March Tidings 2018

MARCH 2018

DOING THE HOBART

AUSTRALIA DAY WEEKEND REGATTA VOLUNTEERS IN FOCUS

PHOTOGRAPHY © LINDSAY (IRONBARK)

CONTENTS MARCH 2018

Power Cat 56’

$749,000

Runnalls 30’

$74,000

0418 819 181

Jake Flintoff

0402 905 911

Highly regarded and sought after, this superb Power Cat was built by Power Play in 2007 and has completed many expeditions including the Abrolhos Islands annually and the Kimberley Region. Presentation is excellent with the mature owners still using this vessel regularly which they do easily on their own.

Jamie Dodd

“Shae” is a modern cruiser racer designed by WA local Malcolm Runnalls, known for building fast and easy to sail yachts. This 31 foot example was launched in 2010 and still presents in as new condition. A great opportunity to jump into WA division 2 racing where she will be competitive with a full crew.

Precision 45’

$259,900

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NEWS FROM OUR FLAG OFFICERS Dean McAullay – Commodore Gary McNally – Vice Commodore Luke Paterson – Rear Commodore Sail Evan Moore – Rear Commodore Juniors Lloyd Clark – Rear Commodore Power

One of the most desirable hulls ever produced and proudly West Australian designed and constructed, the Precision 45’ is an icon to those in the know. This original example offers a two cabin layout with a master double and four bunks in the bow. The spacious saloon opens onto a massive cockpit.

Jamie Dodd

0418 819 181

25 10 CAMERA CATCHES COUTAS

Peter Ferry

Front cover: Tidings’ cover image – Ajax and Kasey enjoy strong breezes experienced in January. p8

15 ECLIPSE IN SORRENTO

Jim Wilshire

Azimut 43’

$349,900

This stunning big volume cruiser is a rare three cabin 43 footer. Beautifully maintained, the owners have spent big dollars on this Italian flybridge cruiser to enjoy it to its full potential. Brand new 410 horsepower Cummins were installed in 2015 after she was delivered to Perth and a bow thruster.

Jake Flintoff

0402 905 911

Trainee Boat Broker Wanted

Know your way around boats? Love boating and have a desire to make a career out of your passion?

We are currently looking for a youthful team member to carry out many tasks and build into a capable team member of our brokerage team.

Full Time position. Contact us today.

Jamie Dodd

0418 819 181

Riviera 42’

$494,900

This very exciting vessel was highly optioned and customised on delivery including a three foot extension, creating a very substantial cockpit, bow and stern thrusters, game poles, teak decks and airconditioning throughout. Other extras include a 400kg tender davit, desal and underwater lights.

Adam Scahill

0419 847 439

17 DOIN’ THE HOBART – WITH STYLE

John Longley 20 AUSTRALIA DAY WEEKEND REGATTA

David Meager 24 2018 PRINCE PHILIP CUP

Sandy Anderson

Riviera 40’

$399,900

Jamie Dodd

Pro-Line 32’

0418 819 181

$124,900

The Pro-line 32 is a big volume express cruiser built with multi purpose boating in mind. The large back deck doubles as entertaining space for the weekends or a large fishing platform for the lads with built in kill tanks and a live bait well. A 5kva generator provides 240v power.

Jake Flintoff

0402 905 911

Randell 41’

$139,900

The Randell 41’ is highly regarded for its strength of construction and high performance sea-keeping ability’s. This very tidy and original vessel has had some very serious upgrades including two factory reconditioned Cummins diesels installed in 2017 with only 20 hours of use.

Adam Scahill

Regal 29’

0419 847 439

$59,900

Striking cruiser in a class of its own with the perfect balance of design and efficiency, constructed by one of the world’s most experienced brands.

The Regal 2950 has everything you need from a classy day boat that can be used for weekends away if required.

Adam Scahill

0419 847 439

Nimbus 35’

27 IN REVIEW: 2018 CITY OF PERTH FESTIVAL OF SAIL

Albermarle 28’

0419 847 439

$119,900

Highly desirable twin diesel sport fishing boat with accommodation and available now. “Atoll” has a high performance deep-V hull and was constructed to the highest of standards by one of the worlds most regarded manufactures. Twin Yanmar Diesels provide a comfortable cruising speed of 23 knots.

Jamie Dodd

40 THE BOSUN’S LOCKER

Nathan Stronach

29 CONTENDER NATIONAL & WORLDS REPORT

Simon Barwood

41 PROTOCOL AND RULES – ADDENDUM

Ron Fletcher

31 WASZP NATIONALS

Tristan Brown

43 TRAVEL GRANTS – INFORMATION 44 ASTERN – FROM THE ARCHIVES

Basil Twine 50 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

$89,900

This very popular design is still in production today and this example has all of the features that make them so desirable. Power comes from two Volvo diesels with Duo-prop stern-drives for comfortable cruising at 18 knots and sprint speeds close to 30 knots. The interior layout is fabulous.

Adam Scahill

37 420 YOUTH NATIONALS REPORT

Thomas Hodge 38 MEMBERSHIP – NEW CLUB MEMBERS

32 VOLUNTEERS IN FOCUS

Highly optioned 2005 model with all factory extras including air-conditioning, dishwasher, fore-deck davit, teak decks, three bunk secondary cabin and a double trundle in the saloon along with the queen sized island bed in the master suite. Powered by twin Caterpillar diesels with twin disc gearboxes.

35 505 NATIONALS

Matthew Hanson

CLUB STAFF Chief Executive Officer Accountant Communications Yachting Operations Mgr Sailing Administrator Yachting Operations Assistant Dinghy/Junior Club Power Administrator Membership Accounts Assistant Administration Assistant Bosun Receptionist

0418 819 181

Paul Bayliss Catherine Ramsey Deb Hanrahan Debbie Blaauw Sharon Skinner Jenn Suffield Casey Walsh Susan Ghent Karen Ozkara Zoe Rostron Nathan Stronach Pauline Rhodes

FLAG OFFICERS Dean McAullay - commodore@rfbyc.asn.au Gary McNally - vicecommodore@rfbyc.asn.au Luke Paterson - rearcommsail@rfbyc.asn.au Evan Moore - rearcommjuniors@rfbyc.asn.au Lloyd Clark - rearcommpower@rfbyc.asn.au GROUNDS STAFF Timothy Donahue, Laurie Martin, Shane Ramsey, Joel Sheppard PUBLICATION Registered by Australia Post Publication No 63312300018 To contribute or advertise in the next issue send your copy by Friday 4 May 2018 to pr@rfbyc.asn.au

CONTACT US Keane’s Point, Peppermint Grove Western Australia T +61 8 9286 8200 www.rfbyc.asn.au rfbyc@rfbyc.asn.au

We value our members’ opinions. Feel free to send any comments, suggestions and feedback to rfbyc@rfbyc.asn.au

www.rfbyc.asn.au

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MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

DEAN McAULLAY COMMODORE

The end of another exciting summer season but the Club will continue to buzz with activity in to the winter months. Our keelboat sailors will take a short break before the Frostbite Series begins and our Power Time Trialling Season will open in May. There are some great new initiatives for women in sailing and our youth match racing programmes will start up again through the RFBYC Sailing Institute.

See you at the Club.

rfbyc.asn.au Social Media Our Club is actively using social media to share interesting news, photos and information. Follow RFBYC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Club handles are listed below and there are links from the rfbyc.asn.au website.

Facebook @RoyalFreshwaterBayYachtClub Twitter @RFBYC Instagram @rfbyc Club Activities Keep an eye on our weekly member email Gybe Sheet, distributed on Thursday afternoons. There you will find out what’s happening at the Club whether it be a social activity, on-water event, New Members’ Night, handy information seminar or just some interesting news about your Club and fellow members. #rfbycCompetes Our ongoing social media campaign for our sailing members competing in events locally and around the globe. Follow their news using social media. We encourage our travelling members to share their news and photos using the team hashtag #rfbycCompetes.

Volunteers Our Club welcome’s volunteers and we are very lucky to have an excellent pool of dedicated and enthusiastic members who are always keen to get involved. RFBYC volunteers are appreciated and whether lending a hand on the water or ashore, they enjoy the roles, new skills gained and camaraderie that goes along with it. If you or a fellow member is interested in finding out more, visit the ‘participate’ tab on the Club website for more information.

Membership Enquiries Membership enquiry packs are available from reception or at the main noticeboard pigeon holes. You can also find all of the information including our benefits of membership table and handy question & answer sheet on the Club website under the tab ‘participate’.

Contact the Membership Coordinator (Susan) with any questions.

Our Club relies on the support of membership to continue to provide a wonderful facility and lots of great activities. Please encourage others to respect our Club by becoming a member.

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REETINGS MEMBERS, WELCOME to this edition of Tidings. The past few weeks have seen unprecedented events occur at our Club and it is with a heavy heart that I take this opportunity to acknowledge the tragic incident that occurred during the running of the 70th Bunbury and Return Ocean Race.

I’m sure all members have taken time to reflect on the impact of the loss of two sailors’ lives when the yacht Finistere capsized whilst competing in the race.

To the families, friends, fellow competitors, our Club sends its deepest sympathies on the loss of Rob Thomas and Paul Owens.

Both sailors will be remembered for their contribution to the sport that forms the fabric of our Club.

May they rest in peace.

As the Organising Authority of the Race, our Club has initiated an independent review to examine the conduct of the race, safety standards applied and followed, together with an assessment of the Club’s response to the incident. The purpose of the review is primarily to learn from the incident and to make our sport safer. The review will not seek to lay any blame or criticism of individuals or organisations.

A review panel of three has been formed and a Terms of Reference document has been agreed. The review report is expected to be delivered by the beginning of July, 2018.

The panellists are: John McKechnie QC, who is a retired Supreme Court Judge and current member of our Club.

John will act as Chairman.

Peter Blaxell, who is also a retired Supreme Court Judge and a former member of our Club. Peter is also a past Commodore of Fremantle Sailing Club.

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Manfred Speicher, a member of our Club who is an Australian Sailing accredited safety auditor and has previous involvement with similar incident inquiry procedures. Manfred brings a technical expertise that is very strong in current sailing activities, particularly in Offshore racing.

I’m sure all members will be reassured that the review will be conducted in an appropriate manner by this distinguished panel, and we look forward to receiving the outcomes in the coming months.

It is important to note that a Coronial investigation is highly likely and we will be assisting the authorities in any way we can during that process.

I will keep members informed of developments as appropriate.

The Club has also been attending to its regular activities which have seen a highly active second half of our summer season.

In February the Club hosted an excellent Warren Jones International Youth Regatta. The sailing took place on Perth Water and was certainly well received by all involved and a big thanks to our volunteers and staff who made it all happen despite the logistical challenges.

Power Opening day will be held on Saturday, 5 May and I’m very much looking forward to seeing a strong and enthusiastic turn out for what is a very enjoyable day to mark the commence-

ment of another time trialling season. More information will be published closer to the day.

The end of April will also mark a significant change to the Club’s delivery of our food and beverage offering. Spices Catering will be finishing up as the Club’s caterer. I would like to take this opportunity to thank member Peter Hickson for his years of involvement with not only the provision of member’s functions, dining and bar services but also for the support by way of trophies and race day and event sponsorships. Thank you.

To the families, friends, fellow competitors, our Club sends its deepest sympathies on the loss of Rob Thomas and Paul Owens.

May they rest in peace.

Moving forward the Club will move to an in-house provision of food and beverage services. We are confident that the existing team that you see every day looking after members will largely remain in place and that the quality and consistency that we have come to expect will continue.

I look forward to seeing you around the Club as the sailing season comes to a close. All the best and good sailing.

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GARY MCNALLY VICE COMMODORE

THE

UNUSUAL WINDY SUMMER has seen the cancellation of two twilight sails due to strong wind warnings. A reminder that though cancelled, the Club still offers the usual twilight dining experience.

Spices Catering will conclude their catering contract with the Club at the end of April. I would like to thank Peter Hickson and his staff for 21 years of commitment and dedication. The Club, in consultation with catering professionals, has concluded we are best served by runnning catering in-house.

The Club appointed a business consultant from UWA with extensive experience in the field – in particular club catering. He has validated the business model and is advising the Club moving forward. The majority of permanent Spices’ staff will continue as Club employees, allowing a smooth transition from Spices. Unfortunately, Justin Hughes, the Head Chef, ceased employment with Spices on March 18 to start his own restaurant in York – opening this May! The Club has appointed Anthony (Tony) Craven as new Head Chef. He has a wealth of international and national experience in function venues and restaurants.

Welcome to the Club, Tony.

PAST EVENTS

We recently had some great events at the Club.

The New Year’s Eve party attracted over 600 members and guests to the Club – a fantastic event for all.

The Commodore’s Concert, Freeze Frame Opera, was a truly remarkable evening. Some members commented that the Club could charge more for shows of this calibre! This underlines the House Committee’s commitment to offer value for money to members.

The Over-30 Crew Lunch with guest speaker Jon Sanders ao obe was another highlight. Jon spoke about his 10th circumnavigation of the globe in his quiet and humorous manner, truly a remarkable sailor. The same evening saw the Dads and Kids Sleepover with the climbing wall a big hit.

COMING EVENTS

21 April – Closing Day 25 April – Anzac Day Dawn service and twilight sail 4 May – Senior Prize Night 5 May – Power Opening Day

11 May – Junior/Dinghy Prize Night (80’s Theme).

For information on these events please see the e-newsletters Gybe Sheet, Front of House, or noticeboards and screens at the bar tills.

It is pleasing to see more members joining the Friends of Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, the volunteers working with the grounds staff to make our fantastic grounds look better than ever. The group recently presented an overall plan of the grounds with trees marked according to their condition; currently 39 trees are either dead or post maturity. The group are working on the approval process to remove the trees in a timely manner and seeking the appropriate approvals for replacements.

They have also been working on the replacement of the garden beds at the main entrance to the Club house. This will commence after Power Opening Day and completion is envisaged

by July.

LUKE PATERSON REAR COMMODORE SAIL

W

ITH THE BUSIEST PART Of the sailing season behind us, it’s a good time to reflect on some great regattas, results and sailing activities.

#RFBYCGOESEAST

You would have seen the great achievements of our members during the summer regatta season through our #rfbycGoesEast campaign.

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Our new national champions include David Gilmour (49er), Zac Littlewood (Laser Radial), Mia Lovelady (Optimist female), and Hayley Clark

(49erFX) and Zoe Thomson (Laser Radial - female).

Some notable achievements of our members include:

www.rfbyc.asn.au

Craig Carter’s Indian finished 12th on IRC in the 2018 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

Rob Campbell, Trish Ford and Tim Cummins also achieved a very notable second place (first Corinthian) in the Prince Phillip Cup. Our Etchells sailors enjoyed their Nationals Championships off Fremantle in January, with Michael Manford’s The Croc being best placed WA entrant, in third place.

MATCH RACING – JESS MATCH CUP AND WJIYR

Our match racing teams enjoyed some great racing this summer.

The inaugural “JESS Match Cup” (a regatta to celebrate our JESS program) was won

by Mark Spearman’s Swift Racing, who narrowly defeated Will Boulden’s Alpha Racing Team in a closely fought final series.

RFBYC was proudly represented by 4 teams at the

2018 Warren Jones International Youth Match Racing Championships, including Alpha Racing Team, Swift Racing, Ethan Prieto-Low’s Calypso Racing and Marcello Torre’s Velocity Racing Team. The regatta was won

by CYCA’s Harry Price, with Alpha Racing team in second and Swift Racing third.

We’re also pleased to report that Will Boulden has been selected to represent Australia at the World Sailing Youth Match Racing Championships in Lake Ledro in July 2018.

March Racing Teams and Sailing Institute Participants are fortunate to be supported by match racing coach Ben Durham, who has much to offer our teams following his four America’s Cup campaigns and as one of the coaches for Land Rover BAR Gladiator’s TP52 Team.

WASZP CLASS

With RFBYC hosting the Waszp Games next summer,

we’ve seen our foiling Waszp fleet grow to 13 boats. #GIRLSWHOSAIL CAMP

In January we hosted our inaugural #GirlsWhoSail Camp, in which 42 girls aged from 7 to 17 enjoyed two days of great coaching and sailing.

We were grateful to receive positive feedback for the camp, and are looking forward to next year’s event.

We extend our gratitude to the sponsors, volunteers, mentors and coaches who ran the event, notably our Coaching Development Officer, Grant Alderson ably assisted by Chelsea Hall and Jenn Suffield.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Many of our members competed in the round of 2018 State Championships.

It was pleasing to see some fantastic results from our members, including: The Croc won the Etchells States Championships, fourth

year running (crew Michael Manford, Nick Gray and Dean McAullay).

Scoundrel won the Dragon State Championships (crew Willy Packer, Denis Cullity & Julian Harding).

TRAINING CENTRE

Thanks to the hard work of our On-water team and Club coaches, our Training Centre was Australia’s leading Discover Sailing Centre for the period for the period 1 July and 31 December (according to Australian Sailing’s National Training Centre statistics).

If you, your families or friends are interested in our Training Centre’s courses, please contact Jenn Suffield.

REMAINING EVENTS

I look forward to seeing you at the remaining events on our summer sailing calendar, including the Rottnest Festival of Sail, Closing Day and our Keelboat Prize Night.

EVAN MOORE REAR COMMODORE JUNIORS

T

HE UNUSUAL WEATHER THIS SUMMER has been frustrating for our dinghy sailors with a lack of consistent wind. We hope the second half of the season provides some more favourable sailing conditions.

You may notice a growing WASZP fleet at the Club.

This new fleet has grown to 11 boats in a short time and the skippers are training hard to learn how to sail these foiling boats. RFBYC will be hosting the WASZP International Games in January 2019 which will bring many competitors from all over the world.

The RFBYC Training Centre was ranked number one in Australia for dinghy courses from July to December 2017. Thank you to our

Training Centre Principal and all the instructors for their hard work and congratulations on this incredible result.

Recently the Club held a special training camp for female junior sailors. The #GirlsWhoSail camp was attended by 42 sailors where they received some great coaching. The girls also participated in the Adventurers Club on the same weekend which meant participant numbers swelled to 100.

Thank you to coach Grant

www.rfbyc.asn.au

Alderson for initiating this event. Also thank you to Club staff for all their support and hard work to run the camp.

The ICR was held in December with over 180 boats entered. This was the best ICR yet and I would like to thank Club staff and volunteers for their amazing organisational skills. I received so many compliments from visitors to the Club both during and after the regatta.

Over the summer holiday period many of our dinghy 7

sailors travelled to the east coast to compete in regattas. I am pleased to report the following results from the latest #rfbycgoeseast campaign:

DAVID GILMOUR

ROME FEATHERSTONE

WILL DREW

420 ISAF YOUTH WORLD CHAMPION ZAC LITTLEWOOD

1ST SAIL SYDNEY 49ER 1ST SAIL MELBOURNE 49ER 1ST 49ER AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2ND UNDER 16 AUSTRALIAN O’PEN BIC CHAMPIONSHIPS

1ST AUSTRALIAN AND OCEANIA OPEN LASER RADIAL CHAMPION 1ST SAIL MELBOURNE LASER RADIAL

ROSIE HENNESSY

ZOE THOMSON

49ER FX AUSTRALIAN CHAMPION

1ST FEMALE AUSTRALIAN AND OCEANIA OPEN LASER RADIAL CHAMPIONSHIP

1ST UNDER 16 FEMALE AUSTRALIAN O’PEN BIC CHAMPIONSHIPS HAYLEY CLARK

MIA LOVELADY

1ST FEMALE AUSTRALIAN

OPTIMIST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS ANNABELLE DAVIES MADISON WOODWARD

1ST SAIL SYDNEY 29ER MARCELLO TORRE OWEN READY

1ST SAIL MELBOURNE 420

Recently, Carrie Smith, 2016 Olympian in the 470 Class announced her retirement from Olympic Sailing. We are proud of her achievements and wish her well for the future.

We are lucky at the Club to have such a strong volunteer network. I would like to thank all those volunteers

that turn up at the Junior/ Dinghy Club and help with the start boat, mark laying, support boat, photography, and the canteen. A special thank you to Race Officers John Taylor and Geoff Brown who conduct on water racing each weekend. We always need more help so please contact Chelsea Hall if you can assist.

I look forward to the upcoming Dinghy Prize Night on 11 May which will be a 1980’s theme this year. I look forward to seeing all our sailors out on the water for the 2018 Dinghy Winter Series.

LLOYD CLARK REAR COMMODORE POWER

T

his year’s Invitational Twilight time trial event was another great success with 22 boats competing including one from CYC, six from RPYC, four from SoPYC, and one from PFSYC, in addition to our RFBYC competitors.

We had a number of late withdrawals due to the strong wind forecast. Whilst the strong afternoon sea breeze was a real test for many who competed (judging by some of the results), it was great to see our Club take out first place!

Congratulations to all competitors.

1ST - #240 HAVANA, TIM CUMMINS AND KEN STEVENSON RFBYC

2ND - #400 SUNHUNTER BRETT MORRISON AND DILANA RAMIREZ SOPYC

3RD - #486 OPEN CIRCUIT JIM GOODING AND KEITH SALKELD SOPYC.

The time trial was followed by a BBQ which over 100 attended, many staying on late into the evening to enjoy the Clubs hospitality and live music.

On Sunday, 11 March the Club hosted the Inaugural Camp Quality Family Fun Day. Camp Quality is a not 8

for profit organisation which aims to provide an essential break from the stress and intensity of cancer for children ages 0-13 years and it is a way for the whole family to share experiences with those going through a similar thing. Thank you to long standing Club member Stephen Ahern for initiating this fantastic event as well as to a fabulous number of power boat members who very kindly took Camp Quality kids and their families out on the river for a cruise. The cruise was followed by entertainment up on the main Club lawn including face painting and a bouncy castle and a picnic lunch.

As the summer season gradually draws to an end, it is hard to believe that Power Opening Day is now only 8 weeks away. This year Opening Day will be held on Saturday, 5 May, please

save this date in your diaries.

Opening Day will follow the usual format.

13:00 Sail past commences 13:30 Short time trial 14:30 Raft-up on main wharf 15:00 Official opening on the main wharf 15:30 Dock Party - live entertainment by ‘Stray Dogs’ Nominations for this season will be open soon, keep an eye out for the nomination forms. It would be great to see some new faces out on the water this winter and of course the old ones too!!! Whilst time trialling is unlikely to ever be an Olympic sport, it is a great way to spend time out on your boat of the river in winter and meet fellow Club members at the famous late Saturday afternoon raft ups before results at the bar.

I look forward to seeing you out on the water.

www.rfbyc.asn.au

CAMERA CATCHES COUTAS

Peter Ferry

R

arely is a camera in the right spot on the right day but thanks to a member of the public who happened to be on Bishop Road Reserve with some excellent equipment, caught the coutas in action with some great shots during a series of 3 short races in 23+kts, early January 2018.

Our thanks to Lindsay (IronBark) who made the effort to contact me and forward the photos for fleet viewing.

CAMERA CATCHES COUTAS

images this page: Roulette

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www.rfbyc.asn.au

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main image and above: Kasey and Ajax battle on the water inset below left: Kasey inset below right: Ajax

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FOR SALE - COUTA RF19 “ECLIPSE”

Jim Wilshire

Sorrento Couta Boats

ECLIPSE IN SORRENTO

2017 STATE CHAMPION

• BUILT IN HUON PINE 1999 BY CHRIS BOWMAN, FREMANTLE • CONTINUOUSLY UPGRADED AND REFITTED OVER 12 YEARS, NEW SAILS, RIGGING, RUDDER, TIM PHILIPS SURVEY AND ENGINEERING REFIT 2018 • SUCCESSFULLY CAMPAIGNED TO A TOP 10 FINISH AROUND AUSTRALIA BUT TIME FOR US TO UPGRADE FOR FUTURE NATIONAL REGATTAS

FOR SALE OR TRANSITION SYNDICATION $45,000

IN

Jim Wilshire 0403048311

FOR SALESPACE SAILER 22 PENNED AT C19

$5600 ONO

ROYAL FRESHWATER BAY YACHT CLUB

KEELBOAT FROSTBITE SERIES

On the following Sunday’s

GREAT RACING, ROTTO & RECREATION YACHT

“By Hook or by Crooke” Contact GERRY MURPHY 0418 942 242 gerry@beingthere.com.au 14

Race 1 - 20 May 1000 Race 2 - 17 June 1400 Race 3 - 1 July 1000 Race 4 - 15 July 1400 Race 5 - 5 August 1000 Race 6 - 19 August 1400 Race 7 - 16 September 1400

2018

EARLY JANUARY 2018, on our way home from the Nationals in Sydney, Eclipse was lucky enough to be invited to the two premier events in Sorrento, Victoria – the 20th KPMG & Gant Portsea Cup.

This time we arrived intact to another great sailing spot, the Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club, a compact club running at full capacity in a beautiful location. There are 16 regatta sailing and coaching staff spread across the fleets and catering facilities to easily manage 500 guests for the KPMG day. They have a magnificent jetty which must be open to the public, so coming alongside requires dodging swimmers and all the crowds walking along the promenade. It’s also a sight to see dinghies being rigged on the lawn amongst sun bathers.

Sailing on the bay is trickier than it seems, the water is clearer than Rottnest but funnels Port Philip Bay in and out with 5 knot currents around the shoals and along the dredged channels. The grass is always greener as the eastern fleet sailors think

we have it easy at RFBYC sailing on the river with our facilities, and they may be right.

The hospitality was fantastic and the stories more so. Club Commodore, James Mighel had many stories to regale on the history and culture of the local couta boats. Now WA based at RFBYC, Weeroona (originally from Victoria) is named after a nearby bay and was owned by the Landsell family, successful inventors of the dripless tap. One time, the lighthouse keeper reported Weeroona after seeing it on four days surfing the standing waves in The Rip (the dangerous entrance to Port Phillip Bay). The yacht club was advised there would be no rescue if they got into trouble. And in another instance, before trucking the boat to Townsville they rebuilt the engine and said it would run underwater, to

be quickly tested when Weeroona was caught in a cyclone.

The Gant Portsea Cup is the premier sailing event and attracted a total of 60 entries spread over two fleets. Division 1 has about 8 boats engaged in an arms race, all very well sailed and finish in a bunch.

One of the best sailed is over 30 years old, and a few more of the pre-2000 builds share the front with the new Couta Regatta yachts – the latest developments.

Plans are underway to build the interstate rivalry with a regatta to be held in Hobart and then a national race with each state team allocated a matched fleet.

As far as developing our local fleet, Melbourne has the blueprint on how it’s done.

above: Sorrento KPMG – Eclipse below: Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club

r f byc

Enquiries: sailadmin@rfbyc.asn.au or 9286 8200 www.rfbyc.asn.au

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John Longley

HOBART DOIN’ THE HOBART – WITH STYLE

above:

doin’ the

B inset: the view from our cabin right: Coral Discoverer off the Freycinet Peninsula

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ack in 2006 I ran the 400th commemoration of Duyfken’s landing at Pennyfather River in 1606. The ship sailed through every Southern State and ended up in Cairns, which I guess is not Southern but that’s where we stopped. It was a great success with over 90,000 people visiting the ship.

Our captain for that memorable voyage was Gary Wilson who, leaping forward to 2017/18, is now the captain of the Coral Discoverer which has the noble distinction of being Australian built, owned and crewed – not many of them around these days.

The ship spends most of its time in Northern Australia discovering coral over a wide range of wonderful destinations from the Great Barrier Reef to the Kimberley and up into Indonesia and beyond. However, last year they decided to head South and follow the Hobart Race. Gary was asked by the owners to find a

guest lecturer who had done some “Hobarts” and knew a bit about sailing and other maritime stuff, to act as the Guest Lecturer – which is where I came in.

WITH STYLE

S

o late on Christmas night Jenny and I found ourselves on the ship’s expedition boat powering across Broken Bay to sign on as a crewmember and partner of this wonderful little ship.

Next morning we were up early to welcome the passengers on board before sailing down to position ourselves off the Heads for the start of the 2017/18 Sydney to Hobart. Some of the passengers had no knowledge of sailing, while others had done a number of Hobarts and had arrived at that stage in life where they wanted to still be a part of the event, even if they could no longer actually race.

The authorities had deemed that we had to stay three nautical miles from the seaward mark that

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the yachts round after leaving the Harbour and head south. So we steamed three miles down the rhum line and watched the start, including the infamous port and starboard incident, on the ship’s large screen.

Consequently we were perfectly positioned as the super maxis came flying right past us with their huge asymmetrical headsails up and doing well over 20 knots to our paltry 11 knots.

All that afternoon as we slowly steamed south, the fleet sailed past us with the strengthening Nor’easter.

It was a fantastic sight and the ship provided a wonderful photographic platform.

right: Occasional Coarse Language approaching Cape Raoul below: getting close and personal with Commanche

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hat night, as we headed across George Bass’ Strait, it got pretty lumpy but with Mr Rolls and Mr Royce in charge of Rock ‘n Roll we had a very pleasant evening enjoying wonderful food and wine – it was also great to look out into the dark, wild seascape and contemplate the crazy ride the fleet would be having.

Next morning the fleet was spread all over the ocean so for the next few days we took the opportunity to take in the great marine sights off the Tasmanian coast and visited Wine Glass Bay, Maria Island and Port Arthur as we slowly made our way south.

As the body of the fleet neared Tasman Island we positioned ourselves off Cape Raoul and had the most wonderful view of several of the yachts rounding that famous landmark.

By New Year’s Day we were berthed in Hobart and able to join in the fantastic atmosphere that builds in Hobart as the fleet comes in. I even had a quiet little drink – as one does after having “done a Hobart”. .

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www.rfbyc.asn.au

19

weekend regatta David Meager

AUSTRALIA DAY

AT MARGARET RIVER

AUSTRALIA DAY WEEKEND REGATTAMARGARET RIVER

A

n invitation from the Margaret River Rowing Club (MRRC) to participate in the Australia Day

Regatta propelled the two RFBYC Saint Ayles Skiffs & crews with their loyal supporters to the beautiful Margaret River wine region in the south west of WA. The MRRC, established in 1979, is located on a beautiful reach of the river near the historic Wallcliffe House and its outlet to the Indian Ocean on the cape.

The club house has recently been rebuilt following its destruction by the bush fires in November 2011. The fires also badly damaged Wallcliffe House and some properties nearby on the coast at Prevelly.

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W

allcliffe House is a heritage listed two-storey stone, shingle and corrugated iron homestead built by Alfred and Ellen Bussell between 1857 and 1865 in the Victorian-Georgian style. Limestone quarried on the property and pit-sawn jarrah were used in its construction.

The residence was the centrepiece of the Bussell family’s 24,000-hectare (59,000-acre) estate which extended from Cowaramup to the Donnelly River.

Before moving to Wallcliffe, the Bussells lived at “Ellensbrook”,

a 4-hectare (10-acre) holding several miles north of the Margaret River on the northern edge of their lease.

In 1876, 16-year-old Grace Bussell famously helped save the lives of around 50 people as the SS Georgette sunk off nearby Calgardup Bay. The remains of the wreck can be found off Redgate beach.

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W

ith the skiffs safely parked near the rowing club and the supporters and rowers fuelled with a hearty breakfast of tasty barbecued kippers on toast, rounded off with a beautiful peaty Laphroaig, it was time to launch the boats and join the MRRC Australia Day regatta.

The boatshed/clubhouse is a marvellously functional building.

Viewing races from the balcony is a true pleasure and the shed area provides generous storage

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for kayaks, rowing shells and broad beam training sculls. The club therefore caters for a wide variety of on-water activities and skill levels.

As the morning drew on, the local rowing enthusiasts, spectators and supporters arrived with their children at this picturesque location on a beautiful clear day under azure skies. A light south easterly wind blew the scent of local eucalypts and peppermint trees across the reach keeping everyone cool.

T

he Saint Ayle skiffs drew plenty of interest from children and adults alike and many tried an exploratory row on the river while others enjoyed a morning tea at the clubhouse.

Many of the ladies and children found the rowing to their liking and later returned to the floating pontoon keen for another row.

A warm welcome for RFBYC visitors was made by the club president followed by the popping of corks off champagne bottles to formally name a number 21

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of the rowing shells stored in the boatshed and toast their legendary rowers.

A

t this juncture two crews, one from MRRC and the other from RFBYC, set off in Dotsie and Ripple to take part in the inaugural Australia Day Margaret River Rowing Race. After many titanic neck and neck struggles over the 500m course­— with not more than half a boat length difference at any time—the MRRC skiff stroked by Lee Boylan, Captain of Boats, crossed the finishing line a whisker ahead of

RFBYC to the delight and cheers of the assembled crowd.

A second race challenged was then launched with fresh crews from each club and after another tight struggle the RFBYC crew crossed the line ahead of MRRC.

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ith the regatta concluded all retired for a traditional Australia Day BBQ feast of steak and sausages washed down with liquid refreshments. MRRC’s Lee Boylan, Captain of Boats thanked all for attending and making the day so memorable, Lee’s endless

enthusiasm was one of the main reasons why the regatta was a success. RFBYC were cordially invited back for the regatta next year. It was also suggested that we should do races in both the St Ayles skiffs and the rowing club boats (i.e. coxed fours/quads).

We may have to start training now if we want to accept that challenge! The celebrations concluded with a hearty rendition of the national anthem and served to remind us just how lucky we are to have such beautiful corners as Margaret River in our state.

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23

Sandy Anderson

2018 PRINCE PHILIP CUP VICTORIAN GIPPSLAND LAKES

M

ETUNG YACHT CLUB IS LOCATED on the Gippsland Lakes of the southeast coast in Victoria. The area is renowned for its wildlife wilderness including native animals, a rare species of dolphins and abundant fish. We were blessed to compete in this environment for the 2018 Prince Philip Cup, the Australasian Dragon Class Championship.

24

A new Ridgeway dragon hull, being built in Hobart, had been organised to be delivered to Metung in time for me to compete in the 2018 Prince Philip Cup. I already had a spare mast section. I purchased a new boom section from Petticrows in the UK, which was very kindly brought out to Cascais

by Rob Campbell in the dragon Quicksilver. Ray Chatfield’s

mast and boom from Petticrows and brought them back to Perth with the help of my cousin Anne Foster. I purchased the spinnaker pole from Wolf Breit in Sydney and this had travelled down to Metung in Richard Franklin’s Liquidity the year before for the Victorian Championships and was kindly stored in Hugh Howard’s GB600 until the Prince Philip Cup.

Wizzardry, there for the World championships, transported it to Perth after the regatta. While I was in the UK, I also purchased the components for rigging the

So in mid December 2017, loaded up with the spare mast and boom sections (as well as Linnea’s mast and boom), all the fittings and new sails for the new

boat (as well as sails for Linnea, Rob Hammond and Rob Campbell), I towed Linnea across to the RBYC. Zane Ridgeway was to bring the new boat and rig up the mast and boom sections there on the hardstand, then tow it to Metung. I flew back after Christmas to tow Linnea to Metung (Rob Hammond and his crew sailed Linnea then towed it home after the Prince Philip Cup).

About a week before the regatta my new boat was found on its side, with a broken connection to the hoist it had been hanging from – a chair near the rudder had softened the fall but a completely new rudder had to be built.

Zane offered me the charter of Riga, which he transported to Metung Yacht Club – the location for the 2018 Prince Philip Cup, the National International Dragon Class Championships, preceded by the Ted Albert one day series.

My new sails and spinnaker for AUS219­—which had been

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2018 PRINCE PHILIP CUP VICTORIAN GIPPSLAND LAKES

respectively delivered to Linnea just days before, and on the morning of, our departure in mid December, by Brad Sheridan of Australian Yachting Services—were brought out of their bags for measurement at the regatta only to find they had the number 210 on them, had not been measured, and had no IDA stickers.

Zane organised two number 9s to be brought down from a sailmaker in nearby Bairnsdale and I put a tail on the zero on the spinnaker as there is no maximum number size or regulation to be of equal size. Chief measurer Peter Hay could measure the sails – but he had no IDA stickers. I rang Rob Trenberth who said that Charlie Stanton was bringing four, but Metung sailors needed two of them. I needed three. Pete Hay said Peter Massee of Wizzardry, there for the Prince Philip Cup, had them and to him I went. Peter Massee said John Anderson who was in Perth always kept them.

Since Peter had asked John to post over a RFBYC burgee to present to the Metung Yacht Club, maybe he hadn’t yet and would be able to send three IDA stickers as well. So Peter Massee

www.rfbyc.asn.au

rang John who just happened to be in the post office …yes he would put three in the post.

Just at that moment Peter Hay appeared and suggested John text him the IDA numbers. Chief measurer would now just write the IDA numbers on the sails and sign them. I could compete!

Race format had the first race of two laps finishing downwind, followed by the second race of two laps finishing upwind. The upwind leg was around 0.7nm and the races were from 1 to 1.5 hours.

It was a wet regatta with 25 boats on the junction of Lakes Victoria and King, within an hour’s sailing of Metung Yacht Club. My crew were my usual RFBYC John Moncrieff and Stéphan Eyssautier, with whom I had competed in the 2017 dragon World Championships in Cascais.

Conditions for the three race preliminary series, the Ted Albert Memorial Trophy, were light winds up to 12 knots. We gained an 8th and 9th and won the last, a shorter one lap race, finishing with a beat to win by 7 seconds. This won us the Charles E Davies Memorial trophy. We finished 4th overall and felt we

were adjusting to the different set up and getting a feel for the Ridgeway boat. Robert Campbell in Penny Farthing with his crew of Tim Cummings and Trish Ford, won the series comfortably with a 1, 2 and 3.

Races one and two of the Prince Philip Cup were held the next day in light to moderate winds. In the first we were called OCS a minute after the start.

This was a shock to us as we had been sandwiched back between two boats before the gun went and if we had been over, they would have been recalled as

well. Having recrossed the line we climbed to 13th. In the second race we finished 3rd.

Wednesday races three and four were enjoyed in champagne continued on page 49

25

IN REVIEW: 2018 CITY OF PERTH FESTIVAL OF SAIL INCORPORATING THE WARREN JONES INTERNATIONAL YOUTH REGATTA HOSTED BY ROYAL FRESHWATER BAY YACHT CLUB

A

NOTHER HIGHLY successful City of Perth Festival of Sail kicked off with two days of Free ‘Discover Sailing’ & ‘Tackers’ at Elizabeth Quay on the Australia Day Long Weekend.

Swan River Sailing and host club, Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, proudly set the initiative up where over six hundred members of the general public got to try the sport of sailing in a safe and fun environment!

The opening rounds of the Warren Jones International Youth Regatta, the marquee event of the Festival of Sail, took place from Monday, 29th January to Friday, 2nd February in very tricky E/SE breezes and a very tight racetrack. Twelve youth teams had to negotiate a number of obstacles around the course including ferries, sand banks and mooring buoys with several teams going aground keeping the maintenance teams busy.

The morning of Day Two started off with seventy-five women from corporate Perth heading to the Lucky Shag to hear speeches from the Lord Mayor of the City of Perth, Lisa Scaffidi, and Warren Jones Regatta skipper, Clare Costanzo and her crew Jess Angus with a ‘women in leadership’ theme. Guests then split into teams, hosted by some high-profile skippers and local Royal Freshwater Bay Yachtswomen, and went out on the water for a taste of the sport. The event was a completely non-profit initiative run

by Swan River Sailing (and supported by RFBYC and the City of Perth) to encourage more women to get involved in the sport of sailing.

Racing finished a little early on Wednesday so that sailors and volunteers could head to the host Yacht Club to enjoy the Twilight Hospitality and the full blood, blue moon. As always, RFBYC put on 26

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an outstanding spread, with many of the travelling teams not being able to believe their eyes! In Perth Waters, eight teams of sponsoring organisations and other iconic local businesses, hosted by high-profile skippers, boarded the Foundation 36 yachts to battle it out for the title of the 2018 Corporate Cup, with none other than Michael Manford and his team from Patersons Securities coming out on top!

Day four of the Regatta started early with a Beach Clean Up, organised by Swan River Sailing, River Guardians and Keep Australia Beautiful. A number of Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club members joined in along with sponsors, volunteers and the two teams from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, skippered

by James Hodgson and Harry Price.

After the Warren Jones International Youth Regatta crews had been bashed by two days of medium to strong breezes, conditions turned to very light and shifty winds. The semi-finalists literally came down to the wire as the sun went down over Perth Waters.

Will Boulden (RFBYC) was the first to qualify for the semi’s. Harry Price (CYCA) and his experienced team from Sydney pushed Will Boulden all the way but faltered in a key match against the local young gun Marcello Torre. Some excellent racing from George Anyon (RNZYS) assured that there would be a kiwi team in the semi-finals. In the battle for the last semi-final place, the team from the Netherlands skippered by Jelmer van Beek, looked to be in the box seat for a place until his chances faded in the dying

breeze in a match against Mark Spearman (RFBYC). Mark’s team sneaked through on count back.

The semi-finals of the Warren Jones International Youth Regatta were shortened to the best of two matches. Will Boulden’s team won both matches over fellow club member Mark Spearman. Harry Price and George Anyon battled it out for the last spot in the final, with Price coming off on top.

Day five began with the major fundraising event of the regatta, the Warren Jones Gala Luncheon. A ballroom full of guests turned out to the event at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club which was generously sponsored once again by Leeuwin Estate, Spices Group, Australian Fine Jewellery and LGFG Fashion house.

Guests then boarded spectator boats to head to Perth Waters to enjoy the Finals racing.

Finals racing started in the same pattern as the whole week with light and flukey easterlies delaying any action until mid-afternoon on a hot and humid Perth day. Before the final matches, the breeze took a big shift to the S/SW and increased to a more agreeable 8 - 10 knots, much to the relief of a big fleet of spectators and support boats surrounding the short, stadium type course. The Finals were shortened to the first to two points as the light started to fade.

In the Petit-Final, George Anyon faced Mark Spearman which ended in favour of the local team by two straight wins.

The Grand Final was set up for a race off between the highest ranked teams. Despite an early penalty in 27

Simon Barwood

IN REVIEW : 2018 CITY OF PERTH FESTIVAL OF SAIL

below top: the Beach Clean Up team!

right: 2018 Corporate Cup winners, Patersons Securities

the pre-start, Harry Price maneuvered his boat into a much better position at the start and led

Will Boulden up the course. In the short two lap course, Price extended on each leg and was easily able to off load his penalty and go on to win by three boat lengths.

On match point, Harry Price again got penalised in the pre-start giving Will Boulden a glimpse of a come-back.

However, Price and his Down Under Racing team finished the regatta as per the previous race, winning the 2018 Warren Jones International Youth Regatta – the first time a non-local or kiwi team has won since 2011!

Swan River Sailing and the Warren Jones Foundation would like to kindly thank Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club for hosting such a memorable Warren Jones Regatta and assisting in many aspects of the 2018 City of Perth Festival of Sail. The efforts of staff and volunteers did not go unnoticed or unappreciated – feedback from sponsors, stakeholders, guests and even competitors were all outstandingly positive and this would definitely not

have been the case without the tireless work and support of Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, its staff and, of course, its volunteers. Thank you!

Swan River Sailing would also like to thank the supporters of the 2018 City of Perth Festival of Sail including naming rights sponsor, City of Perth; major sponsors, Amex Corporation, ASG Group and Gibbscorp Insurance Brokers; minor sponsors, Ford & Doonan and Packer & Co; and also the Warren Jones Foundation for their on-going support.

Plans are already underway for the 2019 City of Perth Festival of Sail, organised by Swan River Sailing with 2019 host club Royal Perth Yacht Club.

FINAL STANDINGS FOR ROYAL FRESHWATER BAY YACHT CLUB’S TEAMS; RANK

TEAM

SKIPPER

CREW

2ND PLACE

ALPHA RACING TEAM

WILL BOULDEN

ALISTER YOUNG, ALEX NEGRI, EMERSON CARLBERG, PERON PEARCE & WILL DREW

3RD PLACE

SWIFT RACING

MARK SPEARMAN

LUKE ELLIOT, ROMË FEATHERSTONE, DAMIAN GARBOWSKI & JAMES STEWART

7TH PLACE

CALYPSO RACING

ETHAN PRIETO-LOW

HAYDEN HUNT, GEORGE BOULDEN, NICK SYME & ANDREW BRIGGS

MARCELLO TORRE

OWEN READY, RAFF TORRE, CONALL HANSFORD, OLIVER MAVERICK & HARMON MCAULLAY

12TH PLACE

VELOCITY RACING TEAM

Full final standings can be found on the Swan River Sailing website www.swanriversailing.com 28

CONTENDER 2018 NATIONAL & WORLDS REPORT

McC

RAE HAS A REPUTATION as a tricky sailing venue. The southern waters of Port Phillip Bay, in the most common south-easterly to south-westerly

winds, lie in the lee of the Mornington Peninsula under a large hill ‘Arthurs Seat’. There is also, at times, considerable tidal flow.

Before the regatta Jason Beebe, the current World Champion from Queensland, said he had vowed never to return to McCrae after he last sailed there 25 years ago.

However in January 2018 return he did to defend his title and compete against 89 other Contender sailors from eight countries. The fleet was the largest and most credentialed ever assembled at an Australian Worlds and included six former World Champions and several National Champions. The hot favourite was McCrae Yacht Club local Mark Bulka, having previously won two World Championships.

In amongst all this talent were three Western Australian representatives, all from RFBYC; Clay Cook, Iain Larkins and myself. Iain and I sailed in both regattas, Clay only competed in the Worlds.

The Nationals regatta started spectacularly for me, winning the first race. This was quite an unexpected thrill and I briefly entertained the thought that I should sail in pack up and come home now because it won’t get any better than this.

www.rfbyc.asn.au

Unfortunately I was unable to repeat that performance, despite leading at the top mark in a subsequent race. I did end the regatta with my second best result, an eighth, and finished overall in eighth position and second in the Masters division.

The venue was living up to it’s reputation with big shifts, random gusts and huge pressure differentials across the course. Even the best sailors had a high number in their scores. On the second and third days racing was in light winds, often below the class minimum of six knots. Iain started well with a 20th but then had mixed results finishing in 38th overall. Jason Beebe looked ominously fast winning comfortably from Jono Neate and Mark Bulka.

Three Australian former World Champions filling the podium.

The first day of the main event saw more light winds and only one race was completed. I finished 12th, Clay 16th and Iain 59th. The good news was breeze was forecast for Day 2 and three races were scheduled. Race two was sailed in 10-15kts but the extra pressure didn’t improve our results with Clay finishing 21st, me 32nd and Iain retiring after tearing his mainsheet tower off the boat. He repaired it

ashore and started the next race but the screws didn’t hold and he ended the day with a DNF, DNF and a DNC. Clay scored a 7th in a breeze building to 22kts in Race Three. I was close behind him with two legs to go when my vang broke leading to a retirement and a DNC in Race Four in which Clay scored a 22nd. A very frustrating day for Iain and me.

Day 3 and both Iain and I were repaired and back on the water in a 15kt breeze which was shifting through 40 degrees and with huge holes. At one point Clay was caught in a hole and going backwards while 20 boat lengths on either side boats were planing upwind. I managed to grind out a consistent day with a 15th and 14th. Clay was in the 60s when a shackle on his vang broke, he was repaired and back in time to record a 22nd in Race Six. Iain had a better day with a 37th and 47th. With the first drop in it was Beebe and Bulka leading the way both having won two heats each, daylight was coming third.

Day Four saw the best sailing conditions of the regatta so far with a 12-20kt southerly but still shifty and gusty. Real snakes and ladders stuff. After an hour of general recalls and black flag restarts, the first one 29

Tristan Brown

CONTENDER 2018 NATIONAL & WORLDS REPORT

claiming Iain as a victim, Race 7 got underway. Clay and I revelled in the conditions and finished 4th and 5th respectively. However in Race 8 we scored 36th and 26th with Iain recording his best result, a 34th.

Consistency was a struggle for all but the top boats. Bulka won both races to Beebe’s pair of seconds and now had a 3 point buffer to defend.

The only morning scheduled for racing was on Day Five and it began with no wind and a long wait ashore under AP. We took to the water about 12.30pm in about six knots from the west which built to a consistent 12-15kts. Coming across the Bay rather than off the shore the breeze was the steadiest we experienced, however the tide was at maximum ebb flow, dragging the fleet to windward, which resulted in a general recall and then a clean start under the black flag. Iain and I repeated our best results, a 34th and 5th respectively while Clay scored

a 31st. With no time left the series ended one race short but with the important second drop in.

Mark Bulka won the final race to claim his third World Title with Jason Beebe and Andrea Bonezzi (seven times previous title holder) joining him on the podium. I finished in 14th and again second in the Masters division. Clay ended up 21st and Iain 63rd.

The entirely volunteer run McCrae YC did a terrific job managing the regattas both on and off the water and the friendly and relaxed family atmosphere was perfect for the Contender fleet. The Mornington Peninsula is a great holiday destination but be prepared for many challenges when sailing there.

A C TO N

2018 WASZP NATIONALS PORT PHILLIP BAY, VICTORIA

THE

2018 WASZP NATIONALS were held out of Sorrento Sailing & Couta Boat Club over the Australia Day weekend. Sorrento at the bottom of Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne is a very beautiful part of the world and we were lucky to be hosted by the club. It was also nice to visit Lake Jindabyne, Thredbo & Mt Kosciuszko on the way to the venue on my way down from Sydney with the boat on the roof (photo below).

The first ever Waszp Nationals attracted 34 entrants with the majority of sailors using the 8.2sqm rig size.

A few youth sailors opted for the smaller 6.9sqm due to their lesser weight.

Fellow RFBYC member and WA Waszp Agent Grant Alderson was also in attendance to gain a further understanding of the class ahead of the Waszp Games in Perth in January 2019.

Although he intended on being there in a learning not participant role, following an unfortunate injury to one of the NSW competitors, Grant gracefully stepped up to the plate to race the boat for the remainder of he regatta instead of the injured skipper.

Grant no doubt learnt a lot both about the boats and their racing which I’m sure will infiltrate the WA fleet in the near future.

Harry Mighell again dominated the fleet to clinch the Australian title whilst from a personal perspective I ended up 7th overall (close behind 4th on total points). It was really en-

joyable to get back into some racing following the last Waszp Games in Lake Garda in August.

Recently it was fantastic to get out on the water for a few sessions on the Waszp at RFBYC on my holiday to back home in February. What was even more encouraging was to see that the WA Waszp fleet had grown to a size of 12 boats.

I am looking forward to racing these boats on home waters in January 2019 and it will be a great spectacle to see a large fleet of Waszp’s zooming around the Swan River in our typically strong seabreezes!

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31

VOLUNTEERS IN FOCUS SPECIAL MEMBER, JOHN MCQUEEN

VOLUNTEERS IN FOCUS SATURDAY, CLUB LINE TEAM

E

ACH SATURDAY AFTERNOON during the Sailing Season, a group of dedicated volunteers head to the start box to start and finish our keelboat fleets. We have pleasure in acknowledging our regular volunteers who all play an important role with the race management on the Club line on Saturdays.

With John McQueen’s departure mid-way through the season, a roster of Race Officers was implemented until the end of the season.

Thank you to Russell Wellington, John Taylor, John Standley and Kim Laurence who kindly came on board to help us out. We will be focussing on these volunteers in future issues of Tidings.

MURRY JOHNSON SPECIAL MEMBER

Farewell John McQueen – January 2018

V

OLUNTEERS ARE ESSENTIAL to the success of our On-Water events and as way of recognising our Race Management teams we will be acknowledging them over the next few editions of Tidings.

SPECIAL MEMBER, JOHN MCQUEEN RELOCATES TO THE COUNTRY

20 January 2018 marked a very special and sad occasion. After over 22 years of volunteer service in various roles, Special member, John McQueen was thanked and farewell by sailors and fellow volunteers.

John had made the decision to have a change in life style and has recently relocated to the Country to enjoy his retirement with his lovely wife, Ros. John first volunteered in 1990 as a course layer for juniors every Sunday when his children, Gregor and Kathryn joined RFBYC from NYC (where he was Commodore) and in 1995 John became Race Officer for the Junior Club. John remained in this position until 2012 when he moved to assist in the Start Box for Saturday racing and assumed the role of Principal Race Officer following Bill Morris in 2012.

As one of the longest serving Yachting Australia accredited National Race Officers in WA, John has 32

conducted numerous events at State and National level for the Club, classes include Optimist, Mirror, Laser, 505, Dragons and Etchells.

John has also conducted World Championships for the 505 and Mirror classes and acted as Race Officer for the International Classes regatta from its inception up until recent years. He has also acted as Race Officer at other clubs and is a past recipient of the YWA Race Official of the Year award. In addition, John has been Race Officer for many special events including Salty Dog, Old Gaffers, KPMG Challenge, Athol Hobbs Regatta and has assisted in the Radio Room for offshore events.

In 2002 and 2004 John stepped into the manager role for the JESS Programs tour of Europe.

Apart from officiating, John has played a major role in the training of race officials and volunteers.

He has conducted many courses at National Race Officer and Club level for RFBYC. John undertook the training of all on-water volun-

teers for Perth 2011 and was also a member of the Organising Committee for Perth 2011.

John was Chair of the YWA Race Management Committee from 2003 – 2014 and remains a member.

John has been an active participant in Club and sailing administration and was a member of the General Committee for 4 years. In addition, he was a member of the Board of Management of Yachting WA from 2003-05, Vice President 2005-08 and President from 08-11.

He was Commodore of Nedlands Yacht Club from 1989 -91. Other positions have included ex officio positions on the Ron Tough Yachting Foundation and the Board of Yachting Australia.

John will be very much missed, in particular by his colleagues in the Start Box. He has been a wonderful mentor and we thank him for his outstanding service to the Club. We wish John & Ros all the best in their retirement to the country and we hope he will drop in and see us on his visits to Perth.

www.rfbyc.asn.au

Murry has been a member since 1947 and has been volunteering in the Start Box for the past 31 years under the guidance of Race Officers, Keith Dyer, Bill Morris and John McQueen. From 1987 through until 2012, Murray was on the start team for regattas and special events under the guidance of Percy Oliver, Graeme White and John McQueen.

From 1989 – 2008, Murray was part of the start team for Power Yacht time trailing and then from 2013 – 2018 assisted with check point duties for time trailing with Ron

FOR

Fletcher. In addition, Murry was on the start team at the 1995 Dragon World Championships, 1998 Etchells World Championships, Laser World Championships and the 2002 Flying 15 World Championships.

DAVID JORDAN

SENIOR MEMBER

David has been a member since 1960 and over the years he has served on House Committee for 12 years, General Committee for 14 years, Sailing Committee for six years and was Rear Commodore Juniors for two years. David has been a volunteer in the start box for the past four years.

CARON KAILIS

ORDINARY MEMBER

Caron has been a member for over 21 years and is a new volunteer to the start box this season.

Caron has enjoyed her time learning the ropes of race management and is keen to continue next season.

Welcome aboard Caron.

In the next issue of Tidings, the ‘Volunteers in Focus’ will be our Saturday, Mid River Line team.

IAN DEANY

ORDINARY MEMBER

Ian has been a member since 1997 and has intermittently volunteered on water assisting in various aspects of race management. Once Ian sold his Flying 15 and no longer crewing on a S97, he joined the crew in the start box on Saturdays in 2014.

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P: 9418 4402 E: sales@ajwshipwright.com.au W: www.ajwshipwright.com.au

attendance of current (and 3 time) World 505 champion Mike Holt from the USA and 2 time former world 505 champion Jan Saugmann from Denmark. There were 6 teams with female skippers and sailors ranged from 16 to 73 years old. As always there was great camaraderie onshore as well as on water with the top sailors providing plenty of guidance to the newcomers. Mike Holt ran a training clinic for all sailors focusing on heavy air sailing including boat setup and depowering that was well attended by competitors and local sailors alike.

Four WA teams attended including Mike Duffield and Anthony Gaunt in Tenzing Norgay, Chris Patterson and Ed Repcivicious in Bird, Nick Mariani and Alex Thomson in Epilleptic Octopus and Matt Hansen with Chris White in Crimson Autograph. Patrick Attwell also came across as crew for one of the Queensland boats.

As usual the expected wind conditions did not prevail during the series, instead we had gale force southerlies for the first 3 days with winds gusting to over 45 knots causing one day to be abandoned.

The first two races were held in breezes of 25 to 35 knots with plenty of thrills and spills much of which recorded beautifully by French yachting photographer Christian Favreau and is on the Australian 505 facebook page. Mike Holt dominated in these conditions but was pipped at the post by Mick

www.rfbyc.asn.au

Babbage in the 2nd race.Tenzing was on the pace and in the top 6 for the windy stuff with the regular year round training sessions off Freo clearly paying off, however yours truly seemed to forget all this, capsizing on several gybes and finishing poorly. The next three races were in much more manageable conditions of 18 to 25 knots with the fleet tightening up and much more tactical racing with the top 20 boats finishing within three minutes of the leader in each race. The final four races over the last two days were in milder 12-15knot breezes with very close racing and lead changes. After 8 races there had been six different winners and a three way tie for the leading Australian boat with Mick Babbage from Lake Macquarie, Mike Quirk from Sydney and Mal Higgins from South Australia tied for the lead (Mike Holt of the USA and Jan Saugmann from Denmark were locked in 1st and 2nd) Mick got the better of the others in the last race to clinch the Australian title behind the overseas visitors.

The WA teams were led by Tenzing who finished equal 9th, Crimson Autograph who clawed

back to 14th with some better form in the lighter winds, Bird improving with each race in 22, and Epilleptic Octopus showing promise in 24. Pat Attwell’s skipper has some health issues preventing a sail in the first few races but showed flashes of brilliance in the light stuff including rounding the top mark in 4th in race 7, they finished 37th overall.

The series had a bit of everything in terms of conditions, competitors and drama. It was great to see so many younger teams as well as female teams in the fleet.

The Australian 505 facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Australian505SailingAssociation/) contains interviews with many of these as well as us crusty old salts giving a great perspective on who is sailing 505s these days. From rock stars to weekend warriors there is a great breadth of competition, companionship and camaraderie not to mention the excitement building up to the world championships here in Fremantle next January.

A recent development has been the Aussie 505 fleet in Europe with eight Australian boats now based permanently in Europe allowing us to fly over and compete regularly in the Eurocup events starting in Lake Garda in May. This has been going for a few years now has been a huge success allowing us to race regularly in large world class fleets of up to 100 boats in some fabulous locations through our winter.

35

Photo by Cleo Barnham

Thomas Hodge

420 YOUTH NATIONALS REPORT QUEENSLAND

Yachties in the know know Doyle Locally

Arajilla – Club Champion Blondie – Offshore Winner

Capricious Wind – State Champion Low Flying Duck – Offshore Winner The X Factor – Offshore Winner This Way Up – Offshore Winner Wild Bull – Offshore Winner Wyuna – Valmadre Overall Winner

Nationally Azzurro – Southport Winner Celestial – Offshore Winner Chutzpah – Offshore Winner Margaret Rintoul V – Offshore Champion Menace – MC38 Winner Team Australia – Sydney to Hobart Record Run Victoire – Offshore Winner White Noise – Airlie Beach Winner Wild Rose – Sydney to Hobart Winner

Internationally

ON

Bella Mente – IRC Winner Hugo Boss – Round the World Racer Invisible Hand – Transpac Winner Leopard – Super Maxi Ragamuffin 100 – Transpac Line Honours RedKyte – China Sea Race Winner Salperton IV – Super Maxi Team Shockwave – IRC Winner

2/15 Forsyth Street O’Connor WA 6163

Photo by Bernie Kaaks

Ph: 08 9430 5366 Email: will.hammond@doyleaustralia.com

Invisible Hand – Ex Limit Wyuna – First Overall Valmadre Cup IRC and YAH

78766

Doyle Sails

acorndesign.com.au

Will Hammond www.doyleaustralia.com

THE BACK OF THE 420 World Championships held out of Fremantle over the new year, my skipper Raff Torre and I flew to Queensland to compete in the

Australian Youth Championships held out of RQYS. We arrived a few days before the event started to get used to the conditions. The days were hot, with moderate, shifty breezes and warm water.

The first day of the regatta was light and shifty, and after a bad first race, we managed to pick up to 2nds. We were very happy with the results and the way we played the conditions.

That night, a big southerly buster came through, bringing lots of breeze, and the second day we only got two races in.

The combination of heavy breeze and flat water was difficult for us; we were very quick and comfortable on the upwinds but battled hard on the down winds, manoeuvres being

www.rfbyc.asn.au

particularly difficult to execute.

Unfortunately, during the second race we capsized at the shallow end of the course and bent our mast beyond use, forcing us to retire from the race and caused a rush to rig the spare in time for the next day. This was a really hard day for us—Raff had injured his knee in the first race, and spirits were low back on shore.

The third day we rebounded well with top 5 results.

We started the last day with a 10th after playing too much risk on the fleet early in the race.

This meant that to regain 4th place overall, we would need to beat NSW’s Cole Tapper and Tom Green (with at least 1 boat between us), and to finish the

race in at least 4th. We sailed the race of our lives and managed to put 2 boats between us and finishing 3rd, enough to finish 4th at our first youth nationals together and my first in the 420.

Overall, I was really happy how my time in Queensland went, and learnt much from the many highs and lows both on and off the water. I would like to thank Raff for sailing with me, my coaches and parents for supporting me along this journey, especially Will Boulden who coached and looked out for us for this regatta. Lastly, I would like to thank RFBYC for their generous travel grant that helped greatly in enabling me to take part in this regatta.

37

MEMBERSHIP NEW CLUB MEMBERS

MEMBERSHIP NEW CLUB MEMBERS

ORDINARY

Member Dee Page David Skea Rob Campbell Zoe Yujnovich Adam Brett Derek Carew-Hopkins Marc Geary Sandra Whelan Steve Lewis

Proposer Seconder Gary Lee Frank Van Der Worm Julian Wright Doug Humphries Sandy Anderson Geoffrey Totterdell Mark Tremain Mark Rose Grant Alderson Sean Gregory David Buzzard John Wallis Vice Commodore Gary McNally John Walsh Barry Johnston Robert Niven Kevin Palassis Shane Yensch

RECIPROCAL

Member Raymond Smith Adam Philipoff Dale Peterson

Proposer Seconder Luke Paterson Dirk van der Struyf Peter Nicholas Peter Vassileff Ross Norgard Chris Wiggins

ORDINARY 21-24

Member Proposer Seconder Matt Wearn Commodore Dean McAullay Grant Alderson Jock Packer Anthony Packer William Clough ASSOCIATE

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

For membership information, please visit our website rfbyc.asn.au and use the tabs ‘Participate’ then ‘Join the Club’. The menu on the left side of the page can be used to navigate through our membership section.

Alternatively, membership enquiry packs can be collected from the main noticeboard or from reception.

Questions to our Membership Coordinator, Susan Ghent, at the Club.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS

Membership applications (with signature and endorsement of two Members with five+ years membership) must be submitted to the Membership Coordinator by post, deliver to the Club, or email to, membership@rfbyc.asn.au • Submit completed application forms to the Club by the last Monday of the month.

• General Committee reviews applications on the last Tuesday of the month.

• Ordinary membership applicants will be invited to attend an interview with the Membership Committee on the second Monday of the following month or thereafter.

• Membership applications are placed on the notice board for a period of 26 days (except Juniors).

• All membership applications which progress to the final stage of the membership process will be ratified

by General Committee on the last Tuesday of the month.

38

www.rfbyc.asn.au

Member Sonya Zabora Jason Yujnovich Nadia Geary Chiang Fiona Webster Kaye Carew-Hopkins

Proposer Seconder Peter Grant John Anderson Mark Tremain Mark Rose Mark Rodda Vice Commodore Gary McNally Guy Bailey Robert Black David Buzzard John Wallis

JUNIOR UNDER 16

JUNIOR 16-17

Member Aran Wheatley Roland Turk Raff Hanson Harry Sugars Quinn Bewsher Milan Rose Blake Rose Ollie Leech Max Bungey

Member Member Vassilis Katsaitis Isobel Ferguson George Foster Edward Eise Hellings Cooper Hatton Lian Bewsher Jess Kennedy Max Roohi Stella Armstrong Rafa Saba Ollie Desforges

www.rfbyc.asn.au

39

Nathan Stronach

Ron Fletcher

PROTOCOL AND RULES FLAG ETIQUETTE ADDENDUM

THE BOSUN’S LOCKER AROUND THE GROUNDS

I

HOPE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN having a wonderful summer on the water.

While we are enjoying ourselves, it is easy to take safety for granted. Have you ever stopped to think about how “you” would deal with a fire onboard your vessel?

Fire prevention is preferable to fire fighting.

Fires onboard vessels tend to be catastrophic, spend a couple of minutes and search vessel fires on Youtube and I am sure that you would be as shocked as I am.

SOME CAUSES OF FIRES

Overheated oil on galley stove.

Overloaded or incorrectly wired electrical system.

Poor engine room housekeeping: rags in contact with turbocharger or exhaust system.

Leaking fuel or gas lines.

Poor refuelling technique.

FIRES CAN BE PREVENTED BY

Correct installation.

Good housekeeping.

Regular maintenance.

Good fire prevention technique.

Correct Refuelling Procedures.

Adequate means of preventing stray sparks.

Quality fuel systems.

When buying a used boat with an inboard or stern-drive motor, have the motor and installation checked by a marine mechanic.

Fuel vapour is heavier than air, and will not leave a compartment without assistance. Consider having power ventilation installed.

People have died in vessels due to being overwhelmed by fuel vapours.

LIQUID PETROLEUM GAS (LPG)

Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) systems, must be correctly installed by a qualified person.

As with petrol, the vapour is heavier than air, so the cylinder must be stowed above deck in a place where vapour spills will run over the side.

When you have finished cooking with an LPG stove, turn off the gas at the cylinder and let the gas jets 40

keep burning until they go out. Then turn them off.

Do not start the engine until all fuel smell has gone.

HOUSEKEEPING

FIGHTING A FIRE

Locate your fire extinguishers where they are most accessible not near the source of a potential fire; and check and maintain them.

Keep the bilge and engine room clean.

Have the installation and maintenance of all electrical, gas, diesel and petrol equipment carried out by qualified tradesmen.

Frequently make your own checks for leaks in fuel and gas systems.

TECHNIQUE

Develop a consistent routine for starting your engine.

For in-boards and stern-drives this should always include: Entering the engine room or opening the motor box.

Checking for leaks.

Sniffing as low in the bilge as you can reach.

The human nose is good at detecting minute concentrations of flammable vapour.

REFUELLING

Turn off everything that uses electricity, gas or liquid fuel.

Send passengers ashore.

Take portable fuel tanks out of the boat.

Have a fire extinguisher near the refuelling point.

Know how much fuel you need to take and so reduce the chance of overfilling (leave space to allow for expansion of the fuel).

If your fuel tank is metal, there must be electrical continuity between the mouth of the fuel filler pipe and the tank. The hose nozzle must stay in contact with the filler mouth while the fuel is flowing.

Check the bilge for spillage and for the smell of fuel.

The most important consideration is human life, the boat is secondary.

Raise the alarm and make a head count.

Get someone to make a Pan Pan radio call, call “000”, or utilize the Fire Alarm Manual call points around the club if you are in the marina.

Get someone to take charge of the safety gear and move the passengers as far as possible from the fire.

If the fire is within an enclosed space, close all openings to reduce air supply to the fire.

Close off fuel lines and gas lines.

Try to put out the fire with extinguisher, fire blanket, water buckets, marina fire pump cart or whatever is appropriate.

The best way to deal with burning items may be simply to throw them over the side.

When the fire is apparently out, keep an eye on it and on adjoining spaces; fires can restart.

Chemical extinguishers do not cool fires; consider using water to cool after the flames are extinguished.

SUMMARY

Be prepared and never complacent.

Have a plan.

Know where emergency equipment is located on board your vessel and ashore at the marina.

Be familiar with how to operate all emergency equipment.

Hopefully you have found the topic interesting and has got you thinking “what would I do?”.

Best Wishes. Stay Safe.

www.rfbyc.asn.au

F

OLLOWING THE ARTICLE in the previous edition of Tidings, there has been some very welcome feedback from a number of members including one or two questions of clarification.

One matter that was raised and which was overlooked in my article went to the question of displaying the Flag Officers Burgees as a group display or alternatively only the Burgee of the senior Flag Officer present.

When reviewing the club’s flag etiquette protocol, which was carried out in year 2002, the matter of display of flag officer burgees was given close attention. The protocol of senior officer status was understood in the naval/military sense but the purpose for which RFBYC sought to instigate burgee display was a different matter and one therefore that required special consideration.

Very simply RFBYC wished to visually display to members and guests alike which Flag Officers were present on formal occasions and not just the senior officer present. An explanation to the research that provided for this outcome is as follows.

RFBYC like any yacht club is a stand-alone organisation that has its foundations in a maritime environment. It is from this environment that it draws guidance on its public display, its chain of command, its management discipline and its education of members both junior and senior. In part this is why yacht clubs have such things as predominant masts depicting the age of sail, why its volunteer management arrangement follows but importantly not copies, naval structure along with uniform design, title designations, flag design and many other matters of maritime similarity and tradition.

A yacht club however is neither a naval ship nor military shore establishment, neither is it a merchant ship or indeed a member of the merchant marine. Its traditions are proudly unique and that uniqueness

www.rfbyc.asn.au

is merely underpinned by its association with broader maritime culture.

To copy procedural matters requires careful consideration even if it is a protocol matter, simply because the military protocol may not accurately provide for, or in fact be quite dissimilar to certain organisational requirements of a yacht club.

It is with this background that the display of RFBYC Flag Officer Burgees was carefully considered both against naval ceremonial procedures as outlined in Admiralty Manual of Seamanship Vol.1, advice obtained from the RAN directly, and advice contained in RYA publication Flag Etiquette & Visual Signals co-authored by Commander RL Hewitt MVO RN. In a military situation a flag officer commanding an establishment or fleet is authorised to display at all times his/her distinguishing flag in accordance with certain designated special rules. It is flown only during the period of office of the individual and denotes the presence of the person in a ship or place. (Similar arrangements apply in the merchant marine where some well established companies appoint a commodore of the fleet and the appointee is authorised to fly his/her distinguishing flag at all times whilst in command.)

On the occasion of a naval flag officer visiting a military establishment or ship in company with one or more other flag officers, protocol provides that the distinguishing flag of the senior officer will be the only flag displayed.

For the purposes of RFBYC compliance, the Commodore is the senior flag officer commanding and in a naval sense the yacht club would comply by only flying the Commodores burgee at the masthead at all times. (The only probable occasion that the Commodores burgee would

be substituted by that of another flag officer would be on the standing down of the Commodore and the duties being undertaken by the Vice Commodore. Even in this scenario it may transpire that a Commodore burgee remain flying as it is likely the Vice Commodore would be appointed Acting Commodore.)

It is at this point however where RFBYC and other yacht clubs deviate from naval or military protocol, this deviation being through the constitutional requirement of a yacht club to have its own approved distinguishing flag.

The display of the distinguishing yacht club flag at the masthead demonstrates the club is conducting yacht club business and in accordance with its constitution, a command hierarchy exists. That is, the flag becomes the visible substitute for the display of the Senior Flag Officer appointment, the Commodore.

In the RYA publication Flag Etiquette and Visual Signals, Commander Hewitt advises yacht clubs should proceed as if they were registered ships and in addition to wearing the national ensign of the club on the gaff of its flagstaff it should wear at the flagstaff head either the club flag or alternatively the special flag of the senior officer of the club present. That is, both configurations are protocol correct and therefore it is the prerogative of a yacht club to choose a preferred option.

RFBYC elects to wear the distinguishing club flag at the flagstaff head and in this configuration with the Australian National Flag there is therefore no normal additional requirement to display a senior flag officer burgee.

When reviewing flag etiquette procedures for RFBYC in 2002, the primary purpose was to ensure ad41

PROTOCOL AND RULES FLAG ETIQUETTE ADDENDUM herence to inter-club protocol both when visiting and hosting. It was to also generate a member interest and education to RFBYC flag etiquette both ashore and afloat and to instil a better awareness of flag officer identification and times of official duties.

Notwithstanding that the option of wearing the club flag at the flagstaff head negated any formal requirement for a senior flag officer burgee it was deemed educational and informative to fly individual flag officer burgees but only on specific occasions that the flag officers were undertaking official duties. It was clearly recognised, as the aforementioned research indicates, that a

protocol exists in military terms for priority to be given to the senior officer commanding or visiting but in terms of RFBYC and what it wished to portray to members and guests it was a matter unique to the club and marginally outside the military guidelines.

Although in a broad sense one could stand fast and insist military protocol rules above all else, this would merely interfere with the ability of a yacht club to address its own protocol issues albeit still seeking consistency with the guidelines offered by military or maritime procedures.

RFBYC has exercised this prerogative as a club initiative to indicate

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flag officers on duty and has taken care to ensure that in all other respects the burgee display satisfies flag etiquette. That is, the burgees are flown from the starboard yardarm and in order of seniority from top down. Had the yardarms been each fitted with two inboard halyards the order of seniority would be from outside in. It is important to note that a full complement of flag officers will still only be represented by three burgees i.e. the burgee of the commodore, the burgee of the vice commodore and a burgee of a rear commodore. As the three RFBYC rear commodores are of equal rank in yacht club terms it would not be appropriate to distinguish by flag display one rear commodore, more or less senior than the other.

On a final note, although the prerogative to display flag officer burgees has been taken for this special in-house initiative, senior officer protocol will apply on all other occasions. When a group of RFBYC flag officers together visit another club or are embarked together on the same vessel for a formal occasion, the burgee of the senior officer only will be flown.

Individual flag officers embarked on separate vessels may fly their individual burgee. Similarly a flag officer contingent from one club visiting RFBYC will be offered the opportunity to fly the senior officer’s personal flag (burgee) from the club mast. (An alternative approach for a group visit is to substitute a club flag for the senior officer burgee. This is the unique difference between the military and yacht clubs.)

This explanation has been given in quite some detail but in so doing it serves to demonstrate the research undertaken at the time and that the recommendation to exercise this club initiative was carefully balanced against protocol guidelines and what RFBYC sought to achieve.

www.rfbyc.asn.au

TRAVEL GRANTS INFORMATION RFBYC Travel Grants are awarded to assist and encourage our members to participate at national and international competitions. The funds are derived from member donations and are awarded to help offset the costs incurred when travelling away.

The following members received travel grants between December 2017 and February 2018: APPLICANTS

CLASS

EVENT NAME

AMOUNT

ALDERSON, LUCY

420

AUSTRALIAN YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS

$300.00

ALDERSON, MOLLY

OPTIMIST

OPTIMIST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

$300.00

ANDERSON, SANDY

DRAGON

DRAGON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

$300.00

BARWOOD, SIMON

CONTENDER

CONTENDER NATIONALS & WORLDS

$450.00

BEER, DOMINIC

OPTIMIST

OPTIMIST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

$300.00

BOULDEN, GEORGE

MATCH RACING

HARDY CUP

$300.00

BUCKTIN, DRINA

O’PEN BIC

SAIL MELBOURNE

$300.00

CHATFIELD, RAY

DRAGON

DRAGON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

$300.00

COOK, CLAY

CONTENDER

CONTENDER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

$300.00

DONALDSON, RYAN

49ER

SAIL MELBOURNE / SAIL MELBOURNE / 49ER NATIONALS / OCEANBRIDGE REGATTA

$1,050.00

FITZHARDINGE, JENNIE

DRAGON

DRAGON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

$300.00

GHENT, SUSAN

HOBIE 16

HOBIE 16 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

$300.00

GILMOUR, LACHY

49ER

SAIL MELBOURNE / SAIL SYDNEY / 49ER NATIONALS

$600.00

HELLIER, GIACOMO

OPTIMIST

OPTIMIST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

$300.00

HODGE, THOMAS

420

AUSTRALIAN YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS

$300.00

LARKINS, IAIN

CONTENDER

CONTENDER NATIONALS & WORLDS

$450.00

LOVELADY, MIA

OPTIMIST

OPTIMIST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

$300.00

MASSEE, PETER

DRAGON

DRAGON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

$300.00

MONCRIEFF, JOHN

DRAGON

DRAGON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

$300.00

PHILLIPS, ARTHUR

DRAGON

DRAGON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

$300.00

PRIETO-LOW, ETHAN

MATCH RACING

HARDY CUP

$300.00

SHELLABEAR, JEREMY

DRAGON

DRAGON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

$300.00

SYME, NICK

MATCH RACING

HARDY CUP

$300.00

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Basil Twine

ASTERN FROM THE ARCHIVES - RESEARCH

THANKS TO: JONATHAN READHEAD,

Archivist at RPYC for the loan of some valuable material in the history of the Bunbury Race and the gift of a number of photocopies of newspaper articles.

Much appreciated Jon. JOHN BARON-HAY

for information regarding the source of our Board Room Table (see below).

ARCHIVES RESEARCH: OCEAN RACE 1977 BUNBURY & RETURN.

While gathering material for the 2018 display for the Bunbury and Return race it was found that the Winner (handicap) was not recorded on the brass plate adjacent to the fireplace in the Main Bar. There is provision for an entry for 1977 to be engraved but it is blank. Digging through old records (Tidings etc.) has not so far produced an answer.

Does anyone know for sure who this winner was? I am sure we could find another bottle of wine to reward the person who can provide a substantiated answer.

MARALINGA ON THE ROCKS

At one stage we were the proud holders of a large colour photo entitled “Maralinga on the Rocks”. For some years this photo graced the bar at the club but during some renovations and rotation of club artefacts was relegated to the south wall of the men’s toilets. It disappeared last year and both Geoff Gosling (who owned Maralinga and featured in the photo) and your Archives Team would like to have it back. I am sure a suitable reward would be forthcoming.

44

THE BOARD TABLE

It is always nice to find that one’s recollection of something is correct and particularly when you are my age.

Last edition of Tidings included a photo of our Board Room Table in the Aubrey Sherwood Room and the question was asked as to the circumstances of its acquisition. A nice bottle of Red was offered as a reward for the correct answer to this question. This was not intended as a quiz but was genuinely seeking information and the correct answer came from Vice Patron John Baron-Hay. John, I trust you and Betty will enjoy your bottle of Red. The story: Several years ago, I made an Oral History Recording with one of my favourite people, Dr Ken Tregonning (a former Headmaster at Hale School), and I thought I could remember him telling me that he had acquired the table from Hale School but on replaying this recording there was no mention of said table. In my research at the club I went through Minutes from General Committee and Annual Reports from 1986 to 1996 but there was no mention of any table.

It was John Baron-Hay who responded advising that the table had been “acquired” during his term as Commodore and this had been reported in the 1985 Annual Report (my home library starts at 1986). It transpires that Hale School was rebuilding the Admin block at Wembley Downs and their new board room would be shorter than the old one so that any table would need to be shorter but could be wider. Past Commodore Stephen

Parker was convener of the Archives Committee (and an Old Haleian) and was seeking a suitable table. So, Ken snaffled what is now our magnificent table on the club’s behalf.

At a recent re-union lunch for the Hale School year of 1952 I was fascinated with the similarity between the current Hale Board Room table and the one we enjoy. Whereas ours is long and straight sided the Hale table is shorter but is wider with curved sides. The timber edges and the black leather centre have the same treatment.

Ours is in need of some re-furbishment at this stage and we will ensure that a suitable plate is attached explaining its “Provenance”.

CLASSIC FLEETS IN THE HISTORY OF RFBYC – THE CADET DINGHY

It is great that the Cadet Dinghy Aeolean is so appropriately displayed in our entry foyer because this class was arguably the most influential in club history. The framed plate on the wall behind tells the story of how Christian Willing purchased the boat in 1987, and with the help of Tony Manford returned it to RFBYC. Then with the meticulous work of David Wedderburn it was restored for display. The sponsors behind these efforts are also listed.

The Cadet Dinghy was the first One Design sailed at the club and largely set a benchmark for our adoption of National and International classes in the years following. This decision was due to the initiative of the Commodore at the time, Len Glaskin.

www.rfbyc.asn.au

ASTERN ARCHIVES – THE CADET DINGHY Murray Johnson, Steven Parker and Michael Woolcock Cadet Dinghy pailante RF 5 1947 - 1950

The Oliver family had previously (around 1930) sailed a cadet named Magic at the club but this had been sold to RPYC and renamed Cimba.

Phryne was acquired by the Forrest family and sailed by junior Tony Forrest in the Lord Stonehaven series on the Swan in 1932, 1934, ’35 & ’36.

However, it was not until 1937 that she was joined by Seabird (Len Glaskin) and Atalanta (Jim Paton). By 1939 there were nine cadets in the fleet which eventually grew to 27 in its heyday.

Cdr Glaskin, the popular & painless dentist (surely an anachronism) from Cottesloe was concerned with the idle hands of youth and dwindling numbers among the junior members of the club and sought a remedy in the cadet which was already popular in the Eastern States. It was a brainwave.

The class had been designed in 1922 by James Alderton but the plans were re-drawn and faired by Naval Architect A.C.Barber of Sydney. Typical of small boats of the time the Cadet was of “clinker“ construction.

That is, with each plank partly overlapped by the next. There were no marine glues in those

www.rfbyc.asn.au

days so each plank had to be carefully matched to the next and nailed together over narrow ribs. The nails were copper with a copper “rove” on the inside flattened by a person holding a “dolly” while hammered from the outside so that the final effect was like a rivet. When the boat was launched it leaked until the wood swelled as it absorbed some water. Timbers used were mainly Oregon or Cedar, if you could get it, and varnished – which resulted in a beautiful honey colour.

The rigging was pretty basic in that turnbuckles were not used.

The shrouds were lashed onto the chain plates with the tension adjusted by multiple turns and it was said that if you could rig and sail a Cadet you could sail anything. Because they were open dinghies with no extra or artificial flotation it was somewhat important not to capsize and if any water was shipped to get it out as soon as possible.

Bailing was by means of a scoop on the end of a stick – a bit like a shovel really and this job fell to the sheethand or bloke in the middle who slid his bailer rapidly across brass runners in the bilge. He was

expected to have three scoopfuls in the air at once. He was also responsible for holding, easing and pulling in the mainsheet at the right times while using his weight to hold the boat as flat as possible. The gunwales (sides of the boat) were fairly narrow and after a lengthy race or series of races resulted in a somewhat tender backside otherwise known as “gunnlbum”. There were no cleats or “jammers” in those days so if a sheet needed to be secured it had to be tied off around a “belaying pin” of which there were four in the thwart at the base of the mast.

The helmsman (or skipper) was responsible for steering, observation and “tactics” (that meant not running into other boats) and also for “dipping the lug”. The sail plan was a gaff rig with a “dipping lug”. This meant that the inner or lower end of the gaff was not actually attached to the mast but lay along the leeward side of the mast and whenever the boat changed tack that lower end or “lug” had to be pulled back and around behind the leeward side. This was done by pulling on a thin line which ran from the inner (lower) end back to the after end of the 45

ASTERN ARCHIVES – ANECDOTES

boom within reach of the skipper. The skipper had the complication of having to reach the tiller without a tiller extension as we have today. This was overcome by tying a cord around the end of the tiller so that he could pull it and counter “weather helm” and if he needed to push the tiller away or tack he just kicked the tiller with his nearest foot. Simple really! In the meantime the forward (forrard) hand was expected to tack the headsail and tie it off to the belaying pin at the base of the mast. It all needed just as much co-ordination as is required today.

Spinnakers were rigged using a pole sharpened or tapered at each end. The inner end was held at the mast by a rope “snodder”. Basically this was a short length of rope with a loop at each end. It was passed around the mast and one loop passed through the other. The resulting free loop cradled the inner end of the pole and the outer end of the pole fitted into a loop in the corner of the spinnaker or in the spinnaker brace.

Topping lifts and kickers had not been invented and the theory of the day was that sails should be carried as high as possible to lift the boat up onto a plane.

There were many youngsters who came through the class and later became club stalwarts and several, champions in this or other classes. In 1950 the National Championship “Stonehaven Cup” was won by Tony Manford sailing Danae with Tam Thompson and Don Copley in his crew from his great rival and 46

friend Jim (later Sir James) Hardy.

In 1953 David Wedderburn sailing Lady Dainty won with Graham Stafford and John Gilder as crew. Ten years later Graeme Crabbe sailing Aeolean was the winner.

There was David (Daisy) Cullen whose boat inevitably had blood in the bilge from wounds caused by jagged bilge runners, Syd Lodge, Rob Black, Murray Johnson, the White boys – Jack, Bob and Andy, Ross Hughes, Stephen Parker, Bunn Lynn, Mike Hobbs, the Paton brothers, Mick Ahern, Rob Perrin, John Longley, John Vincent, Tally Hobbs, Peter Anderson, John Baron-Hay, cousins Bill and Shann Evans and many others.

The reverence with which these boats were held is illustrated by their names. Most were given names from Greek Mythology such as Adonis, Aries, Danae, Ione, Iuno, Clio, Mercury, Echo, Eros and so on.

WE SHOULD ALWAYS INCLUDE ANECDOTES

My introduction to RFBYC as a crew for John Flintoff on Aeolus was an adventurous one to say the least; we had a Port & Starboard contact just off Dalkeith with a bowsprit suddenly appearing through our jib (we were on starboard not that it meant anything to me). Later, we tried to tilt the steel centreplate back instead of lifting it up. In those days (1950) “G Jetty” did not exist and the approach to the beach or launching grid was hazardous with many submerged rocks. We approached

ASTERN ARCHIVES – FIRST BUNBURY RACE

the beach at some speed and were reminded we should have lifted the centre plate before it struck a rock. This forced the plate violently into the back of the centre case making it immovable. We all abandoned ship and laid the boat on its side to bring it ashore whereupon Flints (John Flintoff) set about remedying the situation by belting the plate with a brick. Not much damage – just a split about 8cm long and a slightly mangled centreplate. I was confused: Was this sort of thing normal?

Some months later we had the crew hand race. By this time I had become an expert helmsman!! Or so I claimed and Flints nominated me as Skipper.

No, he changed his mind and nominated C.Read (Clive) who at that stage was sailing a Vee Jay at Mosman Bay Sailing Club. Then he found Clive was not available so he re-nominated me. All this had to be done by running backwards and forwards to the box to tell the starters. What actually happened in the end was Flints sat (hid) in the bottom of the boat and took the tiller with my hand covering his. We didn’t win! I don’t know what happened to John. I think his family moved to South Australia.

Did he go into politics?

There was also a race against RPYC (I think) where one innovative character borrowed a Sharpie spinnaker and tried to fly it from the top of the gaff. It worked a treat until they got a big puff and the unstable spinnaker pulled them over. Crew went swimming again!

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THE BUNBURY RACE

The first “Bunbury Race” was held in February 1948. It was a yacht race to Bunbury but it was not until the following year that the race was extended so that yachts rounded a mark in Koombana Bay and returned to Fremantle with a finish in Fremantle Harbour.

The following treasure was loaned to us by Royal Perth Yacht Club: the log book of the H28 yacht Nova handwritten (in pencil) mainly by the navigator John Fitzhardinge.

NOVA H28 SLOOP

1st Bunbury Race 1948 CREW:

Other boats in the Race: John Fitzhardinge Voyager Bill Fitzhardinge The Fan Lex Lamb Maid Marion Jim Starke Madelon Galatea Argosy

FREMANTLE-BUNBURY

0100 Started at Ftle to SSE light breeze carrying main & genoa.

Good start and led fleet to S Mole where Maid Marion passed to windward.

Set spinnaker to Port. After rounding N Mole wind backed to ESE. Gybed with spinnaker & passed the Maid still setting hers.

Handed over to Bill.

Breeze light passed by the Maid who crept up to windward & we allowed her to pass without luffing. Breeze freshened slightly & backed East. Fleet well astern.

0150 Coffee & cake.

0200 Breeze freshening still light, spinnaker shy to Stbd. John turned in for sleep but on deck in about 1½ min (40winks).

0215 Maid Marion around Bell Buoy 0222 Round Bell buoy. Square spinnaker to Stbd 0227 Galatea rounds Bell Buoy followed by the fleet strung out.

0227 Lex takes over.

Running free – light easterly – spinnaker to starboard.

0300 No change in position – Maid Marion going away – Galatea pulling us back very slowly.

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Have had one sitting on Boom for an hour – John Fitz rigged labour saving device – Standing end of main sheet forward of shrouds to act as kicker – very successful.

John and Bill having lay off but not for long – crew each took anti sea sick pill as tryout!!

0315 Breeze freshening slightly – passing Bathurst light.

0330 Gybe & hand over to Bill. Gybed spinnaker off Duck Rock followed along reefs with Jim Starke & JBF navigating. Generally followed Maid Marion.

0400 Madelon seen coming up but dropped back at 0445.

0450 Rounded West End & set course for 5M West of Bunbury (180 degrees m).

JBF take over from Lex. 0500 Just clearing W end of Rottnest breeze light ESE. Maid Marion sailing close to wind. Our course S by E approx. 4½ knots moving very nicely under Genoa. Madelon well astern rounded W End at approx. 0550.

0600 Lex took over from John. Breeze light SE. Course slightly E of S. Nothing of interest to report EXCEPT we are pulling back M Marion & losing the rest of the fleet.

0650 Breakfast – Egg & bacon pie – Jimmy went for a “Charlie”.

0700 Handed over to Bill – breeze still light SE & still pulling back MM. 0700 Took over from Lex. Breeze ESE (light). Speed approx. 5 k – Pulling back Maid Marion.

0730 Wind veers to SE, have moved up to MM but 1000Y to leeward. Hoping Sea breeze has lots of West. Other boats not making any impression. John took over with MM abaft the beam & 1000y or so Eastwards and windwards. Course average South speed average 5k.

Barometer steady at 30.00.

0830 Wind SE dropping. MM pulled away and have dropped to a position about 600y clear astern. She seems to catch us in the lighter airs but with any wind we go away.

0900 Shore line very hazy could indicate a strong sea breeze. Handed over to the Mate.

Lime juice served. Course S approx. 4 knots.

Lex Lamb took over from John.

Wind SE & fluctuating swinging slowly.

47

ASTERN ARCHIVES – FIRST BUNBURY RACE

Wrong zoom factor?

Long swell but quite calm. MM holding her distance of 600 – 800 yds but dropping away to leeward. One other lone stick on the horizon dead astern. Handed over to Bill. Wind S-SE course SW 5 knots.

1030 Took over from Lex – Breeze SSE to ESE. Sea calm with gentle swell. See smoke of steamer on horizon. At end of trick we lie about 1200y to windward of MM. Course average SW. Speed 5 knots.

1100 Handed over to JBF. Breeze still SSE-SE dropping during watch. Course SW ave 3 knots.

Passed quite close to a large Turtle who quietly submerged as we came alongside. MM 1 mile to leeward.

Lunch prepared by cook – Pork fritz sausage, tomato, cheese, pickle with bread & butter. Self and navigator cracked a bottle. Others stuck to lime juice.

1200 Handed over to Green watch (Lex).

Took over punk watch from John. Complete doldrums, just sufficient on crest of weary swell to keep headway.

Back puffs put me in the “Black” - almost did complete circle.

1240 First touch of S-SW 1245 John took over. Breeze nil. Knots nil 1345 Bearing to MM 297 degrees M. SW breeze came in at 1315 & freshened to strength 2 by 1400 hrs.

Course S by E. 3m approx. covered.

1500 Took over from John. Breeze moderate SW freshening. Course S. 1520 Changed Genoa for large Jib. M Marion approx 1 M to windward & passing. Had beer & tomato sandwich. Handed over to John (Bill sleeping). Breeze 7 knots.

1610 Maid M changed her Genoa & lost a lot of time – Dropped behind.

1620 Lower starboard shroud carried away. Shackle broke below spreader. Went about immediately and Lex took tiller. John and Bill fixed the shroud – John 3 trips aloft – Bill one. Course during repairs W-NW. Running free 20 minutes.

1640 Returned to course S-SE & approx. 20 minutes behind MM. Breeze moderate (unchanged). John lying off to recover.

1700 Handed over to Bill. 7 knots. Posn by dead reckoning (navigator) 20 miles to Bunbury.

1840 Breeze dropping SW. Put up Genoa & stowed Jib. She loves the Genoa & is sizzling along about 5 knots riding the waves like a rocking horse. Rum was issued.

1900 Lex took over.

1910 Took down Genoa when breeze freshened from the S. At 1930 course SE at 6 knots.

48

2000 Breeze fresh. Sailing course SE. 2030 JBF took over. Breeze freshened. Changed to spitfire Jib. 2115 Freshening – decided in view of mast going, reef down main. Hove to – very comfortable into wind with small jib only. Took 2 reefs in large mainsail.

Approx 10 min.

Went about to Port tack before reefing as we were approx. 800 yds off shore only. Continued on Port tack – Bill on tiller, Breeze S, Course SW by W. Knots 2.

2130 Plugging into steep head seas – Nova bucking like bronco.

2200 Went about again. Course SE by E as breeze backing. Bill handed over to Lex. Still no sign of Bunbury light.

2245 Nearing shore – called John. He took over & went about.

2300 Knots 3. Breeze backing SE & slightly lighter – force 3. Decided to shake out reefs. Reef came out easily without lowering & lost very little ground. Nova now rising nicely, course S. 2345 Bunbury light showed up dead on the nose.

Speed 6-7 knots.

2339 Bill took over after a lot of trouble waking.

26 FEB ’48

0001 Breeze from SE. Steered course close hauled until 0035 when breeze ESE. Kept course direct for light. Proved later it would be better to have kept light to STBD as the light is West of entrance to harbour.

Rum ration all round.

0045 Blinker light on end of Mole seen.

0110 Lex took over. Breeze SE – Course S 6 knots.

Holding nice steady breeze. Bowling along very comfortably.

0120 Other lights coming up to left of blinker including red light on main jetty. Breeze easing off – having trouble to hold course to light – getting broken away a little W of S. Relit riding lights.

0145 Called John who took over. Breeze SE by E Blinker on end of Mole showed up well to windward.

Had to pinch her to make it but with a fav easterly puff we managed to make up. (—This entry is unintelligible but appears to be registering their finish—) & did a lot of long distance welcoming with a light.

0239 We finished at 0239 & learned we were second in, MM having finished at 0029.

Anchored alongside the Maid who showed no sign of life.

Soup & toast for supper & died until 0730.

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sailing conditions and we gained 3rd and 2nd with consistent speed, boat handling and tactics.

Lay day was to be the Thursday. However, as very strong winds were forecast for Friday and Saturday, we sailed two races on Thursday with the easterly breeze building from 15 to 22 knots over the day. The short sharp chop was interesting to navigate, the boat felt much less free and no longer charged in response to increased wind pressure. It was difficult for me to lean out sufficiently and helm with a tiller extension that was a bit too short and with significant weather helm.

We came in 8th.

The second race found us further up in the field but I struggled similarly with the helm, so much so that toward the end of the race my tiredness contributed to the simple mistake of not tacking under two boats in the march to the line, resulting in losing those two places and finishing 6th, which now made us 4th overall with a drop, and one point behind third.

Zane had returned to Tasmania to continue in his umpiring capacity for the SB20 World Championships, but he responded to my text re steerage as well as comments from other competitors on our super bent mast, by checking regatta photos of Riga and replying how the boat looked far too overstrapped.

Friday became our lay day as the front went through with its excess winds. On Saturday, when the last two races were programmed, the Race Officer waited on course and called us out when the conditions had eased enough to be suitable for racing – allowing us one last race. The winds were blowing in excess of twenty knots and with big chop, but the Race Officer set the course in the lee of Raymond Island which lessened the wind effect. My crew altered their trimming in response to Zane’s text, so that Riga was a bit freer and more responsive. However, whilst downwind speed was great, I don’t think Riga was allowed to show her best speed upwind and didn’t bounce forward in response to the puffs. We gained 6th in this race which meant 4th overall.

As well as as the wonderful sailing location, the great regatta organisation and Metung Yacht Club conviviality was much appreciated and enjoyed by all.

Many thanks to RFBYC for their support for us sailors travelling east to compete in the National Championships. Thanks also to the kindness and generosity of spirit from all those dragon sailors who contributed to getting me on the water.

AUS17262 / 0118

continued from page 25

Call Manfred Speicher (RFBYC member) on 0416 018 407 to find out more.

Whether hobby skipper or boat owner, we all benefit from the advantages of GPS navigation when on the water. But power outages are by no means the only pitfalls when it comes to operating plotters, tablets etc.

Sydney · pantaenius.com.au

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Maritimo Models:

21 MARCH

TWILIGHT SAIL

22 MARCH

SPICES GROUP MID WEEK RACE

24 MARCH

ADVENTURER’S CLUB

22 APRIL

DINGHY CLOSING DAY – CLOSING DAY PACER CHAMPIONSHIP

25 APRIL

ANZAC DAY DAWN SERVICE

25 APRIL

ANZAC DAY TWILIGHT SAIL

26 APRIL

FIRST SPICES MED WEEK RACE FOR THE AUTUMN/WINTER SERIES

28 APRIL

ADVENTURER’S CLUB

28 APRIL

WA INTERNATIONAL DRAGON ASSOCIATION MINI SERIES

24 MARCH

KEELBOAT CLUB RACING

25 MARCH

DINGHY CLUB RACING PM START

28 MARCH

TWILIGHT SAIL

29 MARCH

SPICES GROUP MID WEEK RACE

4 APRIL

TWILIGHT SAIL

5 APRIL

SPICES GROUP MID WEEK RACE

3 MAY

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7 APRIL

ROTTNEST FESTIVAL OF SAIL (INCORPORATING CAPE VLAMINGH OFFSHORE RACE)

4 MAY

KEELBOAT CHAMPIONS PRIZE NIGHT

5 MAY

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6 MAY

COLLEGE CUP

10 MAY

SPICES GROUP MID WEEK RACE

11 MAY

DINGHY PRIZE NIGHT

17 MAY

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7 APRIL

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DINGHY CLUB RACING

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19 MAY

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STATE WOMEN’S KEELBOAT CHAMPIONSHIPS

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KEELBOAT FROSTBITE SERIES RACE 1

24 MAY

SPICES GROUP MID WEEK RACE

27 MAY

DINGHY WINTER SERIES RACE 1

31 MAY

SPICES GROUP MID WEEK RACE

7 JUNE

SPICES GROUP MID WEEK RACE

14 JUNE

VICE PATRON’S TROPHY MIDWEEK RACE DAY

14 APRIL

BW8 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RACES 9 & 10

14 APRIL

KEELBOAT CLUB RACING

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OLD GAFFERS ASSOCIATION 21ST SWAN RIVER REGATTA

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17 JUNE

KEELBOAT FROSTBITE SERIES RACE 2

19 APRIL

FINAL SPICES MID WEEK RACE FOR SPRING/SUMMER SERIES

21 JUNE

SPICES GROUP MID WEEK RACE

KEELBOAT CLOSING DAY – KEELBOAT CLUB RACING

24 JUNE

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28 JUNE

SPICES GROUP MID WEEK RACE

21 APRIL

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A celebration of the Season’s endeavours and to announce the Club Champions, Consistency and Line Honours Trophy winners Roland Smith Ballroom commencing at 19:00 $25 per person Includes food stations and live entertainment “Stray Dogs” Cash bar available Make your booking via email to sailadmin@rfbyc.asn.au