Dent to Drunk Rally –Seriously Non-Serious

by Marlene Leith “S.V. Callala” on 8 Jun 2006 Cyclone Larry, equalling Darwin’s Cyclone Tracey in speed and size, damaged Dunk Island severely and the resort remains closed until 1st July. So the annual Dent to Dunk Race and Coral Coast Rally (renamed, some say, as ‘Dent to Drunk’) this year finished at Port Hinchinbrook Marina instead.

SV Callala was one of the boats participating, and Marlene Leith tells the story of this very seriously non-serious event:

This year we chose to sail in the rally division of the Dent to Dunk Event, and do the 'Dent to Drunk' rather than work hard and sail solidly to Hinchinbrook.

Actually, we decided to do this after reading the SAILING INSTRUCTIONS. What other race has included in their sailing instructions ‘THE RALLY COMMITTEE MAY BE BRIBED?'

As well as SAILING INSTRUCTIONS, Commodore Frank Nachtigal and his team in the Abel Point Yacht Club organised SOCIAL INSTRUCTIONS for the Rally. Although not compulsory, it was strongly recommended that every boat participate. We were told off the record that ‘having fun was compulsory’!

So we started the rally with two ‘fun-filled’ days on Hamilton Island and on Sunday 21 May departed for our first leg to Cape Gloucester Eco Resort, a sail of approximately 38 nm. Burgers, Blues and Beer was the theme for the evening and the resort supplied a great buffet burger dinner. The gangster and blues costumes were fantastic with many of the yachts receiving prizes for their efforts. (No prizes for sailing, just for the costumes)

The second leg of approximately 52 nm took us to Cape Upstart where it was a free night. This just meant that most yachts socialised in the bay in a disorganised fashion instead of an organised one.

Tuesday was a leg of 72 nm to Horseshoe Bay and we finally got good sailing conditions. The lay day on Magnetic Island gave us all a chance to explore the island and in the evening we had full use of Magnetic International Resort for our ‘fun and festivities’. Frank and Rick had us all playing crazy games but we were rewarded for our ‘childish’ efforts by copious quantities of red wine.

Another of the sailing instructions was that prizes would be issued for the Biggest Fish Competition. The measuring implements set new standards of excellence, so that Inner Circle Rum and Coke cans became the new measuring system. The overall winner for the trip was presented with the prize for hauling in a fish longer than our Commodore.

The next leg - Magnetic Island to Little Pioneer Bay on Orpheus Island - was in glorious sunshine. This gave all the contestants intending to enter the swimwear competition to be held on the final evening a chance to improve on their tans. This leg was approximately 39 nm. Joke telling over the VHF was the theme for the day, with contestants being again rewarded with yet more red wine.

Fridays leg (33nm) to Cape Richards was in perfect conditions so a lot of the fleet stopped by Zoe Bay and gave the crew a chance to swim in the stream or under the waterfall. Touch of Paradise ran a Trivial Pursuit Game over the VHF for this leg, which was most entertaining.

Hinchinbrook Wilderness Lodge gave us all a chance to embarrass ourselves when they supplied Karaoke equipment. Maybe we should all stick to sailing and forget the singing! Finally, on Saturday the leg over to Hinchinbrook Marina was just a quick engine run.

Who in the Club decided to run a home made or boat made bikini competition? This hilarious event was held on the last evening so that all the competing yachts in both divisions could participate. There was a distinguished judging panel including Keith Williams who judged the competitors.

I personally hope all the spectator cameras failed and all evidence is lost as some contestants wearing the outfits could suffer greatly from bribery at a later date. Club Marine, the major sponsor for the event, could start marketing some of the costumes worn in their magazine!!! Seriously it was a very funny and entertaining night. I am waiting for offers to come in to purchase my 'coconut bra'.

The Dent to Dunk event is a must to any yachtie who likes to have fun. What other rally covers 220 miles of some of the most beautiful sailing area in Australia, has ‘SOCIAL INSTRUCTIONS’ for the event and gives out prizes for having a great time?

Join the Abel Point Yacht Club for the 4th annual Dent to Dunk, Coral Coast Rally in 2007. Geoff & Helen Shipsey had already entered their Elan 36, 'Sunrise' in next year’s event before prizes where presented for this year. For information about next years events, contact Abel Point Yacht Club, 07 49482000, or email apyc@anchoragewhitsunday.com.au

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