BOATING CONVERSATIONS

SAILING MADE EASY We had our biggest turnout to date for our Boating Conversation session in September, Sailing Made Easy. CYCSA Vice Commodore, Nick Bice introduced accomplished east coast sailor, Jan Scholten and local yachtsman and Managing Director of Binks Marine, Sandy Higgins, to a mixed crowd of newcomers, established members and experienced sailors. Their presentation centred around equipment to make short-handed sailing easier. Jan's recent two-handed Sydney to Hobart success was a fine example of great organisation, practise and safe decision making while on the water. Thank you Jan and Sandy for hosting a very engaging and informative evening sharing your experiences and expertise with us.

Rod Hunter

HOW AND WHERE TO FISH FOR YACHTIES October’s Boating Conversations evening, How and Where to Fish for Yachties, proved to be a great learning event for all. Approximately 35 yachties and other fishos joined Peter Schembri, Chairman of the CYCSA Fishing Association, who provided the audience with information and demonstrations of how to catch the fish that we might find on our travels. This included comments on what we might expect to catch, where and how, along with a simple array of equipment needed. Peter was quick to remind everyone that fishing was generally made up of travelling to a fishing spot and looking for the fish which takes up around 85% of our time and effort and then catching a feed of fish which is around 15% of our time. We also heard that the trick to getting a feed of fish is fishing for what is available in the area you are travelling to or anchored at. If you want to target a particular species be prepared to research and travel to particular spots and remember, fish move around and it is a big sea with plenty of places for them to feed and hide. Talking with ‘locals’ and people who fish the area you are in for information is helpful. The audience also had the opportunity to see what fishing equipment Peter uses and how he sets up his tackle along with a few demonstrations. The yachting and powerboating audience contributed to the conversation with numerous questions making it an enjoyable and casual evening. Despite Peter’s great presentation many yachties thought that a trip on one of the Fishing Association Charters scheduled for early in the new year might prove more successful than going it on their own. The evening continued with a casting competition with sailor Sam winning a CYCSA fishing shirt so now Sam will have to put a line out from SV Twilight. Thanks to Peter for presenting this conversation and sharing a few secrets.