E-News 2 November
Welcome to November - a fabulous month to be on the water and another busy month at MHYC!
Melbourne Cup Lunch - Tuesday 7 November 
Last chance to to book your seats for the Race that Stops the Nation! Dig out your brightest Hawaiian shirt for some TROPICAL fun!
Book online - click here or call the office on 9969 1244. Guest arrival time 12 noon, for 12.30pm start.
Price includes the new Chandon "S" cocktail on arrival and a three course lunch with fabulous water views and all the action of Race Day live from Melbourne on the big screen. Lots of sweeps, prizes for fashions on the field and Melbourne Cup Trivia!
This year's event is proudly supported by Chandon X Seafolly Limited Edition Collection and Chandon "S".
Membership Cards - ready for collection
All membership cards for this season are available for collection from Reception seven days a week.
If your membership card has 17 on the front it has now expired and will no longer be able to be used.
Please call Simone on 02 9969 1244 or email membership@mhyc.com.au to pay with a credit card or drop into Reception between 9am and 5pm any day of the week to pay with cash or credit card.
Smuggler first to enter for Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship
Entries are now open for Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s (MHYC) Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC) to be conducted on the weekend of 25 and 26 November, and Sebastian Bohm, with his Rogers 46, Smuggler, was quick off the mark to enter in the Premier Class.
Smuggler, which previously competed as ‘The Goat’, has been extensively campaigned on the eastern seaboard since 2015, including in the Rolex Sydney Hobart, in which she finished fourth in Division 2 in 2015.
Smuggler placed second in the NSW IRC Championship and is a regular at MHYC major events and at Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island Race Weeks. Bohm says of his entry: “We are keen to participate in the opening offshore regatta of the season.”
MHYC Commodore, Peter Lewis, says, “The Club is gearing for what is likely to be one of our largest SSORC’s on record – a wonderful way to celebrate our 40th running of the event.
“Apart from early enquiries from those boats heading to Hobart this year, we have included the Sydney 38 East Coast Championship and Farr 40 One Design Series for the first time. The Jeanneaus and the increasingly popular Super 12s are returning as part of their respective inshore series too,” he ended.
In celebrating its 40th anniversary, the SSORC continues to meet the constant evolution of yacht racing and is regarded as ideal preparation for the Sydney Hobart and the offshore season in general.
This year, competitors will sail a Passage Race on Saturday, which does double duty as MHYC and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s Ocean Pointscore, but many yachts will race over both days towards the final trophy.
MHYC is introducing some innovations for Sunday racing, replacing the shorter windward/leeward format with a single ocean race, using a hybrid course of laid and virtual marks to provide competitive racing for all types of boats.
For the first time, the Sydney 38 East Coast Championship and Farr 40 One Design Series will be combined into the SSORC.
Peter Byford and David Hudson’s Conspiracy and Chris Heraghty’s Risk were the first two Sydney 38’s to sign on the dotted line.
Conspiracy competes regularly in RPAYC Division 1 inshore and offshore and was recognised as Best Performing Club Yacht for the 2013/14 season and winner of the Inshore Series 2014/15. Her name is also engraved on the Sydney 38 Corinthian Cup for winning the National and NSW Championships – helped by her two owners ‘conspiring’ to sail together for the past 30 years.
Running in tandem with Saturday’s racing is the challenging Seven Islands Race, for those who prefer to sail an inshore fun race that starts and finishes off MHYC. After a pursuit style start, the race takes in some of the Harbour’s iconic islands either side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, such as Fort Denison, Goat, Cockatoo, Snapper and Spectacle Islands.
The Super 12’s return in a separate division for the Seven Islands Race and windward leeward races on the Sunday. Among those expected to enter are Adrian Walters’ Little Nico, the Rob Shaw 11 Metre one-design that recently took out Division 1 at SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week. Boats entered into the Jeanneau Cup series will also have their own divisional start on Saturday.
Competitors and friends are invited to Middle Harbour Yacht Club after each day’s racing where they will enjoy the post-race party for drinks, beach BBQ and live entertainment.
Middle Harbour Yacht Club would like to thank Helly Hansen and Sydney City Marine for their support of the Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship.
Standard entries close at 2359 hours on Friday 10 November, 2017. To enter online and for all information on the SSORC, please go to: www.ssorc.mhyc.com.au
To all Marina Berthholders who are NOT participating in this event, we are urgently looking to secure extra berths to accommodate many of the visiting boats over the weekend and encourage their enjoyment of our facility - please let Matt Pyne know if you are going to be away for the weekend so that we can utilise any extra spaces. Many thanks .....
CRUISING DIVISION TALK - Monday 20 November
Kingsley Griffin - Senior PhD Researcher, Applied Marine & Estuarine Ecology Lab, UNSW.
Kingsley wears a few different hats - he’s a keen sailor and underwater videographer, but his day job is as a marine scientist. Kingsley has spent the last few years investigating the threats and management of Sydney harbour’s reefs and seagrass meadows - he’s interested in finding pragmatic ways to reduce our impact and allow for restoration of these important habitats. But outside of his PhD research, Kingsley recently returned from Greenland, where he sailed a section of the West coast north of the arctic circle, to film underwater where few have dived before.
Since most of us haven’t sailed or dived in Greenland, this is a great opportunity to hear more about a fascinating and far-flung part of the world - and maybe hear a thing or two about our own backyard, too.
BYO BBQ from 6.30pm and talk commences 8.00pm.
MHYC/HELLY HANSEN Merchandise - new stock available
New stock has now arrived! Come by the office and take a look at our range of MHYC jackets, fleeces, polo shirts, shorts and more from quality brand Helly Hansen and kit out your crew for the season. Club members receive 10% discounts on all purchases.
All the News.....
Parking Reminder - MHYC provides several parking spaces for members to use while they are enjoying the facilities of the club. These are only to be used by cars with a current 2018 membership sticker on display. If you hold a Mosman Parking Permit on your car or are leaving the premises please do not park in these spaces. It is only fair that these spaces are used by members for the benefit of members.
Marina request - Skippers are not permitted to leave their yachts on the T-heads on Thursday 9 November as this space is required for the ASX Regatta on Friday 10 November.
Dogs at the Club - they are welcome to be here on site, but must remain on a leash at all times and are not permitted into any of the internal club areas for health reasons. We would appreciate your co-operation and please note there is a dog bowl for fresh water located at the top of the steps leading onto the beach.
Harbourview Bistro Dining now includes Wednesday & Sunday nights as well as an afternoon snack menu each day from 3-5pm - only for a limited time - trial period - if you like it make sure you try it! Bookings are preferred - it's good if we can let the Chef know you are coming.
Kayaks for MHYC members - As the water and days warm up our new kayaks are a great way to get out on the water for an hour or two. It could also be a fun way for parents to watch their kids who are out learning to sail! Midweek or weekend, these are available for $15/hour for a single - $20/hour for a double. Call the club to book in advance on 9969 1244. Rental fees apply. Form here.
Sandbar Cafe - Perfect for your summer function or end of year get together! Private area overlooking white sandy beach with level access and bar. Contact our Function Co-ordinator Fran to discuss your party on 9969 1244 or functions@mhyc.com.au
Thursday Twilight Series - results 26 October
Division One
1 PT73 - Stuart McGeady
2 SAILEXCHANGE - Carl Crafoord
3 WAILEA - Niclas Westling
Division Two
1 OPTIMUM - Stuart Jordan
2 SIRIUS - Garth Riley
3 MOONSHADOW IV - Lloyd Bennett
Division Three
1 ARISTEA - Robin Tedder
2 PINDIMARA - Mark McLean
3 BULA - David Lavings
Division Four
1 SEEBEA - Mark Bothwell
2 CUTTING LOOSE - James Kaill
3 SINGLE MALT - Peter Gilliland
** Don't forget to book a table for your crew in the Harbourview Bar and Bistro after racing - please call 9969 1244 and we can take your reservation.**
Yacht Sales Australia Wednesday Series - results 1 November
Many thanks to our sponsors for the Wednesday Series, Ivan & Jeff Rowe of Yacht Sales Australia.
Division One
1 LITTLE NICO - Adrian Walters
2 EXILE - Rob Reynolds
3 LAZY DOG - Shaun Lane
Division Two
1 EQUINOX - Todd Trenear
2 MORTGAGE CHOICE RHUMBA - Robert Carr / Kerry Burke
3 RENAISSANCE - Mike Lowry
If you are looking to buy or sell a boat, visit their website at www.yachtsalesaustralia.com.au. Special commission discount available to MHYC Members.
Youth Sailing Program
MHYC Debenture Offer - now open, but closing soon ....
We are seeking expressions of interest from members to become new Debenture Holders. The Debenture Program helped finance the marina extension in 2014, and several of those debentures are now maturing. The refinancing of those will be mainly through debenture holders rolling over, but we do need some new debentures as well.
These have attractive interest rates and are a secure investment. This opportunity is open to all members.
Please contact the Treasurer, Neil Padden, 0410418665 or npadden@bigpond.net.au Expressions of interest close 17 November, 2017.
New Marina Offer for Long Term Marina Licences
In line with the Club’s long term financing plans, the Board has approved a new offer for long-term marina berth licences. This is an attractive offer for boat owners who want a marina berth, and at the same time enables you to support the Club. Should you have any questions or wish to proceed, enquire now before the Licence allocation is used up, and discuss with Matt Pyne, Neil Padden or Jack Stening.
Sandbar Cafe - Open 7 days a week
The Sandbar Cafe is open 7 days a week from 8am. Come down to the Club & enjoy our coffee and freshly made gourmet rolls or an icecream.
Don't forget we have takeaway beverages for sale - cases of beer, bottles of wine, and ice.
Sandbar Cafe will be closed on Christmas Day.
Harbourview Bar & Bistro
The Harbourview Bar & Bistro is open on Saturdays and Sundays for a delicious breakfast from 8am. Sit on the balcony and enjoy the view - Click Here for the Breakfast Menu.
The Harbourview Bar & Bistro's Lunch & Dinner menu is available online - Click Here for the Current Menu.
The Harbourview Bar & Bistro is open Wednesday to Sunday for Lunch and Wednesday to Sunday for Dinner, with daily specials. For all bookings, please call the MHYC office on 9969 1244.
Harbourview Bar & Bistro will be closed on Christmas Day.
