from eXpresso, last Thursday Twilight race.

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G’day Cruisers

Well daylight savings may have finished but the days are still warm, perfect weather for cruising.

At our April Monthly Cruising Meeting, Elizabeth Tucker (Za Za) will be talking to us about the voyage bringing her yacht, First Light, across from Spain, her plans for the 2027 Global Solo Challenge and the program until that race begins, including this year's Hobart.

Our Easter Cruise, either to Pittwater or Shellharbour will leave Good Friday 18th April with most returning Monday 21st. We'll decide which direction closer to the date based on weather and what the majority would like to do.

At the moment we have 5 boats going and 3 more maybes. If you'd like to join the cruise, please register using the link below or get in touch.  

Finally, a quick apology on last month's newsletter. You may have noticed an error in The Cruising Quiz. Unfortunately, I didn't update the questions, but I did update the answers from our February Newsletter. If you noticed the two made no sense together, you were right. So, this month the same answers but now with the correct questions. 

Look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday 16^th and cruising over Easter.

Cheers

Gerald, SV Serenite

Presentation from OceanVolt

As I mentioned in our last newsletter, Oliver Hartas from Oceanvolt gave us a presentation on electric and hybrid propulsion systems for yachts.

Oliver has now sent a copy of the presentation linked below, or if you prefer he has also provided a link to a youtube of the same presentation to the RSYS.

or, Oceanvolt RSYS presentation recording https://www.youtube..com/watch?v=X2Xe-YO3J_8

Port Stephens Regatta

From the results I count 8 MHYC boats at Port Stephens Regatta, including SnO, winning 3rd in Division 4 and 1st for the Team Prize with Antipodes.

Za Ocean Racing

At our April meeting Elizabeth Tucker (Za Za) will give a presentation on her voyage from Spain to MHYC on First Light and her program leading up to the 2027 Global Solo Challenge. 

All members and guests are welcome. If you're intending to come along, book using this trybooking link First Light Presentation with Elizabeth Tucker Tickets, Middle Harbour Yacht Club, Mosman | TryBooking Australia

Easter Long Weekend Cruise 2025

Easter is 18^th to 21^st April this year and we’re planning a long weekend cruise.

We have 5 boats confirmed and 3 more maybes. Destination is to be decided but most people are suggesting Pittwater and surrounds.

Jenni & I will be restricted to the 4 public holidays but others may wish to extend/go further etc. If you'd like to join please either register below or get in touch.

Cruising to Lord Howe Island

At our May meeting Gavin Randall and Dallas O’brien will give a presentation on their cruise from Sydney to Lord Howe Island and back on Gavin’s Hallberg-Rassy, Viking III

Cruising Get together and Safety Training.

Phil Darling will help us with another Safety Training weekend, all we need to do is set a date for it.

Topics to cover

·         Man overboard

·         Emergency tiller

·         Droug deployment

·         Any other issues we wish to cover.

1.     We have just had a Tropical Cyclone hit Brisbane. Which direction do the winds rotate around the core?

2.     What is Buys Ballot’s Law, and how can you use it to tell where the core of the cyclone is in the Southern Hemisphere?

3.     Are Cyclones, Typhoons and Hurricanes similar?

4.     Why are there no Cyclones near the equator?

5.     Where are the Horse Latitudes?

6.     You are sailing close hauled on starboard tack at night.  A ship has remained on a steady bearing on your port bow for some time and is approaching.  What should you do?

7.     You are sailing 090 degrees and come on a black and yellow marker, no top mark, black on top and yellow below.  What should you do? 

8.     A distress situation is one where a vessel or person is in …. (what 4 words complete this definition?)

9.     You are chartering in the Whitsundays and the charter operator says “you will have an easier trip if you are careful of the tidal gates”.  What does this mean?

10.Considering the last question – what is an Overfall?

Send your photos to Mike McEvoy to enter into the 2025 Cruising Division Competition. Each Month the best photo received will be published and, in the running, to win a new Mystery Prize at the end of 2025. 

Send your best photos (as a JPG / JPEG) - Remember … to be in the running to win the prize you must be in it. Hint …. Give your favourite photo a Title and Place taken. Submit your photos to mmcevoy@bigpond.net.au

Good Shooting …!! Mike.

This entry from Sanna Westling, looking across the bar at Port Macquarie as she and Niclas headed further north.

I didn't hear any stories for calamity corner this month, please let me know if you have anything for May.

1. Clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
2. Buys Ballot’s Law states that In the Southern Hemisphere, if a person stands with their front to the wind, the atmospheric pressure is low to the left, high to the right. You can use tell where the core of the cyclone (the area of lowest pressure) is.
3. They are the same phenomena – local names for Tropical Revolving Storms.  In east Asia they are called Typhoons, and in the Americas they are called Hurricanes.
4. To form a cyclone (or other Tropical Revolving Storms) you need warm, relatively shallow water to initiate an updraft of warm moist air (which starts a low pressure system), plus enough Coriolis force to start it spinning.  Within about 5 degrees of the equator the Coriolis force (due to the earth’s rotation) is not strong enough to start a cyclone spinning.
5. They are an anticyclonic area of variable winds at approximately 30 degrees north and south, characterized by sunny skies, calm winds, and very little precipitation. They are also known as subtropical ridges or highs. It is a high-pressure area at the divergence of trade winds and the westerlies. At 33 degrees South Sydney is in them, although local effects including Sea Breezes and the warm East Australian Current means that the effect is not so severe as in Western Australia.
6. Although you have priority, you still have a responsibility to avoid a collision.  Safest action is to tack away and show your stern light to the other ship.  This also gives you more time to avoid them.  Do NOT bear away to port.
7. This is a North Cardinal Mark.  Steer to port (ie to the north) to leave it to starboard and stay in the area of safe water (even better – check your chart as well just to be sure the “safe” area is actually safe for you).
8. Grave and imminent danger.
9. A “Tidal Gate” is an area where safe passage is much easier if you work with, rather than against, the tide.  For example, Solway Pass (between two of the Whitsunday islands) is much safer and easier to pass through on Slack Water (ie at the top or bottom of the tide) rather than at mid tide when strong currents and overfalls are common.
10. An Overfall is a turbulent stretch of water caused by a strong current or tide.  It may be from a meeting of currents, or from an effect from the shape of the sea bed.