RSAYS Squadron Quarterly Summer 2016 by Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron

Quarterly

SQUADRON Volume 30 Issue 4 Summer 2016

Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron

www.rsays.com.au

ROYAL SA YACHT SQUADRON PATRON AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

OPENING TIMES

Patron Commodore Vice Commodore Rear Commodore Treasurer Committee Members General Manager

Dining Room, Jimmy’s Bar & Quarterdeck:

His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC Rae Hunt Mahalo Bruce Roach Antares Colin Doudy Circe Ian McDonald Rachel Steve Beaufoy Outrageous Kevin Cook Summer Breeze Helen Moody Magic Beach Andrew McDowell

The dining facilities are positioned beautifully, overlooking the majestic view of the marina from all locations. The attractive setting provides a warm and relaxing feeling all year round

Opening Hours: Lunch from 12:00: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays when advised. Dinner from 18:00: Wednesday (Twilights), Thursday, Friday, Saturday (and Sunday on long weekends). • Thursday is Curry Night - A great winter warmer • Friday is Schnitzel Night - A family favourite

SERVICE DIRECTORY

• Sunday lunch Special - Seafood Platter (pre-order required)

161 Oliver Rogers Road, Outer Harbor, SA 5018 PO Box 1066, North Haven, SA 5018 Ph (08) 8341 8600 Fax (08) 8248 4933 Email: rsays@rsays.com.au Web: www.rsays.com.au Office Hours; 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday - Friday 9.00am - 6.00pm Wednesday during Twilight Race Season 9.00am - 4.00pm Saturday and Sunday Closed public Holidays and Easter Weekend RSAYS Foundation Chris Mandalov 0417 847 836 Racing Committee Roger Oaten 0408 415 138 Cruising Committee Kingsley Haskett 0419 844 772 House and Social Committee Andrea Mead 0417 887 818 Juniors Committee Mitch Mead 0447 333 001 Sail Training and Race Support Heidi Pfeiffer 8341 8600 Etchells Fleet Captain Andrew Waterman 0408 856 012 Trailer Sailers Steve Lewis 0418 275 710 Seaweed Gardening Group Robert Henshall 8332 0889 Slip Master Julian Murray 0414 365 294 Finance Manager Joann Galios 8341 8600 Accounts Administrator Kathy Bernhardt-Loechel 8341 8600 Member Services Annette Turk 8341 8600 Hospitality & Events Manager Kevin Grant 8341 8600 Chef Elliot Esca 8341 8600

xxxxxx Private functions any time by appointment xxxxx

SQUADRON QUARTERLY TEAM Editor: Sally Metzer Production: Roger Oaten Regular Contributors: Barry Allison, Gill Hogarth, Steve Kennedy, Mark Sinclair, Jeanne Harrison, Shane Mensforth, Dr Peter Last, Deidre Schahinger, Helen Kearney, Trevor Hamlyn, Campbell Mackie Proof Readers: Anne Arnold, Sue Buckley, Fay Duncan, Peter Hansen, Gill Hogarth, Marion Holden, Steve Kennedy, Lynda Walsh

Squadron Quarterly Deadline for Autumn 2017 Issue is Sunday February 12, 2017 Advertisements, editorial and photographs can be sent to Sally Metzer, Editor (sallymetzer@hotmail.com) or member.services@rsays. com.au or left at the Squadron Office. Material for an e-Bulletin can be forwarded to the Office at any time.

Disclaimer With exception of statements made by duly authorised officers and the editor and members of The Squadron Quarterly Committee, all other statements and opinions in this publication are those of contributors and advertisers. The Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron, its Management and Members accept no responsibility for statements by non-authorised personnel.

Fishing Competition Winner

N our last competition readers were asked to tell us their ‘Best Catch’ fishing story. Ray Hampson did just that and has won a year’s subscription to the SA Angler magazine with this entry... “A few years ago a mate and I each paid $1,000 for five days of fishing on the old Failie. We boarded at about 1830 hrs on a Friday night and met up with the other 20 keen fishermen and five crew.The Captain offered us a few drinks and food on our arrival, but before long everybody got stuck into the booze. I could see what was going to happen... and it did! We set off four hours later with everybody except me still knocking back the grog. I had gone to fish so I went to bed, knowing that rough seas and alcohol don’t

mix. When we arrived at our fishing spot the next morning, only three of us were ready to cast off - the rest were hanging over the side! One guy was green the whole trip! We three sensible ones had a great time while the others were rarely seen and didn’t eat much either. This was a pity as the food was Five Star. I caught a lot of fish including an Eagle Ray and lots of snapper. Here’s the photo to prove it! It’s a pity those Faillie trips are no longer on offer - I’d go again!”

CONTENTS REPORTS

Win A BUDDY WAGON Valued at $278 (Inc p/h)

From the Commodore �� 4 From the General Manager �� 5 Foundation Report �� 6 Functions Report �� 7 Racing News �� 8 Juniors Report �� 11 House & Social Report �� 12 Cruising Report �� 14

*conditions apply

Entry forms and Terms & Conditions available on our website www.rsays.com.au

REGULAR ARTICLES Editorial �� 3 New Members �� 12 My Boat Aqua Lady �� 13 Sail Drive �� 16 Senior Member - Colin Fraser �� 22 Fishing Spots �� 32 In Tranquil Waters �� 44 Berths for Sale & Rent �� 46 Events Calendar �� 47

sies s e r p g t sailin a's buggy? a h W : Tell us ut into Sant you'd p

FEATURES RSAYS Sesquicentenary Celebrations �� 6 Clubs SA Award �� 7 Australia at War Exhibition �� 10 Tall Ship Thrills on Lord Nelson �� 18 Medical Emergency �� 20 Winnie the Wonder Dog �� 21 Opening Day �� 24 Tonga Trip �� 28 A Day Sail on STS Tenacious �� 30 Hook, Line and Stinker �� 33 Coconut’s Preparations �� 34 Earrame’s East Coast Expedition �� 35 Skin Cancer �� 36 Squadron ‘Seven Seas’ Market �� 37 Dione’s Pacific Adventure �� 38 Anaconda II Round the World Race �� 40 The Wonder of Wood �� 43 Old Yachts’ Demise �� 45

 (08) 8341 8600  rsays.com.au 161 Oliver Rogers Road, OUTER HARBOR SA 5018

Summer 2016 Vol 30 Issue 4 Published Quarterly ISSN 1037-1133 Print Post Publication No. PP532154/00016

Front Cover Presentation of the ‘Volunteer of the Year 2016’ award by the Commodore to Sally Metzer, SQ Editor. Photo: Bronwyn Craft

EDITORIAL

S you can see from the front cover, I was very surprised and happy to be announced as the ‘Volunteer of the Year 2016’ award winner at our recent Opening Day ceremony. Not only is it nice to ‘win’ something (my Grade 2 Egg and Spoon race victory pales in comparison!), but it is also a huge honour. As I see it, the recognition is not just for my efforts as your Squadron Quarterly editor, and my involvement in other facets of the Club over the last 20 years, but it also acknowledges the work of our ‘SQ Team’ and all the volunteers who do so much for the Squadron. There’s been a hiatus in the presenting of this particular award for some years. I for one am glad it’s back! It brings the focus back on all the volunteers who do so much for the Club from weeding the garden, polishing the trophies, framing the burgees, standing on committees, officiating at racing events, to planning our cruising programmes, and so on.

Thank you to all who voted for me. And for those who didn’t, I’ll try even harder from now on to live up to the RSAYS motto of ‘seamanship and fellowship’. (Being the ‘back-room’ person that I am, I distanced myself from the decision as to what photo should be chosen as the cover shot of this edition and asked our SQ team to decide. It was nearly unanimous that this joyous shot of Rae and me should be used. As one said, “This photo exemplifies the spirit of the Club and the joy of Opening Day.” I hope you agree.)

FROM THE COMMODORE and Board members, member volunteers and staff for their hard work throughout the year. On a light-hearted note, I did not forget to give a special mention to Solace, one of our beautiful wooden boats owned by Geoff & Jill Wallbridge, and to wish her a happy 80th birthday!

Rae Hunt

ELCOME to the Squadron’s summer sailing season. What a wonderful way we officially opened our season and celebrated our 147th year since the Club first came into existence on 5 November 1869. Adelaide’s weather having been so unpredictable, I could not have been more pleased when the clouds dissipated revealing the sun and turning it into a picture-perfect day. Club members and staff were busy ensuring all last-minute preparations were seen to, and vessels were dressed with colourful flags and bunting in readiness for the sail-past. This year the One & All was unable to dock inside the Squadron; however our guests were ferried out very skillfully by John Hanson in Solomon Ophir (also an official vessel) to board the One & All for the sailpast and then be returned to the Squadron, all of which added to the excitement of the day. Peter Boyd, our Officer of the Day, did a splendid job of marshalling the vessels on the water and ensured that seamanship was at the forefront of those on parade. The Flag Officers, the RAN representative Lieutenant Dave Dawes and guests enthusiastically took the salute and gave three hearty cheers in reply to each of the 78 vessels participating in the sail-past. It was truly a wonderful sight and I thank you all for taking part. With the sail-past over it was time for the formalities, inviting members and guests to share pride in our Club and in the wonderful display of seamanship and fellowship. We are all ambassadors of our Club and should ensure that we carry this ethos with us, not just on Opening Day but at all times, wherever we are. It was also opportune to pass on my vote of thanks to Flag Officers, Management Committee

During the year, our members were invited to submit nominations for the Squadron’s ‘Volunteer of the Year’ Award and it was evident from nominations received that there was one clear winner. It was my great pleasure to announce and present the Award for 2016 to Sally Metzer, the editor of our Squadron Quarterly magazine. Well done! Once again we had the privilege of hosting His Excellency, the Honorable Hieu Van Le AC, Governor of South Australia – Patron of the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron – and his wife Mrs Van Le. His Excellency gave a very entertaining and enlightening speech, and following presentations he officially declared our sailing season open! With the firing of the canon, and formalities over, it was time to party. Members and guests embraced the opportunity to remain onboard entertaining their own guests, to boat-hop long into the night enjoying the camaraderie, while others enjoyed dancing on the Quarterdeck. Opening Days are traditional with our state’s sailing/boating clubs. Many of them held theirs during October and even into the latter part of November. Between the Flag Officers, members of the Management Committee and myself, we were privileged to represent the Squadron at a number of

these events that were held across the state, from as far west as Coffin Bay to as far south as Goolwa. As such, the Management Committee was absolutely delighted to reciprocate and host many of the Flag Officers and representatives from Clubs near and far at our Opening Day. It is vital that we as a sailing community continue to build and retain relationships, have open dialogue in regards to our ideas, progression, community participation and engagement, and keep both the sporting and lifestyle aspects of sailing relevant in an ever-changing and challenging environment. With our summer sailing and boating season upon us, it is a timely reminder that health and safety is paramount, not just with vessels or while on the water but also around our clubhouse and Marina. Your Management Committee is committed to providing a safe environment for all members and guests to enjoy, so should you become aware of any issues, please report them to ensure that concerns can be attended to promptly. Over the past months the Management Committee and Board members have been and are continuing to investigate and work towards identified areas that fall within our current strategic directions. Information on developments and communication is important and will always be promulgated to the wider membership as it comes to hand. In the spirit of Seamanship and Fellowship, both Jeff and I wish you all a very happy and safe festive and holiday season, and we hope to see you out on the water or at the Club over the coming weeks.

FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER

T’S a proud time for us! The Squadron was named ‘Function Venue of the Year’ by Clubs SA at an Adelaide Oval gala night on 8 October. We are celebrating with a huge festive season! Our 147th Opening Day was a great success with 78 vessels on the water for the sail- past and a large crowd on the Quarterdeck for presentations and partying into the night. A big thank you to all the committees, volunteers, official vessels and staff who helped bring such a success together. The new party format with Chunky Custard on the Quarterdeck was fantastic, and we have received many supportive and complimentary comments from those who enjoyed the big day. We’ve also had some other very successful events in recent months: the Squadron Ball with its ‘A night at Royal Ascot’ theme, our Father’s Day Lunch, Seven Seas Markets, Clipper Round the World and One Sail Presentations, the Coaching Series, Discover Sailing Day, a huge Melbourne Cup Lunch with double last year’s crowd and a very successful weekend of Tall Ship activity with the Jubilee Sailing Trust’s Tenacious and the One and All. The JST was particularly impressed with our determination to make the weekend a success and were very grateful for our efforts to manage the bookings and raise substantial funds for their cause. For those who may not know, the umbrella organisation that covers Yachting SA has changed its name from Yachting Australia to Australian Sailing and now has a stronger national structure, with a single management team responsible to the Australian Sailing Board. The cruise ship season has started, and we are excited about our new partnership with the event managers of the passenger terminal who will be promoting the club’s facilities and restaurant to passengers and crew looking for something to do locally while ashore.

Spring storms gave us a very challenging time and kept us on our toes but we were well prepared to react to any situation. Although we are still working through the damage and repairs from previous storm events, the Club is forging ahead with plans and events for the future. It was pleasing to see the professionalism of our insurers and brokers as we engaged in the numerous claims. We were confident of the coverage we had set in place. The clean-up programme for our Club grounds was also achieved with great results and in time for Opening Day. A big thank you to Mal Mead and his team for completing this. The Development and Planning Committee is preparing to install a new Bellingham maintenance pontoon by the end of the year. The timing is critical as we are also preparing to host the 9ers Nationals in January. We have welcomed our new head chef Elliot Esca to the helm in the kitchen. Elliot has had a wealth of experience in both ‘gastropub’ environments and function facilities, including Bird in Hand Winery and The Union Hotel. His food is very well presented and he favours fresh modern cuisine with a healthy edgew. The solar project has been successfully completed with two separate units being installed in the last few weeks: a 20Kw system on the north bank building and a 30Kw system on the new slipway shed. The overall payback period is just short of 3.6 years which equates to a return on investment of 27 per cent. I am also very pleased to report that I have negotiated a substantial sponsorship package with the suppliers as well, and a member discount offer. We expect this project to reduce our electricity bills by almost 20 per cent. We have revamped our website with a new, cleaner look and much better navigation, especially using mobile devices. This is after some members told us that they had difficulty

Andrew McDowell

using the site. We are also introducing a new online store that will feature all new and existing merchandise ranges that can be viewed and purchased on line. (Thought: Why not choose some Christmas presents from our Squadron store?) The new look website coincides with the release of the second edition of our very popular Club brochure which is out now for all members to collect. The first edition was very well received and the new edition – which goes out to 3,000 select homes and businesses – has again been produced at neutral cost to us. We are well down the track with organisation for the 9ers Nationals event. This includes Down Under Sail for media coverage with drone footage of the action, as well as some event and clubhouse/ marina footage that can be packaged up for promotional purposes. I look forward to reporting further progress as these exciting developments evolve and, as always, I welcome comments that are constructive, without partiality and in the spirit of ‘seamanship and fellowship.’

FOUNDATION REPORT By Chris Mandalov

Invited guests at Carclew House

Peter Kelly presenting some Squadron history

NCE a year the RSAYS Foundation holds an event to thank members who have supported the Foundation either through donations, bequests or in-kind. This year the function was held at Carclew House in North Adelaide on Friday, 18 November.

The RSAYS has a long history of philanthropy with many examples of members donating over and above their membership dues to help the club. If you would like to make a donation, you can do this using forms which are available on the Squadron website. There will also be an ‘Annual Giving’ letter going out to members this month.

Peter Kelly added some zest to the evening with a presentation on some Squadron history. This included a look at past images of the clubhouse, the marina, the boats and past members. It proved to be hard work for Peter, having RSAYS Historian Peter Last and David Borg in the audience!

To the supporters who weren’t able to be at the Foundation Society Function, the Foundation Trustees on behalf of all RSAYS members, would like to thank you for your help and hope to see you at next year’s function.

RSAYS SESQUICENTENARY CELEBRATIONS By Bruce Roach You know the saying, ‘If you don’t ask you don’t get.’? That’s the principle under which we’re operating! The plan is to possibly start the year off in March 2019 with an event in the grounds of Government House, or at the site of our first Club at Port Adelaide. It may involve the launch of a book on the Club’s 150 year history, which is already being put together by Peter Kelly and his subcommittee of scribes. This is a mammoth project – thank you to Peter and all involved. Other events being considered are: • the RSAYS becoming a SALA Venue, possibly with a themed event to cover the history of the area and the Club • an historic cruise to Port Adelaide • a special Discover Sailing Day featuring vintage timber boats • a huge Opening Day, focusing on the significance of the 150 year anniversary RSAYS Club House, at the Esplanade Semaphore Circa 1913

UR Royal SA Yacht Squadron was formed in 1869 and we’ll be celebrating our 150th birthday in the not- toodistant future! Our sesquicentenary celebrations will be spread over a 12-month period, including the 2019/2020 sailing season. A sub-committee has been formed, comprising Colin Doudy (Chair), Bruce Roach, Helen Moody, Peter Kelly, Sally Metzer and Lindy Taeuber, and three planning meetings have already been held. The 150th year will be an important milestone in the Club’s history and we’re planning big things. We are looking into the protocols of inviting a member of the Royal Family to be present for the unveiling of a 150th Year plaque, sometime during the 2019 year.

• a combined maritime event with the Port Adelaide Enfield Council • an invitation to other Royal Yacht Clubs and Squadrons to come and celebrate with us Other ideas are always welcome, so if you have any please contact us. Design our 150 logo! The Club needs a great logo to be the face of the celebrations and to market the event on memorabilia, merchandise and apparel. Put on your thinking caps and come up with a design for a suitable image that will be seen on all events for more than a 12-month period. More details in the next Squadron Quarterly magazine.

FUNCTIONS REPORT

E won! The RSAYS was recently named the ‘Function Venue of the Year’ for 2016 by Clubs SA. An outstanding achievement! I wish to thank my team for their hard work, good food and excellent service, resulting in five-star customer feedback that helped the Squadron win this Award. New Head Chef Elliot Esca has hit the ground running and has had a busy time in October and November with weddings, dinner bookings and the Melbourne Cup luncheon. Elliot’s new restaurant menu will be released soon so please book and treat yourself to a good night out. Remember members can receive up to 20% food and beverage discount via their membership card. A new initiative is ‘The Chef’s Table’, which is scheduled to take place on the last Friday of each month. Chef Elliot’s first event was held on Friday, 28 October and was a roaring success. The food rivalled any master class and the feedback on Facebook has been amazing. Well done Elliot and your team! All the guests said they would be back and they were! The second Chef’s Table on Friday, 25 November, proved to be even more popular, with 80 people served a delicious four-course meal. In addition 30 members were served regular meals in Jimmy’s Bar. The next ‘Chef’s Table’ will be on Friday, 30 December.

Our Melbourne Cup luncheon was the best ever, with more than double the number of diners than last year! Sweeps were very popular. Thanks to Bill May for running them for the second year in a row. ‘Punters’ were greeted with a glass of sparkling on arrival, followed by a delicious three course meal. Racing coverage was provided on the big screen and two smaller TVs. The fashion parade, featuring some of our female members as models, strutted the catwalk in style! There were prizes for the Best Dressed Male and Female and for the Best Hat. All in all, it was a great day! Twilight Racing is well under way and the buffet is as popular as ever. Elliot is trying new dishes every week and is listening to members’ feedback. RSAYS Opening Day From the reports I have received, we got it right on RSAYS Opening Day! The Commodore’s idea of a social party night was a success. The new format saw the festivities change from a traditional formal dinner to a gathering on the Quarterdeck, with ‘Chunky Custard’ providing great dance music. The dance floor was packed and everyone had a great time. The Squadron Dining Room was open for dinner for those who wished, or guests could purchase a mild curry or dessert next to Jimmy’s Bar. A lot of hard work had gone on behind the scenes by all our staff and

Kevin Grant

members to make sure our Club looked fantastic. It was certainly an Opening Day we can be proud of. Congratulations to our General Manager Andrew McDowell, Commodore Rae Hunt and all involved. Well done to all the Club members who made all our guests feel welcome – surely a sign of a good Club culture. Christmas is nearly here! We are hoping to see many of our members celebrating with us at the Squadron over the Christmas season. Whether it’s a work event or just having festive fun with friends, please make a booking soon and let us give you all a time to remember!

CLUBS SA AWARD Message from our General Manager on the Squadron winning the Clubs SA ‘2016 Function Venue of the Year’ award:

E are very proud to announce that we were the winners of this prestigious award at the recent Clubs SA Awards for Excellence presentation.

committees, and I thank everyone for their commitment to success! I also want to congratulate all the other deserving winners and wish them every success in the future as we all strive to make our sporting, membership and community clubs the best they can be. What is ‘Clubs SA’?

We see it as recognition for the club’s commitment to the quality of service, food, wine and the experience every member, client and guest enjoys. From the moment they make contact with us to the last guest leaving, our aim is to impress. Nothing is too much trouble. It is the culmination of two years’ work by the whole RSAYS team including the board, management, staff, volunteers and

Founded in 1919, Clubs SA is the trading name for the Licensed Clubs’ Association of South Australia - the official industry body representing the interests of licensed clubs in this State. Clubs SA’s objects are to preserve, promote and advance the interests of member Clubs and the wider Club industry as a whole. Its membership comprises not-for-profit sporting, recreation, social and community licensed Clubs located throughout South Australia.

Kitchen and table staff: (l-r) Ethan Gilligan, Elliot Esca, Catherine Henderson, Scott Clinch, Cameron Helps

Award presentation: (l-r) Stoddart Food Service Rep, Joann Gallios, Andrew McDowell, Kathy Bernhardt, Heidi Pfeiffer, Annette Turk

RACING NEWS skills. It is always a great way to showcase our Club and introduce new people to the sport of sailing and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. But, like all sailors, they wished there had been a little more breeze!

Heidi Pfeiffer

HE season is well under way and so far we have been lucky with the weather, except for our ‘Women on the Water’ who had their first two races cancelled due to the unfavourable conditions. Prior to the start of the season we held our popular Coaching Series. Thirty novice sailors participated and learnt to sail on the Club’s racing yachts, with the assistance of skippers and their crews who trained them in sailing

Twilight races have again proven to be popular this season with over 25 boats taking part each week. We have been very busy in the office encouraging new people to join our sailing programmes, so we are seeing a few new faces this season. In a popular move, these newcomers have been trying out a different boat each week. We are hoping to help boost crew numbers with many boats looking to increase their crew. The Tri Series is running again this year between the CYCSA, PASC and the Squadron. The Port Adelaide Sailing Club is joining us in the results and we will see who comes first at the end of the season. The results are derived from a cumulative score of all Club series races based on the three fastest of each Club. The first offshore race for the season saw eight boats compete in the Tapley Shoal Race with Aikin taking a win in both AMS

Measuring the Sydney-Hobart Contenders By William Strangways Accredited International Rating Certificate/Offshore Racing Council International measurer by Australian Sailing (formerly Yachting Australia) and the Australian Measurement System Regional Manager in SA.

NE of the very important safety factors that all entrants in the Sydney-Hobart race must comply with is a minimum positive stability angle of 115 degrees. This means that if the yacht is flattened, it should eventually right itself. In order to save their owners some hard earned cash, I recently arranged to incline two yachts on the same day: Aikin, an entrant in the upcoming 2016 Sydney-Hobart race, and Clockwork, which is being prepared for the 2017 Sydney-Hobart event. I picked up my friend, John Duffin (who is also an accredited IRC/ORCI measurer and an accredited AMS measurer in Victoria), with all the electronics required for the job, from the airport on 3 November at about 0800 hrs. We arrived at the RSAYS at 0845 hrs. Perfect conditions prevailed, with about 2 kts from the north and not a ripple in the basin. We set up the electronics on the northern maintenance pontoon and started the process at about 0930 hrs. Apart from numerous measurements, some obtained from the current IRC & AMS certificates, the key to the process is attaching spinnaker poles (of approximately similar length) to

each side of the yacht around the midships position, suspending known weights on one side, taking four electronic readings, then doing the same thing on the other side. With Aikin we had 70 kg suspended. When it is decided that the readings are within tolerance they are saved. After completing the inclining of both yachts, we moved them back to their marinas for mast measurements etc. Due to the perfect conditions and each yacht having ample helpers, we managed to get the physical side of the work done by 1400 hrs. However many extra hours are spent prior to and after measuring and preparing the paper work. All the relevant information is then put into a program and sent to the UK via Australian Sailing where it is put into a formula which calculates the stability angle. The stability angles vary dramatically from one design to another. My dear old 1984 Duncanson 34 Tradition came out at 135 degrees, whereas some of the newer light weight designs are marginal.

and PHS. The Haystack Island Race was held on a weekend when all other Club racing was cancelled due to winds of over 25 kts. This was disappointing for those wishing to take part, but good practice for boats entering the Sydney to Hobart Race this year. The Haystack is a qualifying race to be able to compete in the Sydney to Hobart Race. First place in AMS was Aikin and on PHS was Enchantress. This year we have two boats from the Club racing from Sydney to Hobart – Enchantress (John Willoughby) and Aikin (Caillin Howard and David Oliver). We wish all skippers and crew the best of luck and hope they have a safe and successful race. Enchantress is entering her fourth race in the Sydney to Hobart and Aikin will be competing in her first race. We are hosting the 9’ers Nationals from 2 to 8 January this coming year. The 9’ers include the 29’ers, 49’ers and 49’erFX and we are expecting over 70 boats from all over Australia to be racing on two courses. If you would like to be involved in the event to assist on the water, or on support or spectator boats, please let me know.

Wreck Buoy Re-instated

HE ‘Wreck Buoy’ is a mark placed by the Squadron near the wreck of the Norma and approximately 3 nm west of the Semaphore Jetty. It is often used as a course mark for racing by both the RSAYS and the CYCSA. Just prior to the start of the 2016 winter season, it was snagged by a fishing vessel, cut loose and allowed to drift. It was eventually retrieved from the shore at West Beach. The racing fraternity is grateful to Kingsley Haskett for repair work done to the buoy and its ground tackle over the winter months. The buoy was replaced by Bones, Jeff Hunt and Peter Ewens on Friday 25 November and we extend our thanks to them as well. The location of the mark has changed slightly from that shown in the Year Book It is now situated at: 34o 49.346’S 138o 24.949’E

Taking Aikin to Hobart By Caillin Howard certification from the other side of the world, incline testing, rig die testing, upgrading of the boat for Category 1, and then of course thinking through the combined 15 Hobart Race experiences (plus three overall wins) to make the boat actually ‘livable’ for nine crew over four to four-anda-half days. Things also to be considered include the required communication, as well as additional connections and access to data from Bass Strait, extra hand holds, storage and better secured locations for gear and people. It’s the same list as always, but there’s a galvanizing reason to sort it all out now rather than slowly work through it.

FTER years of doing it the easy way – on someone else’s boat and account! (Renegade, various Secret Men’s Businesses, a couple of Victoires and Primitive Cool) – both David and I have committed to taking ‘the team’ down south this Christmas to enable the local crew who have supported the various boats both of us have competed on (Bottom Line, Kaltara, Zaphod, Six Fish and Stretch) to experience the highs, lows and inbetweens of a Sydney to Hobart Race. There’s a bit to do and, when winter set in, the required anxiety didn’t dislodge our calmness until just before the beginning of this season. Since then, however, it’s been a hectic time. We’ve been organising the paper work, crew qualifications, boat

Putting all the logistics aside (not an easy thing to do), the team is always the most important ingredient. The aim of this race is to keep it local and amateur focused. However, with the need to have 50% of the team Hobart veterans, we’ve solicited a little extra help from some of our national and international sailing mates collected along the way, who were obviously enticed by some Musto stock that fell off the back of the delivery truck! The need to find the balance of ‘drivers and thinkers’ (who think they’re really important but take up valuable bunk space, are rarely seen when there’s a problem and require the carriage of substantial extra food and water), the ‘speed trim’ team (who are actually useful but can be a little temperamental born from the fact they’re not quite drivers, but are also not quite real men from the foredeck – let’s say slightly emasculated), and then there are the ‘mechanics’ (the team up the front beyond

the mast who get wet, do all the tough jobs and suffer in silence when they know the boat is going in the wrong direction)! This year Aikin’s team is made up of: The Drivers and Thinkers Caillin Howard (7 Syd-Hob) Billy van Riet Nico Berenger (Fastnets & Figaro) The Speed Trim team David Oliver (7 Syd-Hob) Andrew Puglisi Steve Dunn The Mechanics Duncan Mcloud (18 Syd-Hob) Carlos Ravell Mitch Mead (1 Syd-Hob) It’s a good team and we’re looking forward to the adventure. Enchantress will also be representing the Squadron. Five boats will make up the contingent representing South Australia on Boxing Day this year. A big thanks to fellow Club members who have helped us out, especially the Meads with their metal-working and powdercoating expertise, Colin Fraser for the loan of a High Frequency radio and other bits and pieces, and Bob Francis for a rudder and box. We’ll give you a wave from the start line, if the cameras come off the maxis for a couple of seconds!

Enchantress enters the Sydney-Hobart By John Willoughby

NCHANTRESS has previously competed in three major races: the Melbourne-Hobart in 2010 and the Sydney-Hobart in 2014 and 2015. Each year skipper John Willoughby chooses to take four new crew members, together with four who have done the race previously. Enchantress has been placed in the top 15% previously and John is hoping she’ll do the same again, if not better!

Experienced Crew: John Willoughby Michael Lane Noel Swan Greg Pearce First Timers: Tim Pearce Daniel Turner John Smith Robert Stewart

AUSTRALIA AT WAR EXHIBITION By Dr Peter Last OAM, RSAYS Historian five ten-barrelled Gatlings and four threepounder Hotchkiss quick firing guns. At the time of her arrival in 1884, she was the most powerful vessel on the Australian station. On Protector’s shake-down cruise, piloted by sometime SAYC Commodore Hugh Quin, she tested her guns by firing at the cliffs on Thistle Island, where one of the shells was found by Theo Modra, then owner. In 1900, HMS Protector went to China as part of the force sent to relieve the siege of Peking following the Boxer Revolt. Captain WR Creswell CMG RN commanded a crew of 10 officers and 98 other ranks. Petty Officer Henry (Harry) Perry was the ancestor of a yachting dynasty. They saw no action and successfully weathered a major typhoon.

Past Commodore Peter White with a section of the display

Through the initiative of the Editor, and the persistence of our General Manager Andrew McDowell, the Squadron has had on loan a display of the ‘Australia at War’ exhibition from the Australian Maritime Museum, commemorating naval aspects of WWl. Some components relevant to us caught my eye.

HE grandest vessel ever placed on our yacht register was the auxiliary schooner SY Adele, built in 1906 in Scotland for Henry Dutton of Anlaby, Kapunda. She displaced 370 tons and was 145 feet long, powered by steam and with a single screw, giving a maximum speed of 11.7 knots and a range of 2,000 nm. During the Great War (WWl) she was compulsorily bought by the RAN for £21,500. After that she was for a time in the Mandated Territory of New Guinea, before the exigencies of the Great Depression had her privatised (= sold) as a private yacht in Sydney. In 1939 she was again acquired by the RAN, until in 1943, during a heavy storm at Port Kembla, she collided with a breakwater and became a total wreck.

SY Adele

Several of our vessels became HMAS during the Second World War (WWll), but I know of none other to see service in WWl. Of course many members served, mostly in the AIF. Noel Loutit DSO (Prowler) is believed to be the Australian who managed to penetrate furthest on the Gallipoli landing, 25 April 1915, in company with AS Blackburn VC. One panel of the display shows both HMCS Protector and Admiral Creswell. It was nice to see Past Commodore Peter White beside his eminent predecessor. The heavily armed cruiser HMCS Protector cost the South Australian colonial government £65,000. She was 188 feet long, displaced 920 tons, and was capable of 14½ knots. She was armed with one eightinch and five six-inch guns, together with

HMCS Protector

In 1921 she was renamed HMAS Cerberus as a store carrier at Flinders Naval Depot on Westernport. After decommissioning in 1924, she was used to take wool from Geelong to Melbourne. In 1943 she was sent under tow to New Guinea for use by the forces of the United States, but the line parted and she went aground. The hulk was placed on a reef at Heron Island in 1944 to act as a breakwater. For many years, the eight-inch bow-chaser of the Protector was a war memorial at the foot of Semaphore jetty, until an anti-war sentiment in the local council led to its removal. Vice-Commodore Colin Haselgrove OBE invoked this when he commissioned a brass signal gun that I remember being used for our races when I first came to the Squadron in the late 1940s. Vice-Admiral Sir William Rooke Creswell KCMG KBE (1852-1933) entered the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1865, followed by regular modest promotion. A world cruise brought him to Australia in 1869, and he was wounded in actions against pirates in Malaya. Frustrated by a poor promotional outlook, he left the navy in 1878 and joined his brother in developing a property in the Northern Territory of SA. On a visit to Adelaide in 1885, he met an old friend, Captain J Walcott RN, SAYC Commodore 1889-91. Continued on Page 11 .....

JUNIORS REPORT By Stuart Davis Sailing is back in full swing at the Squadron. There are a number of new J UNIOR faces and new captains (thanks Alistair and Sage), as well as our familiar Junior Chair

Mitch Mead, and our instructors and supporters. Our gratitude to all these helpers.

Recovery Practice

The conditions so far this season have been variable. There was some fantastic sailing in the first couple of weekends followed by a couple of weekends during which the wind was over 20 knots, relegating the Junior Squad to everyone’s favourite activity ... recovery practice! Opening Day proved particularly challenging for our skippers and crews, with strong winds and plenty of traffic in the River. But in the spirit of the Junior Squadron members, our three Pacer crews sailed well in these difficult conditions. Special thanks to head instructor Vicki and special guest crew Adam for taking charge of one of the Pacers – even though they weren’t dressed for it!

Recovery Practice

The Pacers are looking great with their new sails (thanks to the support of the Squadron Foundation), the after training BBQ is as tasty as ever, and the skippers and crew are competitive but friendly. If you have any potential Junior sailors in your family or among your friends, come along and have a try. It’s not too late to get into it, with plenty of time to hone your sailing skills before the highlight of the season, the annual camp from 11 to 13 March next year, at a new mystery location.

Opening Day Sail Past

..... Continued from Page 10 Creswell re-joined the RN as First Lieutenant of HMCS Protector, which he went on to command. He was elected a member of the RSAYS on 2 October 1893 and, after a term as Commodore (1894-1900), he was elected a Life Member on 14 June 1900 on the eve of his departure in HMS Protector to Brisbane, soon to take her to China. From 1886 Creswell conducted a determined political campaign to create an Australian navy, achieving support from Prime Minister Deakin, at the cost of relative estrangement from the British Admiralty. In 1904, he was appointed to a newly created position of Naval Officer commanding the Commonwealth Naval Forces. Following the 1909 Imperial Defence Conference, alarmed by the rapid increase of German naval power, the Admiralty recommended the acquisition for Australia of one battle cruiser, three unarmoured cruisers, six destroyers and three submarines. Creswell was promoted to Rear-Admiral and was advanced to KCMG. King George V granted

Shell from HMCS Protector

the title of ‘Royal Australian Navy’ to the Permanent Commonwealth Naval Forces. The work of building them up proceeded apace, so that on the outbreak of war in 1914, our navy was ready and eager for action. It was a matter of great national pride that HMAS Sydney destroyed SMS Emden at Cocos Island on 9 November 1914. Creswell was appointed KBE and retired as a Vice-Admiral in 1922. Two of his sons died on service in WWl.

Signal Gun

HOUSE & SOCIAL REPORT Our last Wine Tasting for the year was held on 14 October, with Heather McDonald and Jill Roach holding the team together, showcasing wines selected by our General Manager, Andrew. A gathering of around 50 attendees enjoyed the Friday night ‘wine down’ after a busy week. The original plans for the Tenacious cocktail event to be held outdoors were rearranged at the last minute to accommodate the late arrival of the ship and the atrocious weather conditions. Instead, the crew and diners were hosted in the Dining Room, with the Captain and crew relating the history of the ship and stories of its recent adventures which offer freedom and fun to people of all abilities. Andrea Mead

HIS year’s Squadron Ball in the Squadron Dining Room had a ‘Royal Ascot’ spring racing theme. The punters dressed up for an evening of hats, gorgeous dresses, stylish suits and many laughs. Live entertainment from the band Arthur’s Blue Suit had everyone up on the dance floor, boogying to tracks from artists such as Sade, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and Abba. The evening culminated in the running of the ‘Calcutta’ horse race with the coveted trophy going to the Black Caviar lookalike.

Not only did Flemington Race Course come alive on Tuesday, 1 November for the Melbourne Cup, but so did the Squadron Dining Room! This ‘race that stops the nation’ attracted around 90 members and guests who enjoyed the excellent lunch served by our new chef Elliott, as well as the excitement of the sweep and the running of the race on the big screen. Our 147th Opening Day was held at the Squadron on Saturday, 1 November with His Excellency, Hieu Van Le, the Governor of South Australia, and his wife once again in attendance. The day was blessed with gorgeous weather and minimal wind,

NEW MEMBERS Category Boat Name Senior Golden Glow Senior RQ114S Family Partner Family Partner Crew Crew Crew Crew Crew Crew Crew

First Surname Stuart Martin Wayne Thornhill Linda Vulfs Rebecca Dickens Sam Sotrios Robert Stewart Tim Pearce Meryl Wilkinson Faina McGlade Emma Watson Sophie Bishop

marking the beginning of yet another year of sailing, seamanship and fellowship. The after-party saw new and old friends celebrating on board their boats or on the Quarterdeck, dancing to the beat of 80s hits played by Chunky Custard, masters of 80s outfits, classic hits and amazing moves!

T took two trips to Sweden to make sure they were choosing the right ‘girl’, but now they are sure they have found a real beauty! Lynda and Alan wax lyrical about their new boat, Aqua Lady, which they co-own with Alan’s brother Colin and his wife Christine.

MY BOAT AQUA LADY by Lynda Walsh and Alan and Colin O’Donnell

Colin Fraser really started it all some years ago by inviting two of us, Alan and Lynda, for a sail one summer afternoon on Kaesler. A brilliant day, sparkling water, a fine yacht, a fast reach down to Glenelg and back, and the excitement of hitting a dozing shark made a perfect day. Back in the Squadron we looked at each other, and without saying a word looked at the yacht berthed next to Kaesler. Aqua Lass was for sale. Very soon we were members and Aqua Lass was ours. A Beneteau 40cc she had enormous appeal. Aqua Lady, her successor, wasn’t yet a gleam in our eye. We had both sailed before, but years ago. We decided that in view of our greying hairs and lack of current experience we would review our situation in five years. Would we still be confident and competent? Well, five enjoyable years sped by. Aqua Lass looked after us very well and we loved her. But Alan hesitated about going up the mast at sea (again) and Lynda was unsure about getting him up and back safely even though the anchor winch did the hard work. Discretion would be the better part of valour and we decided to graduate to a motor yacht. Alan’s brother Colin made the excellent suggestion that he come in with us, and so Colin and Christine became members and the search for our new vessel began. We had a short ‘non-negotiable’ list. She would be as seaworthy as a power yacht could be, she would have two engines and be shaft driven. She would have a semi-planing hull and a good turn of speed, as we regarded this as an important safety feature. She would need private accommodation for two couples. It would be nice if she had some of the style and creature comforts that had made Aqua Lass such a pleasure.

Aqua Lady, a Storebro 410 Commander Motor Yacht We found a Storebro 410 Commander lying in a marina on the Gold Coast. There were one or two others in the Mediterranean and the Baltic for sale. Storebro is a small village in south-east Sweden where the yachts were built. The yacht was exactly what we wanted. Colin and Alan twice flew up to see her, to negotiate her purchase and to arrange for her to come home. Her then owner had hardly used her in the eight years since he had imported her and he hadn’t even given her a name. Aqua Lady quickly came to mind, and so she was registered (see note 1). She is a monohull, 12.3 m in length, 3.7 m in breadth and 1.05 m draft. She has two inboard 370 hp turbo diesels. We were very conscious that lack of use by her previous owner would need rectifying. For example, the ship’s genset had not 16 hours use, as first thought, but 1.6! Bones is right when he gives his annual lecture on maintenance.

Doing nothing requires maintenance. But the silver lining to this is that Colin and Alan now know her better than they otherwise might have. We have had great help from the local marine specialists with, for example, precision shaft alignment and the electronics. She has all the features we looked for and others we’d never even thought of. She meets the EU’s criteria for top rating for seaworthiness for her class (see note 2). She has the engine power we want and all the navigation means and aids. There are some things we are unsure about – the water maker for one, and fresh water flushing of the heads. Some things definitely needed changing – her anchor for example. There are some interesting differences in her equipment compared with what we would expect in an Australian designed and built yacht. For instance, she has a small refrigerator and a huge heater, big enough to keep a school bus warm in winter blizzards. But with the heater off this equipment supplies fresh air at positive pressure in the cabins at night and so meets a different need. She has two cabins each with their own heads and shower. She has beautiful woodwork and Scandinavianstyle soft furnishings. She even has monogrammed plates for goodness sake! If we are there when you go past, please come aboard. Note 1. Registering a yacht from interstate or overseas, power or sail, in South Australia requires enormous patience and persistence. John Eldridge has prepared some notes that are very helpful.

L to R Alan, Lynda, Colin and Christine at Port Vincent

Note 2. All the Squadron’s racing yachts and probably most of the rest would meet the EU’s highest safety levels for sailing yachts. For both sailing and motor yachts the weakest part of the vessel is its crew.

CRUISING REPORT

REETINGS to all Squadron members from the Chair and members of the Squadron Cruising Committee. The year is now well advanced, summer is on our doorstep and Christmas is just around the corner. Here is a brief summary of our events since the last Squadron Quarterly. The Open Boat Day on 11 September was a ripper with excellent weather, a good number of members attending and interesting boats to peruse. Thanks must go to Committee member Steve Kennedy who ran this event. The first ‘on water’ event was the trip to Pat and Jane Hill’s beach house at Black Point on the October holiday weekend. This was soon after the big storms and much flooding was still happening. Stormy weather kept all but one vessel from venturing over. Thanks to Roger and Marion Holden in Marionette IV for their effort. Commodore Rae and her husband Jeff Hunt, as well as Sue Buckley and myself, braved the flooded roads and drove over. It was a small but enthusiastic and very enjoyable gathering. Our thanks to the Hills.

The start of the yachting season is traditionally Opening Day. This is not a cruising event, but it involves all Squadron members, especially boat owners. Excellent weather and a very good crowd ensured a very good yachting season opening.

Kingsley ‘Bones’ Haskett

The Port Vincent Cruise (formerly Tassicker’s weekend) on 19-20 November was conducted in perfect weather and most of us had a beautiful sail with a reach both ways. There was great camaraderie among the owners of the 12 vessels that attended. The main event was a combined evening BBQ at the excellent Port Vincent marina facilities. Our thanks to our organiser, Ken Case. The next big cruising ‘bash’ is New Year’s Eve at Brown’s Beach, Kangaroo Island. All are welcome, whether driving or boating – nothing is better for Squadron ‘seamanship and fellowship’. A safe and merry Christmas to all members and fellow cruisers!

Black Point Cruise By Marion Holden

Marionette IV approaching the anchorage at Black Point

HE October long weekend cruise to Black Point has always been special for us. It preludes the start of the sailing season and happy summer days afloat. Traditionally we would pile our young children, friends and provisions aboard and head firstly to Port Julia. Just off the jetty we would go over the side and collect a bucket of scallops and then head to Black Point. We loved it then as we do now. The bay was always full of friends at anchor and the nights full of laughs and good cheer. This was long before the delightful hospitality of Jane and Pat Hill firmly set the destination as ‘a must’ on the Squadron’s social sailing calendar. This year, the weather stepped in to spoil the affair. Strong westerlies were forecast potentially to curtail the fun, particularly for those needing to return in time for work.

We prevaricated and then abandoned plans to go on Friday. On Saturday, we thought we’d go for a sail up river to Port Adelaide instead. A light northerly, combined with BOM Wind projections of strong but offshore winds across the Gulf for several days, saw us just keep on going. Furthermore, we had good options available to us if need be. The Squadron’s new moorings at Black Point, we knew from a previous visit, were superb – a credit to the professionalism and hard work put in by Kingsley Haskett and Steve Kennedy in particular. They’ve been designed to hold the heaviest of vessels. The marina at Port Vincent was just a short hop down the way. With westerlies, the trip home might be a little on the wild side but safely do-able. We were in no pressing hurry to return home so we entered cruising mode and

went! After 10 weeks of land-bound travel through Europe and southern Queensland, it was a joy to be afloat once more. As predicted, the wind went almost quietly west on Sunday in time for the Hill’s Soiree. We joined Jane and Pat, Commodore Rae and Jeff Hunt, Sue Buckley and Bones (who had braved the floods on the Port Wakefield Road and driven around), for an afternoon of traditional long weekend comradeship. On Monday, the westerlies howled in. Safely tucked away on the mooring and in absolute comfort, apart from the noise from the wind, we did as we always do when the weather demands – we stayed put! We read, watched television, played our favourite parlour games and revelled in the pleasure cruising can provide when the constraints of time or deadlines do not apply. We waited until Wednesday and came home. Light westerlies prevailed, the sail back was exactly as it was going over – simply blissful. ANCHOR NOTE: As superb as the new moorings are, they are fairly well offshore when the wind is blowing strongly, which can be a daunting drawback for going ashore if the tender is small and the outboard has limited output. A useful anchorage for such circumstance with the wind in the west is just north of the boat ramp and in front of the shelter shed, where depths are quite good close in and the holding is reasonable in clear sand. We sometimes nudge in close there and go ashore for a swim and a walk when tides are low and the breeze is up.

Carol’s ‘Go Solar’ Campaign a success!

NYONE who has ventured into South Australian waters will have heard “Carol from VMR American River” on the VHF Marine Radio. She is an amazing volunteer, providing near 24 hour, seven days a week radio coverage for the ocean waters surrounding Kangaroo Island and the Gulf of St Vincent. Carol is a vital part of maintaining maritime safety in the area: logging vessel movement, providing weather and safety message reports, and receiving distress and emergency transmissions for local sea-farers.

Earlier this year, we became aware that Volunteer Marine Radio (VMR) American River needed some help. A call went out to local yachties to come to Carol’s aid. She was having power cost problems and needed our help to install solar panels at the station. The station was facing real financial challenges paying for everincreasing electricity bills. A committee was soon formed, comprising Ian Watson (a keen sailor from the Mid North), Bill Cinnamond and Gerry Manning (Port Adelaide Sailing Club), Adrian Wotton (Cruising Yacht Club of SA), Kevin Cook (Royal SA Yacht Squadron) and Wayne Rosenzweig (PASC & RSAYS). The aim was to raise funds to install solar panels at the station to lower the ongoing running costs for this tireless volunteer, and to provide an environmentally friendly outcome to mitigate high electricity usage.

“The response from our on-water community was simply brilliant, with the initial target of $6,000 reached within a few weeks,” says Adrian Wotton, Rear Commodore of CYCSA and a committee member. “On a roll, we revised the target up, as more panels would reduce the electricity costs even further.” The final figure raised was $8,400 and covered: supply of solar system; full installation; solar set-up fees; transport of the system and installers to KI; and finally, a strengthened roof to mitigate the (occasional) high strength winds. The project was completed with the installation of a comprehensive marine grade solar system of 22 panels by Action Energy. The major sponsors and generous donors included: Action Energy (Russell Phillipson - CYCSA); Sealink; Coopers Brewery; Mainfast Transport; Chuffed Crowd Funding; Gawler Apex Club; Northern Districts Sport Fishing Club: Greg Patten; David Rawnsley and Mary Carpenter; Ian Shaw; Alan Cotton and Bronwyn Thomas; Daniel Haines; and Don Sarah. To all who contributed, Carol says a very big “Thank you!”.

Northern Spencer Gulf Cruise By Annie Rogers

Miss V’s proposed itinerary End February: We plan to slip our mooring at RSAYS in the last week of February, giving us time to cruise along the north coast of Kangaroo Island and the lower Spencer Gulf before making for Wallaroo Marina by Friday 10 March. It’s necessary to pre-book in advance for a berth at Wallaroo (Copper Coast) Marina Ph: Michael Nance 0428 294 141 / 08 8823 3861. Wallaroo / Kadina provide opportunity to re-stock fridges and catch up on fuel and laundry.

ITH its backdrop of the Southern Flinders and Middleback Ranges, sapphire blue waters, safe anchorages and generous hospitality from the region’s sailing clubs, the Northern Spencer Gulf is a favourite destination of my husband John Phillips and me. We’ve cruised the region over many years in both our trailer sailer and keel boat Miss V and we plan to sail to the Spencer Gulf again this coming March. We invite Squadron members to join us for ‘a cruise in company’.

Saturday 11 March: Casual dinner at the Wallaroo Yacht Club at about 1815 hrs. Sunday 12 March: Subject to weather, depart early for the 34 nm sail across to Cowell for a night or two Wednesday 15 March: Sail on to Whyalla Marina for a few days. Dinner at Whyalla Yacht Club. From Whyalla we’ll make our way north visiting some of the good anchorages at Fitzgerald Bay and Blanche Harbour. Sunday 19 March: Arrive at Port Augusta Visitor’s Wharf. From Port Augusta we’ll go south again on the eastern side of the Gulf.

There are good anchorages at Port Patterson, Bluff Reach, Yatala Harbour, Wards Spit and Port Broughton. The new Visitor’s Wharf at Port Pirie might be worth a visit! Saturday 25 March: Anticipated arrival back at Wallaroo. While on the water we operate dual watch VHF 16 and 82 (82 is the local repeater). We have always found the various clubs of the region very welcoming and shall liaise with them as our cruise progresses. We might even join the locals for a drink or dinner, or both! Some friends from the Cruising Yacht Club will also be in the region at the same time and we look forward to catching up with them also. It must be stressed that this is not an organised cruise and any vessels planning on being in the region will need to make their own arrangements. Hoping you might think about joining us to these less-frequented South Australian cruising grounds. Contact John (0419 841 670) or me (0408 600 345 or annie.rogers56@bigpond.com.) to discuss your own cruising plans. We are happy to share our knowledge.

STOP PRESS! Unfortunately Miss V was dismasted during the Friday Sternchaser Race on 25 November but it is hoped she will be repaired and rarin’ to go on this wonderful cruise that Annie and John have planned in March.

motor-sailing and some discomfort before we reached Kingfisher Resort. We traversed about 17 nm that day. The sunset was brilliant but unfortunately the resort bar on the beach was closed for the evening. We opted to dry out during the night while most anchored fore and aft to secure a pleasant night in a slightly uncomfortable swell. Rather nicely, we had free use of the resort pool, showers and toilets. The next morning most of us trekked a km or so to get more fuel as we had used up quite a bit the previous day. With its tourist shops and wonderful facilities we could have opted to stay at the resort for another night, but the call of the northern beaches was too great.

SAIL DRIVE By Juliet Browell

Trailer Sailers’ great trek to the Great Sandy Strait Lunch stop at Ceratodus Creek

Members of theTrailer Sailer Association of SA recently undertook an adventurous cruise north of Noosa, Queensland. The Great Sandy Straits cruise was held from 5 to16 October with Squadron member Roy Martin as Cruise Leader, assisted by another Squadron member, Steve Lewis. Participants drove 2,200 km to Tin Can Bay at the base of Fraser Island to join in the challenge. Juliet and Hugh Browell towed their new boat Xellanon Too. Juliet describes how the trip went.

E all left at different times to travel to our destination. Floods in southern NSW meant routes had to be altered, but even so some of us had a few tense moments crossing roads covered in water. Our fleet was made up of three Squadron members: Steve and Anne Lewis (Noelex 25, Odette), Roy and Mignon Martin (MacGregor 26X, Dazza’s Heaven) and Hugh and me with our Cole 19, Xellanon Too. There were five other boats: three Noelex 25s, a Farr 6000 and a RL 28. The boat ramp was excellent as we could tie up on the pontoons of the Tin Can Bay House Boat business and use their facilities for a small fee. Right next door was a café where you could hand feed the dolphins every morning at 0800 hrs. One boat rather alarmingly began to fill with sea water immediately on launching and had to pull out. The problem was that the centreboard inspection port needed resealing, but was solved very promptly with the usual TSASA group support. The first day of sailing brought ideal conditions for our short sail to Bullock Point only 8 nm away, and still on the mainland. Rings-N-Things and Odette rafted up for a very pleasant Happy Hour. Sand banks were everywhere and a couple of us took the opportunity next morning for a glorious swim in the warm conditions on our own private sandy island. Navigating the Great Sandy Strait does take a lot of care as it is dotted with endless shifting sand banks, but the channels are very well marked – not, however, ideal keel boat country. The

plan was to head north to Garry’s Landing, a distance of 14 nm, but we went on a further distance to the top end of Stewart Island where we let our boats be grounded. Most of the boats dried out more or less horizontal, giving those on board a comfortable night’s sleep. Happy Hour was interrupted by a host of midges. We had all prepared for them with the right sprays and fine wire netting, but these nasty, tiny, biting flies were fairly quick off the mark and I sustained more than a few bites before being fully covered in repellent.

Our personal sail was delayed by a runaway dinghy, but our Cole 19 did well to catch up and not be the last of the widely dispersed fleet to arrive at Moon Bay. We declined Happy Hour, however, as we were too tired. The tide left us grounded by morning whereas all the other members of the fleet were anchored further out. As usual, we got willing help to set us free on our way to a more sheltered spot, Coongul Creek, just around the corner. We surfed into the creek mouth and dodged snags to reach a delightful spot protected by trees with the clear, azure waters of Hervey Bay just metres across the sand bank. We all agreed at our Happy Hour meeting to have a ‘lay day’ or two.

The tide did not let us free until after 0800 hrs and there was not much wind in the morning. One of our group spotted two dugongs and we saw a sea eagle overhead with a 1.5 m snake writhing in its beak! Later I was happily using autopilot while tidying up lines in the cockpit when ‘bang’, we hit a channel marker! Fortunately, not too much damage was immediately apparent so on we went. We had a brief lunch stop at Ceratodus Creek, where there is a well-known wreck and derelict jetty, and then on again in the afternoon with a 15 kt northerly and a 3 kt tide against us. This required much tacking, a bit of

It was the perfect spot to holiday – a deserted beach with only a few 4WDs and a couple of campers in sight. The water of the creek flowed steadily past us and about 1 km upstream it was freshwater and crystal clear. In fact, our all helpful cruise leader Roy Martin led us about 4 km north along the beach to the start of the creek which was a clear pool just behind the sand dune. The water flow was quite strong and there were some very deep pools – what an exotic place it was! Others investigated the creek with dinghies and had to stop and walk in some places. The weather was warm enough to enjoy swimming throughout the day either in the beautiful creek or in the sea, where we had to be careful as there were plenty of stingrays. At the Happy Hour the consensus was to stay another day and forego a trip further north to Wathumba Creek because of the adverse wind. We would miss out on seeing this prized destination and probably not encounter any whales either, so it was a bit disappointing for some. However, my skipper Hugh and Michael Harry of Sea Chariot decided that the weather would provide a single broad reach back to Hervey Bay Marina

Sandy Island swim

Fraser Island airstrip

if we departed early the next morning, and so we left the safety of the group. Surfing over the waves at the creek mouth was exciting, especially as I had trouble threading the jib into the runner. I should have done that before we left our calm, sandy mooring! After that, we had a brisk and uneventful sail in 15 kt with a swell of up to 1-2 m dodging sand bars. We made the crossing in good time and enjoyed the substantial facilities of Sandy Straits Marina for an extra night. The remaining six boats arrived the next day while we took ourselves on a day tour of Fraser Island. The tour was fantastic as was the 4WD bus that hurtled us around the best features – Eli Creek, The Pinnacles, Mahemo Wreck (1935), a 15-minute scenic flight taking off from the beach, and a magnificent swim in the pure waters of Lake McKenzie, so pure it can support very little life. We even saw a dingo and marvelled at the cage for humans to eat in, so that dingoes cannot access the food and bins. We also learnt about the extraordinary history of Fraser Island in the logging days and saw the diversity of landscape – tall forests to sandy beaches all in an island about one third the size of Kangaroo Island. We had dinner at the Hervey Bay Boat Club that night and three of us decided to pull out from the cruise in Hervey Bay due to time constraints, while the remainder left next morning to go back down the Strait to Tin Can Bay. This was the end of

A fresh water grotto

the cruise for us. The continuing boats all arrived safely in Tin Can Bay 2–3 days later. It was a great adventure and could only have been improved by a longer period of time, no midges and more convenient weather. On this note I quote from http://www.ourfrasercoast. com.au/sail-the-great-sandy-strait.

the strait and you have perfect sailing conditions virtually all-year round. During the odd weekend a stiff wind might sweep in from the north to ruffle the waters just a tad too much but that’s only a reminder that you should spend a weekend at home every now and again to keep the boat ship-shape.’

‘Fraser Island’s protective sand hills that deflect the strong south-easterlies while allowing steady breezes to flow through

We had a bit of bad luck with the weather!

TALL SHIP THRILLS ON LORD NELSON By Deirdre Schahinger

an emergency wheelchairs are manually hoisted upstairs. All voyagers had webbing belts with two tethers which must be worn at all times while at sea on the upper decks. Full climbing harness was used for going up the ratlines (shrouds). To do so unassisted you had to be able to operate the karabiner one-handed (one hand for the ship and one hand for you) which with small, arthritic hands I found impossible. Bob did find climbing out and over the platform a bit unnerving as did others in our watch later that evening on shore at A Coruna for a drink.

Keeping watch meant everyone on watch was on the wheelhouse deck – taking turns on lookout port and starboard, making hourly observations, going to get a brew, being on the helm and waking up the next watch a quarter of an hour before. At the wheel there is a large print compass, one positioned for wheelchair users, and an audible compass. I found helming with a wheel very difficult. Just when I got her on course and looked up at the sails and thought ‘this is the best feeling’, Jon would casually remark that I was 10 degrees off course. When it was time to do a sharp port-hand turn to cross the English Channel separation scheme, Bob as the best helm steered the ship across the busiest waterway in the world. Bob was a very handy person to have on watch. From his days in the Navy he knew the jargon, and from his years with

A Coruna was the final port of the Tall Ships Race, so when all the tall ships left port the following day in a procession of sail, we all gave three cheers to the Spanish warship and headed out to sea in fog under motor. Earlier that morning, while still in port, the First Mate gave a talk on square rig sailing and once again I had information overload, and got lost somewhere between the buntlines and the t’gallants. Lord Nelson has three masts – fore, main and mizzen; eight square sails and seven fore and aft (triangular) sails. After lunch it was all hands on deck, except the watch, to brace (swing round) the yards. The ropes are all the same colour and it is only the position on the pin rail that designates which ropes do what. All four yards on the fore and main mast are braced at the same time so one watch releases and the other hauls on at the command ‘let go and haul’. Some of the jargon was familiar but the two that I and others found confusing were ‘well’ meaning stop pulling on the rope and ‘come up’ meaning let go, drop it!

Under full sail looking aft

Bob on the fore t’gallant yard

AILING on a square rigger has always been on Deirdre’s bucket list, and finally the opportunity came – in August 2016 Bob and Deirdre did a nine-day voyage from A Coruna in northern Spain to London on board the Jubilee Sailing Trust’s vessel, the Lord Nelson. Get on board and share in their adventure! We joined ship early afternoon, met our watch leader Jon who uses a wheelchair, signed on, were shown our bunks and given our watch cards. Our accommodation was bigger than I expected and with private space usually reserved for wheelchair users. There is accommodation for four wheelchair users and, as there were only three users on board, the married couple got the last one. Later that afternoon the forty voyagers congregated in the lower mess and met the eight permanent crew. Lesley the First Mate gave us a talk on life on board a tall ship. There was lots of information, but the two things I did remember were ‘only three Ps go down the heads’ and Happy Hour is not from 1700 to 1800 hrs but from 0900 to 1000 hrs when cleaning the ship. Bob and I were on the same forward starboard (FS) watch and I was lifejacket monitor, which meant when we did life boat drill I handed out life jackets to the nine members of our watch. There are lifts to take wheelchairs between lower deck, upper deck and the wheelhouse, but in

Deirdre - keep calm and smile

Life on board was divided into the seven traditional Navy watches rotated through four watches – forward starboard and port, and aft starboard and port. All 40 voyagers did 24 hours of mess duty when they didn’t have to stand watch. Mess duty consisted of food preparation, and peeling vegetables was a good opportunity to talk and find out why other people had chosen to sail on a tall ship. Mike who worked for the Greenwich council was there because the council was keen to sponsor a scheme for local disadvantaged youth. The minimum age is 16: James with a broad Scouse (Liverpool) accent who turned 16 the day before the voyage started was doing a Leadership at Sea course, and Patrick from Texas who used a wheelchair wanted to take the working concept of a mixed ability crew back to the States. We were organised by the cook’s assistant Naomi who is visually impaired and has been sailing with Jubilee Sailing Trust for a long time, often on the Caribbean run.

the Bureau of Meteorology he knew the proper procedures down to changing the barograph chart. The notorious Bay of Biscay was as flat as a mill pond but with a light wind it was possible to set the square sails; so we could put into practice the First Mate’s talk. The buntlines and clew lines which hold the furled topsail have to be loosened by people on the yard; on deck the sheets are hauled, the brace eased and halyard was the last rope to be hauled as it pulled the yard up so the wind filled the sail. This really confused me as I am used to the halyard being the first rope pulled. All too soon the wind dropped, fog came in, the motor was turned on and we furled sails. A safety feature of the Jubilee Sailing Trust is that the ships can be divided into three watertight sections, so if visibility is poor and the ship is damaged one section can be closed off. The following day further out into the Atlantic we were able to set all eight square sails and three of the fore and afters, the motor was turned off and in sunshine we sailed for several hours at a speed of 1-2 knots. Just beautiful! As we hugged the coast of France in the English Channel separation scheme the Second Mate gave a talk on ‘buoyaging’ so voyagers on watch were able to test their knowledge on real buoys. Until we got into the Channel we had not seen many buoys, but now they were all around – all shapes and sizes. When we neared Dover Straits we furled the fore and afters and folded the square sails, remembering to ease the halyards, tighten the buntlines first, then clewlines, while easing the sheets. The crew and voyagers on the yards folded the sails over the yards and made fast the clewlines on the yardarm. Bob was doing mess duty at this time otherwise he would have been up there where his height was an advantage.

Bob at the helm

Finally the wind came in 15-16 knots in the wrong direction and as it was predicted to increase to 30 knots we motored to Margate off the coast of Kent and dropped anchor in company with several other commercial ships. The young voyagers doing the Leadership at Sea had organised a quiz night that evening which Bob and I missed as we were on anchor watch 2400 to 0200. I am sorry we did, as apparently it was an hilarious evening.

While Lord Nelson motored up the Thames, the group photo was taken on the foredeck in very windy conditions so the spray added to the photo. This is the only time the captain steers the ship, I was told when I asked, as all the crew were on the foredeck. Happy Hour for me was sweeping up the anchor dust; I hoped no one was watching when I emptied the dustpan into the wind and had to sweep all over again. Cleaning windows was better and only on one side of the ship out of the wind. I came to Australia as an adult in 1970 from southern England so going up the Thames in a tall ship was a fantastic experience. We locked in at West India Dock not far from Greenwich and the FS watch all went out to dinner at a local pub that Jon had been

The stern of Lord Nelson

Accommodation

to, so he knew it was wheelchair friendly. Usually on a voyage the ship visits another port and we were scheduled to stop at Alderney in the Channel Islands but, due to lack of wind in the right direction, it was not possible, so this was our last time together. Last day and last Happy Hour! Bob and I cleaned all the windows on the ship both sides and Bob climbed on the deck housing to clean the wheelhouse windows. Smoko/ lunch known as ‘smunch’ was at 1200 with the Captain’s talk. Captain Chris Phillips told us that although our sailing time was only 10% of the voyage we had travelled 862 nautical miles and we were the friendliest crew he had ever sailed with. After we returned home Bob got an email from the Jubilee Sailing Trust to say that the permanent crew had recommended him to be a watch leader. So he is doing one of the Melbourne voyages on Tenacious as a semi-sponsored crew member next year and he is already working on being a watch leader for the voyage back to UK. I had a wonderful time, met some interesting and unique people and made some firm friends. I am looking at the Tenacious voyage from Fiji to Cairns in October next year!

As we motored in to dock, I was helping bed the main sail, but I found pulling the zip on the cover a bit hard. “Hmm – give it a break. Go back and try again,” I told myself. I leant on the main to view the other boats behind. When turning back I couldn’t feel the right side of my body. I quickly grabbed some lines to get my balance, but my body had a different thought. Down I went on the deck. Oh my God! I looked at Rick to tell him I was in terrible trouble as I knew I was having a stroke. I felt scared, terrified. But in trying to tell him, I could hear my muffled voice and half my face seemed paralysed. Poor Rick. I watched his face change from smiling at me, trying to work out what the hell I was saying, to thinking, “OMG, this girl is in trouble!” All the female crew were nurses and attended to me. I knew I was in good hands.

MEDICAL EMERGENCY By Pip Murray

Opening Day

You may be interested to read how keen sailor Pip Murray is going after suffering a severe stroke at Port Vincent last Easter. Here, in her own distinctive style, Pip recounts the joy of spending time with friends, the shock of the stroke, the rehabilitation she’s undergone and her dogged determination to get back on the water. We thank Pip for her honest, personal account of this major life-changing health crisis and wish her well for the future.

HAT a wonderful start to the season – perfect weather, lovely atmosphere, great company. RSAYS Opening Day was the first time I’d been on the boat since the stroke, and the day reminded me of this year’s Easter weekend. I was once again on my brother-in-law David’s 40 ft Catalina Scaramouche, and memories of that fateful day nine months ago came flooding back. I wish some of those memories could be erased for life, and that the stroke had never happened. Scaramouche was filled to the brim on the Thursday evening with its eager crew and owners madly preparing for a gluttonous Easter weekend. We’re allowed to be keen foodies and wine snobs – we’re all Barossans! We were tucked up early that night in preparation for the weekend of fun ahead. Good Friday was the race to Port Vincent. I jumped ship to help David Eldridge on Aquitaine. His wife Rae was hesitant about crewing on a bumpy sea after breaking her collarbone at the RSAYS Australia Day cricket match. The sail over was uneventful but pleasant. On arrival people greeted each other with typical Squadron camaraderie; boat-hopping, sharing drinks, nibbles, and tales. It’s always a fun night! Saturday involved a walk into town, maybe a donut and coffee at the cafe. But we quilting girls headed to the local quilt shop to check out any additions since our last trip. There was little breeze that afternoon so we

motored up the coast on Scaramouche to the last marker, to see the race and put out a fishing line. We had a prime view of all race boats going about the marker, hauling in their spinnakers to race down to the finish. All boats were tightly paced. Voices of skippers and crew could be heard clearly across the still warm waters. You could feel their excitement when catching the boat ahead and hoping the breeze would be kinder in lifting them a nose or two ahead. I can smell and feel that day now! Sunday saw a cooler start and a little more wind. I like a breeze and love to be racing. It didn’t take long to find a ride. Knowing I had to be back by 1300 hrs ready to race, the crew from Scaramouche set off for a 5 km walk. It was an easy casual walk which I needed as I had felt rather sedentary the past few days. I am a bit of a gym junkie and was used to workouts and boot camps. After lunch I hopped on Taniwha. I had not been on her before, but had seen her race and felt confident I could crew on her. The skipper promised not to yell or swear, and he didn’t! It was a good race with few dramas. I did make one boo-boo. When going about the last marker I was to pull the spinnaker in, pushing it down the hatch. “Yes skipper I can do that!” And I did. But skipper meant the fore hatch and I had put her down in the main hatch as I was used to doing on another boat. Due to the confusion, a minute or two was wasted. As it turned out we won anyway. Yay, of course we did!

I don’t remember much of the journey in as I was trying to come to grips with my situation. Once docked I had a doctor and a specialist triaging me but I really didn’t care what they were doing. All I wanted and all I was trying to say was, “Please toss me overboard! Please let me go!” I did not want to survive this stroke as I had a fair idea of what I was in for. I could feel this was a bad stroke and knew my life would never be the same. I was facing a life of no active movement, no dancing, running or walking, and definitely no racing or sailing. The care and attendance from the two medicos, David and Howard, the nurses Barb, Helen and later the nurse that appeared from nowhere but had first-hand knowledge of the retrieval team, was tremendous. I couldn’t have had any better care. If I’d had a clot not a bleed, their fast work and skills would have helped me have a much better recovery and outcome. But sadly there was nothing anyone could have done to help me. A medivac team arrived in a helicopter and flew me across the Gulf. It took so little time from my first signs of a stroke to being in the RAH Emergency Department. After my stroke I was unsure which direction I would be going. Do I fight like a parent losing sight of their child, or do I roll up in a ball hoping it will all go away like a bad nightmare? I questioned myself regularly. Can I beat this or is this me stuck, unable to move half my body? Handicapped, never able to run, hop, dance, skip, hug a person, tie laces or bows, write or draw neatly again. I couldn’t talk at first but regained speech and now I just slur if I’m tired, excited or just having a bad day. I lost all movement on my right side. They told me I might never walk or speak again or it could take me nine months to walk again. And the arm? Well let’s forget that - it’s more important at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre that they get you to walk. Well, I proved them wrong. I was walking within a month. Now at seven months I walk ‘okayish’, my arm moves ‘kind of’, but my hand doesn’t. I’m right-handed so

I’m having to learn to do everything lefthanded. It’s amazing how weak your left hand is in all fine motor skills and strength. My back aches as half of it slumps and it’s hard to sit straight. Half my face is numb – it feels I’m permanently just out from the dentist. I can’t remember being in the RAH and the first 3-4 weeks of rehabilitation, but I know I did a lot of swearing. Who would blame me? I could feel myself getting very depressed. It’s hard facing the reality of being permanently handicapped; but not knowing how much is the most frustrating. You just keep pushing the boundaries, keep exercising, keep wishing and hoping everything will be all right. I’ve lost so much of ‘ME’, it’s not fair. I can’t sew or do my embroidery. I can’t run around and act like a three-year-old after red lollies like I used to. I can’t dance, play tennis, swim well, walk miles, or garden for hours. I can’t even pick a bunch of flowers and, after the recent RSAYS Opening Day, I realised I can’t sail like I did. I do find it very, very frustrating and upsetting. I’ll keep fighting. I haven’t got a choice. I have to just keep strong and positive.

I was nervous going back on the water on Opening Day, but once on the boat I was fine – just frustrated I could not do what I used to do. Usually I was crew on the foredeck, but now I was stuck in the cockpit. Everyone was worried about me walking up and down on the deck as I’m not well balanced like I used to be. I can use my right arm to balance, kind of, but it’s not great. At Hampstead, the physio girls got me to practise on the ladder in the pool, climbing up and down so that I could replicate going in and out of the boat. It wasn’t easy with one arm and a very weak leg but at the end of my time there, after a lot of practice, I could climb a ladder to the top of the gym ceiling and down again. I was thrilled with myself! I miss sailing though. It really was a significant part of my life. I miss the wind whistling through the lines, the smell of the sea, the birds flying around you, the sails full of breeze, the boat heeling. I’d give anything to do that again, but Opening Day was an awful reality for me that that part of me is not possible anymore. I cried myself to sleep.

Finish of the Adelaide - Pt Lincoln race 2016

May I take this opportunity here to thank all fellow sailors for helping me at Port Vincent, and those who visited me during the five months I spent in rehab. Every visit was well received and cherished.

WINNIE THE WONDER DOG By Winnie (with help from Craig and Emma Gordon) the Royal Society for the Blind, right here in Adelaide. I graduated with flying colours and now I lead my master around. You already know him – he’s that blind guy in an Akubra who sails on Clockwork – Craig Gordon. I have to trust you all to do the right thing while my master is sailing.

EEN blind sailor Craig Gordon has acquired a new guide dog by the name of Winnie. While Craig is competing in the Twilight races this season Winnie, who confesses to being more of a landlubber pooch than a salty old sea dog, is be found snoozing in the Racing office. “He can keep those boats to himself,” says Winnie! Here she tells us what it’s like to be a trusty guide dog. Hi there! I thought I had better introduce myself as I’m often to be seen around the Squadron! My name is Winnie and I am a two-and-a-half-year-old Labrador Cross Golden Retriever. I’ve done the hard yards and completed my guide dog training at

I really must not eat anything as I will be in serious trouble – besides I’ve only ever eaten specialised dog food and anything else might make me quite sick. I’ll have my own water bowl and bed in the office and sometimes Craig might leave me a special toy to stop me from missing him. So, I really don’t need anything – thanks anyway. I quite like meeting other dogs but I’m really not supposed to, and I really mustn’t even

Dinner time I’ll probably just park myself under Craig’s chair and sleep some more. If I sleep then I won’t notice all that food around me anyway, so please try not to disturb me. I think that’s all you need to know about me, but if you have any questions please ask Craig. He is a really laidback master and he never minds answering questions about me.

S T E Lsailing GO

My job is to assist Craig getting around – and that includes at the Squadron and to and from the train station. I really need to focus on what I’m doing and I try really hard not to misbehave. I love people, especially kids; however, it is really important you speak to Craig before giving me your greeting. Please do not pat me or feed me (even though I know my big brown eyes are so irresistible ) otherwise I’ll be in big trouble and I really hate my beloved Craig telling me off. Most of the time I’ll be wearing my yellow harness – this means I am working and you really mustn’t distract me. This yellow harness also gives me the right to go anywhere Craig does – even into restaurants and hospitals. The only places that are allowed to refuse me are zoos, burns and intensive units and some conservation parks.

look at one when I’m wearing that harness so maybe keep your dogs away from me – that way I can’t get into any trouble.

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TS N E V E G N I S I CRU G AININ

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SENIOR MEMBER - COLIN FRASER By Barry Allison

This is the next in a series of articles by Barry Allison which records some of the experiences and adventures of our many prominent Senior Members of the Squadron. This is the story of the many yachting experiences of Colin Fraser. sailing ship hulks, like the Loch Tay, which was used for bunkering coal to tugs. Tin canoeists were easy to spot at school – they all had cuts under their arms from paddling in their raw edge canoes. Colin’s brother Don had a Jubilee Alma at the Squadron and, prior to an Easter Port Vincent crossing, found he was a crew member down. At the dinner table Colin volunteered, much to Don’s protests that he was too young. (Don really did not want stories getting back about what happens on Vincent trips.) Their father stepped in and said, “He can swim – take him!” So at thirteen years of age, with Don and Clem de la Perrelle, he commenced what was to become one of his many cruising and racing Gulf crossings.

HE sea’s influence on Colin’s life can be traced back to his birth place in 1938 at Port Lincoln, where his father Don had built the Shell Oil Company Installation in 1930. He was in Geraldton, Western Australia during WWII, and after the war at Birkenhead for a couple of years as his father moved around the country as a Manager with Shell. One of his earliest memories of Geraldton was the use of ‘coilies’ – made from 1” hoop iron riveted into a 6” star – which were flung into the shallow water to stun fish. At Birkenhead, he and Colin Todd became very skilled at making small canoes out of galvanized iron sheets – surreptitiously ‘borrowed’ from nearby fences. These were launched near the old ferry steps by the Birkenhead Tavern and then paddled around the inner Port River basin among the trading ketches, steam tugs and old

The family moved to Largs where he sailed in Cadet Dinghies at the Largs Bay Sailing Club with Vandal skippered by Les Howell, who now owns Allouette, and later into 14’s on Norm Butcher’s State champion Skidoo. The Lightweight Sharpies came into their own from the late 1950s and Colin crewed for Keith Chaplin on Valerie in State and Australian Championships. His early deep keel stints at the Squadron were with ‘Old Man Hasel’ on Colin Haselgrove’s Cooroyba with Pappy Kemp, Mock Sara, Bob Haselgrove and Colin Todd. Ric Halliday was around at that time too. Wet weather gear in those days was well named – hopelessly wet inside as well. So the offshore night watch jib-changing system was to strip to the underpants, get wet, change the jib, come back aft, towel off, and get back into dry clothes.

Kingdom to help commission six ‘Ton Class’ Minesweepers and to sail them back to Australia. As an Engineering Petty Officer, he undertook training at several shorebased RN establishments, including a long course at HMS Sultan at Portsmouth on the revolutionary Napier Deltic triangular diesel engines. He was drafted to HMAS Teal, along with Ron Stephens, Dick Tiver (past Squadron Member) and Barry Allison to prepare for the long voyage back to Australia. More importantly for Colin, a romance that had previously begun with Sally in Auckland (NZ) in 1961 culminated in them becoming engaged in London. The voyage home commenced on 1 October and ended 10 weeks later on 10 December when the fleet of six minesweepers entered Sydney Harbor. There were obviously many incidents on this long voyage; however, one that is often related is the invitation to sail at the Royal Yacht Club of Colombo while their ships were tied up for four days at the Colombo wharves in Ceylon – now Sri Lanka. The clubhouse was a bit of a shock – situated at the end of a wharf was a green painted structure of galvanized iron sheeting with one main door and a novel sand floor. However, the hospitality inside was amazing with gin and tonics flowing freely from the expatriate Brits while the local ‘boys’ rigged the International Fourteen Footers before the racing. After the race, it was back to the crude bar and more G&Ts while the ‘boys’ unrigged the boats – great!

Then in 1962, he was selected with seven other South Australian Naval Reservists (including the author) to fly to the United

Col and Sal onboard Spoonbill

The crew of Spoonbill - Graham Seppelt, Martin Carney, Colin Todd, Colin Fraser

On return to southern waters, Colin moved to Auckland and married Sally in 1963. Then seven years later with his now young family, Bruce and Julie, he convinced Sally that there was more sun and less rain in Adelaide. At the Squadron he joined Chook Wall Smith and Colin Todd and others on Rouseabout for the Australian Half Ton Championships in 1979, then with Keith ‘the Colonel’ Adams on his emerald green Half Tonner Peacock with Peter Kelly and Colin Todd. These were the days of fierce Half Ton competition and great camaraderie with rafting up along the pontoon after

Colin began work as an apprentice fitter and turner and then specialised as an instrument technician in wide angle target aircraft cameras at Fairey Aviation at Salisbury. Faireys were suppliers to Woomera rocket range. Moving to NZ in 1963, he changed tack and went into the technical development of plastic film flexible packaging industry. On return to Adelaide in 1970 he undertook AIM business management studies, becoming Research and Development Manager at National Paper Vuepak. He had many trips visiting overseas associates, exhibitions, seminars and machinery suppliers until retirement. He then acted as a consultant to a Melbourne flexible packaging company.

Spoonbill during a race off North Haven

a gruelling race and finally getting home sometime on Sunday! There have been many memorable occasions over the years – once sailing with Geoff Verco on Anyndah off Kingscote, when getting hit by a squall a runner pulled out of the deck, taking with it about a square foot of the aft deck! (Anyndah is now in the Port Adelaide Sailing Club.) He also crewed on Tom Veale’s Albatross Maluna and often cruised down to Kangaroo Island and the Bay of Shoals where you rose early, dug for cockles and then caught double-header whiting on the way back for a fresh fish breakfast – gutted, unscaled and cooked whole in butter! Colin assisted in delivering Keith Flint’s Helsal across to Williamstown where she was swapped for Sweet Caroline. This was Helsal’s last trip with Jimmy Howell, Wilbur Tedmanson, Peter Cook and Geoff Hunt aboard. Another enjoyable sailing season was with the unforgettable and rotund Wilbur Tedmanson on Hecate who had an amazing soprano voice that belied his wise seamanship. However, another experience was to sail with Josko Grubic on Anaconda – once was enough! Colin survived to tell the tale of a Port Lincoln race stopping at Wedge Island on the cruise back to do some net fishing. The local fisherman did not take too kindly to this and reported the matter, so that a fisheries inspector was waiting at the North Arm to inspect Josko’s netting licence – which of course he did not have.

Smith was coerced to join and mentor an energetic crew including Peter Kelly, David Oliver, Bruce Roach, Michael Burville, Mark Homes, Kylie Ellison, Peter Hutchison, Reid Bosward and Andrew Napier to sail Kaesler, with Colin on the helm. Great racing and fun has been enjoyed by his crew over the last few years on Kaesler, particularly racing with the hot shots from the CYCSA. The crew has largely stayed together over the years, with one or two moving on with marriage and one or two new members. Colin’s one regret is that he has not competed in a Sydney-Hobart race. Talking of Hobart and marriage – Colin ‘married’ his bowman, Andrew Napier, in Hobart! On a penthouse roof top Colin, dressed in No 1 rig and assisted by a celebrant, officiated at Andrew and Kim Geale’s marriage.

The family have lived in Aldgate since 1976 where Sally’s beautiful rose garden is a real picture. They have been involved in caravanning all over Australia for many years and the occasional overseas trip. Colin has also been very involved with the Stirling Rotary Club for over 38 years. Sally, meantime, was a secretary in the Philosophy Department at the Flinders University for about 20 years. Their son Bruce has a vineyard harvesting business at Penola. Julie, apart from rearing four children and living overseas for 20 years, has recently refurbished the Crafers and Uraidla Hotels which she and husband Ed own. Looking back over a lifetime on the sea from tin canoes on the Port River, VJ’s at the Port Adelaide Sailing Club, dinghies at the Largs Bay Sailing Club, time with the Royal Australian Naval Reserve, to many years at the Squadron, saltwater is definitely in Colin’s veins. We wish Sally and Colin many more years of sailing and relaxing at home with their family and grandchildren nearby in Stirling.

Don always said “Ya gotta own a boat,” and so Colin eventually found his boat – a Cole Nantucket 31 Half Tonner Spoonbill which he thrashed around the inshore and offshore races from 1992 with Peter Kelly, Richard Tapping, David Oliver and Colin Todd. He was successful with Half Ton Championships trophies, along with other silverware. Then out of the blue, his son-in-law Ed Peter announced that a Sydney CR39 Kaesler was being built, and so in 2005 Chook Wall

Kaesler during the 2008 Adelaide to Pt Lincoln Race

Opening Day 2016

Photography:

- the season starts!

Browyn Craft

FROM TAHITI TO AUSTRALIA By Jeanne and Colin Harrison

Tahiti to Australia - the last stage of our adventure!

Sunset Vava’u, Tonga 2016

Final episode of Colin and Jeanne Harrison’s 21st Anniversary Comparisons

AND HO! was the cry on 2 October 2016 as the Dividing Ranges of New South Wales were spotted at dawn – more than six months and 8,000 nautical miles since transiting the Panama Canal on Manali. Nearly 21 years previously a similar call was heard on New Address. Of special significance in 1995 was that Colin would be crossing the line to complete a global circumnavigation. From Tahiti westward the two trips were quite different. New Address travelled from French Polynesia to American Samoa, Western Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu and then to Coffs Harbour. Manali went to Tonga and then to New Caledonia before heading for Coffs Harbour. On both trips, delightful RSAYS cruising companions joined us – Faye and Mike Harman in 1995 for the sail from Papeete to American Samoa, and Gill and Bob Hogarth this year to cruise in Tonga. Besides the company and geography, there were many other differences in the two voyages. This year we noticed the number of yachts with young children aboard. In 1995 the majority of yachts were crewed by couples. A minority were young families but two of the yachts we knew added crew, in the form of newborns while in New Zealand, apparently due to the ‘romance’ of the South Pacific. This year there were many more young families with home schooling rigidly imposed. These youngsters were confident and seemingly very well adjusted to an adult environment. It was a pleasure for us to see two

children from the Aussie catamaran, Yollata, present the King of Tonga with a thank you card for allowing them to visit his country!

Presenting a thank you card to the King.

There have been economic and social changes as well, especially in French Polynesia. Population growth has led to more traffic and increased noise levels, more jet skiing and local boating, more congestion, and more moorings with unmaintained yachts; and in general, significantly more commercialization. In

French Polynesian prawn farm

Bora Bora there were more than 1,400 overthe-water bungalows where there had been only a couple of dozen. Tahiti now provides a major reprovisioning opportunity with mall developments and Carrefour supermarkets. In 1995 the medium-sized Champion grocery store in Papeete held very few, very expensive, taste temptations. As I walked around the shop not finding anything affordable on my list, Colin watched the locals. He found large tins of mackerel on a bottom shelf for 60 cents. We ate a lot of mackerel from there westward! By 2016, the tinned mackerel had gourmet flavours and fancy packaging, with a quarter the quantity at four times the price. But there were locally produced prawns and smoked salmon, French cheeses and Chateau bottled French wines which would have cost $40+ in 1995 now selling for half that. Additionally, a broad range of products from France, US and NZ were widely available. Virtually unchanged were the Papeete central market stalls where fresh local produce was plentiful. Nearby, Les Roulottes still set up their van-cum-restaurants nightly at the quayside, looking much more modern and hygienic than they had in 1995, and still providing affordable alfresco dining. New Address had a terrific downtown location in Papeete, tying stern-to the quay. During the intervening years, the waterfront deteriorated. Yachts were banned from tying up in the city, except

This year, as we prepared to leave Tonga for the 8-10 day sail to New Caledonia on a Friday (superstition ignored), we learned that several yachts were departing before us on Wednesday, for a 4-5 day sail to Fiji, as advised by their planner. By Wednesday afternoon they were all returning to port as a frontal system pushed through with a wall of lightning and adverse seas. Our Friday start allowed for the winds to clock back to SE and the seas to settle. Longer passages are invariably unpredictable, but after nine days we were nestled safely in Noumea without incident.

Tongan Customs 2016

on tacky looking floating docks guarded by prison-like gates. However in 2015 the city planners realized that downtown revitalization began with improvements to the quay promenade and marina set-up. So Manali again enjoyed a terrific downtown location in Papeete, tying stern-to in the marina which provided showers, air conditioned lounge/wifi area, security, underwater blue lights for ambience, plus an adjacent parkland promenade. This year our currency notes from previous visits were no longer legal tender in French Polynesia and Tonga. New currency had replaced the old, Tonga now had a picture of the new king, and we had missed the grace period for exchange of notes. In 2016 we opted not to stop in Fiji, partly because of the nine-page application to enter, including photos of the boat and skipper’s passport, to be filed at least 72 hours before arrival. One yacht, not knowing this, was fined nearly A$2,000. Since we had lingered so long enjoying Tonga, we decided to sail directly to New Caledonia, bypassing Fiji and Vanuatu, although they had been terrific ports of call in 1995. Weather forecasting is now much easier with extensive weather data available on the internet. We like www.windyty.com. Twenty-one years ago most marinas and yacht clubs posted weather fax print-outs for the next few days, encouraging us to try to understand the weather patterns. We have always made our own determination as to when to commence an ocean passage using radio nets, HF broadcasts, local radio weather, weather fax data and watching the barometer. However, the question many ask now is not ‘what’ you use for forecasting but ‘who’ you use, with many passage-makers paying for passage planners and weather gurus. These planners can be helpful but do not abrogate the skipper’s ultimate responsibility.

The only surprise in Noumea was the number of yachts in the harbour. In 1990 when Jeanne first anchored in Baie de L’Orphelinat, there were only two other yachts at anchor. This year there was an additional marina, dozens of yachts on moorings and too many yachts at anchor to count. As in French Polynesia, the economy appeared to be booming. Different challenges faced us in 1995. On leaving the outer reef in Fiji our engine died. Six days later we docked in Port Vila, Vanuatu with help. We even cleared customs while under tow after crossing the finish line in the Musket Cove – Port Vila Regatta. Facing a possible six month delay to ship and install a new engine in Vanuatu, we decided to sail engineless directly to Coffs Harbour. We were somewhat taken aback when friends questioned our decision to leave with a SE Strong Wind Warning pending. Our sailing route would take us WSW through the Grande Pass cut in the reef NW of New Caledonia. Without a working engine, strong winds were our friend. Luckily New Address had a towed generator which maintained battery power for the auto-pilot, electronics, lights and refrigeration. On arriving in Coffs Harbour in the wee hours of the morning, we anchored under sail. With dawn, we inflated and launched the dinghy, affixed the outboard, strapped the dinghy tightly to the stern quarter, and propelled ourselves

into our marina berth with the aid of the dinghy, with Jeanne steering New Address and Colin in the dinghy. On the pontoon, Customs officials were waiting to clear us into Australia while friends were waiting with champagne to celebrate Colin’s five-year global circumnavigation and our upcoming wedding. This year landfall was again Coffs Harbour, but the passage was totally different. We had a crew member join us during a twoweek break from work. Between Noumea and Coffs Harbour we had had only three types of wind: none, on the nose or gale force. It was a frustratingly long passage with many days of only 80 miles towards our destination as we tacked back and forth. It was hard to imagine our 1995 sail with no engine, yet nearly a straight line course from Vanuatu. But the rewards were similar: fish and chips at the Fisherman’s Co-op, dinner at the Yacht Club and friends in town to visit. Unfortunately in 2016 the Coffs Harbour Marina had been seriously damaged by two horrific storms; marinas and walkways were destroyed and pontoons and many yachts had been damaged. The marina office was gone. We could only anchor in the outer harbour for the next two days as gale force winds kept us harbour-bound. The dream of hot showers, laundry machines, and a fresh water wash of the salt-encrusted decks had to wait. However we celebrated the successful passage with lovely French wine as the sun set on another Pacific crossing. Will we do it again? That’s hard to say. The ocean passages this year were tougher than before, ostensibly due to El Nino. We are also approaching our milestone birthdays of 70 and 80 next year. But how can you reminisce on a Happy Hour at a beautiful anchorage in Tonga with whales frolicking and a fellow cruiser playing jazz on his sax, as the sunset bathes clouds in crimson, and not yearn for that aphrodisiac once again?

Manali at Amedee Light, New Caledonia

TONGA TRIP By Gill Hogarth

Col and Jeane Harrison with Bob and Gill Hogarth - a wet start.

It rains in Paradise... ... and rains and rains and rains. Something we (Bob and Gill Hogarth) hadn’t thought of when we again joined Col and Jeanne Harrison, this time in Tonga on Manali, their well-equipped and immaculate 42’ Bavaria. Remembering three years ago in hot and sunny Tahiti, we had assumed the same for Tonga.

HE area where the Harrisons and most yachties like to spend time is Vava’u, a group of about 40 volcanic and coral islands with the largest, Utu Vava’u, to the north. It is shaped like a big jellyfish with the other islands streaming below, with a reef on the south-east side, protecting the group from the prevailing winds. (Ed – see Dione’s article from last issue)

her home. A wonderful and informative evening was preceded by a hymn from a family group of musicians and a long grace. Two young girls (7 and 4) with simple, graceful headdresses danced, followed by their teacher, their (great?) grandmother. A couple of enthusiastic yachtie grandmothers joined her (guess who!). The Tongans delight in family, singing, dancing, religion

There are two main ways to fly to Neiafu, the capital of Vava’u: via Fiji, or via Auckland and Nuku’alofa, the Tongan capital to the south, with a short internal flight to Neiafu. We came via Fiji. We brought bad weather, with the rain starting on our first evening shortly before we took two dinghy rides to a Tongan Feast at Utulei on a nearby island. A watertight thatched shelter with one long table was beautifully set for the 30 odd guests expected – that night mainly yachties from Australia, Britain and America. Our hostess was an elegant Tongan woman raised by Scottish and American parents. She had followed an international career after being home-schooled on the island until Year 10 and then educated in the US. She had returned to Vava’u and recently developed this small business in the grounds of

A schoolboy wearing a Tupenu

– and rugby. After a marvellous buffet feast of many Tongan dishes we were instructed in the complex kava ceremony, round the table rather than in a circle on the ground because of the weather. We appreciated the ceremony if not the drink! Early the following morning we could hear bells ringing from the two churches that towered above the harbour and beautiful singing could be heard. The Sabbath is strictly observed. It is illegal to work, hold sporting events or trade on a Sunday. No tours run nor restaurants open, although there seemed to be exceptions. Tongans always dress conservatively and even swim fully clothed. Women are expected to have knees and elbows covered, and men generally wear long pants. Younger ones may wear long full shorts that cover their knees. Tupenu – the men’s national dress like a wrap-around skirt made from a plain fabric – is also worn, particularly as school uniform. Our activities were restricted by the poor weather although we had some great social times and an excellent lunch on a tiny island at a stylish, environmentally friendly and simple resort called Mandala. This has accommodation for 12-18 in half a dozen thatched tree houses or bungalows among the palms or overlooking the water. We

Entering a lagoon

Splitting coconuts with a metal stake

A proud employee

pottered in a relaxed fashion round several other islands (collecting rainwater!) and enjoyed a lagoon for a couple of days.

hall where women were weaving. The road from the village to the small harbour was the only sealed road, and had been built with international aid. Otherwise mud abounded.

principles: to start something which would employ Tongans, would not be in competition with Tongans, would be nothing to do with tourism, and would produce a non-perishable product for export. These principles continued to include something which would produce no waste. Ian gave us a very informative tour and an entertaining story of trial and error in finding and developing a suitable business. He has developed a co-operative of coconut growers and vanilla farmers (‘industries’ which had fallen into abeyance for various reasons) and produces coconut products and handles the beans for export. This is all done very simply and will remain so. Waste from the coconuts provides charcoal, electricity generation, mulch for the vines, and feed for chickens and pigs; the guesthouse is provided with gas, and the orderly and extensive shade-covered vegetable garden with fertiliser; and pig and chicken guts feed mud crabs in the mangroves nearby. A worthy project, and a fun life style he told us.

Then the sun came out and the islands looked as we expected. We anchored in calm bays although the wind was strong at times. The water is generally very deep but there are 42 named and numbered anchorages, some which require a careful look out for ‘bommies’. We snorkelled, sailed and took photos, with a highlight for Bob and me of a long dinghy ride to and into Swallow’s Cave, an amazing cave of almost rainbow colours where we paddled in fish-laden clear turquoise water for some time. We were not brave enough to dive through a tunnel to get into Mariner’s Cave nearby – a ‘must do’ for many. We sighted humpback whales on several days and were told that a whale came into the main harbour among the thickly moored yachts an hour or so before we arrived – rather too close for comfort. One tiny village on a small island that we visited gave an indication of the locals’ priorities. There was a primary school with an enormous and beautiful bell in its own tower, a high school, two churches (one with simple stained glass windows despite the obvious poverty of the community), and a

Tropical vegetable garden

What polite and gentle people are the Vava’uan Tongans. And what a beautiful country of islands. No wonder they are so proud of it and why many ex-yachties make their home here, particularly in the tourist industry. Tourism is the second largest contributor to the economy after money sent home from Tongans living overseas. More than 60,000 live in Australia and NZ. Many families here are contentedly almost self-sufficient, although some would say their life is one of subsistence. Pigs and yams are the staple foods and pigs roam freely. Tongan time is very relaxed. We were more relaxed too when walking about as they drive on the left! Another very interesting and educational trip ashore was to Vava’u Villa – an Australian-owned guesthouse and restaurant. Five years ago the owner, Ian, had an epiphany after his life was saved by being in the right place by mistake in the Christchurch earthquake. He and his wife Vanessa gave up their previous work and moved to Tonga with the aim of starting a business – but what? Their

As the sun shone, we reluctantly left Vava’u having had another marvellous couple of weeks with the Harrisons in another exotic place that they know well. Where next, we asked!

Sorting vanilla beans

A DAY SAIL ON STS TENACIOUS By John Phillips and Ken Case Photos by Graeme Brand, John Phillips and Ken Case

Photo: © Graeme Brand

HE Jubilee Sailing Trust was founded in 1978 with the object of integrating physically-disabled with able-bodied people on a tall ship. This aim reached fruition on 17 October 1986 with the launch of their first purpose-built ship, the STS Lord Nelson. The idea was an outstanding success and soon, with demand for berths outstripping supply, plans for construction of a second ship were put in place. The Tenacious was built over five years out of 200-year-old Siberian larch by 1,500 volunteers, about half of whom were living with a disability. She was launched on 1 September 2000. Tenacious is the largest purpose-built square rigged wooden hulled sailing ship in the world, designed and built to carry a mixed crew of able sailors and sailors with a disability. She is a barque, 65 m long

with three masts rising to 47 m above the deck. She weighs 586 tonnes and can carry 1,200 square metres of canvas over 18 sails. Words such as ‘disabled’, ‘crippled’ or ‘handicapped’ are not in the vocabulary on board as everyone has some ability, and thus the term ‘mixed ability’ is always used. She is circumnavigating the globe with a rotating permanent crew of eight and a number of volunteers and paying crew up to a maximum complement of 40. Tenacious arrived in our waters on 9 October and departed for Hobart on 25 October. On Trafalgar Day, Friday 21 October, members and guests were invited on board for a tour of the ship followed by a dinner at the Squadron and a talk by Peter Mitchell, the Australian representative of The Jubilee Sailing Trust, and Simon Catterson, the ship’s Captain. It was a very interesting talk which opened our

eyes to the work of JST, a not-for-profit organisation promoting an inclusive and harmonious world. On the following Saturday and Sunday Squadron members and guests took to sea on Tenacious for a thoroughly enjoyable day off the coast of Adelaide. We were welcomed on board with a briefing about the ship’s various features and emergency procedures, including the fitting of life jackets which are necessary to ensure the safety of all on board. This was followed by a hearty breakfast of bacon and egg muffins and a cuppa for the traditionalists, or a coffee for the antipodeans, as we cruised out of the Port River from the Osborne wharf. Squadron members Bob and Deirdre Schahinger, who were busily volunteering for three days, served us well. Once free of the shipping channel, the pilot disembarked and it was then all hands on deck to square the yards and set the sails. It quickly became apparent that on a voyage only three things would matter – ropes, food and sleep, as each movement of the wind direction or on the compass brings the watch out to adjust the yards and sails. On our day aboard, everyone took part in the workings of the ship, including the helm. An interesting note is that the helm houses a talking compass enabling a blind person to steer without difficulty, and a joy stick for those who cannot handle the wheel. Ironically Simon pointed out that in some circumstances a blind person is better on the helm as they are not distracted by everything around them. With only a light wind we were given the opportunity to climb aloft to the first futtock, given clear instructions that we had to have three points of contact with the rigging at all times – no mean feat for those of us less co-ordinated. You try waiting until your hand is grasping the rigging before you move your foot! But what a glorious sight it was from up there.

Back on deck and ‘wearing ship’ (a gybe to us), we hauled on the ropes to bring the yard arms around, co-ordinating several yards on the two masts to the call of the handling rhythm “2-6! 2-6! 2-6”, until the ropes were made fast to belay pins and without a winch in sight! Each yard had to be aligned with all the others in turn with the main mast first. All along the deck are indicators to assist sailors with ambulatory issues to work the ship: timber beading along the deck and signs written in braille to guide those with sight impairment; little raised arrows on the railings to signify forward; and strategically placed wheel locks to secure wheelchairs. The decks are accessed by two elevators for wheelchairs and those who would have difficulty using companion-way steps. Over some bunks is a block and tackle setup which allows a bunk to be lowered, allowing someone with mixed ability to be selfsufficient getting into and out of bed. Also the bunks have vibrator pads to advise the hearing impaired when required on deck. The vessel is equipped with a crane to enable the boarding of people in wheelchairs. Meanwhile below decks the bar opened for an hour, and several of us took part in admiring the cold laminated Siberian larch woodwork while partaking in a glass of Fijian beer. Not up to the scratch of Coopers admittedly. A beautiful lunch was provided and, later in the afternoon, we were served tea or coffee

and cake baked on board by the fantastic ship’s Cook, ably assisted by the volunteer galley crew. The day concluded with the arrival on board of the ship’s Pilot and the berthing back at the Osborne wharf. The ship’s Captain told of his delight in warning harbour pilots that when approaching the helm they should take care not to startle the blind person steering the ship.

With clear skies and light breezes a perfect and memorable day was enjoyed by all. Tenacious is remaining in Australian waters until April 2017 before heading to New Zealand and Fiji and back to our east coast in September 2017. For anyone interested in a working voyage aboard, all details including costs can be found on jst.org.uk. Tenacious and her sister ship the Lord Nelson plan to visit Australia every four to five years.

FISHING SPOTS By Shane Mensforth

At the opposite end of the size spectrum, but equally popular, summer garfish will become established throughout both Gulfs as the water gradually warms. Pulling a feed of gar is about as easy and enjoyable as it gets; a tubful of gents, a basic berley mix and some ultra-light tackle is all you’ll need to catch your share. Alternatively, you can launch after dark and hunt the inshore areas for gar with spotlight and dab net. Still, moonless nights are definitely the go for this style of fishing. Although the winter calamari are generally bigger and easier to locate in numbers, it’s always a good idea to carry a few squid jigs when you go boating. Simply drifting across the tape weed beds when the water is calm and clear puts you in the strike zone, and we all know how delicious a summer squid salad can be!

SUMMER FISHING – OPTIONS A PLENTY!

FTER such a long, wet and generally depressing winter, most of us who love being on the water can now look forward to the next three months. Sure, there will be plenty of afternoon breezes to contend with, but summer fishing across the state offers many opportunities for those in the know. The annual snapper closed season concludes at midday on 15 December, enabling boaties to again mix it with ‘big red’. There’s nothing like catching a 10 kg-plus snapper on light to medium tackle, and we are indeed fortunate to have the most consistent supply of these superb fish in the country. The upper waters of Gulf St Vincent should once again produce plenty of action, as should most metropolitan grounds like the Grange tyre reef, the Goannas and the edges of the Outer Harbor shipping channel.

Although we’ve had our daily quota of blue swimmer crabs cut back by a staggering 50 per cent (under new Fisheries catch regulations that came into force on 1 December), it’s still worth dropping a few nets to grab a feed. Blueys have already arrived on most metropolitan grounds, and they should improve in both size and numbers as summer unfolds. The best crabs will be available from late January through to the end of March, when big, meaty males dominate and the smaller females have departed. Fresh fish heads and frames are undoubtedly the best crab net baits. For those who may be looking for a slightly more challenging piscatorial target, the summer season usually produces plenty of shark action. Whaler sharks are very common off the Adelaide coast between November and April, and hooking one isn’t hard at all. You’ll need wire trace, a decent rod-and-reel setup and some fresh fish for bait. Most of these sharks are 1-1.5 m long and, as well as providing good sport, they are pretty good to eat. Naturally, observe the laws about berleying and keep your shark fishing activities well away from the beach-going masses! Also, be aware of the new PIRSA regulations pertaining to bag, boat and size limits that now affect all fishers in SA. Have a safe, happy and fish-filled Christmas!

ET me be quite clear about this. He, ‘Who Has Been Known To Shout’, is not overly enthusiastic about my passion for fishing. He snidely calls me ‘Blood Lust’. He berates me for dropping blood, guts and fish scales all over the deck. He threatens to hurl all my gear overboard. I call him ‘Spoil Sport’, and ‘Stinker’!

HOOK, LINE AND STINKER By Marion Holden

Worse, his hypocrisy knows no bounds. When my delicious, fresh piscatorial catch lifts from the pan, he’s the first to line up with the plate and the first to demand to know why I haven’t caught enough for a second serving. I despair. My love affair with fishing began many years ago when Angie Main (ex Noralie) taught me how to catch bream from the pontoon adjacent to the Squadron’s eastern barbecue area. We girls gathered at 2100 hrs because darkness, Angie insisted, was vital for success. Only later did I realise that darkness had more to do with the Squadron frowning upon fishing in the pool than it did with catching a meal! As it happened, I caught two very presentable fish that night and the hook was set for life. I went home about 0300 hrs and excitedly woke his eminence. “Look, look … I’ve caught two lovely bream!” “So?” “Get up, they need to be cleaned.” “Do it yourself!” “I can’t. I don’t know how. What do I do?” Then followed the most profound advice of all before he rolled over and went back to sleep: “shove a knife up their whatsits!” So while he slept, I shoved a knife up their whatsits, cleaned out the innards and ‘Blood Lust’s’ historic first offering was ready and dressed for dinner. My next logical move was to integrate this new-found fishing passion with Marionette. Dramatic new fishing horizons! “No way,” says he. “There’s no room for stupidity like that. Think about it: all those people lined up on jetties with fishing lines. All they

want to do is cast out as far as possible because that’s where they know the fish are. All they are thinking of is how nice it would be to own a boat so they don’t have to cast so far. So what do they do? They buy boats and then they cast out as far as possible because they know they haven’t anchored in the right spot and all the fish are out further. Not on our boat you don’t!” And so it came to pass at Knob Point on Kangaroo Island where we had put Marionette not quite on the right spot. It was there I cast out right royally in pursuit of King George himself, and wrapped the line, hooks and all, around the top spreader. Not around the rails. Not around the lowers. Around the top spreader! He, ‘Who Has Been Known To Shout’, shouted very loud and long. The upshot of it all was that I was being made to confront any fear of height and for the first time was about to be hauled up a mast to clear the mess. Worse, the wind was in the east, the swell was wrapping itself into the bay and Marionette was rolling horribly. No doubt from his scheming point of view, the punishment would sufficiently fit the crime and, at the same time, cure me of any thoughts of ever fishing from the boat. Never again. Actually, I loved it up there. The view, the peace, the exhilaration and, not least, the escape from ‘Stinker’ and all his ranting. Why, you could see even better fishing spots just off the bow. All we would need to do was shift the boat a tad, or cast a decent line from the foredeck …

to find out why some Americans cruised with a small bottle of gin in their cockpits. It turned out that if ever they brought a large fish on to their decks, they would slip a small dose of gin into the creature’s gills. Within seconds the thrashing stopped and the fish quivered and died. What a revelation! For months we had carried a small baseball bat with us, our ‘donger’ we called it, and used that to bash our Mahi Mahi or Spanish Mackerel into submission. You can imagine the scene: the cry goes out, “Get out the donger, Roger, there’s a huge fish on the line!” Then would ensue this grotesque scene on the after-deck with Him straddling a slippery monster and pounding away at the head while gore and scales increasingly splattered the teak decks and cabin top. Ughhhh! How could He? No more! A small dose of gin in the right place and the battle was over before it had even started. Then my scientific background kicked in. If gin could do the job, then surely methylated spirits could do it just as well? Cheaper. Plentiful. Very effective. From that moment on, methylated spirits in a small squirt bottle became a permanent fishing fixture in the cockpit of our Marionettes. A couple of shots in each gill meant an end to unseemly battles on the after-deck and unsightly bloodstains on the teak. And the gin? Well, if the blood lust is up and the cruising is going well, I think we can all find much better things to do with gin than simply feeding it to the fish, can’t we?

Let the record show I have caught many fish in the intervening years and am even happy to pass on some sound advice on the sport. During our first Pacific travels, I was curious

COCONUT’S PREPARATIONS By Mark Sinclair

The existing fuel tank was removed from forward of the main bulkhead as it obstructed the new watertight door. A new fuel tank has been fabricated to fit at the bottom of the quarter berth. The injectors were refurbished, head gasket and exhaust gaskets replaced, a new cam and correctsize impeller fitted to the water pump, and engine instrumentation replaced. Old wiring was removed and Coconut is being rewired, including new batteries as well as internal and navigation lighting. Solar charging, HF and VHF transceivers and an Echomax Active XS dual band radar target enhancer are also being fitted.

Coconut’s strengthened Main Saloon

T has been confirmed! Mark is no longer on the ‘Waiting List’ and is now officially a ‘Provisional’ entrant in the Golden Globe race! To prepare his old boat for the 2018 Golden Globe race is a significant undertaking. Although Coconut is a solid vessel and has sailed around the world, it is a gigantic task to prepare her for this challenge. Here is an update of his preparations over the last three months.

Down below there has been great activity. Removal of the veneer on the main bulkhead revealed that it had split vertically, the deck underneath the mast had sagged and delaminated and the top layers of the cement/aggregate floor under the softwood compression post had decomposed to dust. We started by cutting away the bulkhead on either side and stiffened the hull with layers of fibreglass mat and resin. The main bulkhead was then reinstated and reinforced, the aggregate in the floor of the heads was swept up and the remnants were jackhammered out of the void and replaced with a solid timber floor. The fibreglass deckhead was replaced and a new hardwood compression post was inserted. The entrance to the heads and forward cabin through the main bulkhead was moved to starboard to accommodate a new aluminium door in a frame to improve the watertight integrity. Three sets of hanging knees were built in the main saloon to strengthen the join between the coachhouse and deck; the large window in the main saloon was blocked off and replaced with two smaller windows. The forepeak bulkhead was cut back to remove an area of dry rot, a new bulkhead was prefabricated and strengthened to attach the inner forestay, and polystyrene foam blocks were inserted in the forepeak to provide additional flotation.

New doghouse

kite is being made and a second-hand full spinnaker purchased. One of the existing mainsails will also be carried as a spare.

On the upper deck the lightly constructed doghouse was removed and a larger and more solid doghouse was built from Coosa board, due to its strength and lightness. New polycarbonate windows were installed in the doghouse and main saloon. The winches were relocated from the mast to under the doghouse and halyards and reefing lines led aft to clutches. A new mast step was manufactured with rows of sheaves to lead all lines aft and new enlarged chainplates manufactured and fitted. The mast was strengthened from a single to two spreader rig. The inner forestay chainplate was redesigned and strengthened and the bow fitting removed and refurbished. A new ocean-rated forward hatch was installed, which can be dogged down or opened from either side. The mast was lowered and all fittings removed. Four metre long side sections from an old mast were cut out and riveted between the deck and the lower spreaders for added lateral strength. A new masthead fitting was manufactured and welded in, as were new spreaders and spreader attachments. New shroud attachments, outlets and sheaves for halyards and a new gooseneck were designed and built. A bracket was fitted to the front of the mast to mount an Echomax EM230 passive radar reflector and light to illuminate the foredeck. New tricolour, anchor and Windex illumination lights were fitted at the masthead and the mast was rewired. Sections of aluminium were purchased to build a new boom and two new spinnaker poles. New sails are also being constructed: a light and a heavy mainsail and storm trisail, yankee, No 1 genoa and No 2/3 headsail, No 4 staysail and storm jib; a new asymmetrical

As a retro race all navigation will be by traditional means. A Walker trailing log has been generously loaned by Garry Fielder from the Grab Hopper Dredge, Andrew Wilson, and I have received an offer of a spare sextant. A Radio Direction Finder (RDF) has been located and will be refurbished for the race. I am still in search of a winding chronometer, as no electric watches or clocks are able to be carried under the retro race rules. There has been fantastic progress over the last three months and I am very appreciative of the team of people who have worked on Coconut so far. These include: • Ken Banwell for the design and work on the mast, boom, spinnaker poles, mast step and design of the chainplates; • Doug Gladman (Adelaide Yacht Rigging) for the standing rigging; • Peter Bolton (Blue Sky Marine) and Tom Wilton for the structural work down below including bulkheads, hanging knees, upper deck work including the doghouse and forward hatch and refurbishment of the Farymann 22 hp diesel engine; • Peter Sheridan (ElecMarine Innovations) for the electrics; • John Moffatt (International Communications Systems) for the communications; • Luke Burrow (Bravo Sails) and Danny Allen for the sail plan and sail making ; • Howard Peachey (Registered Ship Surveyor) for design reviews and inspections of the work.

Additional flotation added to the forepeak

Earrame left the Squadron early in 2014 for Tasmania. After spending a year there, she travelled up the East coast to the Whitsundays and spent the summer in Scarborough, north of Brisbane. Having left Earrame in Scarborough, Moreton Bay, at the end of last year, Clive and Anne Arnold returned to the boat in the middle of the year. Anne tells us of their cruise so far this year.

EARRAME’S EAST COAST EXPEDITION By Anne Arnold

LIVE and I had a limited season on Earrame this year, sandwiched between family events that allowed less than three months away. As cruisers know, it’s not good being on a schedule, and a son’s wedding imposed a strict timeline! However, we had a good time despite the schedule and very disappointing weather. In fact, we spent a large proportion of our time holed up waiting for better weather. The winds weren’t extreme, but we had persistent head winds, strong winds, large swells, and rainy, grey weather which does not do justice to the tropical scenery. We didn’t get caught out in bad weather, but missed anchorages and islands we had hoped to visit. Several times, we filled the water tanks from the rain, which is a bonus but didn’t seem like Queensland. From Scarborough, we had a quick overnight sail to the Wide Bay Bar and into the Sandy Straits where we waited for the weather. Then, three day hops to Gladstone Harbour and through the Narrows, a short-cut waterway from Gladstone Harbour to Keppel Bay that dries, in parts, to two metres at low tide. That is, two metres out of the water, not two metres deep! It is unnerving to see the plotter screen all green, indicating land not water, and interesting to cross the worldfamous cattle-crossing where cattle were walked between the mainland and Curtis Island. En route to Mackay, we anchored at two islands we haven’t previously been to, Hexham and Curlew. Both were very pretty, rocky islands with sandy beaches. I’ve renamed Hexham Wind-Funnel Bay. It was an uneasy, narrow, deep, steep-to anchorage with very strong bullets of wind from every direction that put us sideways to the considerable swell. We left early the next morning! Curlew was a contrast the following night: no swell, gentle breeze,

Earrame dressed for the Shag Islet Rendezvous

Clive and Anne Arnold

peaceful, pretty, lots of room, and easy to get into despite shoals and sand bars. From Mackay, we sailed to Brampton Island, a very pretty island with a defunct resort. In fact, there are many failed resorts in the Whitsundays and few that appear successful. Then to Shaw Island, where we had a marvellous whale experience while anchored, as a pod of whales swam into the bay, turned and came straight for us. They were almost within reach, and the boat was shunted sideways by the tremendous amount of water they displaced before they moved off. Lovely to see, but impossible to capture on camera! Weather delayed us in the Whitsundays at Cid Harbour; a huge anchorage, sometimes with over 70 boats sheltering there. At night, the anchorage resembled a small town with the riding lights – high, low, bright, dull, fixed, flashing. Many power boats have coloured lights at the waterline for added spectacle and one yacht had pink lights up the mast. Two interesting things happened at Cid: an earthquake, and a sea-plane visit. The earthquake was very close and very strong (stronger than the Newcastle earthquake for example). We were below when we heard a loud grumbling noise that lasted maybe half a minute, with the boat trembling and shaking. We thought we’d dragged onto rocks (impossible!) or a whale was caught in the anchor chain (improbable) so we both shot up on deck, along with absolutely everyone else on every boat! It was surprising it was so loud and made the boat move so much. There was no tsunami effect (yes, we were watching out) but, strangely, boats have dragged anchor there recently in what had been very good holding. A coincidence or some underwater disturbance? Who knows! Another interesting thing at Cid was a seaplane taking people off a charter yacht for a joy

ride one rainy day. The crew waited in their dinghy, on an extremely long painter, as the plane taxied in close and they were absolutely soaked by a huge downpour as they clambered into the plane. To top it off, they would have seen virtually nothing in the rain and low cloud. Our turnaround point was the Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club Annual Rendezvous held, unsurprisingly, at Shag Islet, a small pile of rocks and sand (smaller at high tide!) in Gloucester Passage, just north of the Whitsundays. The rendezvous is all about having fun and raising money for prostate cancer research. Approximately 200 boats participated and raised over $100,000. The 2016 theme was ‘Parrotheads’, which would be well understood by Jimmy Buffett fans. As well as lunch on the islet (wary of the tide!), functions at the resorts, and socialising, the iconic activity is for dinghies to raft together in the shape of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia logo. It was incredible – lots of dinghies, people, and music from the Abell Point Marina super yacht. If you get the chance to go, do so! If not, check it out at http://creektocoast.com. au/shag-islet-cruising-yacht-club/ Heading south was difficult as it was too early in the season, so weather windows were short. Our best sail of the entire trip was a long day to the northern end of the Narrows, a three-quarter reach in 20-25 knots of wind, with flat water. This reminded us of Lake Alexandrina: the water was brown (caused by the outflow of the Fitzroy River) and shallow (4 metres over shoals) and the wave action was similar to the Lake. We transited the Narrows into Gladstone and holed up in the marina during more bad weather. Then, back to the Sandy Straits and Tin Can Bay to wait out the next weather system before going over the Wide Bay Bar and down to Scarborough to leave the boat for the time being.

SKIN CANCER skin damaging levels is to check the daily sun protection times. You can do this by downloading the free SunSmart app to your mobile phone or by visiting the Bureau of Meteorology’s daily weather forecast (bom.gov.au/places/sa/adelaide/forecast). When UV is 3 and above: • slip on sun protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible • slop on SPF 30, or higher, broad spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen and reapply every two hours • slap on a shady hat that protects the face, head, neck and ears such as a broad brimmed, bucket or legionnaire hat • seek shade wherever possible • slide on wraparound sunglasses.

Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer before the age of 70. The disease claims over 2,000 Australian lives every year, yet it is largely preventable. When the ultraviolet (UV) radiation level is 3 and above it is strong enough to damage unprotected skin. You cannot see or feel UV, so you shouldn’t rely on the intensity of sunshine, or the heat you feel on your skin to determine if sun protection is required. The only way to know if UV is at

It is also important that we not only protect our skin from overexposure to UV radiation, but get to know our skin well and check all areas regularly. Thoroughly checking your skin four times per year at the start of every season, ensures any early changes can be checked by your GP for the early detection of skin cancer. With summer almost upon us, it’s time to strip off and look for any changes which could indicate an early skin cancer. You can do your skin self-check in the privacy of your home, using a mirror or someone you trust to help you inspect areas you might not be able to see such as your back, scalp and soles of your feet.

Remember to check from head to toe, as melanoma can appear on areas of the body not normally exposed to the sun. If you are concerned about any spot on your skin, see your GP immediately. For more information about being SunSmart visit sunsmart.org.au or call Cancer Council 13 11 20.

ESPITE appalling weather on the morning of Sunday 9 October, the inaugural Seven Seas Market was a great success with afternoon sunshine, 28 stalls and about 300 visitors. The idea for the market followed a number of requests from members to sell their products at the ‘Biggest Morning Tea’ that was held to aid the Cancer Council in May. Commodore Rae Hunt saw it as an opportunity to raise the community profile of the Squadron, to support individual traders and to support a great charity.

SQUADRON ‘SEVEN SEAS’ MARKET By Sally Metzer

Much effort went put into publicising the event with a media release being sent out, posters and leaflets distributed widely, and social media used to inform the public. Rae appeared on the front page of the Portside Messenger the week before, and was interviewed by Ashley Walsh on ABC Radio 891 on the morning of the market.

Our ‘Seven Seas Market’ raises $1,200 for the Cancer Council

The Cancer Council yellow van was parked on the lawn and Ambassadors promoted their ‘Sun-Safe’ message and handed out sunscreen. A Maritime Trash’n’Treasure was held nearby and some members sold their unwanted boating gear.

Altogether seven Squadron members were involved as stallholders. Bones, Gill and Bob Hogarth sold nautical gear, Deirdre and Bob Schahinger sold nautical books, Sue Buckley sold designer silver jewellery and Ken Case offered his new ‘Buddy Wagon’.

Outdoor entertainment was provided freeof-charge by the Garrick Stuart Highland Dancers, the Karate Kids and Will Metzer from ‘Jazz it Up’, as well as demonstrations from a fire truck. The two food carts were popular, and the Juniors ran a barbecue.

Stallholders were offering everything from jewellery to retro-clothing, artworks, candles, dog accessories, handbags and garden toys.

The market was mostly in the Dinghy Shed, with a children’s Pirate Craft Corner and Zoe the Face painter in Jimmy’s Bar. As protection from the weather, some stalls were set up under the canopy at the entrance. Gold coin donations were given as attendees entered.

Ken Case’s ‘Buddy Wagon’

Sue was pleased with the sales results for her ‘Silver Goose Jewellery Designs’. She said, “This would have to have been the worst weather I’ve encountered as a regular stallholder, but in some ways it helped as the Women’s racing was cancelled, so many members had time to wander through the market and enjoy the atmosphere. Certainly the ‘stallies’ who attended would be more

than happy to attend our next market when we run one again.” Ken Case saw the market as an ideal opportunity to launch his company Solid Integrity’s versatile ‘Buddy Wagon’, a collapsible trolley that Ken says every member should have! Ken and his wife Carol put a huge effort into getting everything ready for the market in the week prior. They got an ABN and bank account, arranged business cards, a banner and distribution leaflets. They arrived early at the market and set up their stall. “It looked very professional and a number of members commented how useful it would be,” Ken said. The money raised for the Cancer Council, was part-proceeds from the market. A big thanks to all those who helped organise this event and to all those involved – organisers, helpers, entertainers and buyers.

Sue Buckley ‘Silver Goose Jewellery’

The Sailor’s Hornpipe

Raelene’s Aprons

‘Half a Billion’ fossil jewellery.

DIONE’S PACIFIC ADVENTURE By Sue and Glen Kerr

(Samoan hut) and line verges across the island. In the interior are soaring ranges, dense with cassia and other hardwoods. In the east and south, where the ranges soar up from sparkling reef-lined beaches, a long slow ride on a scooter through vibrant beachside villages is wonderful. In the south-east coast there are some lovely fine weather cruising grounds, and the best beaches and snorkelling in Samoa. The northwest coast offers brilliant, though adventurous, fine-weather cruising. The north-west tip of the island faces Manono, Apolima and Savai’i, the remaining Samoan islands, all of which are accessible by ferry or yacht.

Savai’i SE Coast

Off the Beaten Rhumb Line Sue and Glen Kerr continue enticing us with an account of their time in Samoa and Wallis Island.

AMOA lies 180 nm north east of Niuatoputapu, is one of the most northern islands of Tonga and our last port. Few yachts make this passage in the easterly trades due to the difficult angle. This was our last easting though, and with an expiring visa we set out into a 2 m SE swell and 15 kt head wind. A very unpleasant 40 hour passage. The coasts of the Samoan islands of Upolu and Savai’i are rugged and reefstrewn, with no all-weather anchorages. Nevertheless, a yacht could circumnavigate both islands by day-hops in fine weather, though most anchorages can be rolly, especially at high tide. Apia is on the north-west coast of Upolu, and is the only Samoan clearance port. Its harbour is busy, hot, crowded, noisy and polluted. Unless crippled, yachts must berth in the marina for clearances, and then are told it is compulsory to remain there. Unfortunately, the 20-berth marina is in the worst corner of the harbour, out of the breeze and opposite several noisy bars and nightclubs, making sleep nearly impossible. Amenities are non-existent to basic while berths are A$7 per foot per day including water and power (Ed: that’s A$280 a day for Dione). Yachts that did anchor out were charged A$50 a week for dinghy access to shore and, despite not berthing, the marina sought to prevent them from

Apia Marina, Samoa

clearing Samoa until ‘equivalent berthing fees’ were paid. The Apia harbourmaster advised that this was not government policy, however potential cruisers should check the situation for themselves. Because of these steep fees we shortened our stay in Upolu by two weeks. Other than the lack of sleep, the time we spent there was a delight. Apia is a vibrant, compact, modern city, walking distance from the harbour with abundant inexpensive taxis for longer trips. The superb range and quality of food had us re-stocking with gusto and while there were no marine suppliers, there were good hardware stores. Gas, water and fuel were easily obtained.

Since Savai’i is a 70 nm sail west from Apia, and our next port of Wallis Island was 250 nm west again, we had applied for a permit to clear Samoa from Apia then cruise Savai’i before continuing directly to Wallis Island. Not all yachts are granted this permit so we were most grateful to the Samoan government for allowing us to clear out of Samoa before cruising Savai’i. After a delightful run from Apia, we anchored in Asau harbour on the north-west coast of Savai’i. This extensive harbour gives excellent all around shelter, secure dinghy landing, superb reef snorkelling and good fishing. Dining, siiva (traditional dance), basic groceries and car hire were all handy to the main anchorage. We hired a car for the day and explored. The island is 30% larger than Upolu with one-third the population and a strong traditional Samoan culture. Savai’ians fish, manage extensive and immaculate plantations of taro, banana, papaya and coconut and grow local, European and Asian greens as well as tomatoes, cucumber, eggplant, pumpkin and watermelon. The island is volcanic with about 450 volcanic cones, and a lush rainforest interior. Black lava is everywhere and on great reaches of the north coast there are spectacular blowholes. Gardens are often planted among the rocks.

We hired a scooter as an affordable and fun way to see around. Wherever we went we were enchanted by the beauty of the island. Every village competes with its neighbour to be declared the most beautiful in Samoa. Exquisite tropical plants of vivid colours decorate virtually every garden and fale

When a two day 15-20 kt SE window opened up for the passage from Savai’i to Wallis Island, we wistfully farewelled Samoa and headed back to sea. The 190 nm passage runs north of west so the angle made it rolly, while squalls drenched us from time to time. After heaving-to for a few hours to await high tide to enter the pass, an amazing new world opened ahead of Dione.

Falealupo Village, Samoa

Alofaaga Blowholes, Savai’i

The main pass into the Wallis Island lagoon is wide, deep and well-marked, however we knew tidal overfalls could form in the pass on the out-going tide in strong SE conditions, so awaiting high slack water seemed safest. Wallis Island and its stunning lagoon were a delightful surprise. This French-administered jewel has no tourist industry and is rarely visited by yachts, yet it boasts the best food and provisioning north of New Caledonia, one of the best lagoons for beauty, security, navigational safety and cruising variety we have ever enjoyed, and incredibly welcoming people. We stayed for three weeks instead of one and spent little time aboard. Yachts may choose from several anchorages spread across and around the lagoon depending on the weather and favoured activities. The main anchorage is untenable in strong SE winds and the dinghy hard to land. We moved Dione to Baie de Gahi and based ourselves in this pretty, snug and protected bay for our time in Wallis. This was a great decision because it meant hitch-hiking to Mata Utu for clearances and bulk supplies. It only took a few minutes to pick up a ride and we met some wonderfully kind and fun people with whom we will remain friends. Dione became so well known that Baie de Gahi was unofficially re-named Baie de Dione for the duration of our stay. Eventually the local television crew became so interested in why we were sailing around the Pacific, and why we would stop in at Wallis, that they sent

Samoan Umu

one of their reporters to investigate. With some of our new friends we sailed to one of the outer islets for a day of snorkelling, swimming, lunch and more sailing, all the while being interviewed and filmed for a half-hour journal report that showed on French TV across the Pacific and in France. Ashore is a unique adventure! There are no buses, taxis or road signs, few Englishspeaking Wallisians, and a smattering of French-born locals who work in mainly government roles. There are hire cars though and plenty of sites around the island to explore, including the 16th century fort

built to defend the population from hordes of invading Tongan cannibals. Wallis Island is most interesting both culturally and historically. We absolutely loved all aspects of it and would return in a heartbeat. Leaving was a familiar wrench but cyclone seasons wait for no sailor, so on the first kind wind and sea we bid â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;au revoirâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to new friends and finally turned Dione northwest, to re-visit Tuvalu for the first time in fourteen years: another adventure awaiting just over the horizon.

SW Coast, Wallis Island

Dione, Biae de Gahi, Wallis Island

Wallis Island Sailing Club, Juniors

Glen Phoning Home, Baie de Gahi, Wallis Island

ANACONDA II ROUND THE WORLD RACE By Arthur Vandenbroek and Campbell Mackie

The 1975 Financial Times Round the World Race and the crew of Anaconda ll - Part 1

N March 1976, Adelaide-built yacht Anaconda II departed RSAYS for Sydney to compete in the Financial Times Round the World Yacht Race. These were the pioneering days of such races, and Anaconda II was the only Australian yacht competing. From Sydney they sailed deep into the Southern Ocean – 66 degrees 30 minutes south was iceberg country, and then there was the Horn. The crew included many RSAYS members who have continued to make a significant contribution to the seafaring heritage of our Club. They were young men then, fearless and full of excitement and enthusiasm for adventure. Forty years on it is time to reflect on the impact this remarkable achievement has had on their lives. Here is a brief window into their stories. The instigator of this great endeavour was owner/skipper Josko Grubic whose story was featured in the June 2009 edition of the Squadron Quarterly. Josko, like a number of other Squadron members, was introduced to sailing on Sari and thus began a lifetime engagement with the sport. He

Josko Grubic

built five boats and sailed in 27 SydneyHobarts, the Financial Times Round the World Race, the Parmelia Race, the Rio Race and the Heard Island expedition and more. It is estimated that he sailed some 800,000 nautical miles. Before the FTRTW race old Cape Horners came to inspect Anaconda II and opined that she wouldn’t be good enough to make it around. The rest is history. Sadly Josko was to see Anaconda II meet her end as a result of cyclone Yasi in February 2011. Josko was the most colourful of yachtsmen and a deepwater adventurer who gave thousands of people opportunities to sail to extraordinary destinations. A passionate member of the RSAYS, Josko sailed into Tranquil Waters in 2011. Anaconda II sailed with three watches – the Wonder Watch, the Cruising Watch and the Chelsea Pensioners. The stories of the crew of the Wonder Watch are told here: Lou Davidson was the master and navigator. He was 25 years in the RAN, specialising in the Hydrographic Surveying Branch (famously naming Davidson Rock in Spencer Gulf a couple of nautical miles north-east of Boston Island), when Josko asked him if he would like to join his crew as navigator. Lou responded instantly – “Sure, why not?” So he downed Navy tools (ie retired) and went off for a sailing jaunt which continued his life at sea but kickstarted it under sail. Returning to Sydney after 14,000 nautical miles of the FT race he was welcomed as a delivery skipper which generally assured him a position in the racing crew. Rolly Tasker’s Siska IV was the next marathon. Siska participated in the 1979 Parmelia Race from Plymouth to Cape Town and Fremantle to celebrate 150 years of white settlement in the Perth area. Siska changed hands and was renamed Vengeance which had

something to do with Rolly’s 1978 Hobart race in which he was a non-starter and was booted off the starting line. So he began five minutes before the gun and arrived in Hobart 20 hours before the ‘second’ yacht, Apollo – the biggest winning margin in the history of the race. Lou participated in local Sydney racing, including off shores to the north and south, and Sydney-Hobarts and returns. When Vengeance owner Bernard Lewis decided to build a serious maxi to a Dave Pedrick design, the 83 ft Sovereign resulted. Sovereign won all the races contested in 1987 before winning the 1987 SydneyHobart, claiming the ‘double’, the first Australian yacht to do so. Bernard decided to campaign overseas and so Lou was off on another long delivery from Sydney to Newport, Rhode Island via Hawaii for the 1988 Kenwood Cup. He then went on to San Francisco for the Big Boat series. It was exciting stuff with six maxis racing cheek by jowl in San Francisco Bay. Then through the Panama Canal to St Thomas in the British Virgin Islands, the first of the regattas for the 1989 World Maxi Championship, and then on to Newport RI via a memorable stopover in Bermuda, which just happened to coincide with the USA College spring break! Arriving in Newport for the second regatta of the Maxi Worlds, Sovereign made a clean sweep, having won both the St Thomas and Newport series. Sovereign was then sold and Lou managed to get a berth on the J Class Shamrock V owned by the Newport Museum of Yachting. Elizabeth Meyer of Levi Jeans fame had rebuilt Sir Thomas Sopwith’s J Class Endeavour and then the two raced in Narragansett Bay before sailing to New York, there intending to race for the benefit of New Yorkers. However, the super officious US Coast Guard dug up some antiquated rule about foreign built vessels not being allowed to raise/earn money in US waters. (It had been hoped to take the public on board for the races if they became members of the Museum for $100.) After a month in the Big Apple Shamrock returned to Newport and Lou headed home to Sydney. He managed a couple more Hobarts, his thirteenth and last being on JT’s Allegro in 2010. (JT of course had been a crew member of Anaconda II.) Not counting around the buoys, the above sailing totals about 130,000 nautical miles. No wonder he reckons he is wet between the ears. And that’s sailing! Interspersed with the above Lou spent eight months of each year for nine years as Master of a tanker flogging fuel around the Pacific from Singapore to Tahiti and the Cooks. He is now resident a goodly distance from the sea in Gympie in Queensland. Lou’s parting comment was to say – “Thanks, Josko, for the kick start.”

When Kritter II, who was third behind Anaconda II in the second race, was to be taken from Dover to St Katharine Dock, Arthur, his wife Trish and friends Julia Steel and Craig Mitchell got to go for the ride. Olivier De Kersauson (the skipper) was so intent on being sociable to his guests, that he ran Kriter II aground on the sands in the Thames Estuary and had to wait for the tide before he could get off. No damage was done, other than to the Frenchman’s pride!

Arthur Vandenbroek

After finishing the race in Dover Arthur Vandenbroek, who was the sailmaker, stayed with Anaconda II, sailing her up the historic Thames River to St Katharine Dock in London. Stopping at Greenwich they visited the National Maritime Museum to inspect the famous clipper ship Cutty Sark and Sir Francis Chichester’s Gypsy Moth IV. They were introduced to the skipper of the Cutty Sark who gave them special permission to climb the rigging – about 180 ft up! Arthur climbed up to the ‘truck’ atop the mainmast and gave it a kiss ‘for luck’, then slid down the halyards and ratlines back to the deck. He was fit in those days but glad they we were not out in a gale with 50 ft waves to deal with. St Katharine Dock was an amazing place with much relevance to Australians. Convicts in ball and chain had embarked there for transportation to Australia. While at the dock Arthur even met some Australians who had found their ancestor’s signature inscribed in the wall. He was also privileged to meet Sir Robin KnoxJohnston, who in 1969 won the Golden Globe Race and became the first person to sail single-handed non-stop around the world. Sir Robin invited Arthur to go aboard the 32 ft double-ender Suhaili in which he had completed his circumnavigation. An invitation that was readily accepted! They met many interesting characters, including the skipper of the Gladis – an historic Thames Barge that had won many races up the Thames River over the years.

The Anaconda II crew were presented with their medals by Princess Alexandra, and Lou Davidson returned Captain Bligh’s chronometer to the British Naval Museum before the rest of the crew returned home. Trish and Arthur then went touring in the United Kingdom. Back in Australia they met John Field and Alby Mangels (of World Safari fame) in Port Adelaide. Arthur had heard about them buying the Gretta Marie in Queensland and bringing her back to Port Adelaide for a major refit. They asked Arthur and Trish to join them for a few years up in the Pacific islands. Refitting a timber boat with an oldschool rig was a mammoth learning curve! They had to learn a lot, including how to fit in as a married couple among a constant influx of wild and adventurous folk. It was an opportunity of a lifetime. The Greta Marie progressed to Sydney for film promotions and meanwhile the maintenance of the ship was becoming more routine. It was at this point that Trish and Arthur left the Greta Marie to get their own boat to do their own thing. Arriving back in Adelaide in 1977 they started their own business, SA Motor Trimming Centre. The business went well and they bought a 28 ft Daydream (Argana) at the RSAYS, and learned a lot more about wooden boats. In 1981 Trish and Arthur became parents to Rhys, and that was also the year Natani joined their family. Natani is a Blythe Spirit of 30 ft, built by Owen Trewartha (an Anaconda II shipmate) and launched in 1966. Arthur did two SydneyHobart races in her (1968 and 1970) and was consistent with a 48th and a 47th.

Arthur was preparing to do the 50th Hobart in 1994-95 but to get Natani up to Category One was not in his budget, so he had to pull out. But Don Morton gave him the opportunity to do that race on Toolka-T with a great crew including Jimmy Howell as navigator, Chris Perry and New Zealander crew Dirk and Vic. Natani and Arthur are still in love after 37 years, winning overall the Port Line Cup and Plympton Cup, plus multiple firsts, seconds and thirds in her divisions – almost too many to remember them all! Natani was in the very first Twilight race in South Australia. Cruising is much more Arthur’s focus now. Natani had a major refurbishment of her hull eighteen months ago, requiring a complete re-sheathing. Arthur thanks Julian Murray, Steve Dunne, Bones, Rob and more! Arthur’s involvement in the RSAYS and the friendships made there have enabled him to cope with the loss of his wife Trish to cancer in 1987, with his son then five years old. Rhys, having been brainwashed with sailing and boats all of his life, makes Arthur proud – not only in sailing but as a parent and in his business. After about five years Arthur met Heather and they had two daughters, Rhianna and Emily, who are now 22 and 19 years old. Despite having parted company, Heather and Arthur continue to share the parenting responsibilities. When the good ship Catriona came up for sale Arthur missed out on buying her by one hour! As events unfolded, he was later able to facilitate her purchase by Adrian Donald. Bones, and a lot of other experts in their field, got to work on Catriona and about eighteen months later she was possibly better than she was when first built due to the application of modern technology. Adrian entered Catriona in the wooden boat show in Hobart in February 2015 and Arthur got to sail on her ‘west about’ Tasmania, including into Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour, exuberant that he had had the opportunity – he felt like a dog with two tails! Now he’s busting to take Natani to Tasmania as soon as he can. Continued on Page 42 .....

..... Continued from Page 41 On his return from Hobart Arthur restructured his business to be a mobile workshop and moved to Goolwa. Arthur says that after 40 years as an RSAYS member he is truly grateful for all the opportunities and experiences he’s had and been given by such an amazing group of people. Only a week after finishing the race in the UK, John Taylor returned to Adelaide, his studies and tried his hand at various business ventures, including house renovating and a fruit and nut business at the Adelaide Airport. Keen to do more sailing, he joined the WA yacht Siska in the 1979 Fastnet Race and Plymouth-toFremantle Parmelia Race, during which he obtained the nickname ‘JT ‘ to distinguish him from the other two ‘Johns’ aboard. In 1980 he moved to the Gold Coast and became a stockbroker which then took him to Hong Kong for nine years, years which were spent living aboard boats in Aberdeen Harbour. While in HK he married Jackie, the daughter of Anaconda II navigator Lou Davidson. They returned to Australia in 1994 with a couple of kids. Robert is now doing officer training in the army and Laura is working for an NGO. On returning to Sydney in 1994, JT set up a printing and mailing business which still keeps him busy between his involvement in Sailability, Rotary and the occasional sailing trip. In 2011 he circumnavigated Australia with several of the Anaconda II crew assisting on various legs, and more recently he crewed

Skipper and Crew on Anoconda II

on Peter Riddell’s Southern Myth in the 2014 Sydney-Hobart race. Reflecting on the past 40 years, JT says, “The Anaconda experience was the greatest opportunity I could have had at 18 – it was the launch pad to a world of great adventures, opportunities and enduring friendships.” On his return to Australia Craig Mitchell sailed with Anaconda II crew member ‘Chook’ Wall Smith and other Anaconda II crew on Chook’s lovely Spencer half tonner Roustabout. He experienced many very enjoyable campaigns, including the Melbourne to Hobart, and Half Ton Nationals in Hobart.

Then Craig returned to Lightweight Sharpie sailing, balanced with further offshore campaigns and Sydney-Hobarts, with several likable skippers and crews. His last Hobart was the 1998 race which he says, “We got through OK.” He then returned to regular Sharpie sailing, up to and including the present. Craig observes that, “Yes, sailing can be an addictive sport.” The Autumn edition of SQ will complete the stories of the members of the other two watches of Anaconda II – the Cruising Watch and the Chelsea Pensioners.

A Freak of Navigation

SS Warrimoo

ITH another New Year on the horizon, it’s timely to read this intriguing piece, submitted by two Squadron members, Chris Mandalov and Peter Dermott. We wonder if they were in the same hemisphere at exactly the same time when they forwarded it. What a coincidence if they were! The passenger steamer SS Warrimoo was quietly knifing its way through the waters of the mid-Pacific on its way from Vancouver to Australia. The navigator had just finished working out a star fix and brought the master, Captain John

Phillips, the result. The Warrimoo’s position was latitude 0 degrees x 31 minutes north and longitude 179 degrees x 30 minutes west. The date was 30 December 1899. “Know what this means?” First Mate Payton broke in, “We’re only a few miles from the intersection of the Equator and the International Date Line”. Captain Phillips was prankish enough to take full advantage of the opportunity for achieving the navigational freak of a lifetime. He called his navigators to the bridge to check and double check the ship’s position. He changed course slightly so as to bear directly on his mark. Then he adjusted the engine speed. The calm weather and clear night worked in his favour. At midnight the SS Warrimoo lay on the Equator at exactly the point where it crossed the International Date Line! The consequences of this bizarre position were many. The forward part (bow) of the ship was in the Southern Hemisphere and the middle of summer. The rear (stern) was in the Northern Hemisphere and in the middle of winter. The date in the aft

part of the ship was 30 December 1899. Forward it was 1 January 1900. This ship was therefore not only in two different days, two different months, two different seasons and two different years, but in two different centuries – all at the same time! Source: A reference to the author is at: http://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/ a-freak-of-navigation.428608/ Peter obtained some further information on the SS Warrimoo from the Lloyds Register of Shipping, 1915-16. Signal Letters: N.K.G.W. Built: 1982 - C.S. Swan & Co, Hunter, Newcastle Owners: Union Steamship Co. of New Zealand Ltd. Registered: Dunedin, N.Z. Beam: 42.2 ft Tonnage: Gross 3,529 tons, Net 2,076 tons

WAS recently invited to speak at the Winter Solstice Dinner held by the Wooden Boat Chapter of the Squadron. It was quite a daunting task. Not speaking in front of a gathering, but rather choosing an appropriate topic. Not considering myself to have any vast experience or knowledge to impart I chose to stay away from technical detail. Instead, I decided to explore what it is that makes that strange breed of boating enthusiast: those obsessed with wood.

THE WONDER OF WOOD By Troy Lawrence

Timber boat enthusiasts, I believe, are some of the world’s greatest lovers! We are the Don Juans and Madame du Pompadours of the boating world. The romantics, the poets, the artists and the dreamers. Also the stubborn, the frugal and those reluctant to embrace change. Wooden boat owners and enthusiasts are driven by the beauty of their boats. Yes, they may still be competitive, still like to race and even more so like to win. But the elegance and grace of a timber boat are a hugely important part of the experience. Of course everyone’s tastes are slightly different and everyone’s passions are derived from their own experiences. My passion for timber boats started two generations before I was born. My grandparents came out to Australia as ‘10 pound poms’ after the war. As a country boy from Surrey, my grandad knew nothing of boats. But shortly after arriving, they moved to Albany on the south coast of WA and he started a lifelong love affair with the sea. My Dad followed suit and then when I came along I was inducted into the family weekend ritual of sailing, fishing and generally mucking about in boats. Sunday mornings were spent doing the rounds of the waterfront to see what was new within the week - a visiting ship or the latest boat up on the slip. Our boats were never fancy, quite the opposite, a mismatch of sails, spars and rigging begged, borrowed or stolen (though I doubt the last bit).To me this always felt like the true essence of ‘mucking about in boats’ and when I look back on it now, it captured that element of resourcefulness on which many boaties (particularly cruising sailors) pride themselves. We never ventured past the shelter of King George Sound - ‘shelter’ being a term that I use very loosely, which all southern ocean sailors will understand. As a teenager my urge to venture further grew stronger with tales of people like Robin Lee Graham and Thor Heyerdahl. After I left school, while working, I took a holiday on the STS Leeuwin. Although I had a reasonable working knowledge of boats and sailing, this was vastly different from anything I had done before and confirmed my passion for the sea. I was invited back to work on the ship and jumped at the opportunity. For the next year or so I worked as crew, sailing up and down the West Australian coast and through the Northern Territory.

RSAYS WOODEN BOAT CHAPTER

Hail Poets, Artists, Dreamers and the Stubborn Adelaide boat owners are indeed lucky to have the skillful, timber loving shipwright Troy Lawrence settle in Adelaide. Troy reveres the beautiful mature timbers he works with and the timber boats from which they are constructed. He addressed an irreverent bunch of wooden boat officianados at the Wooden Boat Chapter annual meeting in the Dinghy Shed.. Over the next few years I went on to work on several other sailing ships around Australia and as I worked my way through the ranks became more and more responsible for the maintenance of the vessels. Often working alongside shipwrights I was in awe of their ability to take rough sections of timber and transform them into perfectly fitting curved pieces. I started vaguely looking for an apprenticeship seeking only to work with timber boats which was easier said than done. Eventually I came across Simon Sadubin at Sydney Harbour Wooden Boats (now Sydney Wooden Boats). He was based out of the historic boat shed at Chowder Bay (Clifton Gardens) and was interested in taking on his first apprentice. I am very grateful for having served my time with Simon. Having both a background in industrial design and a fine furniture maker for a father means that Simon has an incredibly good eye for detail. The physical difference between whether something looks good or looks amazing is often very subtle and hard to identify. As well as being an excellent shipwright, Simon is very good at implementing those subtleties. During my time I was also lucky enough to work with Rick Wood under whom Simon had previously served his time. Rick is a wonderful teacher, patient, encouraging

and an excellent tradesman. Again, subtlety was an integral part of his teachings. Sometimes you just need to know how to hold your tongue in the right spot! After completing my trade with Simon, I returned to work on sailing ships, now as a shipwright. This really felt like coming full circle. Working on ships had nurtured my passion for timber boats and driven my yearning to become a shipwright. It felt like an opportunity to give back to something that had played such a pivotal part in my life choices. I then took a few years out to look after two small children and now, here in Adelaide, I am happily on the tools once again. So for me working on timber boats combines my passion for sailing with maintaining things of great beauty. I love the fact that timber boats are built from a material that previously had a life for hundreds, possibly thousands of years. I spend a lot of time considering that with our forests dwindling these resources are not easily replaced which also means in some ways that neither are our timber boats. I consider the work that I do quite important - in preserving perhaps irreplaceable works of art. And for that I considered myself extremely lucky.

IN TRANQUIL WATERS When in Adelaide he purchased a Cole 23 trailer sailer and sailed in many Milang to Goolwa races. Then he moved to bigger boats. Barry Allison remembers him sailing on Audacious II and that he was a delightful crew. He often planned a cruise on paper before they headed off to KI or across the gulf, with times and watches for the crew, and even planned a menu for the cruise. He enjoyed the thrill of bashing into big seas, was keen on fishing and particularly eating the catch. Audacious II was a typical cruising craft and Tom, at times, wished she would go a little faster. He moved to Jimmy Howell’s racing craft. Barry says that Tom was a great companion at sea and will be missed.

Thomas Muir 27 March 1943 - 8 July 2016

OM started sailing as a young man in Scotland and after joining the Royal Air Force he continued sailing when posted to Singapore. Tom and his family migrated to Adelaide in 1973 and he started work at Chrysler Australia progressing to Manager, Business Systems and Integration with Mitsubishi Australia until his retirement.

29 March 1926 – 7 June 2016

EN’S parents were Edward and Alma Gifford who lived at 12 Ellen Street, Semaphore where his son Bailey now lives. He was an only child growing up in the Depression and World War II but had the opportunity to explore the reaches of Port River and Torrens Island with sailing mates even when still at primary school. His secondary schooling at Adelaide Technical High School lead to an interest in human physiology and accordingly he gained employment at the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science where he worked for 47 years.

Jimmy Howell and all the crew members of Vulcan express our deepest regret at the loss of our crew mate Tom. He was a true gentleman always happy to be out on the water. Even in recent times when not up to racing he would still be there to help in whatever way he could. We’re sure we’ll feel him in Port Lincoln next year cheering us across the line. ‘But I shall have peacefully furled my sail in mooring sheltered from storm and gale.’ Paul Dawe

When Tom decided to do some serious offshore sailing, he joined Jimmy Howell as a crew member on Sunburst and continued on Vulcan until February this year. He spent the last 10 years also enjoying golf, travelling with his partner Sandy and sailing with his mates on Vulcan. He also took part in 14 annual Outback Odyssey Bush Bashes as a navigator and saw parts of Australia that few Scotsmen have ever seen. He passed away peacefully on 8 July this year at the Flinders Medical Centre leaving children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

His main interests were mucking about in boats but his secondary love was motor sport and sports cars. In 1949 around the time he met Claire, when his principal transport was an MG TE, his pride and joy, for which he had dutifully scrimped and saved. He and Claire were married in Semaphore in 1951 but with the start of their family in 1955, they bought a Holden FJ. A very beige vehicle in comparison to the MG.

Kenneth Gifford

The following obituary was placed in the Advertiser by Chris Howell:

Then another woman, Arrabella, came into Ken’s life. She was an extremely dowdy lump of a boat that Ken shared with his old school friend, Bill Haga. Most Sundays while the family was growing up, Ken would be at Outer Harbor working on the boat. Occasionally the whole family would go fishing with Claire and Bill the fishers, Ken the mechanic and sons Bailey and Digby the long suffering crew. During the early 1970s Ken and Bailey restored a BMW R60 in the rumpus room at home. A time of great bonding. Similarly Digby, as a young child, benefited from the shed experience with Ken, learning the practice of straightening nails on an anvil, an art handed down from Ken’s grandfather. The 1980s saw Ken more involved with the RSAYS. He was a Squadron member for 36 years, latterly crewing on the start boat for many of them. His first grandchildren arrived

in 1985 and 1989. They mainly gathered together at times like Christmas lunch when Ken would enjoy their company and the meal before retiring for his after dinner nap, one of many traditions he honoured. Eventually the maintenance and upkeep of their home at Colonel Light Gardens became too much and Ken and Claire moved to ‘On Statenborough at Leabrook’. The family had much fun clearing Ken’s shed of straight nails, left handed gloves tied with twine and more than a dozen forks, rakes and shovels, trowels, cement mixers and wheel barrows which had been superfluous at IMVS! In February 2013, Ken and Claire became great grandparents. Noah Jay has been a source of much pleasure for them both. Ken quietly left his mark on friends and family and is greatly missed.

RIC joined the Squadron in the early 1970s and resigned in May 2000 as at that time he was living in Hobart and had done so for seven years. He was one of the Squadron personalities; he frequently wore sarongs and Hawaiian shirts and often walked with a cane. He owned the 33ft Mistral, which was lost on the Coorong in the late 1960s. Maurice Bellemans was the skipper, and a young crewman lost his life, becoming tangled in the rigging as the yacht was pounded to pieces in the surf. I think only her wooden mast was salvaged and did duty in a multichine centreboard schooner in North Haven Marina for many years.

Eric Charles Thomas Mack 3 February 1932 – 14 November 2015

While at the Squadron, he owned the gaff cutter Dauntless, a very shapely small cruiser now at Kangaroo Island. Next he bought the Blythe Spirit Ariel from Merv Butterfield. He re-rigged her as a cutter and sailed her locally until sold to Rod Wells. He then bought a 40ft steel chine cutter Kay, which he took to Hobart when he relocated there.

He later sold her and bought a larger vessel Golden Haze in Hobart. Eric did many things: he was a cadet journalist with the Adelaide News, and later the Australian United Press in Sydney. He joined the RAA as public relations officer and editor of South Australian Motor. He also wrote several children’s stories for the ABC, wrote and produced a television series, and freelanced feature articles in various Australian newspapers and magazines. He was a foundation member of KESAB (Keep South Australia Beautiful), and a good friend of world cruising yachtsman Alan Quigley of Youth Trophy fame. The remarkable trophy was designed by Eric to celebrate cruising achievements by South Australian yachtsmen. Truly a man for all seasons. Bones

Portrait by Robert Hannaford

OLD YACHTS’ DEMISE By Kingsley Haskett The Oregon mast and spars were built in the first winter after launching and she was rigged for the 1954/1955 racing season. The most significant of many alterations was the addition of the counter in 1964, which increased the overall length from 30ft 10in to 35ft and the waterline length from 24ft to about 27ft.

Sari

ARI! Sari! Sari! Many will remember the very distinctive American drawl of Lieutenant Commander USN, Retired, Maurice Bellemans (or ‘Hank the Yank’ as he was otherwise known), calling via Adelaide Radio from his Atkins design steel schooner Sari. She was fitted with a very powerful HF radio, only matched by Lance Le Cornu’s on Lauriana, both of which could easily overpower the reach of all of the other local fishing fleet and yachts. (See Dr. Last’s profile in SQ Spring 2016, pg.30).

Sari

Two long-standing Squadron boats have recently been removed from the pool and scrapped. Bones shares a little of their history for members who might be interested.

Cooinda

LAN and Mock Sarah commenced building Cooinda in Hansen & Yuncken’s Torrensville depot in 1951. They then moved it to their new yard at Richmond in 1952 completing the hull and fit out into 1953 ready for launching. This took place at 0330 hrs on 19 December on the Squadron’s old slip near the old caretaker’s house.

Sari, a John Atkins design Island Princess steel V-bottom schooner of 36ft 7in overall, was built by Maurice Bellemans at his business premises, Bell Industries Consulting Engineers at West Street, Brompton. She was his pride and joy. She was launched in the late 1960s and lived most of her life at the Port Adelaide Sailing Club at Jenkins Street, Port Adelaide. She cruised far and wide but never left state waters. She won the 1971 Adelaide Lincoln race and interestingly, the Squadron yacht Cooinda was second. Keith Flint in Scimitar was fastest in a fleet of 31, which was the largest fleet to take part in this race at that time. Maurice is long gone and now his proud schooner has gone to the scrapper, unloved and uncared for in her later years. She was followed by Cooinda, also forgotten and unloved and now broken up. We often don’t care for the elderly in our midst. Vale.

BERTHS FOR SALE & RENT Berths for Sale - November 2016 Length (metres)

Berth Type

Price From

8.2 Hard Stands Best Deal - HS10 or HS12 (Tarmac) 9.2 Dry Stand Best Deal - DS01 10 Marina Best Deal - I25 (Double) 11 Marina Best Deal - C14 (Single) 12 Marina Best Deal - A03 (Double) 13 Marina Best Deal - E04 (Double) 14 Marina Best Deal - I07 or I08 (Double) 15 Marina Best Deal - J10 (Double) 16 Marina Best Deal -G05 (Single) 18 Marina Best Deal - SI14 (Double) 20 Marina Best Deal - H01 (Cat) 22 Marina Best Deal - SI11 (Single Super) 25 Marina Best Deal - SI07 (Single Super) 27 Marina Best Deal - I27 (T-Head) 30 Marina Best Deal - SI06 (Single Super)

Price To

$5,000.00

$7,000.00 $5,000.00

$5,000.00

$5,000.00 $5,000.00

$40,000.00 $80,000.00 $40,000.00 All offers considered $39,000.00 $55,000.00 $39,000.00 $42,000.00 $67,000.00 $42,000.00 Neg $30,000.00 $100,000.00 $30,000.00 Neg $90,000.00 $120,000.00 $90,000.00 Reduced. All offers considered $50,000.00 $145,000.00 $50,000.00 Reduced. $78,000.00 $195,000.00 $78,000.00 Reduced. All offers considered $110,000.00 $175,000.00 $110,000.00 All offers considered $130,000.00 $130,000 Neg $160,000.00 $240,000.00 $160,000.00 Reduced. All offers considered $120,000.00 $120,000.00 $370,000.00 $370,000.00 $320,000.00 $375,000.00 $320,000.00

Above is a summary of berths available, not a complete list. For further information please contact Andrew McDowell - General Manager Email general.manager@rsays.com.au or Phone 8341 8600 Price & availability are subject to change without notice

Berths for Rent - November 2016 Length (metres)

Pen

Berth Type

Berth No

$ Per Week

8.2

Single

HARDSTANDS

VARIOUS

$23.25

Double

MARINA

I24

$82.50

Single

MARINA

B13

$90.75

Double

MARINA

C06

$99.00

Single

MARINA

C12

$99.00

Double

MARINA

D08

$99.00

Single

MARINA

E07

$107.25

Double

MARINA

I01 & I01A

$115.50

Single

MARINA

F07

$123.75

Single

MARINA

F08

$123,75

Single

MARINA

J17

$132.00

Single

MARINA

SI09

$344.38

Single

MARINA

SI09

$344.38

Notes

SUITABLE FOR CAT BERTH

For further information please contact Kathy Bernhardt-Loechel Email marina.services@rsays.com.au or Phone 8341 8600 Price & availability are subject to change without notice All berth rentals are subject to terms & conditions TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR PERMANENT RENTAL OF BERTHS, ALL VESSEL OWNERS MUST BE CURRENT MEMBERS OF RSAYS

EVENTS CALENDAR January 2017 Sun 1 External Mon 2 to External Fri 6 External Fri 6 Racing External Sat 7 Racing Wed 11

Racing

Sat 14

Racing

Sun 15 Wed 18 Fri 20

Racing Racing Racing

Sat 21

Racing

Sun 22 Wed 25

Cruising Racing Cruising Racing Squadron Racing Cruising Racing Cruising Juniors Racing

Thu 26 Fri 27 Sat 28 Sun 29

March 2017 New Year's Day Australian 9'ers Championships Sporting Car Club - Dining Room Friday Afternoon Sternchasers Australian 9'er Championships & Presentations on the Quarter Deck Club Series; AMS Club Championships Div 1 & Div 2; State IRC & AMS Div 2; Queen of the Gulf; Commodores' Shield; Tri Series Twilight Series 2 Inshore Series; AMS Club Championships Div 1 & Div 2; Etchells Series 2 Women's Series Twilight Series 2 Friday Afternoon Sternchasers Inshore Series; AMS Club Championships Div 1 & Div 2; State IRC & AMS Div 2 Crabbing Day Twilight Series 2 Australia Day Stansbury Cruise Geelong Festival of Sails Australia Day BBQ Geelong Festival of Sails Australia Day Stansbury Cruise Kaesler Cup; Geelong Festival of Sails Australia Day Weekend Cruise Junior Sail Training 7; Club Championships 5 & 6 Sea Safety Day; Geelong Festival of Sails

Wed 1 Fri 3

Racing Racing

Sat 4

Racing

Sun 5 Wed 8

Racing Racing Cruising External Juniors Cruising External Juniors Cruising

Sat 11

Sun 12

Mon 13 Tue 14 Wed 15 Thu 16 Fri 17

Wed 1 Fri 3

Racing Racing

Sat 4

Racing

Sun 5 Wed 8

External Racing

Sat 11

Racing

Sun 12

Juniors Racing

Mon 13

Management

Wed 15

Racing

Thu 16 Fri 17 Fri 17 to Tue 21 Mon 20 to Thu 23 Sun 26

External Racing External Racing

Twilight Series 2 Friday Afternoon Sternchasers Offfshore Series (Ardrossan Race); Club Series, Tri Series; Flotilla for Kids Twilight Series 2 Inshore Series; State IRC & AMS Div 1; Etchells Series 2 Junior Sail Training 8; Fun Races 7 & 8 Women's Series Squadron Quarterly Autumn Edition - Deadline for Articles Twilight Series 2 - Combined with CYCSA; CYCSA host. King of the Gulf Race briefing at RSAYS Adelaide to Pt Lincoln Race briefing at CYCSA King of the Gulf Regatta Musto Offshore Series (Adelaide to Pt Lincoln); State IRC & AMS Div 1

External

King of the Glf Regatta

Racing

Pt Lincoln Week

Juniors Social

Junior Sail Training 9; Club Championships 7 & 8 Music on the Quarter Deck

Juniors External External Racing External External Racing Social External

Sat 18 Sun 19 Mon 20 Tue 21 Wed 22

February 2017

External

Thu 23 Fri 24

Racing External Racing External External External Racing External Management External Cruising External

Sat 25 Racing Cruising Sun 26 Fri 31

Racing Racing

Twilight Series 2 Friday Afternoon Sternchasers Inshore Series; AMS Club Championships Div 1 & Div 2; State IRC & AMS Div 2; Women's Series Twilight Series 2 (Ladies Helm) 3 City Cruise Northern Spencer Gulf Cruise Juniors Camp 3 City Cruise Northern Spencer Gulf Cruise Juniors Camp 3 City Cruise Adelaide Cup Holiday; Northern Spencer Gulf Cruise Juniors Camp Northern Spencer Gulf Cruise Northern Spencer Gulf Cruise Twilight Series 2 Northern Spencer Gulf Cruise Northern Spencer Gulf Cruise Musto Offshore Series (Island Cup); Friday Afternoon Sternchasers Wine Tasting Northern Spencer Gulf Cruise Club Series; Tri Series; Etchells State Titles Northern Spencer Gulf Cruise Women's Series Northern Spencer Gulf Cruise Northern Spencer Gulf Cruise Northern Spencer Gulf Cruise Twilight Series 2 & Presentations Northern Spencer Gulf Cruise Quarterly Meeting of Members Northern Spencer Gulf Cruise Brighton Seacliffe Yacht Club Cruise Northern Spencer Gulf Cruise Inshore Series; Commodores' Shield; Premier's Cup AMS Club Championships Div 1 & Div 2; State IRC & AMS Div 1; State IRC & AMS Div 2; Brighton Seacliffe Yacht Club Cruise Premier's Cup; State IRC & AMS Div 1; State IRC & AMS Div 2 Friday Afternoon Sternchasers

CAPTUR

EXPRESSION • 7” touch screen media navigation system • ECO mode for lower fuel consumption • Rear view camera and sensors • Keyless entry / start • 16” alloys

KOLEOS BOSE

CLIO AUTHENTIQUE • Turbo-charged manual engine • ABS, ESC, ASR traction control and EBD • Stop&Start fuel efficient technology • LED daytime running lights • Bluetooth® phone pairing Renault CLIO MEGANE R.S. • Cruise control with speedRenault limiter Expression Manual 265 Cup Manual

20k

• BOSE® audio system • Dark charcoal leather upholstery • R-Link Sat Nav with 7” touchscreen • Front and rear parking sensors • Hands-free entry and engine start • Blind Spot Warning (BSW)

46k or 0% p.a. $

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llic paint and Clio R.S. Sport, Megane GT-Line Hatch with metallic paint and Megane R.S. 265 Cup with signature paint valid for vehicles ordered between uyers. Renault reserves the right to vary, extend or withdraw this offer. ◊0% p.a. comparison rate available for 2015 Clio R.S., Megane GT 220 Hatch & Wagon, livered by 31/1/16 to approved personal applicants and 0% annual percentage rate available to approved business applicants of Renault Financial Services oved applicant only. Excludes Government, Rental and National Fleet customers. Terms, conditions and fees apply. WARNING: This comparison rate is true s or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Comparison rate for the purpose of the National Credit Code is based on a 5 year secured the right to vary, extend or withdraw this offer. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. †5 years unlimited km warranty applies to all new Renault ^ vehicle warranty. Roadside Assistance terms and conditions apply. Call our Customer Service Team on 1800 009 008 or view the Terms and Conditions maintenance services capped at $299 per service on new and demonstrator Renault Passenger and Renault Sport vehicles, based on standard scheduled icesLVD173. required every twelve (12) months 15,000km (whichever first) on Clio Expression, GT-Line and Demonstrator every twelve (12)vehicles months receive or †5 years unlimited km or warranty applies to alloccurs new Renault passenger andMegane Renault SportHatch, vehicles. balance of new vehicle warranty. Roadside renault.com.au is not presentedterms within three (3) months of whenCall the scheduled service is required, right that capped-price under the program is forfeited. Assistance and conditions apply. our Customer Service Team onto1800 009 008 or service view the Terms and Conditions statement at www.renault.com.au/drivingpeaceofmind for

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details. ^First 3 scheduled maintenance services capped at $299 per service on new and demonstrator Renault Passenger and Renault Sport vehicles, based on standard scheduled servicing from new and on normal operating conditions. Scheduled maintenance services required every twelve (12) months or 15,000km (whichever occurs first) on Clio Expression, Megane GT-Line Hatch, and every twelve (12) months or 10,000km on Clio R.S. Sport and Megane R.S. 265 Cup (whichever occurs first). If vehicle is not presented within three (3) months of when the scheduled service is required, right to that capped-price service under the program is forfeited. MNR1432