Eastcoast Sailing - Yacht Charter, Sailing Cruises, Motor Cruisers, Learn to Sail. Sydney Harbour

Here you will find BLOGS on news and events that have occurred at Eastcoast Sailing and around Sydney's waterways.

BLOG graphic

BLOGS

The Queens (Mary and Elizabeth) meet again 21 February 2011

The two massive cruise liners, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth both arrive in Sydney Harbour Tuesday 22 Feb. They meet outside Sydney Heads at 530 AM and cruise into Sydney. The Queeen Mary will berth at Garden Island, and Elizaeth at the Overseas Passenger termimal.

Their stay is short - both leave on Wednesday 23rd. Queen Mary at 1200 and Elizaeth at 500. So organise your boat or arrange a great harbour side vantage point with friends.

Sydney Harbour Australia Day II - Bizarre Weather ! 26 Janaury 2011

Eastcoast Sailing was amongst the thousands enjoying the water. But how about the bizarre weather? We were cruising north from the Eastern suburbs, heading towards Quarantine beach. Not really that far... So, we had South Head (to the south), North Head to North, Middle Head to the West. But we could NOT see land – anywhere.

There was an unusual fog that enveloped the northern parts of the harbour till late morning. Met Bureau advises that it was very humid warm air passing over cold ocean water causing the moisture to condense. With our trusty compass, we managed to find land again...

Sydney Harbour Australia Day 26 January 26 Janaury 2011

What a sight ! The massive spectator fleets of yachts, boats, cruisers, paddlers, (and any other watercraft you can think of...) for the annual ferry race.

If you have never seen one, it really is a good chuckle to see our workhorse ferries dressed to thrill in flags and banners, crammed full of cheering people allegedly racing towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The ferry captains wringing every extra HP out of their vessels, to all miraculously finish meters apart under the bridge finishing line. Another great day on our beautiful harbour.

Next youngest “circum Sailor” (?) update 19 January 2011

Whilst not get much press coverage in Australia, the Dutch girl, Laura Dekker, is making steady progress on her solo around the world yacht navigation. Update as of 19 January 2011, is that she is in the Caribbean, but doing it a lot easier than our Jessica Simpson. But unlike Jessica, Laura is stopping off at many places. So, the Caribbean is not a bad place to lay up...

Track Sydney to Hobart Yachts real time 27 December 2010

There is an excellent web site to track the Sydney to Hobart yachts. It has info on all yachts, realtime updates, and good chart graphics for yacht location.

check out

http://rolexsydneyhobart.com

Sydney to Hobart – So what is the most common yacht 26 December 2010

So what is the most common yacht that sails in the annual Sydney to Hobart race? Maxis? Custom?

Nope - in this year’s race Beneteau was equal first with Sydney at 9 yachts apiece. Followed by Reichel Pugh at 5 yachts, and then Maxi at 4. Within the Beneteau and Sydney yachts groups, the most common model was Beneteau 40.7 First, and Sydney 38 respectively.>

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 2010 24 December 2010

With a fleet of 86 yachts, the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race will be a truely spectacular sight as usual. Of course the high profile, big dollar maxis, like Wild Oats, Lahana, Ichi Ban and Investec Loyal take the headlines as the favourites for line honours..

At Eastcoast Sailing, we tip our hats to the amateurs yachts with low budgets, but with "maxi " passion, desire and skill. Good luck to all..!!

Jessica too young for Sydney to Hobart ! 23 November 2010

Can you believe that world's youngest solo Sailor to navigate the globe, Jesica Watson, has been deemed "Too Young" to compete in Australia's premier Yacht Racing event - the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race ?

The CYC Sailing Rules stipulate that the minimum age to compete is 18. Despite some of the headlines, Jessica did not apply, as she was well ware of the rules, and stated " she looks forward to competing next year..."

Sydney Wooden Boat Festival at Maritime Museum 16-17 October 10 October 2010

The bi-annual Wooden Boat festival is a great event for yachties, and landlubbers alike. Stunningly restored wooden boats are on display dating back some 80 years. Halvorsen Boats are well represented as usual, with a good mix of cruisers and sailing boats.

Enjoy the classic lines, and the glorious timberwork evoking romantic memories from a gracious era. Check it out at the Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour.

Link to Maritime Museum Wooden Boat Festival

NSW Maritime software leaves boaties unregistered 18 September 2010

NSW boat owners may unknowingly be out on the water in unlicensed boats because of the failure of the government's new licensing software, a union says. Since the new software was installed in July, NSW Maritime has neglected to send letters to boat owners reminding them to renew their licence, the Australian Services Union says.

Link to Computerworld NSW Maritime story

Court finally allows Dutch Teenager to attempt solo circumnavigation 1 September 2010

Laura Dekker, 14, was finally allowed by a Dutch court to sail away from Holland on a solo voyage around the world. Yesterday she set off with her father on a test and delivery sail to Portugal, from where she will begin her great adventure. Over 100 well wishers gathered at the dockside of the southern Dutch harbour of Den Osse to wave goodbye to Laura and her father. From Portugal, she will begin her solo voyage, and head to the Canary Islands. Then across the Atlantic later this year after the hurricane season ends. Just last week, Miss Dekker won a bitter legal fight to overturn a child protection order that had placed her under the guardianship of social workers to stop her setting sail last year, aged just 13.

Hamilton Island Yacht Race Week, 21 - 28 August 2010 16 August 2010

Hamilton Island Race week is a fabulous yachting event in the warm Queensland Whitsundays Islands - lots of racing, socialising, and partying if you are inclined. The week consists of racing every day around the beautiful Islands with over 250 yachts sailing. It is a unique chance to really hone your Sailing Skills amongst experienced and friendly skippers and crew.. EastCoast Sailing can arrange crewing on some competitive boats. To get the real vibe of racing and crewing, we can arrange a "live on board" experience. Alternatively, we can also facilitate accommodation on the Island.

Call Kylie on 0459 060 011 to book your crewing spot on a lovely yacht

Sydney Boat Show review 30 Jul 2010

As usual, the Boating Industry Association’s, Sydney Boat Show was impressive, fun and is highly recommended.

In the sailing world, some of the new cruising yachts from Jeanneau and Beneteau were amazing in somehow providing both large cockpits, and roomy cabins. The new “First” racing yachts from Beneteau www.vicsail.com were very sleek and promised continued race favouritism.

And the catamarans... Seawind continues to impress by finessing their new models to provide unbelievable deck and cabin space. For the Seawind 1250, bigger than most people’s apartments.

And in the power boat sphere, (and lets say under 45 ft for those who don’t own a bank), check out some lovely new models from SeaRay and Bayliner. Like the cruising yachts, clever configurations maximising space for both the cockpit and cabin.

Plastiki - the platic bottle "eco-awareness" boat to arrive in Sydney 26 July 23 Jul 2010

Eco warrior, and Rothschild billonare heir, David de Rothschild, has been sailing from the US west coast across the Pacific to Australia. BUT not in a typical yacht - a catermaran made from 12,500 plastic bottles.

www.plastiki.com

Mark your diary for the upcoming Sydney Boat Show at Darling Harbour 29 July - 2 August 2010

www.sydneyboatshow.com.au

Dutch court stops 14yo girl youngest circumnavigation 17 Jun 2010

As expected, a court in The Netherlands has decided that Laura Dekker, 14, is too young to try to sail around the world by herself.

US Teen fails in her attempt to beat Jessica Watson 10 June 2010

US teenager, Abby Sunderland has failed in her attempt to beat Jessica Watson record to be the youngest person to sail around the world solo. Her dream came apart when she was forced to radio for emergency help when her yacht was dis-masted in huge storms in the Indian Ocean. She was later picked up by a French fishing vessel, and ultimately abandoned her stricken yacht.

Jessica Watson youngest solo sailor to circumnavigate 16th May 2010

Jessica Watson is now officially the youngest ever solo sailor circumnavigate history by Sailing into Sydney Harbour Saturday morning (15th May 2010) at approximately 1 pm. There was a huge number of yachts and boats to greet her. An official welcome was given by none less than the Prime Minister of Australia, Hon Kevin Rudd.

Jessica Watson to make history 13th May 2010

Jessica Watson is poised to make history by Sailing into Sydney Harbour after circumnavigating the world as the youngest ever sailor. Get your self on a boat or yacht and greet her coming in through the heads on Saturday morning (15th May 2010) at approximately 11am. There is expected to be a huge flotilla of watercraft to welcome her.

James Packer's new boat arrives in Sydney Harbour 6th April 2010

James Packer's new boat, Z Ellerston, has recently arrived in Sydney Harbour. It is a stunning 165ft Yacht manufactured by Italian shipbuilders, Mangusta. Pictures here taken near Darling Harbour shows it exquisite lines

Eastcoast Sailing - change of ownership 3rd March 2010

Eastcoast Sailing, which provides Yachting Charters and Sailing School on Sydney Harbour, has been sold to new owners. Effective 1st March 2010. Kylie Noble has taken over management of the company. Kylie has an extensive background in events management, and has a passion for boating and people. 0459 060 011 www.eastcoastsailing.com.au