Upcoming Events
- 26 August – Portuguese Beach Picnic
- 1 September – Club Sailing Season Opening Day and Sail Past
- 3 September – First Friday Dr Racer and Mr Cruiser
- 4-5 September – Late Father’s Day Estuary Cruise to Towlers Bay
- 14 September – Above and Beyond Boating “Cast Off” seminar
- 29 September – 1 October – Long Weekend cruise to Akuna Bay
- Dec 2018 – Jan 2019 – Christmas Coastal Cruise to Newcastle / Port Stephens
- May – Oct 2019 Dangar to Dunk Island RPAYC Cruise 2019
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September First Friday (7th September) – Dr Racer and Mr Cruiser
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Anchor
Norman Weaver has spent his sailing life racing Keel boats. The closest he came to cruising was Portuguese Picnics and Dicko Cups - and there was still a race involved then of course! Since retiring Norman has had the opportunity to learn the secret art of cruising - what is involved in converting your boat to be comfortable and sailable short-handed (but still be fast!). In 2017 he participated in the Club’s Coral Coast Cruise on his way to race in the Airlie Beach and Hammo regattas. On 7th September he will give us a light-hearted view of racing versus cruising from both sides of the great divide.
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September Estuary Cruise (8-9 September) - Late Father's Day at Towlers Bay
 As Sunday 2nd September is Father’s Day we have planned a Late Fathers Day cruise to be close by. This will allow maximum flexibility for those who want to celebrate a second Father’s day. After the September first Friday, go for a sail and then join us at Towlers Bay for the evening. We have arranged for the BBQ to be taken to Towlers Bay for a Father’s Day BBQ lunch on the sunday. BYO ingredients and the club will provide the BBQ. For those family members who cannot join the cruise Towlers Bay is close enough to collect them for Sunday lunch.
Alternatively if you have commitments on Sunday you can still come on the cruise and go return to your mooring early in the morning.
We look forward to seeing you there.
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Portuguese Beach Picnic - Sunday 26 August
The last Portuguese Beach Picnic for this year is on this Sunday. Enjoy a Sunday BBQ at Portuguese Beach. Casual race at 10am or just cruise at your own pace. After the race there will be a BYO BBQ on the beach. The Club will supply tender service from your boat to the beach.
Start Time 1000hrs ‘ish’
Start Boat Alfreds 1 (VHF 77 – 0458 787 500)
Course Start off Bayview – Towlers – Stokes Point (P) – Finish (Portuguese Beach)
Services BBQ facilities and tender service from 1100hrs – 1500hrs
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Sailing Season Opening Day and Sail Past - Saturday 1st September
The Sailing Season Opening Day is on the 1st of September. All yachts from the club are invited to participate in the Sail Past and Pittwater Dash as well as enjoying the complimentary BBQ lunch (MUST PRE BOOK).
08:00 Halyards Open
10:30 Opening Ceremony
- Commodore’s Welcome,
- National Anthem,
- Commodore declares 2018/19 Sailing Season open!
- Firing of the cannon - Peter Kennett (Life Member) & Hon. Bronwyn Bishop (CLUB PATRON)
- Raising of the Flag ceremony - Clubman of Year 2017/18 David West.
- Sail Past vessels assemble north of the Club.
11:30 Sail Past parade commences
12:30 Opening Day Yacht Race “The Pittwater Dash spinnaker race”
14:00 Entertainment & Lunch*
Note Gourmet BBQ Lunch after the race, complimentary for members for bookings made on or before 25 August. Bookings through Reception
15:30 Prize Giving
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August First Friday Recap - Trivia and Info Night
The August First Friday saw the return of the Leon Wilson Trivia Night hosted by our Rear Commodore. As usual the questions ensured no one had a chance to get them all correct but an enjoyable night was had by all.
At the First Friday we also launched our next 12 months cruising program, a copy of which is included at the end of the newsletter. This will allow you to plan your activities in advance as well as providing better visibility of upcoming events.
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August Estuary Cruise – Pearl Beach
The weather gods smiled favourably on the August Estuary Cruise is to Pearl Beach. Near perfect weather not only allowed the cruise to go ahead but allowed the boats to stay over night. Our thanks to John Groves for picking such a great location.
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Cruise Ashore to the Maritime Museum
Member of Alfred’s cruising enjoyed a free guided tour of Seaworthy and a once off opportunity to go behind the scenes at the Maritime Museum. Seaworthy is a selection of iconic boats of Sydney Harbour and special gems of national significance from the Australian Register of Historic Vessels. Our thanks to Arlene Tansey for organising the successful event. Based on the feedback this will certainly not be the last event of this type that we organise.
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Christmas Cruise
Each Christmas/New Year, Alfred's Cruising arranges a longer coastal cruise. Last year members enjoyed cruising to Sydney Harbour / Port Hacking /Jervis Bay. This years destination being planned is Newcastle / Port Stephens / Broughton Island. Having a number of destinations will allow those who want to go for a shorter period to only cruise to Newcastle where we have reserved berths at Newcastle Marina. If you are lucky enough to be able to cruise for a longer period, the plan is to head further north to Port Stephens and Broughton Island depending on the weather conditions.
More details coming shortly.
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Pittwater to Dunk Update
As part of the Pittwater to Dunk cruise in 2019 there are a series of seminars being organised. These are open to all members of Alfreds Cruising not just those who are planning to take part in the cruise.
The first activity has been arranged by Neil Driscoll from Above and Beyond Boating on the 14th of September. He will be running the "Cast-Off" event at the club, this is a session that runs between 1500 and 1700 and is designed to help the attendees put together a clear pathway for preparing for voyages. You can find a link to the seminar here, registration is directly with Above and Beyond Boating.
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Future events planned are:-
| Date |
Seminar |
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Location |
| Thursday 23 August |
Sail Trim Seminar |
Paul Eldrid |
Club 7pm |
| Friday 31August |
Boat Owners Safety and Regulations Forum |
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Halyards 6.30pm |
| Friday 5th October |
Fares and Safety |
Neil Driscol |
Halyards 6.30 pm |
| Sunday 25 November |
Electrical Seminar |
Rob Starkey |
Pittwater room 9 am |
| Sunday 24 February |
Diesel Engines Seminar |
Shane Douglas |
Pittwater room 9 am |
| Sunday 17 March |
Navigation Seminar |
Leon wilson Rob Starkey |
Pittwater room 9 am |
| Sunday 31st March |
Hunting and Gathering |
Neil Edwards |
Pittwater room 9 am |
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Meet your Cruise Committee
Under the club’s constitution, following the Annual General Meeting the various committees are also re-elected
The following are you cruise committee members for the next 12 months:-
Leon Wilson – Rear Commodore Cruising
Murray Glase
John Groves
Mark Stephens
Megan Nixon
David Williams
If you have any questions or suggestions please do not hesitate to contact any member of the cruise committee. We are looking for new committee members so if you would like to help please do not hesitate to contact us.
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Tip of the Month
This month we are talking about safety audits. Many people see safety audits as a chore that they have to do if they want to take part in a club event. It should be taken as an opportunity for an experienced sailor to help you check that in an unforeseen circumstance you have a better chance of being prepared to cope with an incident. This is exactly why there are safety audits designed specifically for cruising and targeted for different types of activities. There are 4 different categories of cruising audits that are set out on the club web site
RPAYC Cruising Regulations Audit Form INSHORE
RPAYC Cruising Regulations Audit Form OCEAN
RPAYC Cruising Regulations Audit Form LONG COASTAL
RPAYC Cruising Regulations Audit Form SHORT COASTAL
In addition there are separate audits for racing which you will also need to pass if you want to participate in club racing events but passing a cruising audit will almost guarantee you will also pass the corresponding racing audit.
Some hints for preparing for an audit,
The most common issue for a “repeat” audit is expired items
Fire extinguishers need to be checked every 6 months. There should be a tag on the fire extinguisher setting out the last inspection date. Fire Extinguishers can be dropped off at the Bosun’s Locker for an inspection. Whilst not good for the environment, quite often boating suppliers have extinguishers on sale for almost the same price as an inspection. If buying a new one ensure that you get a tag to record the date
Self-inflating life jackets need to be inspected annually. Many models can be checked by the owner but you will need accurate digital kitchen scales to weigh the gas cartridge.
Flares also have an expiry date, check the earliest expiry date as this will determine if you pass the audit.
A number of medicines in your first aid kit also have expiry dates and these need to be checked. Common items to check are disprin and eye wash fluid.
On the day of the audit make sure all the safety items are removed from storage and placed where they can easily be checked as this will make it easier for both you and the auditor.
If you have never had an audit for the particular category, some of the auditors are happy to come can go through with you the likely issues that you will face for that category.
A really good way to prepare for an audit is to download a copy of the Green Book from the clubs website and create a personalised document for your boat where you can check off all the items that are relevant for the activities that you are planning. Note one of the audit requirements is to have a copy of the Green Book on board.
Some other Do’s and Dont’s
Some Do’s
Recognise that an Auditor’s time spent on your boat takes away time spent on their own.
Plan and be prepared. At the end of the day we should all take the safety of ourselves and those we are responsible for seriously. Take time to do it properly.
Work from the book, not the form. Only use the form as your final checklist.
If in doubt – ask. There are a number of auditors who have the time to do “pre audits” or answer specific questions. If it is your first time or you are stepping up to a higher category, help is available. The Sailing Office can put you in touch.
Make sure your boat has all the equipment laid out before the Auditor arrives.
Pay attention to detail, you will be asked what expires first in your medical kit so be ready. Note the expiry date of your flares and extinguishers as well.
Keep a log / diary of things that need attention during the currency of your certificate.
Remember that it is important that your crew knows where everything is and how to use it. This means you need to consider formal training and must undertake regular drills such as donning lifejacket's and “man overboard”.
Some Dont's
Don’t be late for your inspection. Auditors are instructed to skip boats where the owner is absent.
Don’t just tick off items on your audit form without actually locating them on your boat.
Don’t schedule an audit half an hour before expecting to leave the dock and participate in an event for which you need the Equipment Audit signed off.
Don’t leave your preparation to the last minute. Servicing of Fire Extinguishers and lifejackets takes days, sometimes weeks, and your item may not pass requiring another trip to replace it where Murphy’s law says it will be out of stock.
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Cruising Calendar
Click on image to view full version
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If you have any questions or suggestions for cruise activities please contact one of the cruise committee:-
Leon Wilson Rear Commodore, Murray Glase, John Groves, Megan Nixon, Mark Stephens or David Williams
Or email us at cruising@rpayc.com.au
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