Pittwater to the Whitsundays

by Alec Barrass on 25 Feb 2002 Pittwater, Port Stephens, Coffs Harbour, Southport, Mooloolaba, Lady Musgrave, Great Keppel, Middle Percy, Mackay, Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island.

Just as the whales migrate from the southern ocean to North Queensland Whitsundays in mid-winter, the Teamsail Sydney 38's from Pittwater are going north for winter racing.

They will be competing in the Sydney 38 Nationals in Airlie Beach in early August followed by Hamilton Island Race week where a record number of Sydney 38's are expected to compete in the IRC championships.

As well as two experienced instructors, on the coastal passage, the boats carry between four and six sailors doing their Coastal Skippers courses. This course for which the Inshore skippers certificate is a prerequisite, covers advanced passage planning, advanced coastal navigation, offshore safety equipment, storm sails, emergency equipment, crew delegation and watch keeping, offshore night sailing and meteorology.

While the Sydney 38's are proven offshore racing boats, which make them ideal for offshore sailing courses, they have a number of features which make them superb for extended passages.

The volume below decks is unusually large, providing full standing room for the six footers. The galley layout lends itself to easy food preparation, while the overall cabin space making it a popular place for relaxing out of the sun and sound sleeping.

Whereas many quite large conventional cruisers, have quite restricted cock pit area, the big open cockpit area on the Sydney 38's built to allow racing crews to work the boat easily, is great for relaxed cruising. The aft-deck behind the helmsman, free of runner sheets is a favourite sun baking and sleeping spot as the Sydney 38's run north.

1200 glorious miles of Australian coastal sailing. Tough, but some one has to do it. Positions for trips to and from the Whitsunday Islands in July and late August are filling now.

For more information on Teamsail's mile-building offshore opportunities, email info@teamsail.com now.

TEAMSAIL AUSTRALIA Team Development & Learn to Sail Courses
Phone: 02 9999 3047 Fax 02 9997 4136 Email: info@teamsail.com

Website: http://www.teamsail.com
In a special Sail-World promotion, running until mid April, Teamsail & Pittwater Yacht Charter are offering entrants the chance to win a bareboat charter, offshore passage or sailing course. The winner has a choice of -

A day bareboat charter on a luxury 34ft yacht spent on Pittwater (north of Sydney) 2-day passage on an offshore sailing course or a 2-day overnight introductory or Competent crew sailing course

This prize is transferable by the winner to family members.

The sweepstakes entry form is on sail-world's home page http://www.sail-world.com