The LOG - Botany Bay Yacht Club

The LOG
December 2014
The LOG December 2014
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Commodore’s Report
Dear Members,
It is hard to believe that with Xmas approaching this will be the last issue of the LOG
for 2014. It seems only yesterday that we were all excited about the start of the
Summer sailing season and here we are nearing completion of the first half of the
year.
So far this year there have been no major issues confronting the club apart from the
normal concerns of managing our expenditure and conducting our sailing
programme. We are finding, however, that with our ageing infrastructure the club
has to spend more funds than we would like to ensure that our property and plant is
maintained in the proper manner. Having said that, it is comforting to note that at
this stage we are coping financially.
We are fortunate in having an extremely competent Treasurer in Fred Garside who
devotes many hours of his time in managing our financial affairs. Fred is joined by
Brian Christianson, RC, and Sailing Secretary Steve Hall who look after all our onwater activities and, like Fred, devote a large amount of time to the BBYC. It would
be remiss of me not to mention the sterling efforts of our VC, Karen Ballantyne, and
Honorary Secretary Peter Richardson who, together with our Board of directors, put
in a large amount of their time for the benefit of the BBYC.
As sailors will be aware we have a long break from sailing from the 20th December
until 26th January. Given that a number of skippers have expressed interest in some
on water activity during that period, I am proposing the Clayton's Commodore's
Cup. It is intended to hold the event on January 10th 2015 with a course to be
advised. In order for this event to take place there will be an entry form on the notice
board and it is imperative that intended participants advise us via the entry form.
The event will only happen if there is firm interest from members prior to the 20th
December.
Members should also be aware that our club is hosting the 50th National Endeavour
Championships in March of 2015 which is next month! We are in need of
volunteers who will not actually be participating in the event to assist with on and
off water activities and therefore if you are able to help please advise either the Rear
Commodore , Sailing Secretary or myself as soon as possible.
One of our members, Kelly Ryan, has spent some time in hospital recently please join
me in wishing her a speedy recovery.
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It is with sadness that we note the passing of well-known club member Noel Garnett
after a long illness. Noel will be very much missed around the club especially for his
cheerful manner and his many contributions to our Club. Our sincere condolences
go to Noel's family at this sad time.
It remains only for me to wish all BBYC members and their families the very best for
a happy and safe Xmas and a prosperous New Year.
See you at the club
Greg Lerond
Commodore
Endeavour 50th National & State Championships
2015 - 13 to 15 March
Calling all Endeavour owners! We look forward to seeing you in March 2015 for the
50th Endeavour Yacht Association championships for E26, E27+ and E24. Please
contact the EYAA or the Club if you'd like assistance finding an Endeavour to
charter for the championships.
Marie T (C.Marussich helm) leading Scallywag (K.Titmus) across the line in the last race of
the 40th Anniversary of Endeavours National Regatta 2005.
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Vale Noel Garnett
Dear Members
It is with regret that I have to inform you of the passing of Noel Garnett, a stalwart
of the Club for many years. The owner of Hinemoa, a 30ft sloop, Noel passed away
last Saturday. Noel will be fondly remembered for all his work around the Club,
including his last contribution, the Club's distinctive pink Ladies’ toilet door and the
more sedate blue Gentlemen's door.
Noel's funeral was held on Friday, the 28th of November at 12pm at the South
Chapel, Woronora Cemetery, Sutherland.
Peter Richardson
Honorary Secretary
BBYC
Noel taking a break from building our new ramp to the main pontoon.
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Vice Commodore’s Report
It’s fantastic to welcome some new entrants to the twilight series with Terry &
Michael on Hop Step; Glenn & Javier on Jeeves; Col, Tony & Lowri on Young at
Heart and Emma & Johnno on Spindrift. Thanks to Marc at AusSea Sailing School
for donating a spinnaker course for the most improved twilight crew.
Thanks to everyone who volunteered on Discover Sailing Day in light breezes. Great
to welcome back some of our try sailors for a twilight sail.
The Club's Christmas parties will be held on the final twilight on 19 December and
final Saturday sail of the year on 20 December, so come down and join the
celebrations. I hope you've got a fabulous festive season planned, whether you're
heading to Hobart on Boxing Day, cruising out of the heads to check out the action,
chilling out on your mooring, or just messing about on the water. Last New Year,
Grant & I joined the cruising division for the fireworks just off Brighton Beach. It
was way more relaxing than battling the crowds on the harbour - and our local 9pm
display lasted heaps longer!
If you don't yet have one of the BBYC 50th anniversary brag plates, with just a few
weeks until Christmas, you'd better get on the water soon to race in our golden
anniversary year! The first race of 2015 will be the 179th Australia Day regatta,
which is always a great afternoon, tickets for the dinner are now on sale - get yours
now for a special rate! The New Year twilight series will start on Friday 30 January,
with the first race of the Saturday series on 31 January.
WANTED: volunteers for Australia Day. The caterers are booked, but we're looking
for some people to help set up and decorate or step behind the bar. Please give me a
call if you can help.
"Go Easy on the Drink"
With the party season fast approaching Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) and the
NSW Police are running a campaign to remind skippers to know their limit when
drinking on the water.
Maritime Director of RMS, Angus Mitchell says that the rules about the
concentration of alcohol are the same on the water as on roads. "Any person
operating a moving vessel can be breath-tested," Mr Mitchell said.
Mr Mitchell said skippers needed to be aware the wind, waves and the sun could
combine to multiply the effects of alcohol, which in turn could increase the chances
of becoming disoriented and drowning.
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Boating safety officers together with police officers will be doing random breath
testing on NSW waterways this summer. There will also be a focus on lifejacket
awareness.
Saturday Galley Roster
Shop for ingredients for bacon &
egg rolls and your choice of after
race snack and cook up a storm.
Keep your receipt and claim petty
cash at the bar.
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Sat 13 Dec: Stella
Sat 20 Dec: Red Ned –
Christmas celebration
Friday Galley Roster
Grant has volunteered to buy the
ingredients, you just need to prep
and keep things spic & span.
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Fri 12 Dec: Wasabi
Fri 19 Dec: in The Mood –
Christmas celebration
If you can't make this date, please arrange a swap and let Karen know - thanks.
RSA?
Merry Christmas from your friendly
volunteer bar staff! Got your RSA &
want to join us? Please have a chat to
Karen, our Vice Commodore.
Merry Christmas
Karen Ballantyne
Vice Commodore
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Rear Commodore’s Report
To all members and skippers the Christmas break is almost upon us with only 3
races in the Saturday Series and 2 in the Twilights.
The weather has not been kind for many of the races in both the Twilight and
Saturday series with either no wind or strong gusty ones.
The Friday Twilight series was looking poor at the start of the season with only 9
boats - then we had a fleet of 17. Great to see all those boats with many new
members on the water.
Nothing has changed, the Friday night series is supposed to be to encourage
members to hone their skills and progress to the Saturday events. However, it is
clear there is far more competitive spirit in the twilight series than in the Saturday
racing, I am not sure of what sheep station they are trying to win.
Skippers - how about a bit of chivalry coming back into this series.
There have been considerable delays in the carrying out of some maintenance on the
fixed marks and I will not bore you with the details but it has been a challenge to say
the least. With luck they may be back in before Santa delivers this year.
Our starter Doug puts a lot of
time into servicing the Starters’
boat as well as being our main
starter - thanks Doug. John
Crouch had been making
himself available, but is now
having a few health problems,
we hope he gets over them by
Christmas.
Bret as always is around to
assist and I believe YA is about
to elevate his starting status.
New volunteer Alex Revilla
There are many behind the scenes that help your Club run such as Garry & Kath
who assist on the start boat and many other members who give that extra time to
keep the Club running.
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Tony Brauer has turned his hand to doing the race results if Steve Hall is not around,
Kelly keeps an eye out and brings things to my attention that have slipped through
the system.
I have spoken to Ian McKay and he has just had his new knee fitted and hopes to be
out of St George private come next Monday 9th or Tuesday 10th December he is in
good spirits and said to say Hello to you all.
The Twilights finish on Friday the 19th December and some prawns & kebabs will
be on offering for those in attendance and the same applies for Saturday 20th the last
race.
There will be a list of jobs that require attention. They can be carried out on a
working bee date or if you are available any time, could you put your name beside
the operation you may be able to handle.
For those of you I may not catch up with before Christmas, I wish you and yours a
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
Brian Christenson
Rear Commodore
Sunken cruiser
near StGMBC
after big storm
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179th Australia Day Regatta – Monday 26 January
The Australia Day Regatta is proudly acclaimed as the oldest continuouslyconducted annual sailing regatta in the world. The regatta has been conducted each
year since 1837 to commemorate the anniversary of the first European settlement of
Australia. This is one of the highlights of the Australia Day celebrations with
hundreds of vessels taking part in the Australia Day Regatta in Botany Bay and
beyond.
Join us for the 179th Australia Day
Regatta. The race will start outside the
Club, with a staggered start. All four
divisions will sail the same transit course
around Botany Bay for a close finish in
Kogarah Bay. Race entry is $25 per yacht.
…… Panther
The Councillor’s Challenge Cup will also
be held on 26 January. Council
representatives will join BBYC members
for the race around Botany Bay. Please let
the Race Officer know if you'd like to host
a Councillor.
Ludichris
After the regatta, invite your family and
friends to join us at the BBYC for dinner
and a fantastic view of the 9pm fireworks
at Carss Bush Park. Tickets are now on
sale at $30/adult. Pre-pay before 19th Jan
and its just $25/adult & $15/child (under
12s). The menu includes tender roast beef,
succulent roast lamb, hot jacket potatoes
with lashings of sour cream, a selection of
salads and fresh fruit pavlova. Please
email the Club if you'd like to pay online.
Ready for fireworks
Ready for the Fireworks
Photos show scenes from the 2014 regatta.
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Ladies’ Day
Great to see Wendy, Sarah &
Shannon on Rhumbline.
Shannon came all the way from
the US.
Lisa helmed Limerick to win the
Norma Dicken trophy, ably
assisted by crew member Grant.
Will put his war paint on to crew
F15 Wing(h)er.
All fired up after ladies day
- who needs a token male?!
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New Members
Dear BBYC Members,
Please welcome to the Club the following
members:
Iveta Kecskesova; Lowri Pryce; Kate
Maclean; Jane Kembrey; David O'Connell;
Javier Artadi; Steven Penning and Michael
Bastas.
All new members get a membership card
and a copy of the BBYC Club Handbook. If
you do not have these, please email me at
botanybay.yachtclub@bigpond.com and I will
arrange supply.
I would like to take this opportunity to
commend to all Club members the efforts
of our Vice Commodore, Karen Ballantyne,
in her tireless promotion of the Club.
In spite of Karen's efforts though, out of over 140 members, we can only just get a
quorum to our General Meetings. If the Club is to survive, we need to hear from our
members and the GM is one of the places where you can contribute. Please come!
Cheers
Peter Richardson
Honorary Secretary
BBYC
Enjoying après race afternoon tea on Ladies’ Day
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Member Benefits
For our new and not so new crew members, here are some of the benefits of BBYC
membership:
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Opportunity to sail at over 60 club activities a year, including year round
racing and cruising.
Eligibility to compete in events and races by complying with the Racing Rules
of Sailing - Rule 55: Any crew member that sails in more than three races in
any one sailing season shall be a member of a Club affiliated to Yachting NSW.
Tender use at club events.
Personal accident insurance cover to the value of $50,000 - see
www.yachting.org.au/information-services/club-members/insurance-programs.
Hot showers!
Ability to hire the club for your next celebration (hire fee applies).
SLAM gear: 10% discount at Herrick Sails - show Graham your membership
card.
Australian Sailing+Yachting and Cruising Helmsman magazines: 40% off
annual subscription. Call 1800 807 760 or visit www.mysailing.com.au. For
Australian Sailing+Yachting please quote ASC/ASYA, for Cruising Helmsman,
quote ASC/CHYA.
Tohatsu Outboards - up to 15% off selected outboard types at
www.ynswshop.com.
Sunsail bareboat charters - 5% discount. Call 1800 803 988 or visit
www.sunsail.com.au and quote YACHT.
Bausele: 15% off watches.Visit www.bausele.com and quote YA15X.
Nautica: 15% off first online order.
Toga’s Australian Hotels: 5% off the best available rates at over 50 apartments
and hotels. Call 13 TOGA to book and quote your Yachting Australia card
number.
Avis - special discounted rates on all domestic and international car hire. Call
136 333 or go to www.avis.com.au and quote Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD)
number P843900.
(Check Yachting NSW for
alterations and updates).
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PROFILE
Member no. 51
Name: David Cradock
Owner of: In Tune
(Sonata 26)
When did you join BBYC?
“I joined in 2007, just after
the purchase of In Tune and
have been sailing twilights
each season since then. It’s a great way to spend Friday evenings. I have spent a lot
of time sailing on the bay. I also sail Lasers at Georges River and have been doing so
for the past 14 years. With the Lasers we attend many of the masters regatta’s, States,
Australian & occasionally the World’s when they are held in Australia.”
Did you have a successful last season?
“Not too sure about that one! I picked a win in the Australia Day regatta (Div A),
one or two in the twilights and a fairly average season in the Laser, although in the
Australian masters I had some top 10 results in the big breeze days, and some
bottom 10 in the light stuff.”
Do you sail with your family?
“My family have all had some involvement in sailing, my wife Louise used to crew
for me on a Hobie 16 many years ago, but with two on the wire, every time the lee
bow went into a wave, skipper & crew ended up wrapped around the forestay, as a
result Louise is only a fair weather sailor these days. My three children all learned to
sail in Sabots at Georges River, but my youngest son Luke, is the only one sailing on
a reasonably regular basis.”
What does your sailing schedule look like this year?
“This season’s agenda is fairly quiet, with only twilights and club Laser racing on the
agenda, plus one Laser masters regatta in February. Hoping to get both boats going
a little faster.”
And your ultimate sailing goal?
“I have been trying to win a cube at a Laser regatta, without much success, so will keep on
trying. On a larger scale, a Hobart race has always been in the back of my mind, although I
recently read a book “Team Spirit” by Brendan Hall who competed in the 2009-10 Clipper
around the world race. That certainly sounded interesting and challenging, although the
chances of obtaining a ten month leave pass are rather slim!!”
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Discover Sailing Day
Nearly 30 intrepid beginners came out for
a day on the water.
Skipper Danielle & 1st mate Steve on
Wasabi (above and below)
Wayfarer
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Twilight Action
Friday twilight racing is a great
introduction to competitive sailing and the
best way to start the weekend! Fantastic to
see 17 yachts on the water with Hop Step
&, Young at Heart, Jeeves and Spindrift all
joining us for a sunset sail.
Thanks to our sponsor, AusSea Sailing
School, we've got a fantastic reward for
the most improved crew/ entry in the
Twilight Series. The lucky crew will be
rewarded with an awesome spinnaker
training day from AusSea Sailing School,
valued at $695. With Marc's expert
instruction you'll finesse trimming and
gybing a kite to take your skills to the next
level. Hot contestants for the prize so far:
Hop Step &, Commi$$ion Sails,
Dreamtime and Jeeves.
Races start at 6:30pm, enjoy the
camaraderie after the sun sets with a
few drinks and dinner back at the
Clubhouse. Steak, cooked just the way
you like it, and salad $12. Veggie option
is also available, order at the bar.
Don't miss the Ladies skippers’ twilight
race on 12 December.
AusSea Sailing
Thumbs up to Emma who has taken the
plunge & is racing her E27, Spindrift.
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Mark and the crew at
twilight
F15 match racing
Some hard-fought, fast, neck to neck match racing between two F15s on the rippled
waters of Kogarah Bay.
Warren Browne (Ffirefly 3488) v. Kelly Ryan (Whinger 4055)
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Spring
The Spring Series is progressing well……
Congratulations to
Dimitri & son George new owners of Farr
Griffin
…..despite the odd problem or two.
Chris up the mast of
Stella between sprint
races.
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In one of your correspondent’s rare
appearances of late, I got a ride with Steve
on Wasabi. Eager, was I, to contribute,
though at a more sedate pace. Pull on a
rope here; sip a beer there.
Alas, not having looked at the racing
schedule,
imagine
my
dismay
at
discovering that far from a sedate sail, with
sunny views, long legs (sailing, not Steve’s),
and the odd fizzy drink, I would be
involved in two frenetic, seat of the pants,
all hands on deck sprint races. Oh, the
horror, the horror.
“Surely you jest!”, I hear you say. Well,
probably, yes. Let me state for the record,
then, that sailing, and all things marine,
have provided me with the most memorable,
enjoyable and fulfilling experiences in my
life. I would thoroughly recommend this life, most particularly to those young
people who find it difficult to compete at conventional sports and to those happy
few for whom sea-sickness is rarely, if ever, a problem.
I would like to publicly thank my former skippers: Paul Minter (Asterix), the late
Past Commodore and founding member William Vine and his son Bruce (Southwinds
II), Peter Young (Panther Too), Don and Margie McIntyre (Spirit of Sydney), Kelly
Ryan and Warren Anderson (Wide Load), Michael Penney (Hocus Pocus), Greg
Lerond (Final Obseession), David Wright (Marie T) Brian Christenson (Wundurra),
Duncan Irvine (Stella), Stephen McLennan (Wasabi). Hope I did more good than harm.
My thanks also to those who have occasionally given advice to this beginner – Ian McKay,
David McKay, Warren Eggins, Kelly Ryan (“Warren Anderson always needs to ease
the mainsheet and get the traveller up”), Colin Cole, Grant McKellar, Ian Short and
others in the post-game chats around the bar.
My especial thanks go to the late Ronald J. Walsh (Branch Office) and his sailmaster
Sid Jones (though he would eschew such titles). Ron’s generosity and Sid’s
knowledge allowed me to learn a lot quickly so that I was entrusted with the care of
Branch Office and her crew in Ron’s absence, so that I could ship onto Spirit of Sydney
as diver and watch captain on a clam project (’97 and ’99) with Townsville
Aquarium Curator Paul Hough, and that I could deliver Wide Load back from Hobart
then sail her in Sydney-Mooloolaba 2000.
Editor
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Cruising Division
It’s party time and there are lots of opportunities to get out on our waterways and
enjoy our beautiful Bay and surrounds.
With a team from Aussea Sailing School, we are taking Vaya Con Dios up to the
Harbour on Boxing Day … something to do with a 70th anniversary of a yacht race.
Cruise along on your own boat if you would like join us. We are planning to leave
the dock around 8:30 am and normally hover off the 1 mile turning mark. It’s pretty
spectacular out there and not for the faint hearted. One hundred or so powerboats
bearing down on you, with the helicopters above, and in between the yachts, require
some good seamanship just to stay out of the way. But if you want a close-up of the
Hobart boats, this is the best way to see them. Let me know if you would like to tag
along, so we know who to look out for and make sure you get home OK.
New Year’s Eve is a wild time on Sydney Harbour, but Botany Bay is a great place to
see the fireworks. A barge will be anchored off Brighton Baths and in previous years
an excellent display is provided at 9 pm. In the past years the fireworks go for about
20mins (longer than the display on the harbour).
In previous years some boats have picked
up a mooring at Towra, others anchored
within a couple of hundred meters of the
barge. Some people choose to head home
after the display, some (like me) stay
overnight at anchor and enjoy the sunrise
of the first day of the New Year on the
water.
We will plan to leave the dock about 6pm,
depending on the weather. Please let me
know if you plan to join us so that we can
account for all boats making it home safe
on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s day.
Fair winds and following seas
Ian Anderson
Phillip and Fay’s Wave Walker
at anchor off Brighton on
New Year’s Day 2014.
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50th Anniversary Merchandise Last Chance Sale
Members this is your last chance to celebrate BBYC's 50th anniversary and take
home a life-long memento of this significant milestone in our club’s history. You will
look great too while gearing up for Summer.
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50th Anniversary Polo Shirts short sleeve $30.00 (normally $40.00)
50th Anniversary Ladies Shirts short sleeve
- $30.00 (normally $40.00)
50th Anniverary Sailing Shirts long sleeve $33.00 (normally $45.00)
50th Anniversary Caps - $15.00 (normally
$25.00)
Or
• Buy the whole Kit and get another 5% off
while stocks last.
Wear them with pride and show your support for your club.
Regards
Fred
Fred Garside
Hon. Treasurer
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Why a marine radio?
The proliferation of smart phones and mobile communication devices in recent years
has given the recreational mariners a false sense of security, and misplaced belief
that such devices are a suitable replacement for marine radio transceivers. After all,
these devices are convenient and not only provide voice communication but also
allow messaging and access to the internet, where one can find the latest weather
forecast and other safety related information. As a bonus, many such devices have a
built-in GPS receiver and can pinpoint the user’s position and present it on a
detailed map.
With improvement in technology and expansion of the mobile network, the often
cited limitations of coverage and battery life are also becoming increasingly
irrelevant further blurring the distinction between mobile phones and radio
transceivers.
No matter how advanced your smart phone it will never be a suitable replacement
for your VHF transceiver for two very crucial reasons. Radio Transceivers:
(a) are autonomous devices, and
(b) they can broadcast signals to everyone within range.
In a distress situation your best hope is the nearest vessel. If you have a
radiotransceiver, an antenna, and a charged battery, you can broadcast your signal
to everyone who is listening on the same frequency and is within range. Your mobile
phone is a carrier-based device which only provides one-to-one connection. You
must pay a carrier to deliver your signal to one other person. If the carrier is out of
action, because the cyclone that hit you also swept away the telephone towers, then
the only creatures you can talk to would probably be the sharks circling your boat!
From the Office of Maritime Communications.
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Merry Christmas to all our Readers
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