Perfect conditions for Gaffers Day 2008

by Peter Campbell on 20 Oct 2008
Sydney Harbour turned on perfect sailing conditions on Sunday for Sydney Amateur Sailing Club’s Gaffers Day 2008, a rally for vessels that hoist a spar (gaffers) and classic Bermudan rigged yachts.

Nearly 70 boats took part in this wonderful reminder of Sydney’s yachting history, based at the picturesque Amateurs’ clubhouse in Mosman Bay.

The day began with breakfast on the wharf as yachts, their white topsides, teak decks and brightwork sparkling in the sunlight, their sails white (with the occasional tan), gathered at the SASC. The firing of a cannon at 12 noon signalled the time for yachts to hoist sails (and spars) and head out on to the Harbour.

The rally began with a timed start in Athol Bight from 1300 hours, the big fleet sailing in six divisions comprising historical skiffs, two divisions of gaff-rigged yachts, including a line-up of the famous Ranger class, and Bermudan slow and Bermudan fast yachts.

By 1430 hours the faster yachts had finished the course and had begun returning to the Amateurs and the prizegiving, for a late afternoon of salty stories over cold drinks.