E-News 9 November
Hope you all had a fun day on Tuesday for Melbourne Cup Day - our lunch at the club was certainly a success with plenty of happy winners. Many thanks to the fabulous Chandon Sparkling and the amazing prize for the Best Dressed Lady donated by Charo Devery & Luscious Finds Jewellery!
Our next event is a Whisky Tasting with Glenmorangie on Wednesday 22nd November - 6.30 - 7.30 pm and only $20 pp for members or $25 for non-members! Limited to 40 pax, so you better book early~!
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.
The 40th edition of Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s (MHYC) Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship (SSORC) will be conducted on the weekend of 25-26 November and the Club is introducing innovations for the final day of racing.
Instead of the usual shorter windward/leeward races, the Club is replacing them with a single ocean race, using a hybrid course of laid and virtual marks to provide competitive racing for all types of boats
“It’s our intention that the Sunday course will commence with a windward-leeward around laid marks and then to one or more virtual marks," Race Officer Denis Thompson said.
“Using virtual marks enables us to set the course angles and length that will provide good racing on all points of sail without the logistical challenges of laying and retrieving marks in deep water
“While the idea of virtual marks may be new to many of our local sailors, they’ve been utilised for the Volvo Ocean Race and the Royal Ocean Racing Club in the UK. They have also been used for years to define restricted areas, traffic separation lanes for shipping and as course rounding marks,” Thompson ended.
The Sailing Instructions will be published one week before the SSORC so that navigators can plot the course well ahead of race day. On-board navigation systems, or apps for portable devices such as Navionics can be used, provided there is a record of the plotted location of the virtual marks and the GPS track the boat sailed.
The Notice of Race incorporates the World Sailing Appendix WP – Rules for racing around waypoints.
For the first time, the Sydney 38 East Coast Championship and Farr 40 One Design Series will be combined into the SSORC, sailing windward-leeward offshore courses on Saturday and the hybrid offshore course on Sunday.
Ian Box, MHYC Chairman of Special Events noted: “This event is embedded in the history of Middle Harbour Yacht Club and Offshore racing in Sydney and once again we are expecting a strong fleet across both Premier and One Design fleets for the 40th running of the regatta.”
Ian, a past commodore of the Club, owns the successful XP 44 Toy Box 2, which he has entered in the Premier Class for IRC and ORCi: “My crew always look forward to participating in the regattas that offer close racing against yachts from a variety of clubs around NSW,” he commented.
“Two days of competitive racing at the SSORC are certainly a highlight of our sailing calendar, as is the Sydney Harbour Regatta in March. Both give us a great chance to test ourselves on the water and to catch up with fellow competitors at the post-racing debriefs on the beach back at the Club.”
Racing commences on Saturday, when competitors will sail a Passage Race, which includes MHYC and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s Ocean Pointscore. It is expected, many yachts will race over both days for points towards the final SSORC trophy.
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. Following a pursuit style start, the race takes in some of the Harbour’s iconic islands.
The Super 12’s will return in a separate division for the Seven Islands Race and windward-leeward races on the Sunday.
Ian concluded, “I encourage yacht owners to join us for a competitive weekend of racing. Make sure you get your entries in before the deadline of Friday 10th November via www.ssorc.mhyc.com.au.”
Middle Harbour Yacht Club would like to thank Helly Hansen and Sydney City Marine for their support of the Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship.
Di Pearson, MHYC Media
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.
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 our exclusive Apparel supplier Helly Hansen and kit out your crew for the season. Club members receive 10% discounts on all purchases.
All the News.....
Sail locker - MHYC provides a locker for members to use when their sails require servicing. Please keep the door to this locker closed at all times. This area is not to be used for storage of sails. Any sails remaining each Friday afternoon will be removed.
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 Manager 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 - members are welcome to bring their dogs however they must remain on a leash at all times and are not permitted into any of the internal club areas for health reasons. Please note there is a dog bowl for fresh water located at the top of the steps leading onto the beach.
Harbourview Bistro - now open Wednesday & Sunday nights as well as an afternoon snack menu each day from 3-5pm, but only for a limited time to see if our members are interested??
Kayaks for MHYC members - A great way to get out on the water or watch your kids racing. 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 - Private area overlooking white sandy beach with level access and bar. Contact our Functions Co-ordinator Fran to discuss your summer party on 9969 1244 or functions@mhyc.com.au
Nine Dragons - MHYC Open and IRC Division Representative, Bob Cox, is putting together a crew to represent the club in the 2018 Pittwater to Paradise Race on Nine Dragons. The race commences on Tuesday 2 January. If you are suitably qualified and keen to race please contact Bob on 0419 241 469 or bobcgailc@bigpond.com
Thursday Twilight Series - results 2 November
Division One
1 PEARL 2 - Michael Twomey
2 PT 73 - Stuart McGeady
3 LITTLE NICO - Adrian Walters
Division Two
1 NO FRIENDS - Geoffrey Charters
2 EXPRESSO - Philip Darling
3 SIRIUS - Garth Riley
Division Three
1 BLUE SKY - Carl Braden
2 FRENCH CONNECTION - Neil Simpson
3 BULA - David Lavings
Division Four
1 CUTTING LOOSE - James Kaill
2 SINGLE MALT - Peter Gilliland
3 HAZ2B - Harry Bridgen
** 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 8 November
Many thanks to our sponsors for the Wednesday Series, Ivan & Jeff Rowe of Yacht Sales Australia.
Division One
1 SWISH - Steven Proud
2 TOY BOX 2 - Ian Box
3 TSA MANAGEMENT - Tony Levett
Division Two
1 LET LOOSE - Paul Saunders
2 PEARL 2 - Michael Twomey
3 CONTENTIOUS - Brian Lees
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.
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, fresh muffins, slices 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.
