The News, Culture and Practice of Sailing woodenboats
in Australia, New Zealand & The South Pacific.

RACING Mark Chew RACING Mark Chew

Save the Date- CR2024

As I write British Classic Week is half way through its program (report to come), and the Aucklanders run a good Racing Weekend, but apart from the Sydney Hobart Veterans Regatta on the Harbour, there is a dearth of genuinely competitive sailing events exclusively for heritage boats in Australia.

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REGATTAS Mark Chew REGATTAS Mark Chew

23° air temperature, 23° water temperature.

At the start line for Saturday's first race there were twenty 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.  

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REGATTAS Mark Chew REGATTAS Mark Chew

Kettering Number Eight!

The maritime gods smiled upon us, with lots of sunshine and winds tailor-made for the wooden boat vessels. A gentle breeze fluttering between 10 -12 knots filled the sails throughout the weekend.

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REGATTAS Mark Chew REGATTAS Mark Chew

2023 Sydney Hobart Classic Yacht Regatta

With constant evolving sailing technology and boat designs, it is becoming increasingly more important to remind ourselves of the heritage of yacht racing. A nod to the enduring legacy of classic yachts and their pivotal role in shaping the RSHYR has given rise to a dedicated two-day regatta

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RACING Mark Chew RACING Mark Chew

An old Regatta renewed

Planning and executing Wooden boat events can be a chicken and egg situation. People will sign up if they know it will be a rousing event, and yet it will only be rousing if people sign up! We urge you to take a leap of faith.

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REGATTAS Charlie Salter REGATTAS Charlie Salter

2023 TUMLAREN STATE TITLE

The class always had devotees but the fleet slowly depleted in the 1990’s as keen sailors were attracted to newer designs. Over the last 20 years the boats have been patiently restored. Soon there will be some 10 yachts regularly sailing in Victorian waters

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DESIGNERS Mark Chew DESIGNERS Mark Chew

A Southern Fife Regatta?

Earlier this month 23 Fife yachts raced on the Clyde Estuary in Scotland. Images from the Regatta are somehow a relief from the sunny, sparkling press releases that seem to flow like Veuve Clicquot from the Mediterranean at this time of year.

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