2023 KING OF THE GULF REGATTA

“The reasons I rate KOG the best regatta ever -

• The friendliest, welcoming and ego-free committee I’ve ever met. All regattas should be run like this one.

• ‘Divisions’ exist on the course only. There is a real sense of KOG community regardless of what type of yacht you sail. As a multi sailor the KOG regatta is truly a standout.

• Clear instructions and countdowns by a very competent race committee.

• A mix of two passage races, a long course and windward/leeward courses.

• The stiff competition. We won every race in Geelong and didn’t win one here.

• The beautiful flat sailing areas of Port Vincent.

• Accommodation and dining venues that don’t ‘marinize’ their prices for race week.

Thanks to all involved. THE STIG WILL BE BACK”.

This is another in the series of articles aimed at providing you with an insight into new boats and other boats of interest at the Club. Contact Patricia Catley through the Club if you are interested in having your boat featured here.

Boats often change hands within the CYCSA and David Swinton was happy to take ownership of a Riviera 3850 from a Club member while passing his previous boat, a Bertram 35, onto another fishing enthusiast who has now joined the Club. To link his boating intentions with his favourite pastime of fishing, David renamed his new boat Hooked.

Distinctively designed with curved side windows Hooked offers a generous size flybridge. The Riviera 3850 was named the 1999 Boat of the Year by Australia’s Boating Industry Association. She is a spacious two-cabin, single-bathroom model with the master cabin forward featuring a large double bed and plenty of hanging and storage lockers. The guest cabin immediately aft on the starboard side offers two bunk beds which can easily be converted to a double. The large bathroom on the port side includes a separate shower stall, vanity, and Vacuflush toilet and the fully equipped galley forward in the main saloon area serves guests at the starboard side dinette or on a second L-shaped lounge on the port side.

Hooked is powered by twin Cummins turbo-diesel engines rated at 370hp. Her length overall is 13.6 metres including a bowsprit and swim platform and she has a beam of 4.4 metres including the gunwales. With the ability to sleep four or five people, Hooked is perfect for a weekend away to do some serious fishing, have long lunches and take a leisurely dip from the stern. With the benefit of a watermaker they can also go away for extended adventures.

David and his wife Ann-Marie have had a lot of fun in the short time since they bought the boat. Their dog Marley goes with them most times and loves being on the water. Tuna are always good to catch and attending The Tuna Classic at Port Lincoln is one of their most memorable events to date. David makes his own berley and gives some to friends to try. He also makes his own whiting flasher rigs and this might be of interest to members of the Fishing Association. When David and AnnMarie have had a good fishing day they share some of their catch with friends believing that ‘fresh is best’. They both enjoy the flexibility this lifestyle affords when they can just pick up Marley and go off for a new adventure.

It is easy making new friends at the CYCSA and David and Ann-Marie have made quite a few. They’ve enjoyed sharing their boating and fishing experiences, helping each other out when necessary and sharing fishing tips. It all makes Club life enjoyable. I wish you both many more happy times on the sea in the years ahead.

Patricia Catley

At the end of A row in Marina East lies a sleek power vessel named Annie and I am delighted to be able to write about her for our Groundswell readers.

Annie is a Sunseeker Portofino 53 that was built in Poole, Dorset in England and is the first boat owned by Garth Heynen and Larissa Kalenjuk. Built in 2006 the boat was initially delivered to Miami Beach. In 2012 she was taken to Palm Beach in Queensland and two years later she arrived at St Hubert’s Island in New South Wales where in 2021 Garth and Larissa found her and brought Annie to the CYCSA. The boat had a different name and that was a few owners before but Annie suits her so Garth and Larissa decided not to change it. As a first boat the Sunseeker was a challenge but having decided they needed an adventure in their life they searched for a vessel to meet their needs, a boat with enough room to entertain family and friends, relax at weekends and go away in comfort. Garth did a lot of research, talked to existing boat owners and Annie came along at the right time. She is a big boat and it was a steep learning curve but she is the perfect way to enjoy their new adventure in life.

The Sunseeker brand has nailed hull performance with suitable engine combinations on all its models and the Portofino 53 Sport Cruiser is no exception. Annie is powered by two caterpillar C12 diesel 750hp engines and these quiet running and fuel efficient engines propel the boat effortlessly at a comfortable cruise speed of 24 knots and tops out at 32 knots. Her fuel capacity is 1840 litres. Pushing the electronic throttles fully forward evokes an instant response from the engines and steadily lifts the hull then the turbochargers kick in to add acceleration. With fewer revs the boat will cruise at a comfortable 18 knots. Being a twin screw boat Garth still marvels at how she spins within her own length with one engine in forward and the other in reverse so manoeuvering around the marina is simple, with a bit of practise that is. The bow and stern thrusters also help enormously when berthing. Annie has six berths; a master stateroom double, guest double suite and crew cabin of two crossover bunks. The forward owner's stateroom features its own ensuite while the two guest cabins share the second head. For a day trip ten guests can easily be accommodated. The galley has a two burner hob, fridge, microwave and dinette seating of cherry wood to match the interior. In the cockpit is a barbecue, cool box, icemaker, fold away table and a sun bed aft. The hard top roof slides by hydraulics. There is a garage to house the Highfield tender and two kayaks.

In preparation for their first boat Garth and Larissa undertook a CYCSA one-day training course using the red rib. They have had plenty of assistance from Club members and gained invaluable guidance and coaching from Mark at SX Marine. Their first adventure began when the boat arrived at Marina Adelaide and they learnt how to cruise along the Port River. They felt exhilarated when they sped off at a 30 knot burst for the first time and then arrived to park at berth A50 in the CYCSA. It was a challenge but they are now quite comfortable with manoeuvres. Their first Christmas with Annie was in 2021 when they anchored near Port Noarlunga and watched people sailing, kayaking, swimming and a kite festival on the beach. The One and All anchored nearby added to their excitement and they knew life on the water would be fun.

Annie has had two runs to Port Vincent and despite one occasion when there was a strong wind that made manoeuvres difficult, there were willing hands to help. It proved that boaties are a friendly and helpful bunch. The 2022 Opening Day gave Garth and Larissa the chance to introduce family to the CYCSA and be part of a big event. Plans for the future include trips to Second Valley and Kangaroo Island where they hope the pop-up cocktail bar is still in Emu Bay. They chose the CYCSA to keep Annie because they want to be part of a community where like-minded people are always willing to give advice. They find the facilities and the history of the Club are beyond their expectations and a friendly smile from members and staff goes a long way.

Thank you for sharing your story with Groundswell readers Garth and Larissa. I wish you many happy years ahead in Annie.

Pat Catley