Upcoming Events
- 16 – 17 Feb – Estuary Cruise to Patonga
- 24 Feb – Pittwater to Dunk Preparation Seminar
- 1 Mar – First Friday with Lisa Blair
- 2-3 Mar – Estuary Cruise to Dangar Island with barefoot bowling
- 10 Mar – Seafood Cooking Course
- 17 Mar Navigation Seminar
- 23-24 Mar – Estuary Cruise – Yeomans Bay Walk and Kayak
- 31 Mar – Hunting and Gathering Seminar
- 20-26 Apr – Easter and ANZAC Day cruise to Sydney Harbour
- 27-28 Apr – Club Marine Sail Expo
- May – Oct 2019 Pittwater to Dunk RPAYC Cruise 2019
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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, David or Sonia Williams
Or email us at cruising@rpayc.com.au
Join us on facebook
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Expired Flare Disposal
 Roads and Maritime has launched a program to help boaters dispose of expired flares, with mobile collections set up along the NSW coastline. Please note you must take them to the below location (Not RPAYC) -
Bayview Boat Ramp - Saturday 23 February, 2019, 8-11am | 2-5pm
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 Estuary Cruise (16th - 17th Feb)
With the re-opening of Patonga Pub the cruise will include a sail up Pittwater and lunch at Patonga Pub on Saturday 16th Feb.
Meet at Patonga Pub at 11am (come by boat and anchor in the bay, catch the ferry or drive). The destination for Saturday night will be decided over lunch.
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Pittwater to Dunk Preparation Seminar (24th Feb)
A general catch up for anyone who would like to chat on the cruise north. Please let Leon know if you will be there (email Leon: alfredcruising@gmail.com).
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Very special First Friday with Lisa Blair, 1st March 2019
 
Lisa is a lady who likes to go around things. She first circumnavigated in the Clipper 2011-12 Round the World Yacht Race. In 2017 she became the first woman to sail solo and unassisted around Antarctica. It took her 183 days, during which she was dismasted in storm conditions more than 1000nm from land.
Now Lisa has just completed her circumnavigation of Australia, solo and unassisted. She could be excused for being exhausted after the Australian circumnavigation. She has been sleeping in 20 minute grabs for the past two months. But you will find that she has infectious energy and enthusiasm.
She will regale us with her Antarctic adventures but also some from the Australian circumnavigation. Some excerpts from her recent blogs include:
- I had a steady 4-5 meters but every now and then there would be this incredible set of waves that would come through standing steep and tall at well over 8 meters.
- It was a wild ride and I was sailing on such a knife edge so far downwind that any slip-up and I could crash gybe in 35 knots which would definitely break something or get rounding back up and pinned again. Boy was it fun.
- I finally conceded defeat and realised that I would need to climb up the inner forestay to get the grub screw in before the sail would come down.
- I use the acumen WOBBLE with my engine checks it stands for Water, Oil, Batteries, Belts, Leaks, Electronics.
- I started to hear the sound of lots of water sloshing around. I opened up the inspection hatch for the collision compartment forward and found what looked to be over 200 litres of water in the bottom of the boat sloshing around.
- One is when considering higher winds and is 'if I am thinking about reefing then I need to reef' and the other is when the winds are light and I am keen to sail full throttle but I don't wish to waste my energy I apply the 'Cup of Tea' Rule.
- My radar didn’t pick them up as they are a wooden craft so there is nothing to reflect from. It was a shock and not one that I am very comfortable with given that I was alone on my yacht and 100nm from land.
- Last night was another ripper of a sunset with the sky lit up with pinks and oranges.
- I climbed out the hatch I got quite the shock as I came face to face with a large seabird that was just perched on the rail of what is now becoming the feathered inn of the high seas.
- Eventually, I was released from the currents and the winds filled into a light 5 knots which was enough to get me moving in the right direction again just in time to watch an epic sunset.
- I can honestly say that this was one of the best decisions of the night as I took the helm to drive the boat through this gap in the reef. I was still surfing waves at 16 knots even with the reduced sail up but when the 40 knots of wind hit I was safe. I did find myself laughing like a mad woman in the night.
You can read more of Lisa’s adventures via her blog.
Lisa is a Master Class 5 skipper and the recipient of the Australian Geographic’s Spirit of Adventure award. She is one of the gutsiest sailors you will ever meet. And she tells some inspiring stories too.
Make sure First Friday in March is in the diary. Who knows, you might be tempted to sail out of your comfort zone. Below is the link to the booking form:
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Estuary Cruise to Dangar Island (2nd - 3rd March)
Back by popular demand is the sail to Dangar Island followed by barefoot bowls and dinner at the Bowling Club. As featured in the Sydney Morning Herald.
The plan is to sail in company, meeting at the RMYC Port Pile at 10:30am for a sail up Pittwater and the Hawkesbury River to Dangar Island with afternoon bowls and dinner at the “Bowling Club”.
If coming please CLICK HERE
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Estuary Cruise - Yeomans Bay Walk and Kayak (23rd - 24th March)
Sail in company from Pittwater to Yeomans Bay where you will have the option of a bushwalk, kayak or coffee at Cottage Point
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Seminars for Everyone
RPAYC Cruising have organised a series of seminars in preparation for the Pittwater to Dunk Cruise. Whilst the seminars are part of the preparation for the cruise they are open to anyone who wants to improve their nautical skills.
Registration for the seminars will open soon.
Navigation and Seamanship Seminar (17th March 9am)
 If you intend doing the Pittwater to Dunk Island Cruise or undertake a cruise in the future, this seminar should answer all your questions. A panel of experts will cover topics including
- Preparing your boat
- Navigation
- Anchorages
- Crew
- Provisioning
 Hunting and Gathering Made Simple Seminar (31st March 9am)
Neil Edwards will provide insights into what equipment you need and how to use it.
 Diesel maintenance Seminar (14th April 9am)
Shane Douglas from Douglas Marine will once again provide this invaluable seminar on basic diesel maintenance to assist you in being able to service and fix your engine.
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Easter and Anzac Day Cruise (20th - 26th April)
The timing of Easter and Anzac Day Holidays this year provides an opportunity to combine a cruise down to the harbour and attending the ANZAC Day Dawn Service. The planned cruise program is
- Sat 20th April - Sail down to Sydney Harbour
- Sat 20th - Tue 21st Cruising on Sydney Harbour, planned destination Middle Harbour (Bantry Bay)
- Wed 24th - Darling Harbour Marina
- Thursday 25th - Anzac Day Dawn Service and option to watch the march or go to one of the many pubs for 2 up
- Friday 26th - Leave Darling Harbor for return to Pittwater. This will allow boats to be back at the club in time for the Sail Expo (see article below)
An expression of interest will be sent out soon to allow us to secure bookings at Darling Harbour Marina.
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Club Marine Sail expo (27th - 28th April)
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The Club has devoted the weekend of 27th & 28th April for the annual Club Marine Sail Expo.
The Club Marine Pittwater Sail Expo has matured into an occasion to showcase the Club and an enormous range of marine products and services. It’s become familiar amongst both the sailing public and the broader community. As in recent years, the 2018 Expo directly generated a significant number of new memberships to RPAYC. It also alerted a wide group of potential candidates to the sailing and boating opportunities available to members of the RPAYC.
The Club is calling out for members to volunteer at the 2019 event. Volunteers are vital to the success of the event and provide event assistance, promote membership and reinforce the RPAYC “personality” to visitors. Volunteers are assigned key areas including; Sign In/Greeting, Membership Stand and Car Park Assistance and a comprehensive brief of duties is provided.
If you would like to volunteer some of your time on either Saturday 28th, Sunday 29th (or both days) please email sailexpo@rpayc.com.au to advise confirm your availability.
More details on the Event Website
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February First Friday in Review Recap
The February First Friday provided the opportunity to relive some of the cruises that Alfreds Cruising have undertaken during the last 12 months. Murray Glaze, John Groves, Leon Wilson and Sonia Williams not only regaled us with tales from our cruises but we had the opportunity to look at photos of the places we had been and the boats in action.
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Dicko Cup Recap
Alfreds Cruising was well represented amongst the 19 boats that participated in the Dicko Cup. Great sailing conditions saw the boats race from the club to Hallets Beach where other club members joined the competitors for a social BBQ on the beach hosted by the club. It was a great opportunity for club members to get together and share experiences and get to know each other.
Sunday saw good sailing conditions once again with tricky wind conditions around Lion Island providing a great leveller and resulting in some very close racing.
Congratulations to all the winners, some of who would prefer not to have the detais of their “win” disclosed.
However an honourable mention goes to the following members of Alfreds Cruising
Jim and Clem on Mix’d Nuts for their win of the multi-hull category on count back
David and Sonia Williams on Galadriel for successfully being able to exploit the handicap system to win the second race
We would also like to congratulate Anthony Dickson (no relation to the Dicko’s who started the Dicko Cup) for winning the overall weekend after 30 years of competing and the Rear Commodore Racing Allen Stormon for hosting such a great weekend.
It is thoroughly recommended as a must do event for all members of Alfreds Cruising.
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Man Over Board Practical Course Recap
Once again the Man Over Board course provided an opportunity to practice skills that hopefully will never be needed to be used in a real world situation. The theory was soon put into practice in Towlers Bay with everyone agreeing that not falling overboard in the first place is the best solution. For some more tips see our safety tip of the month.
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Pittwater to Dunk Update
 The time is fast approaching to finalise plans for the Pittwater to Dunk Cruise. We need to know if you still intend to do The Pittwater to Dunk Cruise and also which rendezvous you will be attending for the Marina Discounts and berthing.
All boats intending to participate in the cruise need to fill in this form ASAP
The Notice of Cruise (NOC) is now on the club website and entries must be in to be an Offical Participant. Please complete the entry form attached to the NOC and return it to the Sailing Office by 5th April 2019
More details of the cruise be found on the Pittwater to Dunk Island Cruise 2019 website at:
https://www.rpayc.com.au/sailing/cruising/pittwater‐to‐dunk‐island‐cruise
Important reminders
All participating boats must comply with the RPAYC Cruising Regulations requirements for a Short Coastal Cruise event, or a higher cruising event category. The audit form is available here
In addition to the equipment items required for a Short Coastal Cruise audit an AIS transponder must be fitted.
In Queensland waters the person in charge of the vessel must have a boating licence
At least 2 members of the crew will need to have a current First Aid certificate
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.
Future events planned are:-
| Date |
Seminar |
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Location |
| Sunday 17 March |
Navigation Seminar |
Leon Wilson
Rob Starkey |
Pittwater room 9 am |
| Sunday 31st March |
Hunting and Gathering |
Neil Edwards
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Pittwater room 9 am |
| Sunday 14th April |
Disel Engines Seminar |
Shane Douglas |
Pittwater room 9 am |
 Useful links for Pittwater to Dunk Cruise
RPAYC Pittwater to Dunk web page
Short Coast Audit Form
NORC Instructions Pittwater to Dunk 2019
Coral Coast 2019 Pittwater to Dunk Calendar
Order form for cruise clothing range
Cruise Clothing Range
For those that have placed clothing orders they are now available at reception. Order by 15 March for delivery by 15 April in time for the cruise departure.
Hawaiian Shirts
- Men’s cotton Hawaiian shirt ($55)
- Ladies’ cotton/rayon (to make it easier for the husband to iron) Hawaiian shirt ($59)
A range of T-shirts are also available for order as well as base ball caps ($15) and Wide brim hats ($20)
 Order your Pittwater to Dunk Island Clothing Here. Download the order form and email to: cruising@rpayc.com.au.
Murray Glase is preparing to take part in the Pittwater Dunk cruise in 2019. In a series of articles he will take you through his preparations for his “First Time North”. You can read Murray’s articles here
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Boating Apps
 Marine Rescue NSW by AliveMobile
The Marine Rescue App replaces the process of logging on and off using your VHF radio and has the advantage that all the boat details are stored in the app. After setting up your boat details, it allows you to log your trip, ETD and ETA, and leave the details of a contact ashore with VMR (Volunteer Marine Rescue). If you do not log off or signal your safe arrival by the set ETA, they will try to contact you and potentially send a rescue team, saving you precious hours in the case of an incident at sea. The app also includes a useful pre-departure checklist and procedures for issuing distress and emergency messages at sea, as well as a button to call 000 directly and summon help.
Platforms: iOS and Android
Cost: Free
The MarineRescue App can be downloaded free from the App Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android devices.
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Tip of the Month - Man Over Board
The recent Man Over Board provided the opportunity to review some of the issues you would face if some one fell over board. In consensus was that “prevention is better than the cure”. Some recommendations and observations
- Agree in advance the roles that the people on board will take in the case of a man overboard. Consider the different scenarios of different members of the crew falling overboard.
- Most cruising boats are fitted with a chart plotter, do you know how to activate the man-over board feature which will record the position of the MOB allowing you to return to the original position
- Some chart plotters even have the feature to use the auto-pilot to navigate back to the starting point. If you have this feature do you know how to activate it
- If you have a radio with DSC (Digital Selective Calling) you can automatically send a call for help whilst attending to getting the boat back to the MOB position
- Manouvering the boat to bring it along side the person is not as easy as it seems at requires regular practice. It is easy to “run over” your person or end up to far away
- Making really tight turns makes it harder to line up the boat, sometimes it is better to go around in a larger arc to allow the boat to settle
- Work out how you will actually get a person back on board and if planning to use a halyard ensure if is long enough to reach down to the water.
- Plan ahead and have agreed man over board plan, practice it on a regular basis
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Cruising Events August 2018 to August 2019
CLICK HERE TO VIEW CALENDAR IN PDF
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