One Perfect day for Cruising fleet

by Rob Kothe on 20 Aug 2005 The cruising division at Hamilton Island race week continues to provide the backbone of the fleet. Today 91 cruising boats lined up in Cat’s-eye Bay for the 22nd year.

A wonderful mixture of styles and types from the luxurious new Azzura Yachts built Bliss, to production boat John and Kim Clintons new Beneteau 523 Holy Cow to the old and colourful like Maria Tzannes Elessa of Kythera and some much smaller boats like Albert Reynolds Marisa and Bill McMillan’s Nessie

The fleet started in waves with about four rows, some of the more relaxed crews crossing the start lines some three minutes after the leaders.

A nice ten knots at the start and more and more sunshine as the fleet beat up past Pentecost Island.

The tide was ebbing north with quite some pace as the cruising fleet approached the western tip of Lindeman Island and crossing the rushing river became an increasing challenge.

But once across there was enough pressure for a fast leg to Brush Rock and then a beautiful run north to Hamilton and up the Dent Passage to the finish line.

12-15 knot south east trade sailing in a tropical winter postcard, its hardly surprising that the fleet continues to grow each year here.

Greg Maguire’s Jeanneau 40 Rex won from the Paul Ryan’s cruiser version of the popular Bavaria 42 Just One More. In third place was Brad and Maryke Barkers Beneteau 435 Spirit.

Maryke summed up everyone’s feelings today ‘One Perfect Day’