Volume No. 34, No. 11 December 2014 Editor Michael Mulholland-Licht Next Meeting: FRIDAY DECEMBER 12 FROM 6:30PM CLUB CHRISTMAS PARTY IS IN LEU OF MEMBERS MEETING IN DECEMBER. PLEASE BOOK WITH THE OFFICE Admiral Astrid helms Bliss through the Heads on 090 exercise. Nashira (abeam) helmed by Admiral Kelly 1 CRUISING DIVISION OFFICE BEARERS – 2014 - 2015 Cruising Captain Colin Pitstock 0407-669-322 Cruising Vice Captain Phil Darling 0411-882-760 Vice-Commodore Colin Pitstock 0407-669-322 Cruising Secretary Michael Mulholland-Licht 0418 476 216 Treasurer Trevor D’Alton 9960-2878 Membership Jean Parker 0403-007-675 Name Tags Lena D’Alton 9960-2878 Compass Rose Maralyn Miller and Committee Members 0411-156-009 Coordinator Safety Coordinator Bill Allen 9977- 0392 Waterways User Group Mike McEvoy 9968-1777 Sailing Committee Colin Pitstock 0407-669-322 Guest Speakers Royce Englehardt, & Committee Members as required On Water Events Colin Pitstock/ Michael Mulholland- Michael 0418-476-216 Coordinator Licht/ Phil Darling Phil 0411-882-760 On Land Events Jean Parker / Hilary Gallagher Coordinators General Committee Royce Englehardt, Trevor D’Alton, Phil Darling, Maralyn Miller, assistance Hilary Gallagher / Paul Wotherspoon Editor's note: Deadline for the next edition of the Compass Rose, is: 1st February 2015 The EDITOR for the next Compass Rose is Trevor D’Alton. Please forward contributions c/-: MHYC PO Box 106 SEAFORTH NSW 2092, Or Email: [email protected] Opinions expressed in the Compass Rose are those of the contributors, and do not necessarily reflect opinions of either Middle Harbour Yacht Club or the Cruising Division 2 MHYC Cruising Division Program 2014 – 15 December 12th Club Christmas Party Friday 12th 6:30pm (Replaces December meeting) January 19th End of Cruise BBQ. Informal Meeting. 2015 24th to 26th Australia Day LWE – cruise & raft-up Sydney Harbour. Includes Navigation exercise and Junior sailors. February 1st -8th New Year cruise. Paul Wotherspoon Co-ordinator. 16th Cruising Division General Meeting Speaker: Peter Nott, Marine Rescue UC 22nd & 23rd Watchman Trophy exercise & Spring Cove raft-up March 16th Cruising Division General Meeting. April 22nd & 23rd Echo Point Raft-up 2nd Twilight racing ends 2nd to 6th Easter Cruise – Pittwater/Broken Bay include night sail option 11th to 16th Sail Port Stephens week 20th Cruising Division General Meeting May 16th & 17th Mystery Cruise (note – tides just Ok for Hardy’s Bay) 18th Cruising Division General Meeting Next Meetings: Friday December 12 Christmas party Monday, January 19, 2015 Post Cruise B.Y.O. BBQ 6:30 pm 3 Captain’s Column – december 2014 Hello Sailors. I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone, that comes along to a meeting, puts their hand up to be on the committee, volunteers to edit the Compass Rose, puts them in envelopes, provides a cheese platter for meetings, offers their boat to take Starlight Families for a sail, the person that compiles the sailing instructions or organises our speakers. Without all of you, the Cruising Division would not be what it is. So a very big THANKYOU to you all. We are all interested in one thing and that is to go cruising, educated and be safe at sea. Also a big welcome to our new members. This year there has been quite a few changes. Noel and Jean, upgraded their boat, and what a boat she is. Ballymagirl, is up for sale, replaced by Sanctum. Michael and Astrid have a beautiful new Bliss, Greg and Deb have sold Volare and bought a trailer sailor. We look forward to many articles about voyages their new boats. We have had quite a few boats explore the Whitsundays, this year. The Gibson's, the D’Alton's and the Attersall's. And do they have a story to tell! Thankfully they have all safely returned to Sydney. They do have some very special stories to tell you. But we are very lucky to have them back, uninjured and in one piece. Just a word of advice, always keep an eye on WEATHER. IF IT MEANS STAYING IN PORT FOR AN EXTAR DAY; STAY. So stay tuned, for many more interesting stories. We also need articles from you all. We need your input, to keep us fresh. You don't want the same people writing all the time. We also need help with speakers, so if you have great ideas for speakers for 2015 please let us know. Don't forget our next meeting is not until BBQ in January, but we do have our Christmas party this Friday, Dec 12. So cheers everyone stay safe and have fun. Colin SY SHAZAM 4 FUTURE EVENTS: New Year Cruise - February 1 to 8, 2015 Come sail with us again on a repeat of last year’s most successful cruising event. This year, all vessels will start together and attempt to sail in company,.at least at the start, but doubtless the faster ones amongst us will streak away. We shall see. Just make sure the smallest boat in the fleet does not overtake you. The intention is to sail north to Broken Bay, weather permitting, relax and enjoy the delights of exploring the many sheltered bays for a whole week. Two reasonably priced waterfront restaurants have been booked with a reserved berth for our transport boat. Luncheon is always popular. We will have the Cowan Creek almost to ourselves, as school holidays will be over. So be sure to add your name and Vessel to the Event Board to be circulated at the December Christmas Party on Friday Dec 12th, or contact Paul Wotherspoon directly on 0417 495 794. Do not miss out, as numbers may have to be limited. ….Rapture 5 PAST EVENTS: OFFSHORE EVENT - COURSE 090 True Saturday November 8th dawned sunny and fine for once with the promise of a healthy wind to carry us offshore. As per usual it was evident that some yachts had a little trouble correctly applying the local magnetic variation of 12 degrees East to the True bearing to obtain the Magnetic course to steer. Kelly at the wheel of Nashira It was soon evident that there were three different magnetic courses being sailed, ranging from 78 degrees through 90 to 102. The old adage of “Variation East, then Compass Least” was seemingly temporarily forgotten. In other words, if we have two bearings, (true and magnetic) for the one course, the Magnetic or Compass bearing must be the least or lesser of the two. Hence if we start with a TRUE course of 90 degrees and wish to convert it to a Compass or Magnetic bearing, we need to SUBTRACT the local magnetic variation of 12 degrees. i.e., 90 deg. True minus 12 deg. variation = 78 degrees Compass. So the correct compass course that was supposed to be sailed on Saturday was 078 degrees. 6 Another way that I use (for local waters only) is to remember the Thames river in London. It is almost pronounced as TMS, which can be used as a check if we say, True to Magnetic, Subtract” In other words to go from a True Bearing to a Magnetic bearing: subtract the variation. i.e., 90 deg. True minus 12 deg. variation = 78 degrees Compass. Obviously to convert a hand held compass bearing to a True bearing for plotting on the chart, you would use MTA, Magnetic Bearing to a True bearing, Add the variation. (This can perhaps best be remembered as the opposite of TMS) Nonetheless six boats participated in the event with a brisk breeze carrying the fleet on its way towards the northernmost tip of New Zealand. After an hour and fifteen minutes the order was given for the fleet to reverse course and return to harbour in time to catch the 2:30 pm bridge opening. Four boats rafted up in Sugarloaf Bay for the night. Barbeques flared, songs were sung and poetry recited well into the evening. Many thanks go to Evan and Kelly of Nashira for the fine photos. Rapture .. running Home 7 Know Your Knots (part 1) Having been asked for an article on the Knots presented at the October meeting, here is a reminder of the first three knots. The “Figure of Eight “ knot is used to prevent a rope from escaping from a block or fairlead, or a halyard from disappearing into the base of the mast. The “Clove Hitch” can be used to attach a fender to the Lifeline, or to tie the dinghy painter to a pipe railing on a wharf. The “Bowline” is used to form a temporary loop in the end of a line (the “Fall”). Remember , In your left hand, form a Loop and “The end of the rope goes in from the side of the Standing Part” Next month, three further knots. Rapture 8 CD Quiz – December 2014 by Phil Darling 1. You are sailing along in fog and wish to alert other vessels of your location. What is the correct sound signal to make? 2. In the conditions of Q1 you decide to turn on the motor. Does the sound signal required change, and what to? 3. After the conditions of Q2 you think you hear something and decide to stop and evaluate it. What is the signal now? 4. Through the fog you seem to glimpse a white flashing light. Although the conditions are quite rollie, you count 8 white flashes. What is this light likely to signify? 5. You are listening in to an argument (possibly in the MHYC bar) about the relative advantages of twin masted rigs. What are the three most common 2- masted rigs, and how do they differ? 6.