It’s about time

by John Curnow on 11 Oct 2016 Yep. Many may have contemplated it, some had secret meetings about it, a few even said it to me, and so it here it is. We’re all out West!!! Woohooo. It was a good weekend to be around, too, for there were boat shows, club openings and even some racing to investigate. The sun came to the party a bit, as well, and Huey was certainly around…

During the week, 55 yachts got out from the Royal Perth Yacht Club for their race and 35 went for yacht from the Royal Freshwater Bay YC. They are two of eight majors on the magnificent Swan River, which is home to twelve in all. I was fortunate enough to attend the opening of RPYC’s 152nd season. They reside on an old WWII Catalina Base on the shores of Matilda Bay, as it turns out, and that’s with thanks to Chris Hardy for the heads up and tour of the facility.

RPYC moved from the bottom of William Street was when the freeway bridge went in over the narrows. Today they also have the Annexe, which is well down past the three bridges, offering unfettered access to the Indian Ocean. I gleefully joined in for the singing of the National Anthem, and I gather they even sing at presentation for the winners. Now that’s cool.

Further South I got to check out the oh-so-expansive Fremantle Sailing Club and enjoy a good dose of afternoon sun, which was as impressive as always, and nearly beaten by the outstanding murals on the huge arts and furniture building on the streets just behind.

Further South again and it was great to be at the Cruising Yacht Club of WA in Rockingham. What a view and setup they have. An expansive new marina tucked up near the Garden Island bridge at Point Peron will be a wonderful new locale. They also have a very cool regatta coming up in the Cockburn Sound event at the end of the year.

Ultimately all roads lead even further South to the Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club and their boat show. It is right on the shores of the Indian Ocean, so collected its fair share of the Sou’westers that blew in, but it is a large area with many boats and a burgeoning lifestyle along the many piers and shores of the inlet.

The show highlights the area’s love for trailable fishing craft and large Sportsfishermen, but cruising cats and cruiser/racers are in the marina too. Given the massive size of WA, long distance cruising and racing is a key feature. The South of Perth YC’s Dirk Hartog event marks the 400-year anniversary of the grand explorer’s escapades. The Freo to Geraldton starts on October 15 and WA also has many other long-haul events like FSC’s Freo to Bali Race and Rally. Little wonder the SSSC courses over the past and next weekends are so popular.

Right. The winner of the excellent effort prize at the Mandurah Boat Show was the Coelmo 7.4kVa Genset from THT Marine Sales. It has a Kubota three cylinder Diesel that runs at just 1500RPM, so it is super quiet, a MeccAlte brushless alternator and the best part; it is around 20-something percent cheaper than the opposition. Cue, Molly – ‘Do yourself a favour!’

Now it was not just WA that had club opening days going on over the weekend. There was a great turnout on the River Derwent in Hobart and other clubs are to have theirs this coming weekend. All the best to all the sailors and their clubs for the season. May the winds be fair, the temperatures warm and the racing terrific fun.

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