Marathon at McCrae this Sunday

Hi All,

for those that have not had too much McCrae this season, our postponed marathon is on this Sunday. Last year was around 30 or so km for boats on our yardstick but the course is set on the day depending on conditions. We have plenty of rescue boats on the water to cover the fleet should any Mozzies get too far in front

11:00am Start.

It's a relaxed affair but great fun and the forecast is suggesting a bit of a blast. Thought I'd mention it for anyone who feels like a workout

Cheers,

Simon

Hi Simon, I would have liked to do this one but YC duty calls on Sunday. Did you want to try and make the 21st Feb at Rye as a few of us are trying to have a mossie race prior to the states.

Hi Nic,

Sounds like a plan.. what time do you start?

Cheers

We start at 1325hrs, I should be there from about 1030hrs. You can drive through the gates and onto the grass area in front of the YC to get the boat off the trailer. Cars can then be parked out the back with trailers and there is plenty of room.

Lunches can also be ordered from the canteen.

I look forward to seeing you on the 21st see you then.

Save some of that grass for me guys - Perhaps Nic can arrange a roped off area for us?

Trevor

Plenty of grass for all but I will make sure we have room.

If Trevor is getting a roped off area for himself... any chance you could organise valet trailer parking for me?

See you there.

Cheers

We aim to please......although not sure how far the sailing committee is willing to go !!!!!!!

Just hoping for 15knts now !!

Hi All,

Reporting in from the McCrae marathon which was run in what could perhaps be described as “vigorous” conditions. Started in 20knots with gusts to 30 and had to get out through a nasty shore break which is rare for us. Course for my div (for those that know the bay) was McCrae/ dromana pier/ Marthas cove marina/ Mt Martha (about opposite the Yacht Club), back to the point at Safety beach for a loop de loop around the wreck buoy, out to the Hovell and back to the club. Div 1, A’s and Taipans did the same but went to Mornington before the return.

By the time we’d rounded the point at Safety Beach the wind was steady 25 with gusts over 30. The waves were huge. At one stage I was in a trough and I reckon the next wave was as high as my sail number. It was all I could do to stay on the boat and by this stage I was letting the traveler out a bit. (Well maybe a lot!)

After the U turn at Mt Martha, a screaming reach back to the point but I have to say most of the energy went into staying on board rather than maximizing performance. After doing the circle at the point the wind changed and settled a bit but we were on a beat to the Hovell. Not really what you’d want having just worked all the way to Mt Martha. Then.. back came the northerly, High 20’s maybe low 30’s with gusts that seemed quite a bit more (though mabey that was just the fear making it seem more ). With the direction change it was now a reach to the Hovell though really all I could do was run, luffing up in the big ones, then point up in the lulls. Pretty much the whole way was spent sitting on the beam with a fist full of toe strap and everything off, trying not to get bucked off. Seeing where I was going was a bit hit & miss through the spray so it is well that I was pointing in roughly the right direction.

Having made the Hovell, more by necessity that design as I’m not sure I could have held it down if I’d decided to reach for home, I whimped on the gybe and luffed up and backed onto the other tack. Too much wind, and waves you could fall off!

As I headed back to the finish the wind fell away a bit but the reach was a blast. Had to sail along the top of the waves and fall off the back to keep the bows out. I crossed the finish with the boat vertical on the crest of a breaking wave. I think it looked good as long as you couldn’t see my facial expression.

First boat home though a cat can only win if you sail the same course as the A’s.

What a great day for a 100kg old fart on a Mozzie. *hit they’re a fun boat!

Hi Simon,

Great report !! I would say that "vigourous" was an understatement.

I was sitting in the house at Somers thinking that the conditions would have been too bad for the race. The Officer of the Day really made a big call. Particularly considering the coastline you had to navigate up to Mt Martha and back.

Well done for staying upright, onboard and the Mozzie surviving the ordeal.

Regards,

Peter

Thanks Peter,

Not such a big call for the race officer. It was steady under 22 for the start and we had 5 or 6 rescue boats out with not a very large fleet to cover. With a boat standing off all the the marks and the speed we were travelling you'd be noticed pretty quickly if you didn't show at the next one. They did a great job; must have been bloody awful bobbing around in that stuff.

Are you going to join us a Rye on the 21st for a pre states hit out?

Cheers

Hi Simon,

well done, sounds like fun. It's good to hear some clubs still allow the limits to be pushed, as long as they have the right back up that is. Which I am sure McCrae would have had, plenty of dinghy and skiff sailors would have been volunteering for duty I reckon.

I did sail there years ago in Contenders when it was so rough they couldn't get the rescue boats off the beach, that stopped them sailing, not much else will.

Hi Simon,

Not sure yet about 21st Feb. We have the Westernport Challenge re-sail on 14th Feb so 2 complete weekends in a row may be pushing the limits of fair play (if you know what I mean) .

It may all depend on whether we race on the 14th.

Regards,

Peter