The Yachtsman 2017-2018 The Yachtsman 2017-2018 | Page 11

CLUB REPORTS
C L U B YA C H T I N G
REAR COMMODORE
CRUISING
T
he last 12 months we have
enjoyed great sailing, destinations
and activities. I would like to
thank the Cruising Committee
members – Murray Glase, John
Groves, David Williams, Megan Nixon, Mark
Stephens, Doug Coombes, Nicky Walter and
all those who have lead events both on water
and off water.

Great Sailing and
great destinations.
Leon Wilson
All our cruises now have a designated start
time for those that wish to sail in company
to the destination. It provides interesting
conversation at happy hour.
The estuary cruises have included a BBQ
at Bobbin Head, bowing at Dangar Island
and overnights at Jerusalem Bay, Refuge Bay,
Towlers Bay. A highlight this year was an
overnight stay at Pearl Beach with party pies
on the beach thanks to Verve. We joined the
Dicko Cup and 11 boats sailed back to the
Club in a freshening breeze. Next year the
cruise will combine with the Dicko Cup for
all to enjoy the sail to and from Halletts with
a lay day in-between.
The offshore
This year the Christmas cruise went south
and New Year’s Eve was spent on Sydney
Harbour with dinner at the Woolwich Pier
Hotel. We watched the fireworks aboard
Mixed Nuts, thanks to Jim and Clem. From
the Harbour we sailed to Jibbon Beach where
we spent a leisurely three days. Jibbon to Jervis
we enjoyed a great sail. Jervis offers crystal-
clear water, non crowded beaches and you get
to do the Jervis Bay shuffle. Every time the
wind changes you move to the other side –
good for charging the batteries. The sail back
was lumpy in a softening 25knt southerly.
Returning to Pittwater we stopped at Manly,
which was great after being at sea for nine
hours - I didn’t notice the roll. Next morning,
breakfast at Manly before sailing back to
Pittwater, what a great way to finish a cruise.
At Easter we had the pleasure of four
days of fantastic weather on Sydney Harbour.
We anchored at Blackwattle Bay next day
moved to Birkenhead Point for shopping,
day three the Biennale on Cockatoo Island.
The Biennale is worth visiting if only for the
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YA C H T S M A N R PAY C
discussions afterwards. Modern art is a great
conversation piece and everyone has their
own opinion.
Over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend,
we enjoyed seeing the lights and action of
the annual Vivid Festival at Darling Harbour
Marina for four nights. Staying in the heart
of the city made for a very unique cruise,
no problems with wind tide and anchoring,
just where to eat and drink and what to visit.
Dinner and drinks every night with a cultural
trip to the Archibald thrown in. A lovely walk
around Barangaroo and through The Royal
Botanical Gardens plus a bit of shopping. We
were not disappointed – the whole fleet put
up sails in the Harbour not dropping them
till inside Barrenjoey. We love a good westerly
even with the 25knt gusts at Barrenjoey.
We also had the fantastic opportunity
to visit the Australian National Maritime
Museum for a special tour, which 22 members
enjoyed. Thank you Arleen Tansey for
organising the land cruise this year.
Our monthly First Friday events continue
to be a great way meet new people and
catch up with friends with entertaining
speakers. This year we had a great variety of
speakers including Ron Carr from Marine
Rescue Broken Bay, Patrick Whetter from
Sea Mercy and Phil Ross, Editor of the
Cruising Helmsman.
The Christmas cruise this year took us
to Newcastle and for New Year’s Eve we be
celebrated in Port Stephens. Our major event
in 2019 is the Pittwater to Dunk Island Cruise
between May to November. The cruise is
underpinned by an extensive seminar series
to prepare for the event.
We also have new destinations for our
monthly estuary cruises to look forward to
and our popular trip to the Vivid Festival will
be in the calendar again.
To keep up to date with all the Cruising
events – both on and off the water – please
keep an eye on the cruising calendar on the
RPAYC website and don’t forget our Cruising
Facebook page or the RPAYC website.
So, come and share your next adventure
with us.
R PAY C YA C H T S M A N
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