Geelong Wooden Boat Festival 8th, & 9th March
by Bob Appleton on 4 Mar 2008
Zoe Clair - Geelong Wooden Boat Festival Royal Geelong Yacht Club
The 2008 Whyte Just & Moore, Geelong Wooden Boat Festival this weekend is building to be an impressive display of wooden boats that will rival the Hobart Wooden Boat Festival. Over 50 entries have been received promising to make this year's event bigger and better than ever before.
Here in Geelong we will see an amazing array of historical, 'scrubbed and polished' 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!
Amongst all this will be the oldest yacht in Australia, the 45' Huon Pine Gaff Cutter, 'Zephyr'! Built at Port Adelaide in 1873 she won 3 of her first 15 races and was once owned by the Attorney General of S.A. After having a major refit in 1994 means that the 'Zephyr' will be one of the many highlights of this year's festival.
There'll also be special shore-based displays of wooden boat building actually in progress, that will highlight the outstanding artistry of prominent boat builders complimenting this absolutely historic assembly of Australia's outstanding maritime heritage.
The program also includes a Grand Parade of Boats in the cavalcade of sail and the 'Concourse d' Elegance' with boats absolutely gleaming with polished woodwork on the immaculately cared for boats,
The general public are invited to wander, free of charge, through the marina to witness history unfolding before their very eyes.
Racing will be conducted on the bay for the Corio Bay Couta Boat Cup and the Corio Bay Classic Wooden Yacht Cup making a weekend that could only described as 'Spectacular'!
The general public will have easy access to make full enjoyment of a variety of Activities almost guaranteed. The promise of something for everyone is no mean boast with the enjoyment level in the hands of the beholder!
Next Saturday and Sunday from 0900 daily. Further information from Royal Geelong Yacht Club on (03) 5229 3705 or e-mail, info@rgyc.com.au
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