Geelong Wooden Boat Festival Labour Weekend, March

by Bob Appleton on 12 Jan 2008
The stage is set, the orchestra tuned and the maestro has the baton in hand. In just a few short weeks, a repeat of last year's highly successful Wooden Boat Festival will be launched at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, here on Corio Bay.

To be held during the weekend of 8th, 9th and 10th of March 2008, entries are pouring in promising to make this year's event even bigger and better than ever before!

Irish yachtsman and yachting historian, Hal Sisk will be the guest speaker and has recently given a version of his presentation at the Seawanaka Corinthian Yacht Club at Oyster Bay, New York.

Hal Sisk is the owner and restorer of the 36ft long cutter yacht 'Peggy Bawn' which is a unique sailing yacht originally built in the 19th Century and now rebuilt and restored to be quite capable of sailing into the 22nd!

Hal has suggested that the theme of his address will probably be, 'Peggy goes to America' - 'Cruising and Campaigning a 113 year old Classic Cutter, from Maine to New York, including Nantucket, Newport, Martha's Vineyard, etc.'

He reported that the last week of that fantastic two month adventure is nearing completion and he has assembled a visual presentation that will hold the audience's rapt attention! This will put quite a different slant on classic yachting that will be a completely brand new experience to most attending.

Other activities over the weekend include a magnificent display of wooden boats from clinker built dinghies, large topsail cutters, putt putts, dories, classic speedboats, yachts, fishing boats, old ocean racers, harbour greyhounds, and ex-pilot launches!

Special shore-based displays of wooden boat building, actually in progress, which will highlight the outstanding artistry of prominent boat builders who will compliment this historic assembly of Victoria's outstanding maritime heritage.

The 2008 program will once more include the Grand Parade of Boats, a magnificent cavalcade of sail, the Concourse d' Elegance and racing on the bay for the Corio Bay Couta Boat Cup.

Add to this the Corio Bay Classic Wooden Yacht Cup and the opening event of the Passage Races from Melbourne and Portarlington and it's a weekend that can be only be described as 'Spectacular'!

The general public will have easy access making full enjoyment of so much activity almost guaranteed. The promise of something for everyone is no mean boast with the enjoyment level in the hands of the beholder!
These dates should be put into your diary NOW to avoid disappointment!
For more information, contact the Royal Geelong Yacht Club on (03) 5229 3705 or e-mail, info@rgyc.com.au

This festival is proudly supported by:-
Whyte, Just and Moore Lawyers, Power Drive Marine, The Wooden Boat Shop, Geelong Homes, Four Winds Marine, Longboard Wines, NetPress Printing, Club Marine, Freedom Bay Cruises, Bakers Delight (Torquay), Barwon Timber, Bell Potter Securities-Geelong, John Gill Butchers and Vicsail-Geelong.