23° air temperature, 23° water temperature.
Image Alison Taylor
As Melbourne shivers through its coldest day in five years (max10.1°) and daylight hours are precious, as the winter solstice approaches, it’s great to read that this special event is going from strength to strength. Why?
Community, Inclusivity, Authenticity. We love it!
From Phil Atkins in Queensland. Pictures by JulesMagic
The 2024 Noosa Gaff Rig Regatta was held on the 8th and 9th of June in perfect Noosa winter weather, 23 degrees air temperature, 23 degrees water temperature.
The Saturday morning briefing prior to the race commenced at 12.00, it was clear and concise with some local knowledge, course and buoy information. A fall back plan was also discussed should wind conditions direction and strength alter.
Image Jane McMenamin
Most importantly the regatta prizes were on display. The most sort after being the range of excellent Ronstan products and the Bundaberg Rum Barrels.
At the start line for Saturday's first race there were 20 Gaff or similarly rigged yachts.
They ranged from a fifty plus year old 10ft timber gaff rigged skiff replica MERLE, with a crew of three and a healthy spread of sail, to a recently impeccably refurbished Couta Boat CRYSTAL.
Image Jane McMenamin
There were a number of classic Gaff and similar rigged wooden dinghies, wooden and glass Gaff yachts as well as modern Carbon Gaff rigged trailer sailors, Cygnet 20’s BACCHUS, DOLPHIN and DREAMKUMTRUE
To add to the mix, we had the now classic Gunter rigged dinghies, Herons and Mirrors. To keep such a mixed fleet of classic boats handicapped competitively there were two divisions. Division 1 boats over 18 ft LOA and Division 2 open boats under 18 ft LOA
The conditions were challenging both Saturday and Sunday being medium to very light westerlies to South westerlies and strong run out tide. Despite this the sailing committee managed to conduct two races each day.
Image Jane McMenamin
The boats on the river displayed a wonderful spectacle with the background of the Noosa Come Together Festival in the adjacent Lions Park on Sunday.
The Classic 10ft skiff MERLE took Division 2 overall and PETIT BATEAU, a converted Gaff Rigged O'Day Mariner, took Division 1 overall. The Cygnet class was appropriately won by CYGNET and the Mirror class JUMBUCK (Click to Enlarge)
In addition, prizes were on offer for placing both by Divisions and Class
With further help from our very generous sponsors, The Bar @ NYRC, Bundaberg Rum, Ronstan, Noosa Boatman, Sotheby’s Queensland Noosa Real Estate, Noosa Tourism, Burke and Smith Sails we were also able to run three raffles.
All funds raised from the Gaff Rigged yacht entry fees and our raffles go directly to NYRC Sailability our charity.
Next year's Noosa Yacht and Rowing Gaff rig regatta will be conducted on the 7th & 8th of June 2025. This event is growing each year and our expectations for 2025 is to have more Gaff Rigged or similar yachts that are in classes participate for Class prizes as well as overall. It would be great to have further Historic Gaff Rigged skiffs and classic dinghy classes racing.
The Gaff Rig regatta could not happen without the help of all our volunteers and support of the media, our thanks to them all.
For more information on the 2025 event ring Valere on 0434 879 861