Boat Hoist

It has been a while since the DBSC’s Centre of Engineering Excellence has sprung into action. Club regulars will notice that the CoEE has been re-energised to deliver a piece of equipment that should bring a smile to the faces of a few off-peak sailors whose boats reside in rack positions two to five.

The club has been exploring the idea of a boat hoist for several years and has now found a satisfactory solution owing to a suggestion last year from Tim Heath and the ingenuity of Rod Barnes and the assistance of Geoff Kirk.

Introducing the DBSC Boat Hoist!

Please note, club members are not permitted to use this equipment until they have received training. Rod will be conducting an induction session at 7pm on Wednesday 30 June. Please email Rod directly to advise him if you intend to attend.

Many thanks to Rod Barnes, who has spent many hours behind the scenes in making the appropriate designs and modifications to make the equipment fit for purpose.

The club is appreciative of the funding support received from the NSW Government which helped finance this initiative.

SailGP returns to Sydney

In exciting news for fans of fast sailing, SailGP will return to the iconic Sydney Harbour on December 17 and 18, 2021, following the European stage of Season 2 which takes place in Italy, Great Britain, Denmark, France and Spain. 

The club has amended the racing scheduled for the Spring 2021 season accordingly with the following changes:

November 27 will now be a club championship day.

The Tyrrell and Russo races and Christmas event will now be on 11 December.

The club calendar can be viewed (and subscribed to) here.

60 seconds with David Devlin

How old were you when you first stepped on a boat?
About 9, it was my uncle’s powerboat and we went on a day fishing trip out of Rose Bay. Fell in love with being on the water from that day.

If money (and sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy?
A 50 foot Jeanneau

What is your ultimate sailing goal?
Skipper a boat in the Sydney to Hobart

Tell us the story behind the name of your Laser?
It came with the boat and I would change it but heard it is bad luck.

If you could add any ingredient to DBSC's world’s best toasties – what would it be?
Jalapeno – spice ‘em up!

What are your second/third favourite hobbies (assuming sailing is #1)?
Ocean swimming and cycling

Describe what you do for work in less than five words?
Design, build, & support IT systems

What is the first international destination you will travel to (once we're allowed) and why?
I’m off to Japan this July for the Olympics! 😊

What is your favourite TV show, movie, and/or book?
Not really into favourites but as far as nautical themes go, Bernard Motessier’s The Long Way.

Tell us something interesting about yourself that members of the club don’t know?
I studied Japanese Garden Design for 2 years in Kyoto & Chiba.

David upon arrival in Cairns after sailing his 34 foot Jeanneau Yarramundi solo from Japan.

Coming up next...

9-12 July 2021- South Pacific Laser Masters, Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (QLD)

Sunday 18 July - Winter Series

Sunday 25 July - Winter Series (final)

Saturday 7 August - Winter Sprint Series

Saturday 14 August - Winter Sprint Series

Saturday 21 August - Winter Sprint Series

Saturday 28 August - Working Bee and Winter Sprint Series

Sunday 29 August - Powerboat Handling Course with Australian Sailing

Saturday 4 September - LTR, Spring Season Opening, and Club Championships 1 & 2 (BBQ after sailing)

The club calendar can be viewed (and subscribed to) here.

Race Report 13 June 2021

After a cold week with gradient dominant westerlies that last all day, Sunday races were again rewarded with consistent conditions and a glorious sunny day. While the breeze threatened to shut down towards the end of race 2, it freshened a little for the final race of the day.

Many thanks to the race committee led by PRO Jules Hall assisted by Simon Stone and David Newman, who ran fast, efficient and timely racing.

Photo credit: Simon Stone

In the full rig championship, races were won by Nick Alexander and Matt Wenke taking two, and the pointscore races won by Tim Heath (twice) and Matt Wenke taking the third race.

In the radial championship, Andrew Cox scored a hat trick, and in the pointscore Kate McHugh, Diana Chen and Scott Hunter each won a race.

Many thanks to Paul for the winter soup special.

Photo credit: Jules Hall

An event not to be missed!

The ILCA Laser 50th birthday bash will be going ahead this weekend, regardless of weather (subject to safety, of course)! Thank you to those who have registered – we appreciate your commitment to get up early and be there on the day.

There are great prizes to be won including the gold hull upgrade sponsored by PSA sailing and some new sails sponsored by NB Sailsports. Remember, you have to be in it (a.k.a. registered and sailing) to win it! 

If you have not registered, it is not too late to join us.

We will have a professional film crew, including drone and photographers covering the event. We are also asking participants to capture further awesome footage of the day. If you have a GoPro (or similar) that is 4K capable, can you please attach it to your boat and film the event with a view to sending a 2 minute cut of your footage to Diana after the event for inclusion in the final media edit?

Don’t forget, there will be a BBQ and prize draw at DBSC after sailing at 1pm.  Rob Mundle OAM, who introduced the Laser class to Australia in 1971, will be a guest-of-honour on the start boat and will be saying a few words back at the club before drawing the prizes.

Rain, hail or shine this is going to be an awesome, once in a lifetime event! A lot has been invested into ensuring this is a successful event. We are asking our membership to demonstrate support and commitment to this event. We look forward to seeing you on the day.

Lasers wanted

Rob at NB Sailsports is looking to purchase older lasers - sail/hull numbers 190000 - 205000. If you have an older laser for sale please call Rob on 0405 177 207.

60 seconds with Matt Wenke

How old were you when you first stepped on a boat?
The mighty International Cadet at the age of 8

If money (and sailing ability) were no limit, what boat would you buy?
Hugo Boss if it’s still for sale.

What is your ultimate sailing goal?
Beat Luke in ANY regatta.

Tell us the story behind the name of your Laser?
N of 1 - a bit like the way I sail. A trial in which random allocation can be used to determine the order in experiments with 1 subject.

If you could add any ingredient to DBSC's world’s best toasties – what would it be?
Leave as is. As a carnivore I have to pass.

What are your second/third favourite hobbies (assuming sailing is #1)?
I asked Lisa, my partner for help. Neither she nor I could think of anything else.

Describe what you do for work in less than five words?
Take Offs / Landings = 1

What is the first international destination you will travel to (once we're allowed) and why?
Anywhere where I don’t have to do anymore Quarantine.

What is your favourite TV show, movie, and/or book?
Wild Health Podcast.

Tell us something interesting about yourself that members of the club don’t know?
Not sure I should admit it this fact but in 1988 I owned the 1st Subway store in Australia.

Matt at the Sydney to Hobart finish with the late Andrew Short

Coming up next...

Sunday 20 June - ILCA 50th birthday bash!

9-12 July 2021- South Pacific Laser Masters, Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (QLD)

Sunday 18 July - Winter Series

Sunday 25 July - Winter Series (final)

Saturday 7 August - Winter Sprint Series

Saturday 14 August - Winter Sprint Series

Saturday 21 August - Winter Sprint Series

Saturday 28 August - Working Bee and Winter Sprint Series

Sunday 29 August - Powerboat Handling Course with Australian Sailing

The club calendar can be viewed (and subscribed to) here.

Race Report 6 June 2021

The first Sunday of winter 2021. Photo credit: Kate McHugh

Those that braved the early morning chill were rewarded with a reliable south westerly morning breeze.

In the full rig championship, races were won by David Newman, then Nick Alexander, then David Newman again, while the pointscore were won by Gerry Donohoe (twice) and Ash Deacon taking the third race.

In the radial championship, the first two races were won by new dad James Tudball, with Andrew Cox taking out the third race, while in the pointscore, Pia Hattersley had two wins and Andrew Cox won the third.

Many thanks to the race committee led by PRO Alistair Sutherland supported by Andrew Craker, Jack Sywak and Quinn Pierson. Soup of the day courtesy of Paul was tomato and capsicum.

Photo credit: Alistair Sutherland