Sailing on Sydney Harbour
October 28th 2009 01:02
Some time ago I mentioned that there some great ways to have a sail on beautiful Sydney Harbour on a casual basis.
Probably the best kept secret is found in Middle Harbour Yacht Club which is at the Spit Sydney.
It's easy to get to by public transport with a bus from the Wynard in the city that will drop you across the road.
The club is a lovely old timber building on a beach that was built years ago around an old harbour swimming pool. There's a bar down stairs and one upstairs where there's a large deck where you can have a refreshing drink and look over the marina full of wonderful yachts to Clontarf Beach across the water. Stunning.
On Thursday afternoon/evening they have twilight racing. A quick lap down the main harbour and back to the club for the prize giving and a sausage sizzle.
The best part for you who want a lovely adventure and a sight see of Sydney Harbour is that rides on racing yachts are available.
We have taken numerous tourists, back packers, friends, visiting firemen who have had no experience of sailing out on a boat I used to race on. This was a Sydney 38, a pretty full on racing boat.
Boy, did they have fun!
At the entrance to the club, you will need to sign in the register provided on a little table, there's a big white board. The crewing officer will be in attendance. The idea is that boats with spaces will put their names and contact details on one side and people wanting a sail put their details on the other.
Depending on what's and who's available the crewing officer will match you up with a boat and away you go. There's no fee or charge for this.
As a thank you to the owner/skipper and crew you can buy some beer over the bar to enjoy during the casual race. And a round or two afterwards during the prize giving is always appreciated.
Some times, depending on the boat, the racing gets very serious and close. The race being a handicap start sets all the boats off at different times. The idea is that they all finish at exactly the same time! When there's 40 or 50 boats finishing in a relatively narrow channel it gets quite busy. You will not be bored!
Have fun!
Probably the best kept secret is found in Middle Harbour Yacht Club which is at the Spit Sydney.
It's easy to get to by public transport with a bus from the Wynard in the city that will drop you across the road.
The club is a lovely old timber building on a beach that was built years ago around an old harbour swimming pool. There's a bar down stairs and one upstairs where there's a large deck where you can have a refreshing drink and look over the marina full of wonderful yachts to Clontarf Beach across the water. Stunning.
On Thursday afternoon/evening they have twilight racing. A quick lap down the main harbour and back to the club for the prize giving and a sausage sizzle.
The best part for you who want a lovely adventure and a sight see of Sydney Harbour is that rides on racing yachts are available.
We have taken numerous tourists, back packers, friends, visiting firemen who have had no experience of sailing out on a boat I used to race on. This was a Sydney 38, a pretty full on racing boat.
Boy, did they have fun!
At the entrance to the club, you will need to sign in the register provided on a little table, there's a big white board. The crewing officer will be in attendance. The idea is that boats with spaces will put their names and contact details on one side and people wanting a sail put their details on the other.
Depending on what's and who's available the crewing officer will match you up with a boat and away you go. There's no fee or charge for this.
As a thank you to the owner/skipper and crew you can buy some beer over the bar to enjoy during the casual race. And a round or two afterwards during the prize giving is always appreciated.
Some times, depending on the boat, the racing gets very serious and close. The race being a handicap start sets all the boats off at different times. The idea is that they all finish at exactly the same time! When there's 40 or 50 boats finishing in a relatively narrow channel it gets quite busy. You will not be bored!
Have fun!
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