The Slocum Spray Society of Australia Inc.

News

The Slocum Spray Society of Australia Inc.

in conjunction with

The Queensland Cruising Yacht Club Inc.

are proud to announce the 2^nd annual SSSA

EQUINOX RALLY

CLASSIC YACHT RALLY

SAT 17^TH & SUN 18^TH MARCH 2012

Click here for programme, application and entry conditions

For updates on race programme, please visit the QCYC web page http://www.qcyc.com.au/go/Home.aspx

Report on the Inaugural

Slocum Spray Society of Australia

Classic Yacht

Equinox Rally

Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th March 2011

In association with the Queensland Cruising Yacht Club

In conjunction with The Queensland Cruising Yacht Club we held our first Equinox Rally on the weekend of March 19th and 20th. What started as an idea of BruceScammel's at one of our committee's meetings grew into a weekend-long celebration of all things classical.

Bruce's concept was for classic boats to sail in a rally then stay together for the weekend to meet each other, display our boats and to share out passion for all things sailing. Not just each other but to the general public as well. Brilliant! Add in some good food, great music, classic cars and a fun and rewarding time was had by all who attended. It has filled a niche in the sailing calendar and can only get bigger and better.

The weather certainly did us no favours with it bucketing down both days and blowing a lively 20 knots. That didn't daunt our hardy fleet of 11 entrants, each of

whom made the trip to the compass adjustment buoy at the mouth of Brisbane river for the timed start. John, skipper of the catamaran “True Love” was our start boat, he did a great job though we may have to confiscate the airhorn next year, so exuberant was his use of it. We then sailed a 2-leg course round the Brisbane Roads mark and back to the finish line off the entrance to Cabbage Tree Creek at Shornecliffe. We had one boat pull out, “Talinga Too” skippered by Mike McLean due to engine trouble.

By the time we had safely made fast at QCYC we were all very wet but feeling good after a hard sail. After well deserved hot showers we hit the QCYC restaurant for dinner and drinks, all feeling like we had had a bit of an adventure.

Several of the boats had taken young inexperienced crew who were applying for positions on the Oceanswatch projects for this year. These crew really felt theyhad "been out there, sailing hard, wet, but worth every minute. It was so exciting". I think the skippers enjoyed the experience of teaching keen young people too.

Sunday we started bright and early with the gates opening to the public at 8 am and the band, Metaphor, who play a very good funky jazz starting at 8.45 am.

Over a lively breakfast the triumphs, excuses, tall tales and true were exchanged with a lot of not always gentle tagging, especially of me, as “Velella” came a re-sounding last. Of course, I blame the handicapper, it had nothing to do with us not having all the sails up at our start time!

Several members of the MG club turned up with their cars along with some Triumphs, much to the delight of the car buffs among us. Bonnets were lifted and our menfolk were lost for a while in the world of pistons and power-to-weight ratios.

We had about 50 brave members of the general public pop in to look at the boats, talk about the boat they once had or the one they are going to get, many of themvery knowledgeable, all of them enthusiastic. Several of the fleet skippers took people onboard for a tour which went over really well and I personally found this very rewarding. Who doesn't like compliments of their boat? Bruce's Spray “Rozinante” was a crowd pleaser with everyone who went aboard gobsmacked at the volume.

At noon we had the presentation with “Wee Barkie” taking line honours and “Balanara” taking " Best Presented" boat. Both well deserved wins.

I believe the weather, in the end, was a blessing in disguise. Had it been a glorious day we could have been inundated and maybe as newbies that may have beenhard. This way, we had a chance to learn a huge amount, iron out the wrinkles and get feedback from everyone involved.

Overall we all had a great sail, a lot of fun, met a bunch of really interesting people and got a close look at some beautiful boats and cars. We talked restoration,swapped tips, names of good tradies, sailing adventures and of course the history of our boats, with one, “Tequila” having been in the same family for 44 years from grandfather to now grandson - how lovely. We made friends and sailing buddies for the future, it was a great weekend.

Next year, who knows? All of this year's entrants have put their name down for next year, as have the MG and Triumph clubs. QCYC are happy to have us back and we've had a few inquiries from skippers who couldn't make it this year but want to go on the mailing list for next year.

We've certainly started something, and I, for one wouldn't miss it for quids.

My thanks to Bruce Scammels whose dedication and hard work for the society over the last six months is unsurpassed. Working with him has always been a joy.

His idea to hold the Equinox rally for the Slocum Spray Society has proven inspirational and defining for the Society.

Bryan Perdon
SV Vellella

The Slocum Spray Society, held the first NSW get together for 2010 at the Kirribilli Club, Lavender Bay, Sydney on Sunday 15 August. The Slocum Spray Society promotes cruising whether single handed or crewed. Membership is open to everyone interested in cruising. You do not have to be a Spray owner to be a member. Fun social events are held in both Queensland and NSW. The next NSW event will be in November, at the Central Coast. It is planned to hold a Sydney get-together two or three times a year, rotating around Newcastle, Central Coast and Sydney.

Contact either Roger Borrow 0424 190 341 rborrow1@bigpond.com or Geoff Robertson sunlitseas@gmail.com

Some of our Sydney members (and some Queensland visitors) enjoying lunch at the Kirribilli Club on 15 August.

At the AGM on Saturday 12 June, the Early Bird prize for those who got their membership renewals in by the end of May was drawn. The winners were Rex and Gael Bidgood. The prize, very kindly donated by Fine Line Boat Plans, was a very nice book entitled "The Sailmakers Apprentice" Well done Rex and Gael.

Presentation of Burgee to Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club

On 20 January 2010, six members of the Slocum Spray Society, four being founding members of the Society, met with officials of the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club to present the SSSA Burgee.

The Burgee was presented to the NCYC to be added to the very impressive tribute to Joshua Slocum and Spray which adorns the bar area at the entrance to the club.

Left: Life member of the SSSA, and first president, David Mann, (right), presents the SSSA burgee to Ernie Thirkell, Club Captain NCYC. Note the painting and model in the background. (click on photos to enlarge)

Newcastle was the first port of call in Australia by Joshua Slocum during his historic solo circumnavigation in 1895-98.

A member of the Club, Mike Eggelston, painted a magnificent canvas of Josh and Spray entering Newcastle “in the teeth of a gale” in 1896. Mike also built a delightful scale model of Spray, fully rigged, which sits in a glass case below the painting.

The NCYC has many club burgees adorning the walls around the bar area, but the SSSA burgee will take pride of place with the other Slocum and Spray items.

Slocum Spray Society members, Geoff Robertson, top left, the artist Mike Eggelston (blue shirt), NCYC Club Captain Ernie Thirkell (holding burgee) together with David & Ann Mann and Lyn & Barry Hunt, right. Judith Robertson not in photo.

For the latest sail-away information, please contact Melinda Taylor Ph 0421 778 627 or 0409874929

Sprays, and any other cruising sail-boats most welcome.
Call Melinda on 0421 778 627 or 0409 874 929 to signal your intentions.

Click here to read about a recent Moreton Bay Spray sail-away.