Last Month

Anniversary Regatta 

The first race was to  Yorkeys Knob and back in 10 – 15 kts of breeze. With 3 multihulls and 4 yachts it was a good turn out. Barefoot and Lighting Storm had a good tussle for lead with The Hully Trinity not far behind. Ketchup and Impulse put a good distance ahead of Centinela and Volare. A good day was had by all, it was nice to have winds below 25 kts for a change.
Day two saw light winds for the first of the bay races (a windward, leeward course), but for the second race (a triangle course) the winds pickup to a nice15- 18 kts. Close racing was enjoyed by all and another great day on the water was had.
A big thanks go to Gordo and Bob for setting good courses and taking some great photos.
Results are as below. A very close regatta with three boats scoring 8 points.

Two Islands Race

Still the weather is not totally cooperating. The scheduled Two Islands race had to be postponed a week due to a strong wind warning. This race was to involve a sail to the Fitzroy Island port lead thence to a position 100m west of the Green Island jetty then back home.

Fortunately the weather cooperated the following weekend with winds forecast to be reasonable if perhaps a bit strong at 20kts. The race started in lightish air with four entrants, Impulse, Volare, Ikigai and Leitning Storm (the only cat). My belief that engines are only fitted to yachts to ruin a good day’s sailing was affirmed correct when Ikigai could not leave the Marina due to a uncooperative engine. Nevertheless, Impulse & Volare jockeyed for position at the port end of the line while the starter, holding a radio in one hand and an iPhone in the other managed to drop the starting flag off the wharf at the Wharf One Cafe. Needless to say, I doubt anyone noticed in the head of the start with Impulse over the line slightly ahead of Volare. Leitning Storm took a few minutes to sort their rig out confident they could catch the fleet. These were not the only dramas for the day. Following is a first hand account by Frank sailing on Impulse…

Up to T7 against a light southeasterly breeze followed by a spinnaker run all the way to channel marker 6 saw Impulse pull away from the others to take a healthy lead. The breeze built rapidly as the yachts entered Mission Bay with some reporting 27kts!  The blue cat started to fly!
Just as Impulse was putting in their first reef a crew member noticed a problem with the rigging. A rapid easy on the main was called for and the boat slowed to investigate the problem. It was not safe to continue the race so the decision was made to retire and return to Cairns under very reduced sail.
That left just two boats to continue on to Fitzroy and across to Green Island with a higher than expected wind strength. However, both boats were happy to sight Humpback whales during the day!
The blue catamaran was first boat home but unfortunately Volare ran into a patch of no wind whilst inbound along the channel finishing 2 hours 20 minutes after Letting Storm. Congratulations to Mark and crew on being this year’s champions in the Two Islands Race.

Results 2019 Two Islands Race

Equipment Auditors

Attention all keelboat skippers / owners.

Do you want to know if your yacht is up to the racing standards set by Yachting Australia?

We race under Category 5 which allows races with limited rescue availability in protected waters in daylight and sheltered waters at night. To see if your boat complies download the check list here. 

We now have two equipment auditors that can sign your boat off for the next 12 months. Contact Frank Brace 0438 405 800‬ or Hew Mills. 0409976888.

New Pacers

A big thanks to all that turned out to unpack our eight new Pacer dinghies. The job was complete within an hour allowing the container to be re-loaded onto the truck without delay.

Keelboat Learn to Sail

The “Pink J” has had new anti-foul applied, thanks to the dedicated volunteers that scraped live oysters off her bottom. We look forward to some more competition on WAGS and, of course, our monthly races. The “Pink J” is available for hire to approved members. Please contact Adrian or just go sailing with him. This is a much better option than owning your own boat… guaranteed!

The keelboat learn to sail in “The pink J” is well subscribed with increasing participants keen to try out a bigger boat. Please contact Margie at the office 07 4031 2750‬ or email cyc@cairns.net.au

ATTENTION – Prepare for this fantastic October 5-7th event

With the wonderful people at the Fitzroy Island Resort we are planning a  three day Regatta at The lovely Fitzroy Island on the long weekend of 5 – 7 th of October. The management are very willing to support this event with both our vision to build this into a major sailing event of the sailing year over the next 5 years.

Coming UP – This Month

Weekend of 27-28th July ELLIS BEACH REGATTA Call Barry 0428 369 303

This two day event starts with a briefing at 11am Sat. Sailing starts at 12.30 , Sat night dinner is provided at a cost lunch also, free camping, dust off the boats , prizes and games for the little ones. 
Volunteers please ,please contact the amazing Barry, he can do with a hand.
Come out even if you don’t sail and just sit on the lawn and enjoy the the magnificent views.
Please contact Barry if you are attending as he needs to cater for you. 0428 369 303. You can also book one of the three Lasers or two little Nacra’s, they are awesome fun and go quick. Once again, call Barry 0428 369 303. It will be good to see the Townsville, Mission Beach and Tinaroo clubs to compete against the Cairns club members
Lets all have a awsome weekend

Sunday 4th August Fitzroy Island & return Race

Another opportunity to head over to Fitzroy. For more information call Frank 0438 405 800‬

WAGS – Every Wednesday. Yep, still going so no excuses for not sailing. A fun sailing day with others, stress-free and a chance for non-members to sail for the day, just $20 gets you on a boat. Be at the Boat Shed at 12. No need to call anyone, just turn up. Backpackers welcome, the best value day out on the water you can have in Cairns. (Backpackers WELCOME, we love the international flavour).

Tackers Fun Friday – 4-5:30 pm very Friday

Trackers sailing program

The Tacker Fun Sailing program is romping along every Friday from 4pm to 6pm thanks to Riely and his team. We get “kids” of all sizes and there’s room for more. Bring your kids and grandkids down to the Boatshed and celebrate the end of the working week

The club bar is open so while the kids are out having fun you can sit back and have a wine and watch them sail.

Riley Munro, Harrison and Daniel Brace are there to run the show – bring the kids or the grandkids 4pm to 6pm 
www.revolutionise.com.au/cairnsyc/events/23610/

New Pricing for a New Season

Last Month

Cyclones, rain, strong wind warnings, aargh! The climate has played havoc with our sailing schedule since Xmas.

Fitzroy Island race on the 4th May didn’t happen, Bay Race for the 2nd June didn’t happen, even WAGS has seen several cancellations, so there you have it, mother nature doing her best to ruin our sporting endeavours.

Port Douglas Race Week

Nevertheless, Port Douglas Race Week DID happen. We were well represented with Impulse, Yes and Anastasia in division one, Volare and Centinella in division two and Out of the Blue in division four.

Check out this video from Yes

The forecast was for 20kts+ for the first two days and all boats enjoyed an exciting down wind run on Sunday & Monday ready for the first races on Tuesday. In the first race Impulse & Yes jockeyed for the bottom of the ladder getting the crew warmed up. The second race saw Yes leap to 3rd place and Impulse creep up to 8th out of 12. By day two, the passage race around Snapper Island, Impulse managed 3rd place while Yes slipped to 7th. 

After a breather on Thursday, Frank & Wendy did their homework and rocketed to 1st place for the first race on Friday. Yes crept up to a respectable 5th place. In race five and six, both our boats managed a respectable 5th & 6th place. By the end of the regatta Impulse secured 3rd & Yes 8th out of a fleet of 12. Unfortunately Anastasia went missing for the series.

In division two, Centinella started well with a first in race one and Volare 3rd in a fleet of six. They changed places in race two but were overpowered in the passage race finishing 4th (Centinela) and 5th. Friday saw Volare manage a 2nd & 3rd, Centinela 3rd & 5th, clearly the red cans ran out about lunchtime. The last race, Centinela 4th and, Volare 5th giving an overall score 2nd place to Volare and 5th to Centinela. 

Our only entrant in division four, Out of the Blue was crippled with equipment malfunctions on day one & two scoring a DNC for the first three races. In spite of having the 2nd fastest time for the last three races the handicap inherited from last year and a few unfortunate spinnaker prawning exercises meant that they stayed on the bottom of the ladder. Looking for a win with a 30kt upwind home run on the trailer on the way back to Cairns, a trailer wheel decided it could not take the strain and did a bolter into the side of a parked car at Ellis Beach. Fortunately no one was hurt and all were thankful insurance premiums were paid up.

Sailing is easier

Check out this epic guy. Washed up at Trinity Beach after rowing across the Pacific without support, what a monumental achievement.

Perhaps we can offer him a free Learn to Sail course so he can get home.

Junior Sailing – from Scott

I just wanted to say a big THANKS to everyone who supports junior sailing

A few years ago we started with almost no juniors ( and these kids are now young adults Lloyd Bennett Jai Tooley Jai Miller Miranda WilsonVictoria Roy Celeste Lyons Daniel Brace . etc ) but today we have so many young people down at the club with their families ( mum and and Dads ) that it is giving so much life and energy to the club

Keelboat Learn to Sail

The “Pink J” is about to get her bottom scrubbed and new anti-foul applied so we look forward to some more competition on WAGS and, of course, our monthly races. This is available for hire to approved members. Please contact Adrian or just go sailing with him. This is a much better option than owning your own boat… guaranteed!

The keelboat learn to sail in “The pink J” is well subscribed with increasing participants keen to try out a bigger boat. Please contact Margie at the office 07 4031 2750‬ or email cyc@cairns.net.au

Coming UP – This Month

Saturday & Sunday 15th & 16th ANNIVERSARY REGATTA – Frank has devised a great programme of sailing for this weekend. There will be a race to Yorkeys Knob and return on Saturday and two short races on Sunday followed by a BBQ at the Boatshed., We are celebrating 111 years this year! Hope to see you all at the briefing 0900 on Saturday.

Friday 21st June – NEW PACERS ARRIVE – YEAH!! Our much awaited new Pacers will arrive in a container and have to be unpacked. It will be necessary to hand the hulls to a crew on the ground that will put them on their dollies. The masts and sails will be separate and will need to be rigged, presumably at a separate time. We probably need a crew of around six to help out. Call Scott if you can help out & have not indicated your willingness to help on the FB page.

Saturday 29th June – TWO ISLANDS RACE – Strong wind warning!!! (Just joking, it’s going to be perfect weather). Details TBA but promises to be something new and different. Keep a watch on our FaceBook page.

WAGS – Every Wednesday. Yep, still going so no excuses for not sailing. A fun sailing day with others, stress-free and a chance for non-members to sail for the day, just $20 gets you on a boat. Be at the Boat Shed at 12. No need to call anyone, just turn up. Backpackers welcome, the best value day out on the water you can have in Cairns. (Backpackers WELCOME, we love the international flavour).

Tackers Fun Friday – 4-5:30 pm very Friday

Trackers sailing program

The Tacker Fun Sailing program is romping along every Friday from 4pm to 6pm thanks to Riely and his team. We get “kids” of all sizes and there’s room for more. Bring your kids and grandkids down to the Boatshed and celebrate the end of the working week

The club bar is open so while the kids are out having fun you can sit back and have a wine and watch them sail.

Riley Munro, Harrison and Daniel Brace are there to run the show – bring the kids or the grandkids 4pm to 6pm 
www.revolutionise.com.au/cairnsyc/events/23610/

New Pricing for a New Season

Last Month

Ellis Beach Opening Regatta

A two day event kicked off with a complete lack of wind. ‘Volare’ had sailed up from Trinity Inlet to act as the start boat. Thanks go to Neil for making the voyage. Two of the three Laser’s were rigged as well as the little Nacra 350’s. These were joined by two bigger Nacras, a 5.6 sailed by Adam and the other a 5.5 purchase by Kevin, rigged and ready to go. A wisp of a breeze got up in the afternoon but generally drifting was the exercise of the day.

Day two saw a more reliable Sou-Easter come in past Double Island and Barry was out laying out a course early. Racing got under way with three Laser’s, two Nacra 350’s and the big Nacra’s heading out for a bit of fun. They shot around the course however Kev & Allan did take a dive to practice there righting skills. (More gym memberships required I think)

Discover Sailing

24 eager participants came to try out some sailing and it was great to see a lot of keen children dragging their parents along so they can avoid soccer or footbrawl. The weather was a bit inclement with showers marching down the Inlet from time to time. A warm thank you to all the volunteers that, in many cases, provided their own boats and otherwise made the day an enjoyable one for all. We have had several new members sign up as a result.

Lady Skippers Race – sponsored by Splishsplash Swimwear

At last some reasonable sailing weather in spite of dire forecasts of strong wind warnings the week before. The usual Trinity Inlet 2 to 25kts of breeze kept everyone on their toes trying to decide if a reef was needed by which time it wasn’t. A match race ensued between Bec Tuma on Out of the Blue and Wendy on Impulse. An early rig failure let Impulse round the first mark, T7 (yellow “admiralty” buoy) ahead then head out the C12 as the breeze freshened. This was perfect for the blue cat, Leitning Storm. They screamed past everyone, so far ahead in fact that the rest of the fleet, who were hoping they would indicate which mark C12 was, but were too far behind to see. Bec snuck past Wendy on the way back to T7 against a strong tide. Some quite exciting tacking duels ensued thence a spinnaker run to “Outer Red”. On the last run out to Outer Red Out of the Blue botched their spinnaker drop and Impulse slid past again to hold the monohull lead to the end finishing only 50 seconds ahead of Out of the Blue after 3 hours & 40 minutes of racing. Meanwhile Leitning Storm had romped in 38 minutes ahead of the fleet. Well done!

Well earned BBQ hamburgers washed down with appropriate liquid refreshments topped of a great day.

And here are the skippers with the sponsor, Francis, 2nd left.

Results on corrected times were…

1 Leitning Storm, 2 Out of the Blue, 3 Impulse, 4 Centinella, 5 Volare

SAGS

It’s on again, well a “fun regatta” on Easter Saturday & Sunday. If you want to join in, everyone welcome, costs is just $5 per head ($25 non members) to go towards a BBQ at the Boat Shed after. Call Frank to find out more. +61 438 405 800

Keelboat Learn to Sail

The keelboat learn to sail in “The pink J” is well subscribed with increasing participants keen to try out a bigger boat. Please contact Margie at the office 07 4031 2750‬ or email cyc@cairns.net.au

Coming UP – This Month

20th & 21st April – Easter Saturday & Sunday – Fun regatta

Sunday 28th April – Ellis Beach dinghy sailing. Regular end of the month event. BBQ lunch available.

Saturday 4th May – Fitzroy Island Race – fabulous prize of two nights at the resort for the winner, prizes awarded to only those boats staying for Saturday evening at Roxy’s bar, great live music too.

Saturday 4th May – Learn to Sail course starts. Continues on four consecutive Saturdays, register here…

Click here

…or call Margie on 07 4031 2750‬

20th – 25th May – Port Douglas Race week.

WAGS – Every Wednesday. Yep, still going so no excuses for not sailing. A fun sailing day with others, stress-free and a chance for non-members to sail for the day, just $20 gets you on a boat. Be at the Boat Shed at 12. No need to call anyone, just turn up. Backpackers welcome, the best value day out on the water you can have in Cairns. (Backpackers WELCOME, we love the international flavour).

Tackers Fun Friday – 4-5:30 pm very Friday

Trackers sailing program

The Tacker Fun Sailing program is romping along every Friday from 4pm to 6pm thanks to Riely and his team. We get “kids” of all sizes and there’s room for more. Bring your kids and grandkids down to the Boatshed and celebrate the end of the working week

The club bar is open so while the kids are out having fun you can sit back and have a wine and watch them sail.

Riley Munro, Harrison and Daniel Brace are there to run the show – bring the kids or the grandkids 4pm to 6pm 
www.revolutionise.com.au/cairnsyc/events/23610/

New Pricing for a New Season