HOOD SAILMAKERS . TR1J IN At Hood we believe it's our job to provide you with the best sails to accomplish your performance goals. Our computer generated moulded sails give you lasting performance through our proven designs and durability. Results are easy to come by when you use Hood Sails. TAKE A TIP FROM THOSE WHO KNOW. "Th e co 111bi11 ario11 of lasting pe1for111a 11 ce and reliability gives us co11ti11ui11g rnccess." Mal'tin James - Team Jaguar/ lnfini ty III "Our Hood sails have given us the edge 0 11 ou r comperi tors. " Hans Somme 1· - Somm e1· Breeze "Reliability and pe1fo r111a11 ce is the kev to success. " Ra y Stone - Razo1·'s Edge "Th ey are fast a11d they last." Geoff Ross - Yendys " You ca11 't bear race wi1111i11g speed." Richal'd P e1·ini - Corinthian Doors. C•l•JD The Trusted Name in Sailmaking SAILMAKERS From the Commodore's Desk n Saturday, August 2, Aus­ high price events like the America's his experiences from the time he left the tralia's second biggest ocean Cup and the two or three maxi boats Merchant Navy in pursuit of just one racing event, after the Telstra that are first out of Sydney Heads on thing, winning the single-handed BOC Sydney to Hobart, started and finished Boxing Day. Round the World Race. with little more than a whimper in the There may be a case for elitism with Those of us who know Adams were press. the America's Cup. However, there is not surprised he achieved this goal This race was, of course, the Cruis­ little understanding that whilst these through his own resourcefulness and ing Yacht Club of Australia's XXXX big boats might be the domain of indi- tenacity and the relentless support and Sydney to Southport Race and, like viduals able to afford them, the crews commitment of his wife Caroline. But in Middle Harbour Yacht Club's Sydney are by and large made up of fairly ordi- the pursuit and achievement of this to Mooloolaba, Royal Prince Alfred nary people from fairly ordinary walks remarkable result, David and Caroline Yacht Club's Pittwater to Coffs Har­ of life just having a go. faced the enormous frustration of rejec- bour and the numerous other events lt is also true that our sport suffers tion by successions of potential spon- that take place around Australia, it from some practical considerations sors. failed to capture the imagination of the when it comes to efficient and effective In the last twelve months Australia Australian public or the interest of jour­ coverage, in that our fleets do manage has fared pretty well, providing reasons nalists outside specialist yachting com­ to sail over horizons and out of the easy for the press and public to take an inter- mentators and dedicated sailing publi­ reach of newshounds. Whilst modern est in sailing. In August last year we cations. technology is capable of overcoming won the Kenwood Cup, the Hobart Similarly, events like the Whibread this dilemma, the fact still remains that record was broken, it was the 25th Round the World Race and the BOC the population do not seem that inter- anniversary of the West Coaster, a Whit- Challenge solo circumnavigation have ested in what goes on in most of these bread stopover in Sydney was come and gone from ports in Australia events once the excitement of the start announced, we challenged for the as quietly as the family day sailor is over. America's Cup and in August we fin- sneaking out of Sydney Heads and Nightly prime time coverage of the ished in a strong fourth place in the back on a Sunday afternoon. last Whitbread in New Zealand was Admiral's Cup. We also had many other Whilst many yachting events like enthralling, with outstanding on-boat victories and high placings in the vari- the Sydney to Hobart, Sydney to South­ footage, computer generated graphics ous regattas around the world. All have port, Hamilton Island Race Week that positioned the fleet and excel- gone by largely unreported by the press and Port Phillip Regatta con- lent, down to earth, commen- and unnoticed by the general public. tinue to attract increasing tary. The Kiwi population Sailing is managed throughout Aus- "coverage of interest from yachties and took this nightly report to tralia by some 600 clubs, the State the last Whitbread bigger fleets, sailing heart - and the fleet was Yachting Associations and the Aus- in New Zealand was seems unable to attract welcomed to and tralian Yachting Federation. Whilst all enthralling, with media attention and farewelled from Auck- these bodies have sailing in common, it outstanding on-boat interest that most of us land with unequalled is unlikely the agendas of any two footage, computer believe our sport is enti­ fanfare, proving it is clubs or administrative bodies have generated graphics and tled to. We have to ask possible to present sail- much else. If sailing is to attract new down to earth ourselves why sailing ing in an exciting and players from a myriad of choices commentary' events fail to attract the newsworthy manner. offered by other sports, our single broader interest of the media The sport certainly has its biggest challenge will be to capture the and public. heroes. John Bertrand and Iain Mur- imagination of the public (and the I have certainly been privy to market ray have become household names press) and retain their interest. This is research that suggests that offshore through 12 metre racing, while Ian Kier- no doubt on the "to do" list of our new yachting is seen by much of the general nan and Kaye Cottee achieved their look AYF but it is a mighty task and one public as elitist. This perception has his­ celebrity status through single handed for which we will all have to take torically been driven by the high cost of circumnavigations. On a recent week- accept some responsibility. )A entry to the sport and the focus of what end I devoured David Adams new book Peter Bush, Commodore media attention the sport attracts on Chasing Liquid Mountains. David recants Cruising Yacht Club of Australia October • November 1997 -» Offshore THE CRUISING YACHT CLUB OF AUSTRALIA New Beach Road, Darling Point NSW 2027 Phone: (02) 9363 9731 Fax: (02) 9363 97 45 e-mail: [email protected] FLAG OFACERS & DIRECTORS COMMODORE: PETER BUSH VICE COMMODORE: HUGO VAN KRETSCHMAR REAR COMMODORES: JOHN MESSENGER. HANS SOMMER TREASURER: ALAN GREEN DIRECTORS: BOB BRENAC. MAURIE CAMERON, GEOFF CROPLEY. ROGER HICKMAN, DENNIS McDONALD, ROD SKELLET. CYCA COMMODORE'S REPORT • P CHAIRMAN, CWB COMMITTEES criticises the lack of media cov OPERATING COMMITTEE: COMMODORE PETER BUSH SAILING COMMITTEE: VICE COMMODORE HUGO VAN sport of sailing ................ KRETSCHMAR MARINA & SITE SERVICES COMMITTEE: REAR COMMODORE JOHN MESSENGER NEWS FROM ALL PORTS · F MEMBER SERVICES & SOCIAL COMMITTEE: REAR COMMODORE HANS SOMMER Australia and oversea, t SPONSORSHIP COMMITTEE: DIRECTOR ROGER HICKMAN yachting ................ AUDIT & PLANNING COMMITTEE: DIRECTOR DENNIS McDONALD GENERAL MANAGER: BRUCE ROWLEY SAILING MANAGER: PHIL THOMPSON EDITOR: Peter Campbell (02) 9869 8197 DESIGN/PRODUCTION: Hardy Graphics (02) 9719 1963 PHOTOGRAPHERS: Ian Mainsbridge, Sydney (02) 9624 5039 Richard Bennett. Hobart (002) 29 2559 PRODUCTION EDITOR: Helen Hayes (02) 9948 4861 FILM SEPARATIONS: Halagraphics Ply Ltd (02) 9542 7022 ADVERTISING: Jan Cooke (02) 9452 2093 PUBLISHED BY: Jamieson Publishing PO Box 197, Cronulla. NSW. 2230 Phone: (02) 95441501 Fax: (02) 9544 1502 Subscriptions: (02) 9544 1501 . Net address: http://www.merlin.eom.au/offshore/ EDITORIAL OFFICES: Peter Campbell & Associates 64 Boronia Avenue. Cheltenham NSW 2119 Phone/Fax: (02) 9869 8197 e-mail: [email protected] EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: MELBOURNE - Kevan Wolfe (03) 9560 8674. THE KINGDOM OF TONGA · Repor HOBART - Bruce Montgomery (002) 24 2196. bareboat chartering in these beautiful islands of PERTH - John Roberson (09) 430 4944. the South Pacific ...................................... 50 BRISBANE - Ian Grant (07) 3349 9147. UNITED KINGDOM - Bob Fisher+ 44 (1590) 68 2267. WOODEN BOATS AT DARLING HARBOUR • ADVERTISING: If you are in Sydney at the end of October, Jan Cooke. Phone/Fax (02) 9452 2093 or Jamieson Publishing. PO Box 197. Cronulla. NSW 2230. make your destination the Australian National Phone (02) 9544 1501 Fax (02) 9544 1502. Maritime Museum for the Wooden and Classic Boat Festival .................................. 52 DISTRIBUTION: Network Distrtbulion Co. 54 Park Street. Sydney 2000. COVER: Offshore Yachting's final tribute to a grea1 yacht, Peter Walker•s The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessartly those of the Faxtel Amazan, which was destroyed by a icioltS onboard fire just Cruising Yacht Club of Australia nor the Publisher. All rights reserved . No one month after breaking the race record I ey • Gold Coast. part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the (Pies - Ian Mainsbridge and Pete, written permission of the Publisher. OPPOSITE PAGE: With the cmr Townsville yacht No Fearr Boat Series. (Pie• laa 112.1:1· ,_.,,_1 • The cover price of $4.95 (NZ $5.95) is the recommended THIS PAGE : Tbe e World Race for Vo lvo maximum charge for this publication. Trophy is ..i i the Fastnet Race. There will be e · late November, Sydney in PRINTED BY PIRIE PRINTING Imo HAPPY DAYS AT HAYMAN - Made mostly for millionaires, both owners and crews enjoyed the up­ market status of the Tag-Heuer Big Boat Series at . described by Hayman Island's five-star resort in the Whitsundays18 record-breaki berth at th RECORD SAIL TO INDONESIA · The Perkins Shipping Darwin to Ambon Race attracts a record fleet sailing across the Timur Saa In record time ..................47 features SAFETY AT SEA • Offshore's annual guide to safe salllng, Including the latest in personal safety equipment .............................