Safety Beach Sailing Club NEWS 15th November 2023
Rear Commodore’s Mutterings
Another week and another blow out!
So far we have only managed two weeks of sailing since opening day which has been disappointing for the OTB fleet. The Keel Boats managed to get around their course in 20-30knts, however the OTB fleet pin was pulled just as the majority of the fleet was approaching the windward mark. As gusts hit 30knts, Geoff wisely sent everyone ashore, but it was a fun and wild ride! Well done to all volunteers for getting out there and keeping a watchful eye on the fleet as we all made it back safely to shore…….eventually, Murray McNeill being the lone straggler. in the immortal words of our OTB Captain, let’s hope the goldilocks principal kicks in next week.
Congratulations to Mark and Oliver Bulka who managed an equal first in the recent Sail Country Regatta held at Lake Hume in Wodonga. Sail Country has not been held for 4 years due to Covid and a dose of blue green algae last year. This years iteration was sailed in spectacular conditions of 5-12knts, sunny skies and a lake full to the brim, so much so that we were launching directly from the grassed area in front of the club rather than the dust bowl that was there 4 years ago due to such low water levels. A highly enjoyable regatta.
I would like to recognise the Bendigo Bank who recently approved a grant which the club successfully applied for. The grant was for the new motor on the Coaching RHIB and we were granted $7500.00. Please support the bank that supports our club and has done so for many years. The new RHIB now resides in the Boat Yard in the stacker, which offers us easy convenient access via the D’Albora App, which simply requires us to log in a launch and it will be done on time, every time. We have now had three requests for hire of the RHIB, funds which will go towards to cost of storing the RHIB in the stacker, which are approximately $5000 per year.
The BotMark has been purchased and we are awaiting the imminent arrival of it from Sydney, where we will trial the mark before Christmas and hopefully leave virtual marks behind!
Congratulations to Jason Close and his crew on board Patriot who won just about everything in the recent Melbourne to Devonport ORCV race. Congratulations also to Steve Twentyman and his motley crew aboard Shimmer for their great showing in the race.
There has been a lot of other activity around the club that your executive are attending to: - Solar panels are now installed on the roof of the club, couple this with the new LED lights installed recently and the club should now start enjoying some much reduced power bills - Commercial grade wifi has been installed by James Anderson and a new password will be circulated once it has been switched on. - In principal support has been granted by the Shire for the change rooms to be upgraded. Much still needs to be done to turn this into a reality, however, the changes are imminent and exciting as the change rooms are tired and looking every bit of their original 1976 era age. - After consultation with Cambridge Management, we were unsuccessful in gaining approval for the weather station to be mounted on the Starboard Groyne of the Marina entrance, we will now be seeking to mount the weather station on top of the lift tower on the top of the clubhouse.
Cheers Mono
New blue Rhib being loaded into harbour by the d'Albora team
Off The Beach
Wow! What a ride last Sunday. In keeping with our fairy tale theme, all seemed to be going well with Goldilocks and her palls when all of a sudden the Big Bad Wolf showed up and blew our house down!
It was one of those days that promised so much, and then gave us so much more. A little too much in fact. With the race team already on the water for keelboat start, it seemed a shame to waste an opportunity for a sail even though it was hovering around 20knots. With 10 boats rigged and on the beach ready to go with experienced crews chomping at the bit, RO Geoff reluctantly agreed to give us a start. So off we went for a long beat to the start line ( what happened to that South Westerly that was predicted? ) By the time we got there the wind had picked up a bit more, but we managed to get three starts away with not too much drama. Not to be denied his fun, that Big Bad Wolf just kept on coming and it wasn’t long before before Geoff wisely said “ You little Piggies turn around and get yer selves back to the beach!” By that stage the wind had crept up to around 30knots and the fun really began. As I said, all those on the water were experienced sailors and the dead run home was pretty awesome if you could stay upright.
Unfortunately for Katrina M, she fell foul of the deadly Sabre tailwind back flip which dumps you out on the wrong side of your boat to stand it up and after several attempts it finally turned turtle - game over, bring on the rescue boat! Meanwhile the rest of us were nearing the beach, and what a sight for sore eyes with a dozen or so people waiting waist deep in the waves ready to help. With grins all round and not one cry of “Serves you right, ya nutbags!” all boats were dragged up pretty quickly and then the wait to help Katrina, who was coming in hot! As she got closer, I thought “how has she grown a mustache so quickly?” only to find Luke Martin at the tiller and Kat following in the RHIB. She was unceremoniously dumped out and Luke headed back out into the waves with Other Luke Marcasani as we were still missing one sailor, Murray M in his Laser. Turns out Murray had broken his outhaul and the sail was acting like a big spinnaker and just pulling him over. Now you can’t drop the sail on a Laser at sea like you can on a ‘normal’ boat, so the answer was to tip it over again and Luke jumped in the water and pulled it off like a wet sock. Drew M in the other RHIB with Greg W escorted him back to the beach where the wind was strong enough for him to sail back without a sail. A great sight to see him standing up surfing the waves, hanging ten off the front!
All in all, even though we didn’t get a race in everyone agreed it was worth a try. It was only possible because we had a great race team on the water and it highlights the necessity of having at least one experienced crewmember in each RHIB in case things go pear shaped, and as the designated swimmer, you must be dressed and ready to jump in if needed to.
Thanks again to everyone this week from the RHIB crews, Deirdre and Geoff in the Start boat and all the people that helped on the beach- heartwarming. That’s what makes Safety Beach such a great Club.
Cheers for now, and next week the weather will be perfect, of course.
Pete Chippy
Pete Chippy
Katrina getting some assistance after Sundays blow out
Keelboat News
Results
Friday Twilight Pursuit Race 6
| 1st – Friday Twilight Pursuit | Unprecedented | Andrew McGrath |
| 1st – Friday AMS | Unprecedented | Andrew McGrath |
What an excellent night for a Friday evening sail. It started off a little glum with no wind at all, but a light easterly eventually kicked in and was enough to get everyone home in a timely fashion.
Many thanks to Steve Twentyman for making last Friday night's sail so much fun. He broadcast on the radio that he would pay for drinks at the bar for the combined ages of the youngest and oldest crew members racing on each boat that night.
Prize winners were youngest, Vamanos and oldest, Scamp. We are definitely an eclectic mix with the average crew age ranging from 30 to 71YO. Much joviality and fun followed back at the club after racing, and we would like to extend our appreciation.
Congratulations to Unprecedented who took out both the pursuit race and AMS.
Sunday Summer Series Race 3
| 1st – Div 1 | Lumiere | Ian Pearse |
| 1st – Div 2 | No Starters |
For full results please click HERE
This Week's Races
Friday 17th November:
Twilight Pursuit Series 1 - Race 7
Margaret Hollamby Female Helm Series – Race 1
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First Warning Signal:
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17:25H Pursuit Start
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Race Officer:
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Judy Champion
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Duty Boat:
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Vincitore |
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Tower Set Up & Results:
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Judy |
Our first round of the female helm series starts this Friday, so it is time to arrange your helmswoman and enter this series through the usual SailSys series entry link on the club website, or click here.
The Female Helm Series is run as an additional series within the normal Friday Twilight races and does not affect a boat’s normal entry to the Twilight Series. Could you also please re-confirm the female helm when signing on before the race.
Sunday 19th November:
Sunday Summer Series – Long Distance Race – Race 3
| First Warning Signal: | 09.55H Tower Start – Two Divisions | |
| Race Officer: | Amanda Malin | |
| Tower Assistant: | Elaine Nicholas | |
| Results and Set Up | Amanda |
Cup Weekend Cruise to Docklands
If you didn’t join the Cup Weekend cruise to Yarra’s Edge, Docklands you missed out on a fabulous time. Four boats sailed up in light southerly winds – Whiskers, Summer Lovin’, Summer Breeze and 11:11. Weather in Melbourne was beautiful over the weekend and we were then lucky enough to have light northerlies for the return trip on Monday – you couldn’t ask for more than that.
Yarra’s Edge on the Eastern side of the Docklands was a perfect location – close to DFO for a bit of retail therapy and also a good stepping off point for any of Melbourne’s attractions. We had a great night on Saturday night at the nearby 'Hooks at the Yarra' and a fun BBQ on Whiskers on Sunday night.
Make sure you look out for our next cruise.
Terry Jones
Cruise Coordinator
MYC Capel Sound Race
Saturday 18 November
MYC Start
The first of Mornington Yacht Club’s Long Distance Series (Capel Sound Race) is on this Saturday. First warning signal for Keelboat Division is 08:55H and Trailerable at 09:00H
You can enter either the Long-Distance Series (8 races) for a fee of $50, or single races $20. Now that you have your SailSys account set up, entering is a breeze.
We hope to see some SBSC boats on the start-line. Please ensure entries are in by 5.00pm Friday so that MYC can process handicaps. Crew numbers (POB) can be advised with radio check before the start in lieu of crew lists.
To enter click Long Distance Entry Link
What's On
Festival of Sails
For all boats planning to head to Geelong for the FOS 2024 please get on board with the Passage Race from Mornington YC.
This is part of the Festival of Sails Entry and sounds like a great fun way to get your boat and crew to Geelong. To enter CLICK Here and select the ‘Mornington Peninsula Series’
Petersville Regatta
Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron is pleased to announce entries are open for the 2023 Petersville Regatta, December 27-30 sailed in the pristine waters off Blairgowrie and surrounds. Join us for four days of fun, on and off the water.
Free marina berthing for the event with option to stay on.
Limited to 39 visiting boats and filling fast.
NoR, entries and more info at petersvilleregatta.com.au. or call Race Director Phil Beattie on 0408 502 698
ORCV News
Club Merchandise
Get you order in now to ensure that you are decked out in the latest Club Merchandise for he start of the 2023-2024 season Contact Marg Fleming on her email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss your options. The youth t-shirts (with names on them) will have another order put in soon, so if you missed out on first round orders, please contact Marg to make sure you get one in the next batch, which will be processed by end of March. These t-shirts have been a hit with the juniors and will be great to wear to regatta's etc.
Photo Of The Week
Friday night’s fleet, taken by John Wemyss
Submission's
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