Race the Crown Series Bellerive Regatta, then cruise the Whitsundays!

by Grant Atherton on 12 Feb 2012 As an added incentive to compete in this year’s Crown Series Bellerive Regatta, the owners of Top Cat and Charter Yachts Australia based at Airlie Beach in the beautiful Whitsundays are providing a major prize draw with all sailors (not just the skippers) competing in the regatta eligible.

The Crown Series Bellerive Regatta may not boast a history approaching 200 years like some others around the nation, having been run for the first time in 2005, however it has grown incredibly in those few year and is now claimed to be the largest combined keel boat and off the beach dinghy regatta in Australia. The major prize is a five night bareboat charter in the Whitsundays on the sailing catamaran Top Cat, a 35 foot Seawind 1000XL launched in 2010.

Top Cat has an extended waterline providing superior performance and sea handling. All controls lead back to the cockpit and to make things even easier there is a self-tacking jib and single line reefing. With ease of handling and loads of deck space this vessel is great for both groups and couples (recommended for two to eight people). Top Cat has two double berths, two singles and the cockpit table drops to become another double. Easy access on and off the boat for diving and snorkeling is provided by the extended transoms.

Top Cat is fitted with an inverter, and comes with a rigid inflatable dinghy with outboard motor, transom gas BBQ, fully equipped galley with fridge and freezer, linen, snorkeling gear, CD Player with AM/FM Radio, full suite of electronic instruments including chart plotter, electric anchor winch, and heaps of other gear to make your charter a truly memorable experience.

You are able to tailor your Whitsunday holiday itinerary to suit yourself, and with 74 islands to choose from in the Whitsunday Island Group, each one will offer you something different. The Whitsunday Islands make the perfect sailing holiday choice as you are protected from the ocean swells by The Great Barrier Reef, making it quite safe for any level of experience.

The contrast between the stress and excitement of racing on the River Derwent in the Crown Series Bellerive Regatta and relaxing stress free on and in the beautiful waters of Queensland’s Whitsundays is like chalk and cheese, but it is suspected those with sail racing in their veins will be keeping an eye on the speed readout even as they make their way to such famous Whitsundays destinations including Hamilton Island, Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, Nara Inlet, Border Island, Hayman Island, and Daydream Island.

To be eligible to win the prize, sailors just need to make sure their name is on the entry list (do it yourself, don’t rely on your skipper!), and they must be present to claim the prize, if not there will be redraws until a valid winner emerges. The draw will be made on Sunday 26th February between the dinghy presentations and the keel boat presentations. The area around the stage is always buzzing at presentation time, and with the extra incentive to be there for the major prize draw, standing room only will be an understatement.

In addition to the major prize draw, Charter Yachts Australia is prepared to offer an additional free night across their entire charter fleet which includes sailing catamarans, sailing monohulls and also power boats. Charter Yachts Australia website