an unforgettable sight of 300 boats
We received the email below this week. The’ll be some tough choices to make early next year! The newly created Auckland Wooden Boat Festival is pencilled in for late February, the Geelong Wooden Boat Festival scheduled for 9th & 10th March, and the Paynesville Classic Boat Rally, on the 1st to 3rd March. Just goes to show there’s a lot of interest out there in this little corner of the wooden boat world!
First a bit of background…
Paynesville is a small town in East Gippsland, 300km from Melbourne. The Rally is a free community event, and, like most other events in small towns, it's put on by a small band of volunteers.
The famous Marlay Point Overnight Yacht Race, which ends in Paynesville, is on the weekend after the Rally run by the Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club, so its a great opportunity for people to come for the boat rally, and stay for the MPONR.
A three-day celebration of classic boats, maritime culture and cruising on the Gippsland Lakes
The Paynesville Classic Boat Rally survived the 2020 bushfires to have a wonderful, well attended event. In 2022, Covid lockdowns meant the Rally was unable to be held, but now... there is an enthusiastic Committee keen for its return in 2024.
Plans are already in place to deliver a spectacular fleet of classic boats on water, ranging from Tall Ships, to sailing vessels, classic motorboats, skiffs, fishing boats, small crafts and more.
If it's older than 25 years, or of classic design and lines ... you just might see it at the rally!
On land or on water, there are so many opportunities to see these magnificent boats up close and in action across the weekend.
On Saturday, the Grand Parade features all boats available on water as they sail past the crowds and through the McMillan Strait into the open waters of Lake Victoria. Plans are underway for many feature events to be held all weekend as well as cruises on a tall ship.
Take your own boat out at your leisure for a trip on the Gippsland Lakes and return to share stories with other boat lovers. It really is an event for everyone.
On land, our trailered boats make a fantastic display of classic wooden, fiberglass and rowing boats.
Car-topper dinghies will line the foreshore and music, entertainment and maritime stall holders will await your discovery.
Applications are now open!
This Rally we’re opening applications rather than bookings, for classic boats over 25yrs, and boats of classic design and lines.
Vessels of all makes and materials are welcome to apply - big, small, fully restored or those that are still a work in progress.
We offer the following categories:
Berthed - mooring available for Friday and Saturday nights
Hardstand - these will form the boat expo attraction on the foreshore
Car-toppers - off-the-beach dinghies etc. Can be left on display on the foreshore as part of the expo
General entries - local boats who have their own mooring, or entrants who are happy to park off-site (note that these boats will not be able to launch at the expo and yacht club boat ramps).
All entry types are invited to enter the water for Saturday's Grand Parade and class events.
A4 corflute display boards will be provided for berthed, hard-stand and car-topper categories.
All applicants will receive an email with a request for a photo to help us select a wide variety of vessels.
There is no fee to apply. Accepted applications will be invited to confirm attendance by payment of an entry fee.
So what can you expect from Rally 2024?
The Grand Parade, led by the drum of dragon boats and the sails of a tall ship, invites all boats to the water, spiriting all vessels past a crowd of thousands waving from the foreshore.
Sunday’s Sail Past is always a highlight, as yachts and cruisers stream by under sail.
Novelty events such as the Bowie Medling ‘bang and return’ fishing boat challenge, the Quick & Dirty Boat Build and a roaring powerboat display, always draw cheers and a crowd.
New to The Rally, a town wide Maritime Festival features something for passionate boaties and land lubbers alike…. featuring planned workshops, displays, live entertainment, demonstrations, storytelling, a photography exhibition and more!
As always registrations will take place on the Friday evening, the Grand Parade will be on Saturday morning and the Sail Past on Sunday morning.
So be sure to book your accommodation early! We can send a list of what's available on request.
More on Rally 2024
Our website
www.paynesvilleclassicboatrally.com.au
Apply to enter a classic boat (over 25yrs or of classic lines & design)
https://www.trybooking.com/CJBZV
Join the community
Facebook.com/paynesvilleclassicboatrally
Get in touch
PaynesvilleClassic@gmail.com
