March 2013 No. 476

How good is this! Tim O’Regan Sunshine Forever and Tom Gable Kahlua snapped just having fun at Balls Head Bay. No. 476 March 2013 Coastal Cruising Club

GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO MAINSHEET Mainsheet welcomes your contributions and comments. Below are some guidelines and information to assist you in the preparation of your articles. Please contact the editor should you have any concerns or suggestions.

Stories should preferably be submitted by email as a Word document. Please contact the editor if this is a problem. Length should be less than 1600 words and it should contain less than five photos, to be used at the discretion of the editor. Longer stories will be published over several issues.

Submission of articles or images does not guarantee their publication. The editor reserve the right to edit or exclude any material submitted.

Use concise sentences. To avoid unnecessarily long or “wordy” sentences, try to keep most of your sentences to no more than 20-25 words.

Please limit the use of inverted commas (“..”) which can add confusion to a story. Boat names should be in italics ie; Barefoot.

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Any material mailed should be accompanied by a self addressed and stamped envelop if you want it returned.

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Every submission published (excluding committee reports) is eligible for the Editor’s Prize.

RISK STATEMENT To promote and foster the safe and enjoyable sailing and cruising in sailing yachts, this Risk Statement clarifies the risks and responsibilities of members attending or participating in Coastal Cruising Club of Australia Inc. (the Club) activities. Members acknowledge and accept that: Participation in events organised by the Club may involve certain risks which include the possibility of harm or damage to its vessels, equipment or persons inherently associated with the perils of the sea or weather. Such risks will require the exercise of the prior judgment of members on behalf of themselves, their guests and invitees whether to commence or continue any particular activity irrespective of information supplied by Club officers. It is the responsibility of individual members and/or skippers to determine whether or not to undertake or continue any passage or activity. Information provided by the Club through its meetings, publications or activities is intended as a guide only and is not necessarily endorsed by the Club.

It is strongly recommended that members have appropriate public liability insurance for their vessels and their occupants. June 2007.

2 No. 476 March 2013 Coastal Cruising Club

POSITION COMMITTEE (*EXECUTIVE OFFICERS)

*Commodore Andrew Phippen *Vice Commodore Bruce Munro *Secretary Paul Stride *Treasurer Graeme Baxter Harbour Cruising Officer John Smith Pittwater Cruising Officer Katrina Dell Entertainment Officer Ross Bruwel Mainsheet Editor Betty Byrd Mainsheet Sub Editor Sue Baxter OFFICE BEARERS Registrar Kerrin Mills House Officers Jenni and Ian Nicholas Webmaster Stephen Cooper Mailing Officer Don Jordan Old Salts Pittwater Coord George Hibberd Old Salts Harbour Coord Information Officer John Tylor Public Officer Paul Stride PORT OFFICERS Brisbane , Scarborough Doug Inall Harbour Brisbane, City Reaches Greg Coonan Camden Haven Greg and Anne Goldsmith Coffs Harbour Harry Rourke Forster/Tuncurry Roger Smith Geelong Peter and Kathryn Agg Lake Macquarie Jim Holt Melbourne Tim Foster Port Hacking Bruce Munro & Susan Rossiter Port Stephens Cherylle Stone EMAIL AND CONTACTS Correspondence: The Secretary, Coastal Cruising Club of Australia Inc., P.O. Box 113, Cammeray, N.S.W. 2062 Website: www.coastalcruisingclub.org.au Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Members’ Services List: John Sciacca Yellow Book John Sciacca Mainsheet Submissions: Betty Byrd

3 No. 476 March 2013 Coastal Cruising Club CONTENTS

EVENTS 5 Commodore WRITES 6 EDITOR WRITES 7 Notices 8 CCCA Mast Climbing Event 9 Having sold your yacht - what now with the CCCA? 10 2013 “Cruising North” Series 11 Commodore’s Dinner 14 Committee 15 SAILAWAYS 16 Sailaway Notices 16 Sailaway reports 18 Balls Head Bay Sailaway, 26 -27 January 2013 18 Yeomans Bay Sailaway 9 - 10 February, 2013 20 Sugarloaf Bay Sailaway 23 - 24 February, 2013 21 Our Christmas Cruise 2013 22 ARTICLES 24 Over Oswald 24 Jervis Bay - a Cruising Destination 28 VALE Mike McKimmie 30 Where Are They Now? 31 From The Galley 37 INFORMATION 38 Water 38 Electrical Problems (Challenges?) 41 History Of The Sasc Clubhouse 42 Some interesting electronic reads 44 MINUTES 45

4 No. 476 March 2013 Coastal Cruising Club EVENTS

DATE EVENT

March 2 - 3 Hallets Beach Sailaway

5 Going North Seminar

8 - 9 Port Hacking Mini Cruise

16 - 17 Majors Bay Sailaway

19 Going North Seminar

21 General Meeting

23 Commodore’s Dinner

26 Going North Seminar Please Note: Sailaway destinations may 27 - 28 Pittwater Old Salts change due to weather Joint Easter Sailaway on the day, so call 29 - 1 APRIL Jerusalem Bay “Triple C” on VHF 77 to 13 - 14 Towlers Bay Sailaway confirm, alternatively phone your Cruising 18 General Meeting Officer or Sailaway Coordinator. 20 - 21 Bantry Bay Sailaway Remember to fly your 24 - 25 Pittwater Old Salts CCC burgee whenever you are on a Club 8 MAY Old Salts Lunch mooring. 11 - 12 Hungry Beach

16 General Meeting

18 - 19 Blackwattle Bay

22 - 23 Pittwater Old Salts

5 No. 476 March 2013 Coastal Cruising Club Commodore WRITES

’d like to cover a North Seminars are a start to letting couple of things in people know how much knowledge we this “Commodore have in the CCCA. We are lucky to be Writes”. members and to be able to draw on, TheI first is to and contribute to our little community celebrate the “casual and the wider cruising community. camaraderie” of the I’d also like to remind people who sail CCCA. To me casual with their beloved four legged friends camaraderie is the essence of the that we all have an obligation to tread CCCA. It is no fuss, no pretence and a lightly. As sailors this philosophy is real willingness to muck in to help out ingrained in us – we use wind to drive a fellow member, also the joy of being our boats and are very careful with on the water with like minded people. our rubbish etc. At a recent Sailaway These were some of the consistent I saw two incidents involving our themes in our survey. members’ dogs. The first, a young lad Regarding the Survey, we have posted of about two playing with a ball was the results as a presentation in the bowled over by a dog, fortunately he Members Only Section of the web. wasn’t hurt but he was frightened. Please have a look at it and we would The second, a dog presented itself at welcome the chance to discuss any a family’s picnic, which was laid out aspect with any members who wished on a rug on the ground. I did approach to talk to us. the family concerned and apologise on the Club’s behalf and the father was As a direct result of this ethos, many understanding. Please keep an eye on members pointed out what an your dogs. important “thing” we have in the CCCA. I think that perhaps some members The Port Hacking Cruise is coming up think we undervalue this wealth of and I look forward to a big turn out of knowledge and willingness contained CCCA boats. Chris and I are keen to get within the CCCA. back to Port Hacking as it has been too long since we were last there. It seems many of you think we can do more with it. By that I mean add value Happy cruising to all. to the cruising community and the spirit of cruising. Hopefully the Going Andrew Phippen, Phlat Chat.

6 No. 476 March 2013 Coastal Cruising Club EDITOR WRITES

ell, Climbing event. Tom shows his squeaky there clean bottom at Balls Head Bay and see is how Monika and Werner spent their time at the Lake. Wondering what Tim Wnothing whimpy and Kathryn Fletcher are up to? Check about us Sydney out their update inside. Harbour people. WARNING: You will never think of water The planned Sailaway at Sugarloaf Bay in the same way again after reading forged ahead even with the forecast John Tylor’s article Water. John may well strong winds and rain. Woohoo! I wish be single handedly responsible for the I could include myself in the “us”. By good fortunes of our wine industry after all accounts the tight little band of this edition of Mainsheet comes out. bravehearts shared a fun weekend as John’s report shows. John Fragiacomo shares his Electrical Challenges while John Pennefather The Commodore’s Dinner is drawing shows us some interesting websites. All nearer and the planning committee is this and more with the Prince of Whales looking for final numbers so they can looking after our cholesterol with a new layout the floor plan. Please make sure and very surprising recipe. Do we have you book your tickets if you intend his gorgeous new bride to thank for coming along. this? In Mainsheet this month, see how well John Pennefather’s beautifully crafted mast steps performed at the Mast Betty Byrd, Barefoot

CLUB MOORINGS

Mooring GPS Positions Sugarloaf Bay 33’47.773 S 151’13.886 E Vaucluse Bay 33’50.913 S 151’16.250 E Coasters Retreat 33’36.16 S 151’17.74 E America Bay North 33’35.82 S 151’15.60 E America Bay South 33’35.83 S 151’15.58 E Towlers Bay 33’37.406 S 151’17.125 E Lake Macquarie 33’ 02.00 S 151’35.27 E

7 No. 476 March 2013 Coastal Cruising Club Notices

c

COMMODORE’S DINNER MARCH 21 Some members meeting, 7.30pm SASC, Green Street, Cremorne planning on attending the ENTERTAINMENT Dinner for In response to a number of requests, the March the first entertainment will be an extended Help segment. So please, time, have all those things you thought you might ask one day – now’s raised your chance. We plan to allow enough time to chase down some of the issues raised in that session and see what solutions concerns we can bring to the table. about Also if possible, we may do a demonstration of the CCCA whether web site to allow as many people as possible to see how they our site works and what we can do with it. We might can book also have a look at our Facebook site (which is a “secret group” at present). for smaller H T numbers rather E N than for tables of L P E 10. The answer is YES. S E G M The tables seat 10, however if you do not have a preference for NEW MEMBERS TO BE a group, the organisers will place INTRODUCED you on a table and notify you on arrival of your seating. Denis and Suzanne Gardiner; John and Susanne Hansen; We are looking forward to a great night and hope to see you there. Glen Love and Jen Love-Huppatz.

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CCCA Mast Climbing Event

The mast climbing demonstration with Kevin Stapleton on John Penefather’s beautifully crafted ladder. On the evening of Thursday 21st February go up the mast track and thus stay in many intrepid CCCA members stood place – a huge advantage. John and Paul happily on the pontoon at SASC and not deployed this to show it at work and only enjoyed good company and good once it was tested by John with a 2 for food but were treated to a fascinating 1 pulley system (to make sure it was spectacle before the General Meeting strong enough) it was up to John who H T started. confidently donned the bosun’s chair and E scampered aloft just like he was born L N John Pennefather very kindly brought P M E Saltair alongside to demonstrate a couple to it! Next Paul made it look too easy S E G of tools we can use to climb the mast. leaping up the mast like a schoolboy. John, ably assisted by his offsider, young The guys next called for a “volunteer” Paul Stride also with the help of Ross from the audience. What was it PT Bruwel, showed us two solutions to the Barnum said, “there’s one born every challenge of climbing the mast. minute”? Brave Kevin Stapleton stepped Sydney Ferries cooperated rather nicely forward and ascended gamely to what to ensure we had a bit of wash from time can only be described as dizzying heights. to time to add a degree of realism, which It was during this ascent that Cheryl was kind of them. confirmed the status of his insurance – isn’t love grand. First John showed us his ladder with beautifully polished wooded rungs with Good on you Kev! non slip pads. This has slides on it to The next apparatus that was produced

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was a manufactured device from the they found one. Andrew Phippen decided US, the “Mast Mate”. This is a ladder to give it a try, now Phippen isn’t quite made of bright blue webbing with steps at svelte as he makes out. But he did woven into it. This again has slides and manage to reach the top of the ladder. was run up the mast in the track for Frankly it was easier than I thought it demonstration purposes. It is owned by would be. Ross and couple of his mates (thanks for Again our thanks to John and Saltair, and lending it Ross). Young Paul could not be the boys for going the extra mile to give stopped – he bounded up the steps in us some practical instruction and I think seconds to stand at the top gazing down it is fair to say, a good time was had by upon the assembled crowd. all!! They then called for another volunteer – PT Barnum’s assertion is clearly right,

Having sold your yacht - what now with the CCCA? There have been a become and Associate To those members series of discussions Member”. who are thinking regarding whether We interpret this to about the likelihood of members of the CCCA mean that if a Full selling their treasured who have had to Member sells his or yachts in the future, sell their yachts for her yacht for whatever we would welcome whatever reason can reason then they may your continued remain members. We remain members of involvement with the wish to make it clear the CCCA as Associate CCCA as Associate that yes you can still Members. Members. remain a member of For more information the CCCA. I hope this clarifies the situation. If you please see “Objects The reference in the know of members who and Rules” on the web. “Objects and Rules” have resigned recently I hope that makes the is: 3, (d) (i); where it thinking they had to, position crystal clear states, “A member please let them know to all our members. who ceases to be a that they are most yacht owner for a Andrew Phippen, welcome as Associate Commodore. period of one year Members even without shall automatically their yacht.

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Coastal Cruising Club of Australia 2013 “Cruising North” Series The club is holding a 4 night series for anyone interested in cruising North. It will be presented by Doug Brooker on the following nights:- • Tuesday 26th February 2013 (Since held) • Tuesday 5th March 2013 • Tuesday 19th March 2013 (Break for Port Hacking Cruise) • Tuesday 26th March 2013 Each evening will commence at 1900 Hrs and is expected to last 2½ to 3 hours. Location is:- Schneider Electric Building, Cnr 78 Waterloo Road and Byfield Street, Macquarie Park, NSW (This is a secure building and requires a phone call to access on 0419 494 443 when you arrive either at the front door or the rear car park entry). Parking in the rear via Byfield Street up the ramp via the raised EXIT boom gate (caution); in Byfield Road on both sides – metered up until 7:00pm?; or at the Macquarie Shopping Centre at opposite corner– 10 min walk – first 2 hours free. Nearest train station is Macquarie University, not Macquarie Park. Doug has been ocean racing and cruising since he was 10 years old. He is an AYF Yachtmaster Instructor and past Examiner. He started building boats while still at school then built custom ocean racing and cruising yachts, before practising as a Marine Surveyor for over 25 years. In the first 2 nights, the series will cover preparation of you and your yacht for cruising. The 3rd and 4th nights discuss the passage and the ports between Sydney and the Whitsundays. Questions, suggestions and contributions will be most welcome. It would be appreciated if you would notify the CCCA Roy and Cindy, Del Mar Secretary Paul Stride via email: [email protected] on their 2011 cruise or msg via sms: 0419 494 443 providing your name and a north. (Cindy took photo from the dinghy) contact method if you are considering attending.

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2013 commodore’s dinner Saturday, 23 March 2013 The epping club, 45 rawson street, epping

Members & Partners: $48/pp, Non-Members $55/pp 7.00pm Drinks and Canapes (complimentary) 7.30pm Dinner - 2 Course Alternate Menu

• Special dietary requirements can be arranged • Dress Casual • Table reservations up to groups of 10. Reservations Essential as limited places available.

Free parking in council carpark adjacent to Club • Presentation of Plaques • Editor’s Prize • Quiz • Lucky Door Prize • Commodore’s Photographic Competition Prize • Limmerick Competition

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Have you: Got a great shot? Been inspired by nature or travel? Share your shots for a chance to WIN the … Commodore’s Photographic Competition TWO categories: “Marine” and “Non-Marine”. (Marine Definition: “... of, in, near, concerned with, or belonging to the sea; done or used at sea; inhabiting, found in or got from the sea...”) Number of Entries: Each member is invited to submit one photographic print in either or both categories. Photo size: minimum 200mm x150mm, maximum A4. Please put name and title in pencil on back of photo. ENTRIES CLOSE THURSDAY, 21 MARCH 2013. Either mail your entry to “Photographic Competition”, POB 113 Cammeray, NSW or hand in at a General Meeting. Winner(s) will be announced at the Commodore’s Dinner, 23 March 2013.

13 No. 476 March 2013 Coastal Cruising Club commodore’s dinner

CRUISING PLAQUE APPLICATIONS As mentioned in Editor Writes, you’ll find a list of criteria to help you write your story Applications for Cruising Plaques do not and hopefully answer any questions you have to be lodged in the same year that the may have about submitting articles. cruise was completed. This situation can arise when members complete multiple FRANK NICHOLAS AWARD cruises over time but don’t apply for a Nominations will be called for at the plaque at the completion of each cruise. February General Meeting for the Frank As long as Rule 20 CLUB AWARDS is met, Nicholas Award. then plaques are awarded. The additional The purpose of this award is to generate requirement is: goodwill particularly in the maritime (d) The awards described in clauses (a), community towards the Club and its (b) and (c) of this Rule are subject to the members and perpetuate the memory of additional requirement that an article the Club’s former member the late Frank relating to the cruise shall be submitted for Nicholas. publication in the Club Journal or, on their i. Nominees shall be individuals or return, a presentation about the cruise organisations who/which have rendered shall be given or scheduled to be given at a significant assistance to a Club member General Meeting. during a cruise; COMMODORE’S PHOTOGRAPHIC ii. Club members are not eligible for the COMPETITION award; Entries close Thursday 21 March 2013 iii. The Club is not obliged to make an Marine and Non-Marine categories.. annual presentation of the award; Let your creative juices flow and start ix. The award shall be an inscribed clicking .Just be sure to get your entry to plaque presented, if convenient, at the Andrew Phippen by 21 March in order to be Commodore’s Dinner. in the running for 2013’s prize. LIMERICK COMPETITION EDITOR’S PRIZE Please bring your limmericks either to the The Editor’s prize for a 2013 Mainsheet 21 March meeting or on the night of the article will again be awarded at the dinner. There will be a prize for the one Commodore’s Dinner. voted best by audience applause. Should be lots of rowdy (at times) fun. Don’t worry if you did not get anything published in Mainsheet last year - work towards the 2014 Editor’s Prize by submitting an article this year.

14 No. 476 March 2013 Coastal Cruising Club Committee

Commodore Harbour Cruising Andrew Phippen, Officer Phlat Chat John Smith Circe

Vice Commodore Pittwater Cruising Bruce Munro Officer Chilli Heat Katrina Dell, Elusive

Treasurer Information Officer Graeme Baxter, John Tylor, Symphony Ard Righ

Secretary Entertainment Officer Paul Stride, Ross Bruwel, Wind Dancer Renada

Editor Sub Editor Betty Byrd, Sue Baxter, Barefoot Symphony

15 No. 476 March 2013 Coastal Cruising Club Sailaways

John Smith Circe is Katrina Dell Elusive is George Hibberd Harbour Cruising Pittwater Oasis is Pittwater Officer Cruising Officer Old Salts Coord.

As always with Sailaways, keep listening to VHF 77 for any changes.

SAILAWAY NOTICES the small jetty around 4.00pm. As there are no barbeques ashore, zz we will be looking for boats to host Majors Bay, 16 -17 March 2013 dinner on board. This is a great location for a barbeque dinner on Saturday after happy hour There is a fairly steep track to explore on the point so bring some steak, ashore so those interested in a snags and salad an enjoy a great Sunday morning walk should bring evening. suitable shoes. The area has changed a lot since we were last there, so a walk along the HELP NEEDED Breakfast Point foreshore with coffee on John and Jane are planning to travel Sunday morning would be a nice thing north to eventually arrive at the to do. Whitsundays and possibly beyond at Access by road is via Hilly Street the end of March, therefore we are Mortlake. calling for coordinators to organize zz the sailaways between April and Bantry Bay, 20 -21 April 2013 their return in October. This can be a Bantry Bay is very protected from shared task between several people if North-easterlies with 9 public necessary. moorings and plenty of space to anchor. Please let a committee member know if you would like to help out. Happy hour will be on the area behind

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zz zz Joint Easter Sailaway Hungry Beach May 11 - 12 Jerusalem Bay 29, 30, 31 March Low tide is 2.40 pm, so I would think we No theme but I would like to should go on shore at 3pm for Happy incorporate a sail on Saturday. Hour as dusk is falling earlier now. Good Friday will see a gathering Given, traditionally our weather throws on shore at 3.30pm for drinks and us a chill factor around this time, I’m discussion of the sail in company set thinking a good old fashioned casserole down for Saturday . might be the order of the day and to work it off (if weather is conducive), we After the said sail, we will regroup on will give you a set sail for late morning shore again on the 30th for happy hour on Sunday around 11 am. and hopefully happy banter of our sail at 4pm. Notes for the sail in company will be given at Happy Hour on Saturday. Suggest that we all bring 1 good quality Chocolate egg to take to a morning tea zz Pittwater Old Salts host boat on Sunday. Pray for no rain! 27 - 28 March, 24 - 25 April 2013 We will be going ashore at 4:00 pm for zz happy hour followed by a BBQ dinner. April 13 -14 Thai at Towlers As always listen on VHF77 in case of a This one will be Thai flavoured in so far as change of venue. For members and a meal theme. NO DRESS UP REQUIRED visitors arriving by ferry, the Palm but I would suggest we go with the flow Beach ferry service departs Palm Beach of a Thai cuisine. Low tide is at 3.50pm wharf on the hour arriving at “The so we’re good for a 4 pm Happy Hour. Basin” about twenty minutes later. For This will again be on shore as we have a the return to Palm Beach, the last ferry beautiful sand flat area for us all to stand leaves “The Basin” at 5:20 pm. around or bring a camp chair. Sunday, I’d like to see us all take off John Tylor send this limerick from the University for a sail up Pittwater and around Lion song book, just for fun! Island. If we have a few boats wishing John also attached his own entry in the Limerick to partake and weather permitting, we Competition ... but you’ll have to wait to hear it. could round Lion Island and regroup in There once was a young man named Yates the Basin (Coasters) for a late lunch. Who danced the fandango on skates But a slip on his cutlass Always listen for updates on Chanel 77 Rendered him utless or feel free to call me. And virtually useless on dates.

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sailaway reports

BALLS HEAD BAY SAILAWAY, 26 -27 JANUARY 2013 John Smith, Circe

It was wonderful to see such a large turn up for John’s first Sailaway as Cruising Officer. Australia Day in Balls Head Bay was a up and find out what people did over the bright and sunny day with boats arriving all Xmas period and for the five or so doggies morning including boats from Pittwater. to enjoy some time on land. Host boats By Happy Hour there were 19 boats in the were organized for dinner and a good night bay with While You’re Down There going was had by all. home to bed in the morning so as not to The planned walk through Gore Cove Park infect the rest of the troops. Cipriani left in on Sunday morning was called off due the afternoon having looked at the forecast to the inclement weather that persisted but came back by land for Happy Hour, during the day, so curling up with a good which was great. book was the call. Tom Kahlua, entertained us all by showing Most boats had had enough of the rain his guests what it is like sailing when and filtered off during the day but the heeled over by anchoring too close to Pittwater contingent wanted to wait until shore and subsequently going aground. the big seas off shore subsided before Judging by all the laughter on board, I heading North so the boats that remained don’t think anyone was too concerned. got together on Chilli Heat and Elusive for Happy Hour was a good chance to catch dinner and merriment.

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It was fantastic to see such Grey Nurse, Wind Dancer, By land: Commodore a great roll up for the first Lucinda, Gondwana, Salty Andrew and Chris Phippen, Harbour sailaway of 2013. Lady, Les Girls, Mana, Val and Mike de Burca, Boats present: Kahlua, Vamoose, Elessa of Kythera, Betty Byrd and Dianne and Chilli Heat, Mischief, Del Renada, No Qualms, Dennis Lane. Mar, Monte Cristo, Elusive, Crescendo and Circe.

Cover photo: Jenny and I spent a few hours in the Tim O’Regan Sunshine Forever and Tom Gable Kahlua. (I have “stolen” a comment from Tom’s cockpit until Kahlua was afloat. I decided FB page written by his granddaughter, Bianca that we would move her into deeper which I think sums up the mood perfectly. “If I water at first light. Unfortunately, as we could press 1000 likes I would! Love you pa”. Ed.) had run the fridges all day, the starter motor would not work. I made a call for Right: Kahlua shows her squeaky clean bottom. assistance at 8:30 on my handheld VHF - and because of low power, it would not transmit. But let me also say that the Footnote from Tom: response to my call for assistance was another testament to the club caring. “There was another incident at 23:30 Werner and Monica towed me into deeper the same day. I had moved Kahlua into water, Gino had a spare battery, Ross had “deeper” water. jumper leads and Rob was on standby When we settled for the night Kahlua with generator and battery charger. Great was being blown offshore. Unfortunately club - great people. Thanks to all. As I have around midnight, there was a wind change stated earlier - lesson learnt!! and Kahlua on her side again. And I dont mind you reporting that !! “

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YEOMANS BAY SAILAWAY 9 - 10 FEBRUARY, 2013 Katrina Dell, Elusive

We were rather lucky given the weather aromas drifting across the bay including of late and combined with a favourable sauerkraut and sausage. tide we were able to gather ashore for Whilst a few took to the hills for a Happy Hour on the sand flat in Yeomans morning walk, others headed to Bay. various vessels for morning tea. Others Boats present included: headed to Wave Sweeper for an eclectic Mischief, Scrimshaw, Wilparina, XDream, combination of a six and 12 string guitar, Elusive, Chilli Heat, Oasis, Wave Sweeper, ukuleles and a base guitar all rounded up Cooinda, Kahlua, Mica, Nahli, Razon D, with Jeff’s electric organ. Bilyana (back from her trip up the coast) I do hope we can persuade our Harbour and Supernova (down from the lake). CCCA members to sail up for our next Visiting boats were Two Up and Duette Sailaway - the big one .. Hallets Beach bringing our total to 16. 2nd and 3rd March. Unfortunately I was unable to persuade Till then ...May your keels run deep any of the likely candidates to try out beneath your feet! their vocal chords in the yodelling Katrina Dell, SV Elusive discipline - perhaps they need more notice! But I did smell many interesting

Anne Mills is getting into the spirit of the Limerick Competition. Sharpen your pencils and bring your offers along to the Commodore’s Dinner on 23 March. Anne writes: I dashed off the following, but I realise it does not qualify (I think it does, Ed). However, I thought I would send it in the hope it might amuse you - There once was a lady called Betty With a boat at the end of a Jetty; A partner called Bruce, (Bruce? Ed.) Good looking and spruce And a cat and a dog and a Yeti! Now I have that off my chest I feel a whole lot better! (Thanks Anne, Bruce does too. Ed).

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Boats in attendance: Oasis, Nahli, Grey Nurse, Monte Cristo, Gondwana, Del Mar, X Dream, Elusive, Gattina, Super Nova, Southern Bell, Zest, Halcyon, Renada, Bodyguard, No Qualms, Reina Cristina, Shadowfax 11, and Salty Lady. A club member by Power Boat. Visitor: Gado a big cat ,who is a friend of Jim of No Qualms. By Car: Osprey V, The Bodyguard.

From Top: Sailboards on the Lake; Great facilities at the Lake; Inset: Nellie the “wonder dog”.

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SUGARLOAF BAY SAILAWAY, 23 -24 FEBRUARY 2013 John Smith, Circe

ith the weather forecast predicting pretty miserable weather over the weekend, I was presently surprised to find Bilyana on the mooring and Ard Righ anchored nearby when we arrived on Friday afternoon. WWe had a Happy Hour onboard Circe and the others returned to their boats to batten down the hatches for what was to be a wet and windy night. The rain eased somewhat by Saturday afternoon, so we were invited for afternoon tea onboard Ard Righ. Gondwana turned up then and invited us all to a lamb roast dinner that was fantastic. Another blustery night cleared to sunshine on Sunday morning, so Bilyana invited us over for morning tea before people departed in the afternoon. Despite the weather, we all had a great time with each gathering turning into a mini help session, giving John Taylor plenty of ideas for the upcoming sessions at the monthly meeting. Boats present: Bilyana, Ard Righ, Gondwana and Circe.

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MonikaOur Kuster, Christmas Salty Lady Cruise 2013 e left Sydney on Boxing Day, problems going in or out. with a nice breeze behind We arrived at Styles Point for a well us. Arrived in Coasters deserved rest. The next couple of days around 1700hr picked up a everyone just did as one pleased; we Wmooring and settled down for the night. met ashore for happy hour several times. Looking to see if there were any other Wangi RSL Club had NYE fireworks then CCCA boats around, we were surprise everyone went on their separate ways. to see yellow burgess flying proudly on Salty Lady sailed all around the Lake several yachts. We contacted Oasis to see and just enjoyed the quiet and relaxing if any plans were made to go to the Lake, moments, catching up with some old the answer was yes. friends and made some new ones. There was some talk about George’s mooring. I personally hope it will not be true - on the contrary I think we should be thinking about another mooring up the Lake. What the club has no one can take away; think of the grandchildren, and it is getting harder all the time to get a mooring. We left Lake Macquarie with a smile on our faces, the MPS up and a gentle breeze Next morning we all left at 0330hrs behind us, reaching the because of the tides. The trip started out harbour as the sun set - all the lights on lumpy and unpleasant however as the the city skyline - one can only say “what sun rose and daylight arrived, it was very a beautiful city we live in” (how true pleasant even under a motor sail. We Monika. Ed). We picked up a mooring reached Moon Island for the 11 o’clock in Athol Bay by the Zoo and enjoyed bridge and had no problems with the the scenery and a glass of wine, looking deeps anywhere; 2.7 - 4 m clearance, no forward to the next trip to the Lake.

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ARTICLES Over Oswald Jane Campbell, Amble

Herbert gets clingy in a storm. Cat napping.

the thought . . . I might at long last be turning into a sailor. Noooo. Despite Brett, Herbert and I owning a yacht—two yachts in total—for six years or so, and living onboard for about a year, I don’t consider myself a sailor. Admittedly, this comment often makes people look at me oddly. (Although that mightn’t have anything to do with that comment.) I guess it’s how you define sailor x-tropical cyclone Oswald certainly and, with my definition, I’m not. was orrful and huge, covering the I couldn’t take control of a yacht, with east coast of Queensland and a big two or more sails up, and I also wouldn’t E be able to sail/motor my way from new chunk of the east coast of NSW, I believe. points A to B, unless using the land-based Brett, Herbert the Sea Cat and I were ‘My Maps’ on the iPad counts. (It does among the many affected by Oswald, locate us at sea, but not overly useful for albeit vaguely, proving at times that an ark navigation.) does come in handy. 50-knot winds, plus gusts, and torrential rain for 36/48 hours Back to Oswald. We had seen the system does make you realise you are alive and on the weather forecasts when it was still wanting to stay that way. Surprise, that is way up in North Queensland. It didn’t far too dramatic! Just me being an ageing factor into our decision in leaving Hervey princess, as I am a landlubber and a wuss. Bay early, as I just like having far too much time to get anywhere; deadlines Or am I? A landlubber, that is. Goodness, being the bane of a cruiser’s life. And and I am glad I’m sitting down as even thank goodness we did leave Hervey Bay

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when we did, as the following weeks, with As the wind continued to build but still the arrival and after-effects of the massive only around the 25- to 30-knot mark, we low, Wide Bay Bar was all but closed, and realised the locals were right. (Bother!) the seas from Double Island Point to Cape We had our first rolly night at Tangalooma. Moreton were peaking around the six- to Although more-or-less protected from eight-metre mark. the wind, we hadn’t taken into account We had motored through Wide Bay Bar the swell wrapping around the point. So (as you all know from my enthralling Brett (being a sailor!) consulted his charts last article) on Monday 21 January and to find an anchorage that offered better had a pleasant 14-hour sail south to protection, and he came upon Deanbilla Tangalooma, where we thought we’d wait Bay at North Stradbroke Island. (We’ve out Oswald, or ex-cyclone Oswald, as this never been in Moreton Bay before.) anchorage was protected from the east. I was getting a little nervous when, lo Admittedly, Brett and I did look at each and behold, who anchored next to us other when all of the local yachties started but, yippppeeeee, a Queensland fisheries leaving at the beginning of the long patrol boat. My new best friends! The weekend, when forecasts were predicting skipper, a lovely lady, invited us onboard, severe N/NE wind warnings and heavy asked if we wanted any clothes washed, rain. Surely Queenslanders are not fair- us washed, spare water . . . (no, no, and weather sailors? We NSWers are made of no, but thank you very much) and we had sterner stuff! Or just silly. a tour around the patrol boat, where I sussed out all potential comfy stowaway spots. She concurred with Brett that Deanbilla was the place to be as, unlike Tangalooma, it had a muddy holding (slippery coffee stones here!) and would be out of the ‘roll’. So we kayaked back to Amble, and prepared to choof off. Again not surprisingly, Herbert and I didn’t enjoy the four- or five-hour sail to Deanbilla, but Brett did. Windy, tippy and wet with limited visibility. If I was back at home in Sydney I would have called it weather for retreating to a warm bath with a good book and cup of tea or glass of wine. (Sigh.)

Left: Don’t know if Oswald had a hand here, but saw (part of) this yacht after the storm.

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Brett found our way to Deanbilla Bay Although not exactly relaxing, we spent with ease, although dodging the North the long weekend (with Oswald) trying Stradbroke car ferries in the mist was to read, fiddle around and prepare an interesting, and he found a home for us inventory for our impending trip sailing in four metres of water. We put out 65 around the Med. metres of chain, and made sure Amble Oswald eventually decided to leave was happy. The wind was starting to build Queensland - eventually. He was slow and the rain was now continuous. moving at around 20 kms, sometimes less We settled in, with me trying not to an hour, but at last we were able to go on dream about a hot bath, and apart from our merry way - to a marina in Brisbane. the howling wind, heavy rain and fog, Fun things such as washing to do, and a it was pretty good. More psychological couple of minor repairs that had nothing really. Amble was swinging and would to do with Oswald; and a new off-the- heel a bit when a gust of wind came shelf, perfectly fitting pillow-top mattress along, but we were in a largish bay with from Makin Mattresses, delivered to no boats or infrastructure to hit. Or hit us. us with a cheery smile and impressive And then, when we woke in the morning service. Bliss. (yep, even had a fairly good night’s sleep, After chatting to people at the marina it with just a couple of checks to make sure turns out that we were far better being at we hadn’t moved), we peered through anchor. Many of the boats at the marina, the rain and over the cranky brown water as at all marinas on the Qld east coast I with white caps to see that we had a guess, took a battering—we heard from neighbour. The Queensland patrol boat! friends at Mooloolaba and Hervey Bay Just knowing they were there made me marinas, as well. It’s unbelievable that feel a whole lot better. many land-based boat owners did not bother to come down to check their ropes etc. An expensive toy to ignore, you’d think. We know of one boat that sank at the Brisbane marina, as well as many that were damaged. Live-aboard yachties seemed to be out during the storm, not only looking after their own boats, but orphaned ones as well. The yachties we talked to had very little sleep over the two or three days. One man (met him in the laundry, as you do) told me that he had put dishwashing detergent on the rubbing strake of the dock, as his Bavaria—even Spot the neighbour! The Queensland patrol boat! with fenders—was scrapping against it

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because of the force of the wind. The line. When anchored, at least you can detergent allowed his boat to slide rather put out acres (!) of chain. than scrape against the dock. He said it We were on a public mooring once that worked wonderfully, with his boat not broke during a calm night when we were getting any scratches or paint damage. asleep. It was our neighbour blasting us Plus he now has a whole cabin of things that got our attention; fortunately we he fished out of the water - the marina were able to start the engine and motor arms that flew off boats around him. off without hitting anyone. Certainly got Despite telling everyone he sees and the heart going. putting out signs he can’t believe that owners have not come up to him wanting As it turns out, cruising acquaintances of their possessions returned. ours were watching TV at Murwillumbah where they are working in the cruising There was also the worry that the docks off-season, to see their boat had broken would float over from the Gold the pylons when Coast mooring the flooding rivers ... it felt like they were leasing, converged with and was now the high tides. a giant thumb was pressing on land. Trying One person who to drive from was/is currently down on us; Murwillumbah living alone on to their boat her elderly but as Oswald was much loved cat at a marina in Hervey heading south to them was a nerve- Bay, shared this with me: wracking adventure in itself. The good At one stage in the wee small hours of news is that their heavy, 40-foot steel Sunday morning it felt like a giant thumb boat suffered very little damage; was pressing down on us; the wind was although their genoa was stripped above that powerful . . . then the rigging started and below the sheets that were wrapped an interesting wuthering and the pressure around it. Oh, and it did bump, thump, lifted. At that stage I retreated into one into a trimaran in it’s bid for freedom. of the hulls with lifejacket and tether on, For me, and with joy of hindsight, I’m ready to make a dash for it if the cabin really glad we were at anchor. Brett roof got sucked up to the Land of Oz. had chosen a bay that offered great As for moorings, I was once a fan. Not protection, a thick muddy holding, and so much any more. Brett and I had plenty of space to swing around. I can’t discussed moorings breaking, even believe that I’d rather be at sea, attached before we had heard of Oswald—a boat to the seabed than at a marina or on a is a lot of weight, particularly in wild mooring. I’m turning into a sailor! weather, which must put lot of pressure Now, must consult ‘My Maps’. Where is on a relatively short mooring chain or that five-star hotel and bath? 27 No. 476 March 2013 Coastal Cruising Club

Jervis Bay - a Cruising Destination John and Nat Sciacca, Xebec

Boat Harbour Beach

n five precious occasions, Nat benefited on the return north to Port and I have stopped at Jervis Bay Hacking. (JB); we were cruising further This is the reverse of what you usually south, so only stayed for a short experience. Most club boats can transit Otime. Part way across Shoalhaven Bight Sydney to JB without stopping. we decided not to cruise further south so this gave us the opportunity to explore First Anchorage. If you arrive in JB with JB. When talking to other cruisers you can a northerly which is expected to continue always hear of bad experiences cruising JB for 12 hours on arrival, then the best and these can be true. However, there are anchorage for your first stop is between many reasons for making JB a destination Point Perpendicular and Longnose Point at rather than just a stopover. Boat Harbour/Target Beach. This provides good holding in 15-25 ft. of water. Day Sailing. You can cruise south with day sailing by stopping at Sydney, Port Hacking This time it was nice to have Kate Kelly and Wollongong. With a strong south already anchored and we were guided in current you can avoid Wollongong and by Sue on VHF 77 at 22:00. This anchorage Port Hacking and transit Sydney to Jervis is only 4nm from the Hole in the Wall Bay. We did this in the past when we which is the next safe south anchorage. enjoyed a strong south current. This cruise This anchorage saves a beat to windward we suffered from an adverse current, but when you arrive if you decided to anchor

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at Montague Road. You can always move python to cross whilst walking from Cape to Montague the first day after a good St George to the Hole in the Wall. night sleep. There are good walking tracks from the We have anchored at Boat Harbour three Hole in the Wall in Booderee National times; However DO NOT stay anchored Park. There are also many other walks here if a southerly is forecast to arrive in which are described in iboc.org.au. the middle of the night, as it is open to Training Ground. There are many the south and dangerous conditions will opportunities for developing Seamanship occur. We made the mistake once and did skills whilst in JB. As it can be 4 to 6 nm not move at 1:00am when the southerly from a safe north to safe south anchorage, arrived and experienced seven hours of you are constantly monitoring the breaking seas over Xebec with only 50 weather. On this cruise we used an Ipad metres to a rock shelf. and monitored actual conditions further We had to run the motor and stayed fully south as fronts were progressing up the clothed ready to move if forced to. The coast. snubber failed but I had the anchor chain In combination with the condition of turned once around a bollard and we had the sky in the south and south west, we 6:1 scope, so survived the experience, were particularly interested in Ulladulla hence, the reason for the warning. We and tried to judge when the front would never have the anchor chain loaded on arrive. We did not always get it right and the anchor winch. had a few false starts. You will get many Boat Harbour: 35° 04.496’E; 150° 47.123’S opportunities for anchoring in JB. If you – clear sand -25ft water. move early from a safe north anchorage Natural Beauty. When sailing close to a safe south anchorage then it is very to shore between Sydney and JB, you difficult to pick up a mooring or anchor. experience a pleasant coastline different We experienced this when we tried to from cruising north. This applies to the moor at the Hole in the Wall when it was coast south of Sydney to Gabo Island. If still blowing from the north. We tried to you want faster sailing then you may sail time the move twice and had to return wider but you don’t enjoy the scenery. to Montague. On the second attempt Many cruisers have written in magazines the bow went high and the mooring on JB itself. It is a popular destination went under Xebec with a loud crash. Ten for land cruisers and we saw a large minutes later the southerly came in and number of holiday makers on cruise boats conditions changed. If all the moorings sailing from Huskisson and while we at Hole in the Wall are taken, then there were walking. All beaches had swimmers is a large safe area to anchor outside enjoying snorkelling whilst we were there. the mooring area and many boats were Wildlife. We saw many dolphins and three anchored whilst we were there. albatross south of Port Hacking. We also Anchorages. We stayed at Montague had to wait on a bush track for a diamond Road, Huskisson, Green Island, Hole in

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the Wall and Boat Harbour. Montague Roadstead: the shower block at Hole in We used moorings in Hole 35° 01.800’E; 150° 46.924’S the Wall. in the Wall and Huskisson – CLEAR SAND – 15ft water The garage at Huskisson which were a mixture of Green Island: has closed so sourcing courtesy and National 35° 01.430’E; 150° 46.329’S fuel is harder to find, so Park moorings and have a – CLEAR SAND – 20ft water take spare fuel for the range of capacities. We saw Facilities. We food shopped cruise. Huskisson has moorings at Bowen Island clubs, a public pool, a and Murrays Beach but at Huskisson at the Friendly Grocer which was good pub and many cafes. We did not go close to these. sailed to Callala Point With the clear water you for emergency supplies. However, we were told that but conditions were not are able to view the quality favourable for stopping and strength of these Vincentia was better as it has Coles and Woolworths. but there were many spare moorings. We did not moor Club moorings. at Vincentia, so are unsure We were able to source of facilities there. fresh water at Huskisson ashore at the toilet block The following anchorages at an outside tap. It was were used: possible to source water at

VALE Mike McKimmie Skipper of Supermac, and long- time member of the CCCA. Mike died on 8th February, 2013 after suffering motor neurone disease for nearly three years. Some of his happiest times were spent on his beloved Supermac and among the wonderful friends he made in the Club. Those of you who knew him will not be surprised that his epitaph reads “He enjoyed himself enough.” June McKimmie.

30 No. 476 March 2013 Coastal Cruising Club WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Tim and Kathryn Fletcher, Wainui “2nd December, 2012 Dear Family and Friends I hope this letter finds you well. We have now been away for nearly 9 months and are very close to a visit home for Christmas (so I thought I’d better write)! This letter is way overdue but please understand our daily life with four kids and Tim’s career is all-consuming. I also don’t have time to do Facebook (OMG! Ed) - and we’ve been unable to access my email history or email addresses until recently when Tim finally came up with a solution to outsmart BT! We have been on an amazing journey this year. We found out in mid-January that we had 6 weeks to relocate to London and we were so busy getting out of Australia and preparing our house for rent, that Kathryn Fletcher emailed the following we landed here on 8th March to a pale, letter to friends and family in Australia wintery land and thought “What next?” recently. I found the move quite stressful and exhausting, as did Tim who found himself We thought that many members would in the weeks before we left, working all love to know what the Fletchers (including hours of the day and night as he took their four children) were up to now. on the global role of Product Head for Kathryn was delighted to be remembered Mastercard’s ECommerce Gateway. Once to all of you. here he spent many hours at work, dealing For the benefit of new members, Tim was a with his new role in a tough, European past Editor of Mainsheet for some time and economic climate as well as dealing with lots of us have very fond memories of the all the other regions. There are multiple children coming along. challenges he faces every day, but he Now sit back, relax and read on: seems to be handling his situation very well. We knew when we arrived that we would

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aim to live in a village just outside the homework we get on the weekends because city, and we have landed in one of the they just don’t want to think about school at prettiest parts of Surrey, southwest of all. The place runs like a mini-college, with London (Tim commutes - 35 minutes timetabled lessons, multiple teachers and a on the train to Waterloo Station then a longer day – Maddie finishes at 3:25, Nicky bus into Holborn, the city centre). We finishes at 3:40, and Harry at 4:10. But on live in Oxshott, a delightful village with days where the boys do a club after school beautiful surrounding countryside and (sport or activities) they will finish later, and many a charming property. There is an now, under lights. It’s kind of strange how international school (American style) the winter darkness is descending. Lately nearby and a lot of expats live in this area when I collect Harry we are walking/riding as a result. home at 4:30 in near darkness. What a Our kids are going to an independent life. Apparently you never get used to it. school within walking distance from our Thinking back to those long summer nights house. It’s called Danes Hill School and it when it was light until 10pm, this is a huge takes children from 3 years of age up to change. The sun is low enough in the sky all Year 8. During Year 8, the students sit their day long to shine in your eyes while driving Common Entrance Exams, which often or whilst looking out our kitchen window. determines which college they will get into The weather in this place deserves a for Years 9 – 12. (Check out the website: mention. It’s been pretty unsettled all www.daneshillschool.co.uk.) year (positive comment). All the locals are Our life at Danes Hill is FULL-ON. The boys saying the same thing: “That was the worse must be in their classrooms by 8:25am, summer on record”. We would sometimes and Maddie, by 8:50am. They have get sunny, warm days, but then it would multiple items as part of their uniforms, cloud over, rain and cool down to an 18 and with sporting activities happening deg max. The “Spring Term” at school was most days I am constantly washing, packing actually quite cold a lot of the time. Britain bags, dealing with muddy football and was enduring drought conditions when we rugby clothes/boots, and wet swimming arrived, and as soon as they announced gear. Harry has started learning to play the water restrictions at Easter, it started trumpet, and Nicholas, the recorder (to raining…. and hasn’t really stopped much start with). Then there’s the homework. since. We are always grateful for sunshine The boys have readers and homework and I have really enjoyed the dappled every day and on weekends which must sunlight through the English trees – very be recorded. It’s not too bad as the different to home. homework is a revision of what they’ve There are predictions of a cold winter. learned in class, and should take 20-30 The kids are very excited about seeing minutes. snow. We’ve had some mixed weather The main problem is the longer English in recent weeks – a cold spell in late Oct/ early Nov over Mid-Term Break which saw

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maximums of 6-9 degrees, 2 weeks ago we enthusiasm, and after the first 6 weeks she had a few days that reached 13 degrees was blending letter sounds and starting which seemed positively balmy, last week to read. It’s amazing to me, how she’s we were back to single digits and just the coped with this new system. If she was in last few days Winter has announced it’s a state school here she might still be doing arrival, with freezing nights below zero half days but these private schools, they bringing heavy frosts and maximums of like to get straight into it with individual 3-5 degrees. I’ve been madly shopping targets for each child (because they learn for thermals and snow gear because it at different rates). could snow at any time, in fact there is The boys have endured an even more snow in Scotland and inland Northern challenging ride, helped though, by England now. You may have seen footage Danes Hill’s learning streams for English of the floods in North Wales and the and Maths. They are in the lower sets Midlands this past week. I feel so sorry for these subjects which is why they’ve for the people affected now that it really is coped. Harry went into Year 3 in April freezing. (having done 5 weeks of it in Sydney), So, you may be wondering why Maddie, and is now in Year 4. Initially he seemed at just 4 years of age, is doing a full day of to settle in well, mixing with the other school. Well, it’s the lovely British system! kids and enjoying the wide range of Here, they start kids at 4 going on 5, a activities the school offers, but something year before we do. As the year starts in went wrong on the social front and I September, that means an Australian child discovered towards the end of last term can be 1.5 years behind. She is “unlucky” that he didn’t really have any solid friends. that her birthday is in August – this means Unfortunately they didn’t mix up the she’s among the youngest in her year. She classes coming into the new year and goes to the pre-prep part of Danes Hill, things will remain the same until Year 6. called Bevendean which is on a separate This term I discovered that the boys in his site to the main school, and she will stay class haven’t been mixing well socially and there until she has completed Year 1. She Harry, who goes his own way, was left on started out in “Transition” in April, doing the outer. His amazing form teacher, Mr 5 mornings and a full day Monday. She Cater, and I are constantly talking about his was pretty tired by the end of each week, progress, and what we can do to help him as in Sydney in February, she had just settle. He has made 2 good friends now, started 2 days per week of pre-school. but it’s taking time. Harry’s really feeling She is such a keen participant, however. the longer day as well, he’s at school for She possesses a bright, happy personality, nearly 8 hours. But, things are looking up engages well with everyone and has a in the last fortnight after a positive parent- lovely group of friends. Now that she’s in teacher interview. He seems a bit more “Reception” (first year of full-time school) settled socially, has started rugby and she is learning to read and write with great really likes it, he’s feeling more confident

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3 with a few new friends in his class. He was in tears when he said goodbye to Miss Inglis on the last day of school in July, “too much change”, she told me. She was right. Now he has Mrs McPhillips, who taught Harry last term and although he was quite stressed about the thought of Year 3, he has discovered that in fact, he can do the work, keep up with the class, and it’s going very well for him. He still finds school really tiring, and why wouldn’t he? It is Our house – built 3 years ago. staggering to think that he has done half the amount of schooling his peers have about his work, and he’s just received his done. But we knew he was academically 3rd Headmaster’s Commendation which bright. Nicky has made some nice friends means he can get his 1st Badge (the and I think from now on, he will only feel beginnings of a reward system that spans more comfortable. from Years 4-8). I have found the parents at school to be Nicky, my dear Nicky (as he is now known most welcoming. There are quite a few – not Nicholas or Nic - it’s Nicky Fletcher, families at Danes Hill who used to live in said with great British flair), has made the the city, and have moved out here in the giant leap from Year 1 in February, to the last year or two to have a better lifestyle, end of Year 2 in April, and now, Year 3. Like bigger house and backyard. I find they Maddie he has an August birthday, so he’s are the ones most keen to make friends the youngest boy in his year. I know this, as well as the many internationals here – because he was chosen, as the youngest we have a mix of Aussies, South Africans, boy on the main school site, to plant a tree Americans, Canadians, Europeans – it is with the Governor of the School, along a good, community environment to be with the youngest girl, on Jubilee Day, in and our school reminds me a lot of Friday 1st June. All the kids dressed in red, Forestville Public School in the way people white and blue, and had a special day full are included. There is an active parents of traditional British activities to celebrate network that runs fundraisers for the the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. When Nicky school, and I can only commend all the started I was really concerned about the teachers I have dealt with, in helping our Year 2 business, but they tested his reading children cope with the transition into this and maths, and were encouraged. (They more regimented system (Danes Hill prides are very particular about kids being in itself on having an excellent reputation). I the appropriate age group as they start nearly fell over, recently, when I went to competitive sport in Year 5.) Thankfully a Parent-Teacher Evening and they were he had a lovely, nurturing teacher to start talking about pre-testing for colleges in with and she made sure he went into Year

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Year 5. For starters we have no idea how a neighbourhood party so we did just that long we will be here, and for goodness with our neighbours in our little gated sakes, Harry’s in Year 4, I’ve barely begun estate (5 households – interestingly only to think about it. My Aussie friend, Anna 1 of them was British)! One family even Frost, has just sent her eldest of 4 boys turned up with a Diamond Jubilee, British to boarding school (Year 9), with an old coloured cake! My Mum was here visiting fashioned trunk as luggage no less (my at the time, and the 2 of us ventured into reaction: “What? Like in Harry Potter?”) the city on the day the Royal Family sailed Her comment was “It’s so un-Australian”. down the Thames. A lot of other people Harry actually asked me the other day if had the same idea and we had to try and he could go to boarding school in Australia climb a fence to see what little we could when we get back! (which wasn’t much). Anyway if I ever Six weeks after the need a sanity check, Watching the Jubilee, the Olympics I just speak to Anna, started, which was handy she’s been here Olympics on TV as it helped to fill up the nearly 5 years. Her was a bit like lengthy 2 month long youngest boy is summer holidays (the kids good friends with “Spot the Aussie” had already had 7 weeks Nicky. off when we moved). Enough of Danes because one could We were very fortunate Hill. Onto other only watch them if to find ourselves in the exciting adventures. middle of the route It’s pretty amazing they happened to for the Olympic Road that we arrived be in the same shot Cycling Events, so our here during the street was blocked off year of the Queen’s as another British and we enjoyed another Diamond Jubilee neighbourhood party as and the London hopeful. we waited on the side Olympic Games. In of the main road for the the lead-up to both, cyclists to whiz past, there was much more focus on the Jubilee which, they did in lightning quick fashion than on the Olympics. Everywhere, (I did get a good view of Stuart O’Grady in people had their English flags and bunting the breakaway but was disappointed to out, it was quite the celebration. It is miss Cadel Evans, and then he pulled out obvious that the identity of Britain is of the time trial – trip to France required largely tied up in the foundation of the next July). Then we all raced back to our monarchy. We put our Aussie flag out to TVs to watch the rest. Actually the better celebrate our Commonwealth status. As thing to watch was the Cycling Time Trial a nation we were all encouraged to have as you could study each rider as they went

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past. I can still remember the seeming as they still run a steam train around the ease by which Bradley Wiggins rode his island). It was the end of October and it bike, and the grin on his face. What an was freezing! Portsmouth is a real naval amazing summer he has had. city, and we have been on 2 amazing, Speaking of British athletes, we couldn’t historical vessels – the HMS Warrior, help but watch them as of course, we twice the size of its predecessors and with are in Britain. Watching the Olympics engines (1860) and Lord Nelson’s flagship on TV was a bit like “Spot the Aussie” during the Battle of Trafalgar, HMS Victory because one could only watch them if (1805). He died on that ship when he was they happened to be in the same shot shot by a French sniper as he paced the as another British hopeful. The boys deck during battle. and I were lucky to see our Opals play We have been on one amazing holiday so basketball but unfortunately that was far, with my Mum and Dad. We flew to the semi-final they lost to USA (Nicky Rome for 3 days in late August and then was curled up in his seat like a sad-sack boarded a cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s towards the end). “Navigator of the Seas” to cruise the East Maddie and I went to the Womens Team Mediterranean for 1 week. The ship in Final in Gymnastics which was amazing for itself was brilliant, could cater for all walks me, but only interesting to her for about of life, and we visited such ports as Messina 20 minutes. I spent hours trying to get (Sicily), Athens, Kusadasi (Turkey) and reasonably priced Athletics tickets but to Crete. I had no idea that these parts of no avail. Fortunately Tim and I did the Europe were so arid. My favourite place Sydney Olympics to death so we don’t feel was the hilltop town of Taormina in Sicily - too cheated. The atmosphere here was it is stunning, and overlooks Mt Etna, and very much like Sydney’s Games and it was Tim and I really escaped our hectic pace really great to witness the Brits get into it of family life by going to the beach on our like we did. own in Crete. When we arrived home we We couldn’t help but get swept up in it felt like we’d landed from another planet, I all, and actually found ourselves jumping was floating for about a week! The cruise up and down in the Living Room, cheering line keeps sending us emails inviting us the British distance runner, Mo Farah on, to sail again and we are very tempted. as he won his 2nd gold medal in the Men’s Think about it - next time we can drive to 5,000m. I said to Tim “Oh my God, we’re Southampton, hand over our car and the becoming British, look at us….” keys, the porters take our luggage on board to our cabin, and voila, life is fun and easy, We have done some sightseeing around except for dining with Emily, but, hopefully London, seen a few castles, and our by next year she’ll be more predictable. most recent adventure was to travel SW to Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight Love Kathryn, Tim, Harry, Nicky, Maddie (very pretty, and I’m convinced, was the and Emily xoxoxoxoxoxox inspiration for Thomas the Tank Engine 36 No. 476 March 2013 Coastal Cruising Club

FROM THE GALLEY

The Prince of Whales

After the excesses of the festive season, I thought that we should start the year with some healthy eating. This recipe is great for lunch or a light dinner. Fits reasonably closely to Dukan Diet. (The what??? Ed.) Vietnamese Beef Ingredients Vinaigrette 1/2 cup rice vinegar Beef Marinade 1.5 tbs sugar 750 grams beef sirloin 1/2 tbs salt (or any cut you like) cut into 1″ cubes Dipping Sauce 2 tbs minced garlic Juice of 1 lime 1.5 tbs sugar 1/2 ts salt 2 tbs oyster sauce 1/2 ts fresh cracked pepper 1 tbs fish sauce 1 red onion, thinly sliced 1 tbs sesame oil 2 bunches of watercress, 1 ts thick soy sauce long stems trimmed 2 tomatoes, thinly sliced Cooking oil for frying Method Prepare marinade by combining garlic, oyster sauce, sugar, fish sauce, thick soy sauce and sesame oil with the beef for at least half an hour, preferably 1-2 hrs. Prepare vinaigrette by mixing rice vinegar with salt and sugar. It should be a balance of sour, salty and sweet. Thinly slice the red onion and use about 3-4 tbs of the vinaigrette to pickle and set aside covered in fridge for about 10 minutes. Prepare bed of watercress and tomatoes in a serving platter and set aside. Heat a large wok or pan over high heat. Add about 2 tbs cooking oil and when it begins to smoke, add an even layer of beef and allow to sear for about 2 minutes, before “shaking” to sear the opposite sides for about another 1-2 minute more to brown all the sides. Do this in batches to cook all the beef if necessary. Transfer beef to bed of watercress and tomatoes. Drizzle another 3-4 tbs of vinaigrette over the beef and greens and top with pickled red onions. Lastly, squeeze lime juice over salt and pepper in a small ramekin. Note from The Prince We like our beef medium rare and test the meat by touch and sight–it will plump up slightly and be bouncy to the touch with a spatula. If the preference is more well done, cook for an additional 2 minutes in the shaking stage. Regards and yours in weight loss and hunger!!!!! I want baked potatoes!!!!!

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INFORMATION

Water John Tylor, CCCA Information Officer

At the outset let me state that I am not a and gave us brown water for a few days. chemist although I did pass Chemistry 101 Cloudiness or turbidity is not in itself about 40 years ago. I am also not a doctor, dangerous as it may be suspended mud, physiologist (or many other things for iron manganese or sulphur salts, or (in my that matter) but as you all know that will case) mostly rust but it affects the colour not stop me. This time we examine some and smell of the water. facts about water, its safe storage and Often water just sits in our tanks for treatment. years so it is worth testing occasionally A few years ago I got a load of dirty (smell and taste are both fairly reliable water from a Sydney boat yard. It was methods), but looking at the tank through contaminated with rust, mud and possibly an inspection port will give an idea of how a lot of unmentionable stuff too. Sydney much stuff is on the bottom. While there Water had been doing some maintenance are test kits available, regular flushing and nobody told me about and had disturbed disinfecting can go a long way in keeping about 100 years of crud which ended up in tanks clear. my tanks – some 400 litres of it! I was concerned that the mud might have Not much I could do but dump it all and had nasty bugs so we sterilised the tanks clean the tanks. This was not as simple as often. There are many ways we could it first seemed as the tanks are below water to this but we relied on Chlorine. If we level and I do not have electric pumps. So used household bleach with about 5% for the next year we used the water for concentration we could add as little as general cleaning and took our drinking 10mL for each half-empty tank - pool water from home. Eventually I used it all Chlorine is about 15% concentration so and at the next slipping flushed the tanks. you can use less. This is probably overkill By pushing the hose as far into each tank as but we were still not drinking it. Although I could and moving it so it flushed into the the Chlorine would not take away the corners I stirred up as much of the mud as cloudiness, it should kill many of the bugs. possible while at the same time allowing We pumped the water through the hoses gravity to syphon it out via another hose. and out the galley tap to be sure that they This removed much of it, but each time were all sterilised too. We could also we went to sea, a little more mud stirred have used Miltons solution; it uses as its up from the darkest recesses of the tanks active component Sodium Hypochlorite.

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If you want to drink the water, then add18 If you have a much larger boat than ours mL household Chlorine (5%) per 400 L of with more power available, of course the water, a concentration of roughly 2 parts per water-maker will give you perfectly clean million, which is reported to kill most nasties water from the sea so you do not have to and still allow the water to be drunk; allow worry. But if you take a walk and need to 2 hours for it to do its job before drinking. refill a drinking water bottle then you may The pH of the water should be roughly 7.5. need to consider water quality. If unsure a You can measure this with relatively cheap few drops of Iodine should kill most nasties. testing sets (pet shops that sell fish, pool and What to do at that marina where the hoses spa shops would be a place to start looking). sit in the sun for ever and the quality is Ph is a measure of the acidity of water. questionable? First take your own hoses. Neutral is 7 with strong acid at 0 and strong Drain each one thoroughly after use so alkali at 14. there is no water left after filling to sit and If you have an electric pump, then operate stagnate during storage. Use food-grade every tap to be sure the Chlorine is pushed hoses within the boat plumbing to eliminate through each hose and tap. If you have smells from plastics etc. If you have clear aluminium tanks do not leave the Chlorinated hoses then inspect them and look for any water in there for any longer than necessary dark stains that could indicate mud or some (usually about 8 hours) and not more than Algal infection is present. once a year. Once the whole plumbing While you are at it, check the O-rings on the system is clear, flush all the Chlorinated deck filler. These are affected by sunlight water out and replace it with clean water. and will eventually crack allowing salt, sea There is talk that chlorine can itself produce gull droppings and anything else spilt on the unhealthy by-products, but this needs to be deck into the tank. compared with the risk of not sterilising the water and swallowing the nasties. Taking water from most parts of Australia should be safe, although after recent floods While Chlorine may kill most of the bugs and unseasonal rain I would be wary of it will not remove cloudiness; for this you taking a load from around the southern need either a filter or a ‘flocculating agent’, parts of Queensland for the next few weeks; a chemical that causes the dirt to clump in this case pesticides add to the usual together and settle. These are used to clear suspects. For ports in South East Asia I will turbidity in swimming pools, Aluminium leave that to you folks who know better than Sulphate (Alum) ($9.62 for 2kg at Bunnings) I, so write in with your experience. We do is just one of a dozen or so currently in use. not treat or filter our water. With two tanks Check how much you need as the chemical we use one to empty then change to the may affect the taste. When selecting filters, full tank. This ensures we regularly turn the be sure they meet Australian Standard water over and that it does not remain in AS3497: Drinking Water Treatment Units. storage for too long. When we are cruising Some chandlers, most camping and caravan this is less of a problem as we can use one and RV shops will have a selection. tankful in a few days.

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Of course you do not need contaminated Chemical contamination is less common, but water to get sick. While pathogens, micro- in some areas this is possible. Not much can organisms that can cause disease, including be done to remove these from drinking water bacteria, viruses and protozoa can be spread so if you decide to use water from private through drinking water, they can also spread dams or tanks (or apparently, parts of Sydney effectively through other means including south) check where the water comes from. direct contact with sick people, animals, A newly painted roof can introduce chemical contaminated food, and swimming in contamination into rain water tanks as can contaminated pools and ponds. These occur dust etc. from a nearby mine or industrial in the water largely because of contamination site. You would all be aware of the current with sewage and human excreta. discussions about Coal Seam Gas mining The bacteria have scary names and the contentious subject of ‘Fracking’ including Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella where chemicals under high pressure are sp, Campylobacter sp, Shigella sp, and introduced into the well to shatter the rock Staphylococcus aureus. And if that does not to enable the gas to be extracted more put you off, then we have viruses. These vary efficiently. These chemicals can appear in widely in size and shape but are the smallest ground water and wells or bores so ask a of all pathogens. Typically they range in size local before stocking up from here. (Think I’ll from 0.03 to 0.1 micrometres. There are stick to wine. Ed.) more than 100 known types of human and Thanks to George Hibberd and John animal viruses that may be transmissible Pennefather for technical advice. through water. These include rotavirus, We are back on the water after a prolonged enterovirus, norovirus and hepatitis period of indifferent health (both mine and A. Enteric (intestinal) protozoa such as the Diesel engine). After much messing Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia around with the fuel lines (changing copper are considered the most important protozoa washers, O-rings and gaskets) we finally got pathogens in water. the engine running reliably, just in time to They form thick walled oocysts and cysts that have the oil cooler attached to the hydraulic survive for long periods in the environment gearbox collapse, filling the gearbox with and are resistant to some disinfectants. water. This left the engine stuck in forwards Cryptosporidium oocysts are small, in the for a while. After ordering a new part range of four to six micrometres, while from the UK, which arrived in just under Giardia cysts are larger, ranging in size from a week, all is good with both neutral and 10 to 15 micrometres. Boiling is a reliable reverse now available. Gerry Harvey can method of killing these. Usually rapid boiling complain all he likes but the Australian for 2 minutes is sufficient, but if you have a supplier wanted more than $A290, while pressure cooker, then use this as the higher the imported part cost $A136 including temperature does a more thorough job. expensive air freight. The UK supplier www. Filtering can remove many of these nasties asap-supplies.com had everything I needed too. and more.

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ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (CHALLENGES?) What An Experience! G. (John) Fragiacomo, s/v BORA II

At the monthly meetings of the CCCA, we pump was still working. Then one day my speak frequently about electricity and its daughter told me that there was smoke “challenges”. So I would like to share with in the front cabin. I finished what I was you one of my particular experiences. doing and went to the cabin but could We were beating against the wind for not detect any smoke or smoke smell, so I almost one week sailing in heavy seas thought it could have been condensation from Lord Howe Island to Opua. Water and, as everything was working, even was pouring in the chain locker and as if the switch was still dim, I enforced the water exit was in the middle of the that the switch be off when not in use. flat floor, and the boat was inclined all I did not give any other thought to the the time, the water was getting over the problem and carried on. side of the locker door into the cabin and Four days later we arrived in Opua, but to the bilge as well as in the main front did not use the anchor as the waves locker which was full of heavy gear and broke part of the cat’s walk on the lifejackets. bowsprit where the rollers for the anchor I have a system by which two heavy chain were located and therefore went to cables bring the current from the battery a marina. The next day when the heavy to the anchor winch, the system has a downpour of rain was finished, I started circuit breaker/switch which is generally to empty completely the boat. open only when the winch operates. Obviously, I was still puzzled by the A connection takes the current also to behaviour of the trip switch and went the toilet pump and therefore to use to see the anchor winch. The first thing the toilet, you need as well to put the I noticed was that the anchor switch switch on. The wire follows the boat floor, had one wire missing or rather hanging passes through a number of lockers and down as the connector was completely then has the connection with the toilet melted (presumably because of salt water on the floor of the front cabin front locker action). This discovery then prompted just behind the chain locker, which has a me to empty completely the front locker bulwark with a raised opening. and when I took out the heavy 70 m line Because of the use of the head, the switch I had there, I found that part of it was was not always closed after the use and I melted and burnt. I looked at the wire, did not check to enforce its closure. the outside of both wires were melted together! I noticed that the switch/circuit breaker was dimming, but I presumed it was a What a lucky escape we had! The same defect in the wiring connection due to water which corroded the wire and the movement of the boat; the toilet created a short were also responsible

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for dampening the line and avoiding a fire 4. Never leave the switch on for the which would have sank us all! anchor winch or toilet when not in use. I learnt a few lessons! Incidentally, even the switch for the water pressure pump should not be on 1. Do take notice of any little hint from all the time (we lost half the drinking your crew that something might be water in the Pacific because of this, but wrong. It can avoid much more serious this is a different story). issues later. 5. Enforce the switch off policy with your 2. If the circuit breaker light dims, take it crew. very seriously and go to investigate the whole system until you find the reasons 6. Having a drain only in the center of a of the dimming. flat floor does not work if the boat is heeling, you ought to have drains at 3. Electric wires should be on the upper both sides as well. part of the boat as much as possible not at floor level where water can Hope that this little episode can be a reach them (done after the event!). cautious tale. Luck is not always on our side, Electricians, like anybody else may try most of the time Mr. Murphy is prevalent. to do their best with the minimum of Happy sailing! efforts, but you are the owner and the G. (John) Fragiacomo, s/v BORA II responsible person.

HISTORY OF THE SASC CLUBHOUSE Tony Saunders, Past CCCA and current SASC member.

Many members would be aware of the below the deck and clubhouse. SASC’s history; but for those of you like me They took over the ferry run into Mosman’s who are not, may find this piece interesting. Bay (as it was originally known), sometime Tony Saunders, SASC member and past in the 1880’s. The route used to be City member and Secretary of CCCA, has to Musgrave St to Cremorne Wharf to researched the history of the clubhouse Mosman’s Bay (Cremorne Point was not where we hold our meetings and gave opened until approx. 1910). An interesting permission for it to be reproduced here. point, the ferry run into Mosman’s Bay had previously been owned by Charles he present clubhouse was erected Jeannerat who employed as a ferry captain sometime in 1907 for The Cremorne Joseph Amora. Club. Captain Amora, who was first Commodore ItT was previously the Cremorne Wharf used of the SASC 1872 to 1875, would have been by Sydney Harbour Ferries Ltd. and the amazed to know that the ferry wharf he sandstone remains of the wharf are still used to stop at would eventually become

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the clubhouse of the SASC in 1962. From the History of Australian Rowing, The reason why Sydney Harbour Ferries around 1912, activities of the Cremorne built Old Cremorne wharf can only be Club included rowing. guessed,but they were using larger ferries Many sailing races were conducted from and the sharp turn from Musgrave Street the premises, and in 1915 a restricted to Cremorne wharf was probably the sail area 12 foot skiff was introduced by reason why it was moved further up the the Cremorne Club. This only lasted for bay. three years and 12 foot skiff sailing was So to the Cremorne Club. From a Sydney then transferred/taken over by Lane Cove Morning Herald article dated 17 July Sailing Club (formed in 1896). 1907 “The new premises erected by The On 9 January 1909 the Cremorne Cremorne Club were formally opened Club had a powerboat rally and there Saturday afternoon by the Mayor of was a “gypsy tea and moving picture North Sydney (Alderman J Carter) in the entertainment with musical items. presence of a large gathering, including a Members where requested to adorn their number of ladies” boats with lanterns” The article describes the “tasteful” design So there we have some of the nautical and says the site was originally occupied background to the present clubhouse by Sydney Harbour Ferries Ltd as the which incorporated sailing skiffs, rowing Cremorne wharf. and power boating. The cost of the building was 700 pounds The SASC looked at acquiring the “and the whole forms a pleasing addition Cremorne Club premises firstly in 1954. to the many attractive residences that This dragged on for a number of years adorn the foreshore” and other sites were explored on the In addition “a billiard table is installed and northern shores of the harbour. In early other conveniences have been provided” 1957, a letter was received from the CYC If you look at the floor by the bar, you suggesting amalgamation with the SASC can still see the inserts where the billiard but it was deferred for further reference. table was. Eventually the SASC obtained the There were many dignitaries present premises of the Cremorne Club and the at the opening and “the ladies were adjoining site, Cremorne Yacht Services regaled with afternoon tea and a band (it used to be called Max’s Boatshed), and of musicians played numerous selections the inaugural meeting of the SASC in the during the afternoon”. current premises was held on 8 August 1962. “A race in skiffs for boys was contested by several local youngsters and created This was a far cry from the first SASC much interest” This would have been the meeting venue at Tom Keary’s Hotel in first sailing race from the club premises. Sydney on 1st October 1872. Further nautical events occurred.

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Some interesting electronic reads By John Pennefather, Saltair

he speaker for the February overboard from the foredeck while they meeting had to cancel at the last were recovering a sail that had not been Tminute, and Andrew talked about properly secured. For several reasons, the member’s survey. So Betty has a although he was attached to the boat page for a meeting report from me that by a tether, his recovery was slow and won’t get written, to fill it I offer the he died. Not a pleasant tale, but you following. Last month John Fragiacomo might like to think on two points, could told us of a good book he had read. I it happen to me or my crew? And what thought would follow that line of writing will I do to prevent it happening on my and let you know of a few of my recent yacht. interesting reads in the WWW domain. My final suggestion is to look at the I will give leads to put in your search Royal Cruising Club pilotage foundation engine as I find I often make typos in web site. If you look for it and then go copying addresses. to blogs and logs, you will find some My first suggestion is to search for interesting voyages. the title of a book that is available as Tom and Vicki Jackson have been a free download, called “Thoughts, cruising and racing for many years in a tips and techniques for singlehanded beautiful timber boat called Sunstone, sailing”. Andrew Evans has considerable they post useful hints and a summary experience as a singlehanded cruiser of their doings a couple of times a and racer and offers many sensible year, as does Anne Hill, the lady who thoughts on handling techniques on wrote Voyaging On A Small Income. The topics from how to rig your Marina pen most intrepid of their writers is Trevor for easy returning solo, to handling a kite Robertson who reports on his doings in a alone. self built steel 35’yacht called Iron bark. My next suggestion is to look at the UK He has spent winters in her in Antarctica Marine Accident Investigation Board. and in Greenland. Not for me, but his If you go to their pleasure craft area photos are great and his modest writing and then to the deaths you will find a makes me think I could do it if I wanted sobering report about a yacht named to. Lion. She was racing at night in the English Channel. The skipper went Happy reading!

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Minutes of the CCCA General Meeting at SASC, Green St., Cremorne held on Thursday 21st February, 2013

The Commodore opened the meeting at 19:35 with ~64 people in attendance. He commenced proceedings with the information that the planned guest speaker, Geoff Payne had been involved in an accident late last night and would have to postpone his talk to a later date. As a result our Commodore will spend the time after the break talking briefly about the membership survey results. Visitors: Greg O’Kieth Concord as well as Denis and Sue Gardiner Calipso. Apologies: Keith Lambert and Betty Byrd Barefoot. Minutes: It was resolved to take the minutes of the previous meeting as read. Proposed by George Hibberd Oasis and seconded by Brian Jones Mana. Secretary: Paul Stride Wind Dancer - • Correspondence In: Invoice from Go Printing for mainsheet. Three membership applications. A letter from Noakes shipyard offering a discount to club members. Just received by the Commodore directly and will require study before presenting to the membership. If interested, contact Andrew directly but he will have an update at the next meeting. Information re Commodores Dinner, club shirts, Cruising North seminars and Going Aloft demonstration. • Correspondence Out: Invoices to Graeme for payment. Email responses. • Visitors Book was not located at the table upon entry to SASC as the secretary forgot to put it there so apologies to the visitors. Please ensure your guests sign in to ensure I get the correct spelling of both name and boat. Commodore: Andrew Phippen Phlat Chat • Survey – Closed and will be discussed after the break. • Aloft exercise at the wharf. No members where injured so has to be counted as success. A big thank you to John for organising the Sydney ferries to simulate the rough weather. • New class of membership criteria for retiring members without boat. This is already covered in the constitution and members are most welcome to continue membership having sold their sail boat, even catamarans. • Going North Seminar. 40+ people interested in info night. Details in the Feb & Mar Mainsheet. Vice Commodore: Bruce Munro Chilli Heat • Moorings – The maintenance cycle continues with the America Bay mooring now safely clear of other moorings. • Insurance – All in hand • Mini cruise to Port Hacking leaving 7th March from Pittwater, 8th March from Sydney. Treasurer: Graeme Baxter Symphony

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• Reported an income YTD $27,393.47 from a proposed budget income of $35,700 with expenses of YTD $9,72.60 from a proposed budget expenditure of $36,540 providing a YTD surplus of -$17,821. Our ING investment balance stands at $59,055.09 with our working CBA account having $4,796.19 for a total bank asset value of $63,886.28. A detailed report is available via the committee membership. • CCCA stickers at 2off/$5, stick pins at 2off/$5 and the new burgees at $30 each are now available. Information Officer: John Tylor Ard Righ and uncommonly little bit late Diesel Motors and small leaks. Ordering replacement parts via on-line. Entertainment Officer: Ross Bruwel Renada No speaker this month. Future events for March will be in the Mainsheet. Editor: - Andrew Phippen Phlat Chat for Betty Byrd Barefoot • Please keep the high quality articles coming. All items must be in by the 24th of Feb for the March issue and the 24th of March for the April issue. • Club Photo Fundraiser/Novelty Calendar – still up for discussion. Cruises: Val de Burca Emma Wooden Boat Festival – Hobart,2013 – a small group of CCCA members joined the 250,000 other tourist in Tasmania for the festival. Over 100,000 went through the ‘gates’, plus those that entered by boat or via the foreshore exceeding the 80,000 anticipated. The CYCT again invited a couple of affiliated cruising clubs to a BBQ on Sunday night, but are ‘going to need a bigger BBQ’ next time as it was booked out early. Only 30 members from the CCCA made it in. Marius skpr.net put on an open breakfast for the local CCCA members and included others on skpr.net on Sunday and also will have to rethink his plans for next time when 40+ people turned up at the little cafe. Boats in attendance included Kate Kelly, KinTail, Yarandoo II, and Mischief and Mystic? Cruising Officers: • Harbour – John Smith Circe Balls Head Bay was a great event with this weekend at Sugarloaf looking a bit gloomy weather wise. In light of the forcast weather, events will be on the boats. See elsewhere for details. • Cruising Officer – Katrina Dell Elusive A big event last sailaway but plans for even more excitement when getting together for the scheduled event at Hallets however the bay will be shared by another large group of stink boats, and as such may move around the corner to Hungry Beach. Look for the boats with big sticks and yellow burgees or tune into ’77. It’s a ‘Come as who or what you wanted to be growing up’. • Old Salts – Pittwater - George Hibberd Oasis The 1600 hrs summer schedule is back with the last ferry still at 5:00pm. Please refer to the cruising report in the Mainsheet and to the calendar for future events which George assures us is very similar to last month. • Web Master - Andrew Phippen Phlat Chat for Stephen Cooper Guenevere

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All in hand but may have a few minor tweaks over the coming months. Cruising Members: Val de Burca Emma Neil & Ley Crystal Blues, Buffalo Bay, Ko Phayam, Thailand; Jim & Sue Kate Kelly, Recherche Bay, Tas; Peter & Julie Kintail, Hobart, Tas; Phil & Heather Kirralaa, Pittwater then home, NSW; Ian & Wendy Mystic II, Hobart, Tas; Ian & Helen Sundancer II, St. George, Grenada, Sth America; John & Nathalie Xebec, returned home from Jervis Bay; Mike & Sue , Newton Bay, Derwent River, Tas. Last reported - Warwick & Maryon Nimbus II, Townsville, Qld; Doug & Jeanette Reeflection, Pelican Bay, Qld; Ian & Helen Sundancer II, Rabat, Morocco; David & Pattie This Way Up, Bowen, Qld. http://skipr.net/where-is/coastal-cruising-club: Keep in touch through our very own Marius Cooman’s web site. Its free to join. If you’re a member and not in the CCCA area as well, let Marius know and we can keep track of your adventures. For a small amount extra, additional features are available as detailed on the web site and in our July/August Mainsheet. General Business/New Business Bank access: John Sciacca, retired commodore. From emails, apparently still has bank access. Thanks for your honesty John and we know were you live. Help • Dennis Lane Cipriani prop worn through at 5 years old on display for viewing. 2 extra days on the slip plus new prop. • Val de Burca for Jim Flaye Kate Kelly looking for crew to bring Kate Kelly back from Tassy. • Graeme Baxter Symphony looking for charts of the Lousiades for a trip later this year. • Jos Bots Kai-Vai is trying to repair a Volvo gearbox behind a Volvo Penta engine. The case has cracked but the internal appear to be OK. A Jan Halberg in the Shire was suggested but I was unable to locate via a search to check details. Next Meeting: The next General meeting and will be on the 21st March at the SASC. Close: Andrew Phippen Phlat Chat closed the meeting at 2010.

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