The days are getting longer, warmer (and a bit windier) signalling spring is on it’s way. That means its time to get your entries in for our 2023-24 season. The Sailing Committee have a jam-packed season planned, with something for everyone. Our season starts with the Interclub series – where keelboats, trailer yachts, sports boats and multihulls from three clubs compete against each other for the Europa Cup this year. Three opening days, two divisions (spinnaker and non-spinnaker) and one trophy. Race dates are: Sunday 24 September Lowry Bay, Saturday 30 September Evans Bay and our own Opening Day Saturday…
Author: Deb Williams
3 Clubs, 3 Races, 2 Divisions, 1 Trophy – the Interclub series is back for 2023. To bring ‘inter-club’ back to the Interclub Series, we will be awarding the Europa Cup to the top club over the three-race series. The top club will be determined by the top 3 scoring boats from each club, for each race, with the winning club have the best score across the series. So enter now to ensure your club has a chance to get bragging rights for the season ahead! It’s free to enter so get your crew sorted for the Interclub series of…
A draft sailing programme for the upcoming 2023-24 season is now available here. This is a provisional outline of what we hope will make up our 141st season! Please note this is a draft and the final programme will be shared before Opening Day.
We had two different days out on the water for Wellington Ocean Sports (WOSC) last weekend. It’s a busy time at the moment, which is great to see. Instructors James Dunlop-Storey and Graeme Mercer have Learn to Sail courses going on, with learners enjoying some of the wonderful weather we’re experiencing – well for some of the time, Saturday was a mix of wind and rain with Sunday being clear and calm. Keep an eye out for more upcoming courses at WOSC. James took a group from Master Joiners Association (pictured) for a corporate sail and headed across the harbour…
Written by Gabby Storey Considered one of the most dangerous and unpredictable waters in the world (at least according to Google), I was pretty nervous to embark on my first offshore sailing adventure across the Cook Strait. But the experienced crew’s reassuring presence put me at ease. I always find their knowledge and expertise really impressive, especially that of the other young wāhine crew that joined us on this trip. It turned out to be a stunning set of days with light winds and blinding sun. This did make it hard to get out of the harbour at the start…
Written by Thijs Nicolas History repeated itself on 31 March, when OVERDRAFT took the rum in the last race of the season again. It was a good evening for a sail, with a decent Northerly, and 15 boats joining the race with 22 grads between them. Green lights on the startbox and 23 on the courseboard; this was going to be good! Overdraft is a Farr 727, Farr design number 53 from 1975, a 24’ sloop and designed under the IOR ¼ ton rule. Being the production version of world-famous ‘Fantzipantz’, the 727 is slightly longer with broader sections aft,…
It is with sadness that we inform club members of the sudden passing of veteran member Tony Cowdry. Tony joined RPNYC in 1983 and owned a Farr 727 Blue Streaker in the 1980s and then Bobby Shafto (S&S 1/2 tonner). He was a member of the sailing committee in the 1990s and the club’s handicapper. He raced Bobby Shafto regularly, often with his daughter Adrienne, on the harbour, and in the twilight, two handed and single handed racing. Bobby Shafto also competed in the offshores for many years, winning on handicap in the right conditions. Condolences to his wife Dawn,…
Written by Sarah Stevenson 16 December 2022 was a calm, almost windless, and overcast day. Not ideal conditions for seasoned sailors but this greenhorn, who’s only done three Gin Series races and an Island Bay race, was ecstatic at the low wind (sorry Geoff!) We set off from Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club at 10am, redoing the start as we suspected we were over. We weren’t alone – three of us (The Guarantee, Rascal and Gucci) went back just to be sure. As our skipper said at the time, if you’re not over the line now and then you’re not…
Friday 9th December, the prospect of getting a race away were looking slim as the rain bucketed down most of the afternoon and the breeze was disappearing. Northerly 1-5 knots and rain, not a great forecast. I made it finally after a slow trip in through the traffic. Steve, Angela and my fellow crew mates had ZIGZAG ready to go. The crew included two recent Grads Brett & Joanne (Jo) as well as regulars Joe and Paul. A couple of boats were out early, including Zimmerframe trying out their innovative jury boom set up – good on them. The breeze…
Photo: Midnight Rambler 1998 Sydney Hobart. Photo credit: Richard Bennett Is the Sydney to Hobart race on your bucket list? Ever wondered what it was like in the 1998 storm edition of that race? Join us on Wednesday 15 March for an evening with Ed Psaltis, skipper of Midnight Rambler, the winner of the 1998 Sydney to Hobart. Tickets are $30, all welcome (not just club members) and the bar will be open from 6pm. Ed will begin his talk at 8pm to allow competitors in the His and Hers race, part of Club Week, to join in. Ed sailed…