needed to skirt etc and general sheet work as needed. Charlie always wears an inflatable safety harness and we always have one crew member in a similar harness ready to go to her assistance if that becomes an issue. Having a young crew member has made those of us in the crew who have sailed and raced for many years look again at safety and procedures and we all agreed it has been a good thing for our crew. We have had many interesting conversations because of this new dynamic. On the recent Ladies Helm Twilight Charlie helmed one leg of the race (with careful supervision from her mother and grandmother) and like the older Humeniuk ladies was very reluctant to give up the helm! We wonder if other families have similar tales of their crew. We know of lots of male crews with father and son but not of female crews and certainly not three generations. Pam Humeniuk

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The Ketches of South Australia

ate Grenville’s historic novel The Secret River focusses on settlement on the Hawkesbury River. Her research immersed her in the place and times of the story. The settlers, their maritime support and indigenous characters, have authentic voice further enhanced by telling it as a work of fiction. The much awarded book has been retold for children, adapted for stage and now the ABC is filming the story with TV release later this year. With this so many Australians will understand this history as if they always knew it! Captain Wiseman will live in popular culture.

foundries, wharves, sheds, fertiliser plants, produce markets, harbour authorities, fire-fighters, royal visits, yacht clubs, football teams, pubs, choirs, banks, lock ups and churches confirm ‘the Port’ was a thriving centre.

This trade started very early in 1836. Ketches they have been called but the demand attracted three masted schooners, river boats and some early small steamers. This fleet reached its peak in the 18701880s when it numbered more than 70. The role the vessels played determined the design. The most characteristic feature was the sail

Several ketches began their lives on the river as paddle steamers or river barges. In February 1948 Captain B Tainsh bought the paddle steamer Ulonga through the mouth of the Murray and after sheltering for several days in Kangaroo Island because he feared flooding of his open hatches, delivered the vessel to its new owners R Fricker and Co. The vessel was converted to a ketch. While some of the ketches had elegance and design quality some were odd being built without plans and from a limited skill base. Ugly square sterns and mid sections were some of the accepted compromises to carrying capacity. The Betty Joan, built in Adelaide in 1933, is singled out as perhaps the ugliest ducking of the fleet. The requirements for a successful vessel became more stringent as the industry’s viability waned. The smaller, shallow drafted, wind assisted vessel with an ability to stand on the beach and be manned by three or even two became the favoured vessel. Owners stayed at home. The skippers had to be tough and enterprising. The crew almost always included a ‘ketch hand’, a lad in his early teens. This is where maritime training began as a ketch hand was on the very bottom rung. When he joined his vessel nothing was provided except a straw mattress, referred to as ‘a donkey’s breakfast’. The lad brought his tin plate,

Adonis in 1900 illustrates the classical sail rig of a ketch. At his time Adonis did not have an engine. Photo: State Library of South Australia B-41236.

Captain Thaish bringing the Ulonga into Port Adelaide Feb 1948 after the last successful crossing of the Murray Mouth. Photo: State Library of South Australia B-11921.

rig but even here vessels on longer hauls had greater efficiency if larger and faster so enter some three masted schooners. The vessels that had to collect from smaller, shallow ports may not even have a jetty to work and needed to be able to sit on the hard and stay for low tide allowing horse drawn vehicles to beach load them. So there were very different hull shapes. The few steamers brought into the fleet all were converted to sail assist.

pannikin, cutlery, bag-hook, a square metre of calico called the ‘carrying cloth’, and a knife. With ‘no restrictions on the hours of labour’ they worked until the job was done. When ketch hands talked of the size of their boat it was measured in bags, bags in a full load. ‘Tickera, she’s about 860 bags, the Hawk’s about 1,500 bags.’ This measure of size was also a measure of the work of loading and unloading.

In the late 19th century many of the ketches were built in Port Adelaide. Tasmania had a respected boat building industry and prized timbers. New South Wales and New Zealand were the build sites of other ketches and there were a few notable European boats. The enterprise shown in drawing boats into the fleet confirmed the need and the owners’ confidence in good returns. The wonderful old buildings of the Port bear fading signs of the trades that supported this fleet. Flower mills, grain stores, wool stores, sail makers, chandlers, boat builders, riggers, engineering shops,

The enterprise of getting cargo to the boat was a local responsibility. Loading, stowing and load placement was heavy work in confined space. The home port was usually Adelaide and here unloading was done by the crew often assisted by a labourer provided by the shipping agent. The crew and ‘the slinger’ would attach four bags in a sling. The ketch’s friction winch derrick was usually driven by the ship’s captain. It would haul the clutch of bags from the hold. First, bags would be taken from the offshore side so that sufficient list of the vessel would see the clutch of bags swing out over the waiting

The story of our ketches has largely been told through the jaundiced eyes of the years of its decline and has lacked believable, warm human encounters. We have got it wrong. The deep penetration of the waters of our gulf system into agricultural lands made shipping vital for the state’s early development. Before roads and trains, small flexible coastal vessels did “all that was needed”. For over 100 years a unique fleet of small wind assisted vessels traded into gulf and Kangaroo Island ‘ports’ and with the spread of agriculture outside these bounds, the west coast and south east were added. Ketches were integral and unique to South Australia.

The ugly ducklings: Betty Joan on the right was built in Adelaide in 1933. Her high square transom and general free board were anything but elegant. Photo: State Library of South Australia B-10181.

The Malley Root trade. The whole length of wharf is one continuous heap of fire wood. Photo: State Library of South Australia. B-6433

The Royal Yacht “Orphir” in Port Adelaide for the visit of the Duke of York in 1901.Photo: State Library of South Australia B-20790.

horse drawn wagon that had been positioned right on the very edge of the wharf. The wagon driver was responsible for loading the bags and taking them off to a nearby stack pending loading for overseas shipment.

those too engaged to see. From the 1920s ketch numbers and trade declined. The loss of paying outgoing cargo, restrictions in the type of cargo carried and the loss of bargaining position, made for hard times. With this upper rigging was not replaced and masts were bald headed, sails patched, rope frayed and worn blocks not replaced. Theft of equipment from overseas vessels became an art-form akin to tax minimisation.

The more established loading ports had a jetty protruding into a relatively protected bay. In smaller ports it might be only possible to get to the jetty at high tide. With a long day loading ahead it might be desirable to be in at the loading position before dawn but first the port had to be found in the dark against an unmarked, unlit featureless background! The deep sea mariners referred to ketch skippers as ‘dog barking mariners’, meaning they navigated their way along the coast listening for the farm dogs to warn of proximity to land. With the state’s transport needs met with greater convenience by road, rail or coastal steamers and the requisitioning of the best of the fleet for war effort, the end of an era was evident to all but

In 1982 the last two vessels, the Falie and the Nelcebee, finally ceased trading and an era of over 100 years came to an inglorious end. Little remains to give any perception of the importance of this coastal trade to the developing state or to imagine the world of Port Adelaide at that time. Conversation with my 92 year old neighbour whose father had a non-ferrous foundry has made clear what a time and place our port experienced. We need a great writer to tell and personalise this story, particularly the story of the golden era in the late 1800s. Don Burrow 27

Solar Cells for the Club

substantially changed. Indeed, that energy policy area still remains in doubt but the Club’s Board wanted to make sure we could get the payments before they were cut or scaled back.

n December 2014 the Club’s new solar system was switched on. It is a Solar Depot 30 kW system comprising one hundred and twenty 250 watt (250W) panels mounted on coastal exposure grade framing and connected to the grid via an Aurora Power One Inverter with an Aurora Commercial Logger.

Several factors influenced the size of the system so the Board decided on a number of things.

This is how it came about. The Club has been keeping a watch on solar opportunities for about the past five years as with a large area of near perfectly north facing roofing we could always accommodate a good sized solar system.

Firstly our best payback was always going to be in relation to using most of what is generated rather than selling back to the grid at around six cents per kWh (kilowatt-hour). The power usage for just Marina East looks like the diagram on the opposite page. The near continuous power usage for just Marina East is about 30 kW with substantial spikes to as much as 120 kW!

In 2014 our electricity costs (excluding Marina West and the ramp) were about $92,000 per year which is a sizable portion of the Club’s budget. Charges for electricity have escalated over recent years with the prospect of going up at more than the CPI.

The ‘base-line’ or near-continuous consumption sits at just above the 30 kW level.

Solar system pricing reductions have meant that the ‘solar equation’ has been improving in terms of Return On Investment (ROI, the number of years it takes to pay off the system). Late in 2014 there was a political climate that cast a cloud over the government’s Small-scale Technology Certificates (STC) payments. On a system the size the Club could use of around 30 kW they were worth about $24,000. It was then looking as if the STC’s would be withdrawn or

Secondly, while there was roof space for more than 120 panels, we did not want to cover parts of the roof that may be changed with a possible future redevelopment of the Clubhouse. By the way, 120 panels x 250 watts per panel = 30 kW. Thirdly, once solar is over 30 kW with a three phase system, our advice was that the feed-in tariff (six cents per kWh) is no longer 28

Please support our Club Sponsors

applicable and SA Power Networks require a line study to be done at an additional cost of approximately $4,500 on top of the cost of the system. They also require a ‘Network Protection Unit’ to ensure the array isolates itself from the grid in the event of a power failure and that can add a further $20,000 to the cost of the system! Therefore a 30 kW system was the practical size limit for the Club.

Platinum

Fourthly, the Club obviously has a range of cost pressures, particularly for extending the life of Marina East, upgrading the clubhouse and has just funded the Marina West inner breakwater extension, in part with a bank loan. We therefore had a limited capacity to fund a solar system against other competing priorities. The Board was simply not going to approve a scale of expense that ‘didn’t fit’ or if the ROI numbers didn’t stack up. All of these factors led us to decide on a 30 kW system. Negotiations were held with four vendors who were all keen and could see the benefit of being suppliers to and being involved with our Club. With back and forth horse-trading and progressive sharpening of the pencil, the best net cost deal for the Club came in at $22,400 (including GST) after STC credits and Solar Depot’s Gold Sponsorship. That’s a system cost of 75 cents/watt! Don’t expect to get that at home for a while yet.

Gold

With this deal initial estimates put the payback period for the Cub at about one-and-a-half years including interest and the cost of the new input-output meter. This is about half the three year ROI period that is currently the figure for commercial solar systems. In the first three months of comparative billing our savings over the same period last year were about $5,000. Savings for the cloudy shorter sunshine days in winter will be less but so far we appear to be on track to achieve our return on investment. We will then look to make ongoing power cost savings for the expected 25 year life of the system and further enhance our Level IV Clean Marina image.

Silver

Looking ahead we aim to continually reduce power bills, particularly with progressive changeover to more efficient lighting, use of timing devices, changing to more efficient equipment when replacements come due, looking to solar boosted hot water services, changing practices and procedures, taking care to limit waste and encouraging Club members to be aware of the cost of power. Members can also be aware that our electricity charges are about 60% higher in peak times which are 7am to 9pm, Monday to Friday. If there is a choice of when you use power please consider the times applicable for the lower off peak rates. The Club was very impressed with the service offered by Solar Depot who tailored a system design to suit our facility and power usage profile as well as providing a comprehensive financial model to demonstrate our payback period and return on investment.

Corporate

In addition to Solar Depot providing Gold sponsorship to the Club they offer a free quotation and 10% discount to all Club members who may be interested in residential or commercial solar systems. The Board and Management highly value our sponsors and encourage you to support the businesses that support us. If you are considering a solar PV system, domestic or commercial, call Solar Depot on 8382 7555 for a free proposal, modelling of savings that you can look to and a quotation. Make sure you say you are a Club member David Murray, Board Member

Club Supporters

• • • •

SA Life 7 Haese Marine Bavaria Canegrass Saltbush Lamb Living Colour Plants

Berths for sale or lease

FOR SALE Marina East 8m twin: F01, F02 – from $66,000 C09 – reduced to $28,000 10m twin: A09, A10, A14, A16, A27, A29, A34, A40, F04, F15 – from $40,000 A35 – reduced to $35,000 A38 – price includes a sea pen as separate sale all offers considered 10m single: A02, A04, A08, A25 – from $80,000 A03 – reduced to $75,000 F07 – all offers considered 11m twin: A41 – all offers considered 12m twin: D38, E13, E16 – from $63,000 E25 – reduced to $45,000 E09 – reduced to $48,000 ono E24 – reduced to $48,000 D35 – reduced to $52,000 12m single: D08, D17, D18, D21, D23, E04, E10 – from $85,000 E06, E20 – all offers considered 13m twin suitable for catamaran: C22 and C23 – $75,000 each 13m single: C19 – $105,000 D40 – reduced to $99,000 14m single: A46, C30 – from $160,000 15m single: A47, B26, B31, B36, C34, C37 – from $150,000 B25, B35 – all offers considered 16m single: B14, B15, B16 – from $180,000 B21 – all offers considered as owner now residing overseas 20m single: A49 – $290,000 20m T Head: E34 – $325,000 ono

FOR LEASE

Marina West (all single berths) 11m single: M03 – suitable for catamaran – $80,000 M01 – all offers considered 14m: M07 – all offers considered 15m: M08 – $155,000 N03 – reduced to $150,000 17m: J19, J20 – from $150,000 J12, J13 – all offers considered 18m: M10 – $250,000 20m: K07, K08, L02 – from $235,000 K06 – reduced to $135,000 25m: M14 – $290,000 30m: K16 – $475,000 Hardstand 9m: 8, 15, 23, 52, 70, 74, 81, 86, 100 – from $3,000 10m: 106, 131, 140, 143, 144, 146, 147 – from $6,000 12m: 114, 124 – $7,000 Port Vincent 10m twin: A7, A9, A14, A21, A23 – from $28,000 A18 – all offers considered 12m twin: B34, B36, B37, B39, C60 – from $33,000 B29 – all offers considered B33 – reduced to $28,000 12m single: B45, B46, C51, C65 – from $42,000 12m single: C48 – reduced for immediate sale $39,950 12m single: C68 – reduced for immediate sale $37,950 14m single: D70, D71, D72, D77, D78 – from $45,000 D73 – reduced for immediate sale – $20,000 15m single: D83, D85, D86, D87, D89 – from $50,000 20m single: A12, B35 – $200,000

Marina East 8m twin: C03, C09*, F01* 10m twin: A14*, A16*, A22, A30, A31, A32, F16, F19 ($300 p/mth), F23 12m twin: E13*, E19 15m single: A47* 16m single: B16, B21* 20m single: E34*

contacts

Marina West (all single berths) 11m: M03* 17m: J06, J10 20m: K01, K02, K06*, K07*, K08*, K15 25m: M14*

Notes on Purchasing/Selling Berths

Hardstand 9m: 8*, 14, 15*, 29, 50, 52*, 74*, 97 10m: 33, 106, 110, 131*, 132, 139, 146* 12m: 113, 120, 124

All prices include GST * Denotes berth for sale and lease

Berth Sales Jenny Krogdahl t: 8248 4222 e: jenny@cycsa.com.au Berth Leasing Kirsty Winstone t: 8248 4222 e: kirsty@cycsa.com.au Port Vincent Rob Marner PV Marina Manager 0414 611 110

As per Marina Berth Agreement, a 10% commission is payable by the vendor on all berth sales.

If you are selling your berth and buying a berth of equal or greater value then your berth sale may be subject to a 5% commission payable to the Club (in lieu of 10%). The sale and purchase must be effected on the same day. This will be at the discretion of Management.

CLUB NEWS The Social Activities Committee invites you to the 2015 Commodore’s Dinner

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