Howdy Gang,

Nice day to be on the water last Sunday wasn’t it? Shame about the wind dropping out, but hey, that’s sailing for ya. Wayne J and Russell T in Sutherland said that when they first went out the wind was up around 15 knots way out past the mussel farm, hence the long course. Alas it wasn’t to last and after a bunch of boats ended up camped between the wing and bottom marks (and some of us didn’t even get that far) it was decided to pull the pin on that race and wait a bit for some breeze.
 

Earlier, up near the Dromana pier, one of the Keelboats, ‘Vamonos’ had come in a wee bit close to shore, well a lot too close to the shore really, and ended up fairly stuck on the sand. Da da dat daah- key the Indiana Jones music, and off went the Flying Red RHIBs to the rescue! They pulled this way and they pulled that way, they even tried pulling the other way but all to no avail as ten tonne of keelboat firmly stuck was more than a match for our dynamic duo and they prudently decided to call it quits before tearing the bum out of the RHIBs. I wonder if they tried both pulling from the same side, hmm.
Poor old Vamonos had to wait for high tide, I’ll bet they wished they could have just pulled up the centreboard !
 

Meanwhile, back at the Ranch, RO Geoff, ably assisted by Judy the Champion, were trying their best to give us a race in a frustrating situation where the wind would pick up then drop to nothing as the sea breeze fought the offshore breeze, and just like Vamonos, we ended up going nowhere.
 

Closer in to the beach, much of the fleet were having a bit of fun in the shallows taking every advantage of whatever wind they could get while waiting to see what would happen on the course proper. Well, the answer was- nuthin’, not a soss, nada, and up went the dreaded AP over A, and that was all she wrote. Of course as we were sailing back, the wind picked up and a few of us tried a mini race around the yellow piles but it was not to last, and when that fizzed out it was back to the beach for all of us.
 

So to recap, 22 boats headed out on a beautiful sunny day, sailed around for a bit, sailed back to the beach, talked some bull dust and had a laugh in the yard then headed upstairs for a cleansing ale and more bull dust. Still sounds like a pretty good day to me. And we managed to reach week 5 before we lost a day, a bit better than last season.
 

Talking about SBSC members who can really sail, some of our guys were up at The Woollahra Sailing Club the other week for the NSW B14 state titles and gave them all a lesson in how it’s done. Paul F and Craig G winners with three 1sts, a 2nd a 3rd and a 4th for 8 points after six races. Leigh D and Brent F in second place with two firsts and four 2nds also with 8 points. It doesn’t get much closer than that. Fancy having a 2nd place as your drop and still being the bridesmaid !
 

That’s about all for this week folks. Thanks to Geoff and The Champion Judy on Start, Muzza McN and Rob W in Woodsy and Wayne J and Russell T in Sutherland. You did your best guys.
 

Cheers, Pete Chippy
Ps: I wonder if Vamonos is still there ??? 

 

 

Hello Junior Sailor,

The club is pleased to announce that our Junior Sail Program will be continuing for season 2024/25. If you missed out on junior sail training earlier in the year (or enjoyed your time on the water last season) and wish to come and have some fun in the sun while learning a new skill, please let us know. Our instructors for the season are Nick Meijer, Jess Lowe, Matt Whitaker and James Anderson and they are ready to get you out on the water gaining confidence as a junior sailor.   

• The Junior Sail Program will be held on Sunday mornings. Start time 9.00am – 11.30am.
• The program is designed to accommodate all learning levels from “never sailed” to “have sailed and want to get better”.
• Our instructors will assess and tailor programs catering to your child’s needs in accordance with the Australian Sailing “Start Sailing” program. Australian Sailing - Start Sailing
• Parents are to remain at the club during all training sessions and are encouraged to assist with rigging/de rigging of boats.
• Life jackets will be provided, however if you have your own you can us it (needs to be in date and certified), Waterproof shoes are ideal, wetsuit booties, or sailing booties are also ideal but not compulsory.
• Children must arrive at the club dressed and ready to sail (bring change of clothing, towel, and hat. Sunscreen will be provided).
• All attendees must be a member of the club, Junior Membership starts at $145. Membership Options
• Cost for November – December 2024 Program is $100.
• Cost for the February – April 2025 Program is $120.
• Not compulsory to do both programs.
• If you are completely new to sailing, we can offer 2 free sessions before committing to the program, as a try before you buy.

Please email Fiona Lowe This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .au for further information or register with this link. https://www.revolutionise.com.au/sbsc/events/267033

 

Friday's twilight saw breezy and cold conditions and those brave enough (not our little boat!) managed to have a great race down to SB2.  The feedback was it was great to expand our sailing ground and sail a longer course.  It was such an exhilarating sail some of the fleet forgot which way to round the mark, which caused a bit of mayhem at the mark rounding.  Please make sure you always have a printed copy of the latest courses onboard as a quick reference guide.

While we’re on the topic of courses, Sunday’s race (in fact also on Friday night) some of the fleet entered the shipping channel, and when on the tack back past with Channel Mark 25 to port and 23 to starboard leaving little doubt.  We must remember not to enter the shipping channel at all.  This instruction is from Ports Victoria and is why we have had to remove all channel marks as rounding marks. It’s easiest to imagine a straight line between the Green markers and not pass through this.

Now I’ve had my say on 'who' did 'what' wrong in both Friday and Sunday races from my high horse and keyboard(!), I can confidently inform the keelboat fleet that there is not enough water SE of the pier mark off Dromana.  I won’t charge the club for my survey findings as I believe my research benefits us all!!  Jokes aside, the weekend’s grounding incident will be reviewed by the club with findings published in a separate communication - to help minimise these events occurring and streamline the rescue processes in place.

Cheers

In relation to the KB Captain's message above, please download a copy of the amendment to the Sailing Instructions - now available on the Keelboat homepage.  Click on the links below to read the change and update your version of the SIs.

 

Change 1 to Sailing Instructions 

Sailing Instructions 2024-25 - Version 1.4 

 

It is also timely reminder of Sailing Instruction 10.3, relating to the commercial shipping channel being deemed an Exclusion Zone.

 

1st	Shimmer	Steve Twentyman
2nd	Anthea	John Wemyss
3rd	2Xtreme	Andrew Clark

Click here for full results for Friday

 

Race abandoned - time limit reached.

 

The Margaret Hollamby Female Helm Series starts this Friday night.  As mentioned in last week's KB news, an Individual Series has now been set up in Sailsys for this series.  Please organise your female helm and CLICK HERE to register.  Entries close at midday on Friday so they can be processed in time for the race.

 

Four boats - Whiskers, Joint Venture, Summer Breeze and Seaclusion sailed up to Docklands for a fun weekend in Melbourne. It was great to see Mark & Gwen McAuliffe getting back into cruising on their new purchase, ‘Seaclusion' a 42ft Jeanneau. We docked at Yarra’s Edge Marina which is right next door to DFO South Wharf and has easy access to just about everything via the wonderful free trams in the city.  We enjoyed a restaurant dinner on Saturday night then a ‘cook up’ on Whiskers for a Sunday night BBQ with lots of goodies from the Queen Vic Market.  It was a great way to spend the weekend.  If you missed out this year, put it in your calendar for next year as we plan to make it an annual event.

Terry Jones

 

Are you planning a short - or longer-term investment?
A Bendigo Bank term deposit may be just what you need to get the most from your money. Talk to the team at one of our three branches, Rye, Rosebud, or Dromana, and watch your money grow at ​​​​​​​​Bendigo Bank

 

Bendigo Bank
Community Bank Southern Peninsula
Rye | Rosebud I Dromana

 

West Offshore Products Coastal Sprint (Saturday 23 November) 

The West Offshore Coastal Sprint races kick-off in just a couple of weeks! The second of three coastal sprints on the ORCV calendar, the race on Saturday 23 November will see crews start at Queenscliff and compete over a 55nm course that will have you home before dark. The Coastal Sprint races have been designed as short-distance ocean sprints to provide a crew development pathway for longer ocean races and as a stand-alone coastal racing program. Enter here: www.orcv.org.au/coastal-sprints 

 

Safety and Sea Survival Courses (Sunday 1 December) 

Register for ORCV’s Safety and Sea Survival Courses on Sunday 1 December! As well as ensuring your boat has the required number of certified crew, these courses allow you to confidently support your Skipper and other crew members by gaining a deeper understanding of safety and survival. December’s course is your last chance to obtain certification before the Melbourne to Hobart race, so check your currency, and register for the refresher or full course.

Ronstan Cock of the Bay (Thursday 26 December) 

 

What better way to spend your Boxing Day than competing in one of the most iconic events on the Australian sailing calendar! The traditional course of approx 21nm starts near Station Pier in Port Melbourne and is designed to sail past major bayside locations for sailors and spectators alike to view. Some say there is no better way to work off the excesses of Christmas the day before! Enter here:  www.orcv.org.au/cock-of-the-bay 

 

Melbourne to Hobart ‘Westcoaster’ (Friday 27 December) 

The  ORCV ‘Westcoaster’ is a legendary yacht race where tactics and sailing well can crown you as the race champion, regardless of boat size. Across the 435nm passage, yachts contend first with Bass Strait before taking on the wilderness and ruggedness of the West Coast of Tasmania and the long ocean swell of the Southern Ocean before turning towards the finish line and the shifting winds of the Derwent. For more than 50 years, the Westcoaster has provided sailors with a unique race full of tactical challenges. Early-bird entries close on 10 November! Enter here:  www.orcv.org.au/hobart  

 

Melbourne to Port Fairy (Friday 14 February) 

For 2025, the ORCV’s traditional race to the historic and picturesque port of Port Fairy has been rescheduled to mid-February, taking advantage of more favourable weather conditions and providing a feeder race for yachts planning participate in the 75th Adelaide to Port Lincoln race. 

The 135 mile course runs SW from Queenscliff past the coastal resorts of Torquay, Anglesea, Lorne and Apollo Bay, before rounding Cape Otway and entering the southern ocean. It’s also Valentines Day, so what better what better way to celebrate your one true love – sailing! Enter here: www.orcv.org.au/port-fairy  

Shimmer Vs YKnot. YKnot comes out on top? Shaun McKenna

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