Catalina Yachts Lake Macquarie Rendezvous #4

by Greg Cockle and Rod Mackay on 11 Feb 2009
Catalina Yachts held their annual Lake Macquarie rendezvous over the weekend of January 10th – 11th. The event, as in past years was hosted by Catalina’s Lake Macquarie dealer, Rod Mackay of RA Mackay Yacht Brokerage and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Toronto.

This year the event attracted 16 Catalina yachts ranging in size from 27’ through to the flagship of the fleet, the Catalina 470. We organised a flotilla cruise up the coast on the Thursday night prior to the weekend to provide some confidence for those crews making their first overnight passage. Because of the timing of the tides, it necessitated a departure from Broken Bay at 0200 on the Friday morning so as to arrive at the Swansea Bar and go under the bridge at 0900. The forecast for the trip up looked great – almost full moon and a light 10 knot southerly. Well that didn’t quite pan out. We had 30 knots from the south, it was overcast so you couldn’t see the moon and the 3 metre seas were coming from every direction imaginable. However, these boats are built to take a lot worse than that and we all arrived at the Bar at the appointed time, everyone agreeing the experience was worthwhile (at least most said this after they were sitting at a comfortable, dry table at the club after a few drinks later that night!). Special thanks to the Swansea Volunteer Coastal Patrol who came out and guided us through the 'dog legs' of the channel and were extremely helpful.

The Saturday race day dawned bright and clear with the promise of north easterly winds – ideal conditions for racing on the Lake. The Catalina ‘no –extras’ division of 14 boats got under way at 1:30PM under the direction of RMYC for two laps around the course in perfect conditions – a light 12-14 knot breeze strengthening during the afternoon to 20 knots.

Line honours winner for the second year in a row was the Catalina 42 'Volaré' owned by Debbie and Greg Cockle who sailed her from the US in 2007 and is still very much in ‘cruising mode’. First on handicap and winner of the Catalina Cup was 'Southern Spirit' a Catalina 380 owned by Colin and Jennifer Young from Brisbane Waters. Second on handicap was 'Emennar' a Catalina 320 owned by Mel Steiner from Brooklyn followed by 'Top Cat III' a Catalina 320 owned by Annie and Martin Bennett from MHYC.Fourth overall was yet another C320 'Pizzicato' skippered by Terry Sinclair who saved face for the local Lake Macquarie fleet who can hopefully arc up for some more prizes next year.
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The presentation dinner hosted by RMYC on the Saturday night attracted sixty owners and crew representing seventeen yachts. Trophies donated by sponsors Club Marine, Ausail Pathfinder Marine Group, R.A. Mackay Yacht Brokerage, Minards Diesel, RMYC Toronto and Eastcoast Marine and Sail were awarded and gratefully received.

On the Sunday, those yachts that didn’t sail back south participated in a leisurely cruise down the lake followed by a raft up at Styles Point where the current record for the number of people sitting in the cockpit of a Catalina imbibing in a few cold ones was beaten by one and now stands at twenty one adults. Word had it that a few of the boats were still rafted up on Tuesday, although the number of people in 'Southern Spirit’s' cockpit had thinned out. The eight yacht raft up on a beautiful summer day was certainly a lively occasion, and well worth the trip.

Those of us who had to come back to work had a magical sleigh ride down the coast on Sunday with a 15–20 knot north easterly, bright sunny skies and dancing dolphins thrown in for good measure.

All up, a fantastic weekend.

Click on thumbnail below to enlarge and view more images from the Lake Macquarie Rendezvous.