Please select your home edition
Edition
Mackay Boats 728x90 TOP

Vintage Yacht Regatta celebrates fifty years of timber yachts and tradition

by Queensland Cruising Yacht Club 9 Jun 01:27 PDT 18-20 July 2025
Vintage Yacht Regatta © Queensland Cruising Yacht Club

The Queensland Cruising Yacht Club (QCYC) will host the 50th Vintage Yacht Regatta from 18 to 20 July 2025 at Shorncliffe, celebrating five decades of timber yachts, traditional seamanship and spirited racing on Moreton Bay.

Affectionately known as The Gaffers, the event is one of the longest-running classic yacht gatherings in the country. It attracts a wide range of timber vessels from around Queensland and interstate, from beautifully restored dinghies to ocean-going ketches over 60 feet, with some crews representing the third generation of their family to take part.

The regatta will feature Around the Cans racing for yachts and Navigation Trials for motor yachts, held over two days on a triangular course off the Shorncliffe headland. Entries are open to timber vessels that meet the eligibility criteria.

"This regatta continues to be a showcase for noted Australian marine architects and builders including Alan Payne, Ron Swanson, Clem Masters and the Hartley business," said event organiser Charlie Jeays. "Their international equivalents are represented by Herreshoff, Alden, and Sparkman and Stevenson. It's a rare chance to see these boats not just on display but out doing what they were built to do."

The weekend includes a full racing and social program, with trophies awarded across rig types, classes and presentation categories. Prizes include the Ted Rice Shield, the Deagon Slipways Trophy and the Australiawide Boat Sales Trophy.

Spectators can enjoy views of the racing from the Shorncliffe headland and foreshore or take in the marina views from the QCYC Clubhouse while enjoying a meal or drink from the Club's bar and restaurant.

QCYC was founded in 1948 and is one of Queensland's oldest sailing clubs. The Vintage Yacht Regatta has been a fixture on its calendar since 1976, starting with just six entries and growing steadily over the years.

"This event is about more than racing," said Jeays. "It's about the heritage, the craftsmanship, and the shared respect for these vessels and the people who keep them sailing."

QCYC gratefully acknowledges the support of Husk, who have generously provided in-kind support in the form of Husk Rum prizes for the event. Husk Rum will also be available for purchase across the bar throughout the weekend.

Entries are now open via the QCYC website.

Related Articles

New careers and bright futures
Gladstone Ports Corporation's 2025 apprentices and trainees A cohort of fresh-faced apprentices and trainees are kick starting their careers after being welcomed into Gladstone Ports Corporation's (GPC's) workforce. Posted on 7 Feb
Major funding for Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race
A contribution of $300,000 to the Queensland Cruising Yacht Club Queensland's oldest race, the Brisbane to Gladstone (B2G), will set sail for the 76th year with the help of a major commitment from GPC - a contribution of $300,000 to the Queensland Cruising Yacht Club (QCYC) over the next five years. Posted on 30 Jan 2024
J/99 silvers in Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race
A 308nm whopper of a challenge along the shoreline The 75th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race (B2G), organized by Queensland Cruising Yacht Club, recently took place over the Easter Holiday weekend in Queensland, Australia. Posted on 1 May 2023
75th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race finishes
Classic yachts rank top of the table after brutal journey The classic pint-sized yachts have proven their might weathering this year's brutal and long 75th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race which set sail on Good Friday (7 April) with the oldest yacht in the race fleet winning overall on corrected time Posted on 10 Apr 2023
First finishers in Brisbane to Gladstone Race
Celestial was the first yacht across the Gladstone Harbour finish line at dawn Celestial was the first yacht across the Gladstone Harbour finish line at dawn this morning in what has been a historic but brutal 75th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race (75th B2G). Posted on 9 Apr 2023
75th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race update
There are still 38 of the original 46 starting fleet out on course There are still 38 of the original 46 starting fleet out on course racing one of Australia's oldest and most iconic yacht races, the Gladstone Ports Corporation 75th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race Posted on 8 Apr 2023
Tough night for Brisbane to Gladstone Race sailors
8 yachts retiring from one of Australia's oldest and most iconic yacht races It was a tough, wild and wet first night for one of Australia's oldest and most iconic yacht races, the Gladstone Ports Corporation 75th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race Posted on 8 Apr 2023
A wet start for Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race
Challenging conditions lie ahead for the 46 yachts It was a wet start today for one of Australia's oldest yacht races, the Gladstone Ports Corporation 75th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race which set sail at 11am from Moreton Bay. Posted on 7 Apr 2023
75th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race preview
Upwind start predicted for the 47 yachts lining up tomorrow Anticipation has been building amongst sailors contesting the iconic Gladstone Ports Corporation 75th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race which sets sail tomorrow from Moreton Bay with an upwind start predicted - the first for many years. Posted on 6 Apr 2023
75th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race preview
47 strong fleet set to start the race on Good Friday A fleet of 47 offshore racing yachts will line up to make sailing history when they contest Australia's second oldest blue water yacht race - the Gladstone Ports Corporation 75th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race (B2G) which sets sail on Good Friday. Posted on 22 Mar 2023
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERVaikobi 2024 DecemberRS Sailing 2021 - FOOTER