Get out and sail: Your weekly crewing update from MySail
by Deborah Dalziel/MySailTeam 22 Mar 2018 07:00 AEDT
MySail team getting ready to start MYC Women's Challenge - © MySail
Last Sunday was the annual Women's Challenge at Manly Yacht Club in Sydney.
This is always a great event, but also seems to mean it's guaranteed to blow a gale and give the girls a challenge. With a strong wind warning forecast for the afternoon, it meant an exciting trip around the track for the ladies (and men) competing.
As I have for several years, I entered the race with a last minute team comprising of some very experienced sailors as well as some new but very competent and enthusiastic crew. The mix of talent made for an interesting day for all, and a great learning experience for the newer crew members.
All in all, we had a great day on the water, and were one of a very small number of boats to get a kite up during the race! The results... let's just say, not our best.
If you're a new or experienced sailor looking to get out on the water, here are just a few of the latest sailing opportunities from around the country.
Available Crewing Positions:
Madman's Woodyard – Bellerive, TAS
Dubois Fractional rig, 31.5 foot, RYCT, BYC, DSS
Built in Queensland and launched in 1981, Madman's Woodyard is built with Queensland Maple, cold moulded and triple diagonally planked.
She has competed in at least 4 Sydney-Hobart races, losing her rudder after colliding with a sunfish in 1987 and famously completing the 1986 race after losing her mast and making it to Hobart under jury rig.
Madman's Woodyard has been owned by Wizze since April 2015. She has old sails and an old but experienced nucleus of a crew who try to do well, but not at all costs, and all enjoy a beer or two at the end of the day!!
Click here to view profile & message skipper.
VX One Association Australia
VX One, 5.9 m, various locations
The VX One is a modern light one-design sports boat that has great form stability instead of a deep heavy keel. She accelerates quickly and sails at wind speed downwind up to 15 knots. The flat stern sections and chines make her easy to control.
The layout of the VX One is clean and simple. With a self-tacking jib and single line to launch and douse the spinnaker a crew of two or three can easily control her.
You can get in on the ground floor of this exciting and growing class, with races and regattas held around the country.
Click here to view profile & message.
Empara – Williamstown, VIC
Sydney 38, 9.73 metres, RYCV
Empara is based at the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria. Her skipper and most crew are mature and experienced.
In the summer Empara sails in the Royals Wednesday afternoon series and some passage races, and in winter they sail in the Lura Gloria trophy, which they have won on 2 occasions.
Click here to view profile & message skipper.
If you're a yacht owner looking for crew or a sailor wanting to join a team for twilight, club or competitive racing, head over to www.mysail.team to register your free account today. If you're looking for crew, you can also complete this short form and MySail will work on finding suitable crew on your behalf.