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OFFSHORE February-March 1980 CONTENTS Hobart '79 8 ®IF~IBJ®rnJJM.-"8EI\S2 HflRUARYW.Ri::Jf'IJeO iO<• IOR Bulletin No. 28 19 CRUISING SPECIAL Apollo's Seanderings 22 How to Bareboat in the Whitsundays 26 Let's Cruise the Aegean 32 Cruising the D'Entrecasteaux Channel 35 Book Reviews 31 Biggies Column 39 Cover: For the first time in 12 years, the record 1979 fleet had a downhill start on OFFSHORE SIGNALS 2 the way to Hobart. Modern /OR designs are not known for their ease of handling AROUND THE SCUTTLEBUTT 4 downwind, but in spite of crowded con- ditions, the 147 starters made MARINA NOTES 40 it down the harbour with extras flying and without mishap. It was a small boat's race; none of the placegetters was picked by the 'experts', proving once again that the Hobart is much harder than the Melbourne Cup for the betting man. Photograph by D. Co/felt. ~ 'Offshore' is published every two months by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, New Beach Road, Darling Point, N.S.W. 2027. Telephone 32 9731, Cables "SEAWYSEA" Advertising and Editorial material : The Editor, 'Offshore', Cl C.Y.C.A. Subscriptions: Australia $5.50. Overseas $7.00. Air Mail rate on application. Editor: David J. Colfelt *Recommended price only Registered for posting as a publication - Category (B) OFFSHORE, February-March 1980 -1 examples of people with whom one of striving to in by other than fair has been to Hobart yet with whom means. The oh' asked quest on, " How one would not wish to go again. Yet do they seal your eng nes?" demon­ OFFSHORE most of these people have been wander­ strates cl early the picture in the lay­ ing down the track year after year man's m ind of yachts out of sig ht of and their entry is accepted without each ot her, or at night with navig­ SIGNALS serious question. On the other hand ation lights doused, forging ahead of one reads of novices sailing half-decked their rivals under gasol ine or di esel skiffs to America. Nobody would topsails. Such things, of course, do suggest that, for instance, such an not happen, and honour and ge ntle­ unhealthy qua! ification as merely being manliness prevail at least till after the 'known' to any such committee would finishing gun!!! be the test. Declarations to the effect that t he The next problem is: What good will course has been sailed in accordance it achieve? No one needs reminding with the Sailing Instructions and that how the need for a licence to drive a all rules appertaining thereto have car (a certificate of competency) been obeyed are required p romptly has been an utter failure in stopping after finishing all maor races, and it road deaths. Nor did the undoubted has occurred that yachts have been experience of the crews prevent the penalised for late or non-lodgement The Editor, two recent, tragic disappearances of of these declarations. 'Offshore' yachts in Australasian waters. The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Dear Sir, It is agreed that attempts to control sets it out clearly in its Sailing In­ The Sydney Morning Herald ( 10th the physical nature of ocean-racing structions, and under the heading of December 1979) told us that the yachts have merit. But surely such 'Deel a rations' amongst other things Official Report on last year's Fastnet hopelessly theoretical notions as con­ states, "It is an essential part of ocean Race was compiled by "three highly trol! ing in advance the way people racing that yachts sail at night and at experienced yachtsmen" and has been react to crisis at sea can be quietly times out of sight of one another. An published. One of the conclusions that forgotten. Surely this committee for owner or his representative may there­ comes from the report is that there is competency which has slid stealthily fore be the sol e judge of whether no reason to impose any "experience into our midst can be unceremoniously the rules have been kept or not. He requirement" for entrants in the Fast­ booted out again. At least let it be must, when signing his Declaration, net Race. subject to critical examination. be satisfied that the yacht has at­ tempted to win the race only by fair In stark contrast to this considered Consider, finally, these thoughts. Who sailing, superior speed and skill and conclusion there is, as we understand it, do you want to judge your sailing individual effort." (Italics mine.) a committee or (horror of horrors) a skills, your seamanship? Who is com­ sub-committee set up to impose just petent to do that? Do you know who An incident in a mid-week harbour such an experience requirement for the present members of the committee race recently gave food for much entrants in the Hobart Race. are? Who might replace them when thought. Two 40 to 50 footers were they get sick of committee life and reaching neck and neck for the first One wonders why such a committee leave? mark of the course, and for some is necessary especially now the Report seven minutes there was no change in is out. One explanation that the Have we stopped to th ink that the the relative positions of the yachts. thoughtful yachtsman will dismiss is way to increase safety may be con­ Concentration was paramount , and that it is part of an inevitable move­ centration on care problems, not no unnecessary talk was being count­ ment to the mindless bureaucratic merely a mindless increase in restrict­ enanced by grim-faced , determined control of everything we do. Yet ions. Have we grasped the concrete helmsmen. one committee member has advanced reality that the risks in ocean racing as a cogent reason for raising th is are, in fact, tiny but may ultimately The leeward yacht - let's call her committee the "fact that we had to be unavoidable? 'A' - was bl essed by t he presence in show the D.O.T . in Canberra that Yours faithfully, her crew of four delightful bikini­ we were doing something after the S.B. Austin (RORC), clad young maids, while aboard the Fastnet." J. R. C. Harris opposition not a boat length to wind­ ward - we'll call her 'B ' - there were Well, it probably is possible to satisfy no such decorative helpful addit­ bureaucrats by imitating them, but The Editor, ives - not that 'B' weren't ad mirers it is a certain way to stifle, ultimately, 'Offshore' of same, but it just so happened that the sport. aboard 'B ' there were present only Dear Sir, males of the species. The first and major problem is: How Yacht racing, and particularly ocean can experience be tested? Everyone yacht racing, is a sport that to the Now, the helmsman of 'A', having a can th ink of a number of defamatory unitiated offers untold opportunities surfeit of aforesaid pulchritude aboard 2 - ' OFFSHORE, February:March 1980 and having tried by 'fair sailing, sup­ w ith his concentration, so prejudicing sion periods preced ing the start of the erior speed and sk ill' to be lead ing his chances of winning. 'A' wou ld race and on t he actual day of t he event. boat at the first mark (to no avail), maintain that h is crew cou ld move decided to fa ll back onto a little 'in­ about the boat as they w ished and the It is w it h the co ntinuation of such co­ divid ual effort'. He suggested to one sk ipper of 'B ' was in no way obliged operation, not only w ith Club officials young lady of generous womanly to pay any attention whatsoever.