Sydney-Hobart musings
OFFSHORE by DAVID SALTER One of the handiest things about the sport of offshore racing is that almost any judgement you may wish to make about it can be true. Or false. Each contest has so many inter-dependant variables ‘…
All News
The latest news from the world of yachting and sailing including yacht & dinghy reviews, cruising and destination information plus the latest boating gear as well as inshore and offshore racing updates and regatta schedules. All things Sailing, Sail Racing, Sailboats and more.
Sitting out the cyclone season
By Fiona Harper. Sitting out the cyclone season Cruisers heading north, who find themselves waiting for the cyclone season to finish do have an alternative to sitting out the hot windy summer in Fremantle. There are a number of safe…
Latest in lights
PRACTICALITIES BY ANDREW BRAY Navigation lamps Boat lighting is moving beyond the purely functional, with lifestyle convenience and pleasurable aesthetics becoming an achievable consideration on boats that are by no means in the superyacht class. You only have to scan…
Yard story: Australian built superyacht
McConaghy's Yard in Sydney is building a 30m maxi yacht for British property developer Mike Slade, reports Kevin Green. The new Leopard3 is the latest in a series of performance maxis for Slade who intends to race the boat in…
Classic yachts
CLUB UPDATE Canvas and wood were the predominant features when Kevin Green visited the Balmain Sailing Club's annual regatta. The Balmain Sailing Club nestles into the peninsula at the mouth of Iron Cove, a pleasant walk down the appropriately named…
The adventures of Dreamagic: Heady stuff
Alan Littlefield tackles some heady heights on his Bavaria 44, Dreamagic, on the eve of the 2009 Cairns-Louisiades Rally. I am not generally fond of toilet humour. It's not a funny subject, but heads on yachts seem to be a…
Call goes out to save historic vessel
The leaseholders of Middle Percy Island south-east of Mackay in Queensland are calling for expressions of interest from cruisers who might be able to help restore an important part of the island's heritage. “We believe that there may be an…
Swan 100S
Design and construction The man who liked his boat so much that he bought the company, Leonardo Ferragamo, restored the Finnish yacht builder to a profit-making enterprise. The Italian shoe and apparel entrepreneur persuaded the company to divisionalise and specialise….
Hanse 430e – Born to perform
Looking for a well appointed performance cruiser? Barry Henson, editor of Australian Yachting, takes a look at the Hanse 430e. If you're looking for a performance cruiser, something that will put you in the rankings at your club and keep…
Catalinas do it in style
The inaugural Catalina Owners Group Rendezvous was held in October. Starting from the Catalina Anchorage in Middle Harbour, 12 Catalinas ranging in size from the C28 Brown Eyed Girl to the grand C470 Migaloo owned by Ross and Jan Hetherington…
Classic yacht Maris celebrates 50th birthday with win in Gosford – Lord Howe Island ocean race
In an historic ocean racing victory, Ian Kiernan’s classic timber yacht Sanyo Maris today celebrated the 50th anniversary of her launching with an IRC handicap win in the 414 nautical mile Hempel 35th Gosford – Lord Howe Island Race. The…
Windcraft celebrates 10 years with Hanse Yachts
Peter Hrones, founder and managing director of Windcraft Australia, has a big smile on his face. He is now celebrating a decision made 10 years ago in the small but historically significant boat building town of Greifswald, on Germany's Baltic…
Switch to safer boating – switch to 406
Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi has reminded boat owners a “sea change” in marine safety will come into force early next year when new digital emergency radio beacons (EPIRBs) take over from the old analogue system. From February 1,…
Seawinds do battle in light winds
Thirty three Seawind catamarans, valued at around $10 million, competed in the Seawind Pittwater Regatta held over the weekend (17-19 October) on Pittwater near Sydney, being the 10th time this event has been run. With such a strong fleet and…
2009 Yachts
December's Australasian Yachting will feature new boats for 2009. Many of the big builders are planning exciting boats for next year and we highlight the best. X-Yachts will unveil some new offerings and a particular boat of interest will be…
Islands in the Stream for the Island Packet 485
A US luxury cruising yacht will be flying sails made down under. Julian Plante from North Sails Sydney recently headed to Mackay to meet up with Brian Baker and his wife to outfit their new Spectra Gatorback sails for their…
Newest Grand Prix racer
Racing aboard the newest and flashiest Grand Prix boat at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, the $1.8 million speed machine Secret Mens Business3, is an amazing experience, writes Kevin Green. The custom built Reichel Pugh 47’s sleek grey hull and…
Sonata Association of Victoria
At the club The Sonata Association of Victoria celebrated its 30th birthday with a sail-past, reports president Des Russell, who says the club is still a vibrant and active force. The Sonata Association of Victoria (SYAV) was 30 years old,…
Jeppesen Marine and Raymarine Reunite
C-MAP® by Jeppesen Cartography Preloaded in New E-Series Widescreen with HybridTouchTM Display Raymarine, Inc., and Jeppesen Marine today announced that C-MAP by Jeppesen cartography will come standard on the new Raymarine E-Series Widescreen with HybridTouch multifunction display. This marks the…
Perfect conditions for World Match Race practice day
The local Maloja wind was on schedule this morning; it started blowing at 10:30 AM and rapidly rose to 15-20 knots. The conditions were just perfect for the twelve teams involved in the event, allowing them to practice their manoeuvres…
Laser SB2 day 2 report
The forecast for Day 2 of the Laser SB3 Worlds in Cascais allowed the Race Officer the option of using either race area. The decision was made to use Race Area B, to the east of the bay. The wind…
Aussies doing well after Day One at Laser Masters Worlds in Canada
It took a little patience, but the famous sea breeze of St. Margaret's Bay didn't disappoint. Competitors got in two races on the first day of racing in the 2009 Nautel Laser Masters World Championship. But with the wind not…
Raymarine previews its new touch screen and keypad control
Raymarine previews its Touch screen and keypad control with dual charting option gives users best of both worlds with new E Series Widescreen Touch screen or keypad operation? C-MAP by Jeppesen or Navionics cartography? Now users have a choice of…
Marine Solutions has released a range of pre-spliced dock lines and fender lanyards
Marine Solutions has released a range of pre-spliced dock lines and fender lanyards, available in a choice of braided nylon or polyester. Quick-drying and mildew resistant, the dock lines are available in 8m, 10m and 12m lengths (in 12mm to…
Sewage and the sea
John Champion delves into murky territory when he boldly goes where few cruisers would go if given a choice. Our cruising homes, like land-based ones, require toilet facilities that can reasonably be expected to work when needed. Unlike shore-based plumbing,…
Souter leads women's match race series at CYCA
Australian Sailing Development Squad member Nicky Souter and her crew of Nina Curtis and Nicole Douglass, representing Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, have a commanding lead in the compasscard Australian Women's Match Racing Championship, after finishing day one with ten…
First day of racing at Laser SB3 Worlds
Last night Cascais enjoyed the fiesta that recognises the end of the summer, bands played on the huge stage on the beach front and fireworks lit up the sky. The Laser SB3 unfortunately missed the festivities as they headed to…
Kiwi boat built in 1906 to race at Six Metre World Cup
For sailors, and spectators too, few sights on the water this summer will have more visual appeal than the 30+ yachts that will gather in Newport from September 8-12, 2009, for the Six Metre World Cup. The genesis of the…
Archambault 40rc takes Audi IRC Australian Championship
Winning one Audi Australian IRC Championship in an Archambault racing yacht may have been considered good luck, but two national titles in three years has left no doubt that it was good management and great performance. The new Archambault A40rc…
Rod Jones wins Audi Australian IRC Championship
At the close of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week tonight, Rod Jones from Queensland, the inaugural winner of the Audi IRC Australian Championship in 2006, was announced the winner of the coveted title for a second time. For his determination…
Another F-22 launched and then does a little surfing
David & Marjon Mason have just launched their F-22 'Fleetwing' (hull number 77) in Queensland, Australia. David and Marjon first built a Farrier Trailertri 720 in the early eighties, and were then the owners of the very first F-31 which…
Winning winning at San Francisco 18ft skiffs
With a wink and a nod to experience, Australia's John Winning and California's Howard Hamlin won the first two races of the eighth annual 18' Skiff International Regatta Monday. Winning's third place in the second race left him in first…
Fit for Sailing: Time out
Rest periods are an important element of competitive sailors' yearly training plans, by Andrew Verdon. Taking time off is crucial. You should not train all year round as if you were still racing. This includes both on and off the…
Memorable Mooloolaba
Sharon Smallwood profiles one of SE Queensland's most memorable ports – Mooloolaba. Mooloolaba is probably best known as one of the towns collectively comprising Queensland's Sunshine Coast. For the cruising sailor, it is not only the gateway to this region…
Powerdive -experience the wonders of breathing underwater
PowerDive was created for those who enjoy the simplicity of snorkeling and would like to experience the wonders of breathing underwater. PowerDive is a unique, patented shallow water diving system, bridging the gap between snorkeling and scuba diving. PowerDive is…
Souter increases her lead at compasscard Women's Match Race series.
The Australian Sailing Development Squad's Nicky Souter has continued her winning ways at the 2009 compasscard Australian Women's Match Racing Championship, stretching her unbeaten run to 16 races, after two days of competition. Souter and crew Nina Curtis and Nicole…
Match Race Switzerland starts tomorrow
The St. Moritz Match Race will start tomorrow in the Swiss Alps. Part of the Match Racing World Championship, the event will give the opportunity to twelve teams to fight for the coveted title of “King of the Mountain”. Eight members of…
Laser World Masters delayed by appalling weather
Neither rain, nor gale, nor lack of power will stop the 300 athletes from around the world competing at the 2009 Nautel Laser Masters Worlds. Opening ceremonies were postponed last night because of heavy rain and are rescehduled as Welcoming…
Noosa school holiday program announced
Noosa Yacht & Rowing Club has announced another Funsail sailing program for 7 – 17 year-olds during the September/October school holiday break. The program offers an introduction to sailing as per the Yachting Australia ‘Get Into Small Boat Sailing' scheme,…
RQYS opening day to celebrate 125 years
Celebrating 125 years of sailing in Brisbane, the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron will open for the 2009/10 Sailing Season on Saturday 5th September . With a rich history in sailing achievements, the Squadron boasts Olympic representation since 1956, numerous major…
