Two weekends ago a group of four yachts had a good sail-in-company experience.  Robert and Linda on “Candice”, Tony on “Sadarar”, Len and crew on “Ripples 11” and Howard on “Spindrift” assembled at the Marina at 10:00, and decided to sail south, and to determine a destination on the water, once the wind had established its strength and direction. 

Len’s crew was not able to be present until after 11 am, so the other three headed off at about 1:30.  The wind and tide were favourable, and Sadarar and Spindrift headed for Tortoise Head Cove.  Robert and Linda had an early engagement in the afternoon and turned around before we arrived at the cove.  Len and crew did sail, but were to  late to reach the cove.  While at anchor in the cove, Tony and Howard had lunch.  The tide turned, and the wind dropped, and it looked like we would have to motor home.  But as we passed Tankerton on the return sail, a light southerly built slowly to about 15 kts and got us back to the marina, via the inside channel, by about 5:30. 

Please note the unfortunate position of the two aerials an “Sadarar” in one of the images – this was not deliberate!  In the guide tree image, you will notice that the two branches the formed a “Y” shape at the top of the trunk are no longer there.  Len’s boat “Ripples 11” is a home-made aluminium yacht, 21 ft in length and weighs in at 800kg of which 400kg is ballast.  A very interesting design and build.   

This weekend it looks like Sunday is the better day to sail. I will be unavailable due to a family commitment.  For those wanting to sail on Sunday perhaps you could meet at the Marina at about 10:30 and decide on a sail plan for the day.  With a gentle southerly forecast and an incoming tide, Joe’s Island or thereabouts could be a favourable destination.

On Saturday the forecast is for strong gusty SW winds and some rain.  I will be going to Yaringa, but will have “Spindrift” on the concrete while a new companionway hatch is fitted, and some internal furniture remade.   

Regards,

Howard

Ossie Whittley

Ossie passed away on Friday 23rd of March. He was a Yaringa and boating identity and will be sadly missed by all that knew him.

A funeral service will take place at Bunurong Memorial Park, 790 Frankston-Dandenong Rd, Dandenong South at 2pm Thursday 29th March.

Rest In Peace

Last weekend’s sail around French Island was undertaken by six skippers, and completed by five!  Like our last RFI sail, one boat did not make the full circumnavigation.  Five did, though, and had a very enjoyable time with favourable winds and good weather.  The sixth boat ran aground on a large sand island NW of Corinella and spent six hours on the sand waiting for the water to return.  A few images from the weekend are attached, and a detailed report will be included in the next newsletter.

This Sunday, a sail to Chilcott channel is planned.  Do I hear you say “Where is that?”.  It is along French Island roughly opposite Crib Point.  If the wind is favourable we will motor or sail to the northern end of the Inside channel then sail down to Chilcott channel and anchor there, probably rafted up in threes, for lunch.  An afternoon sea breeze should allow us to sail home without motor assistance.  Bring some food to share, nuts, crisps, savouries etc.  A confirmatrion email will be sent later this week once the wind forecast is better known.  For reasons of tide, it will be advisable to leave Yaringa by 10:30 am.

Regards,

Howard

Peninsula Fresh Organics, Somerville Village Meats, Harts Farm, Red Hill Bakery, Max’s Restaurant, Paringa Ridge, Green Olive at Red Hill, Mornington Prime Cuts, Flinders Farm Tomatoes, Main Ridge Dairy, Pure Peninsula Honey, Dannic Garlic, Flinders Mussels, Delgrosso Orchards, Johnny Ripe, Mock Orchards, Peninsula Aqua-growers, Vidoni Estate, Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm, Nirvana Free Range Eggs, Red Hill Cheese, Mornington Peninsula Chocolate, Mornington Peninsula Brewery, Red Hill Brewery, Red Hill Estate, Darling Park Winery.

Dont miss out on this opportunity to Join MPGourmet for a celebration of regional produce on a grand scale!  Let national award winning chef Max Paganoni and his hand picked team of local chefs create a bountiful menu full of fresh seasonal produce for you and trestles full of  other lucky diners!  Discover the producers who Max knows and loves, and dine on their quality produce. Feast on the food AND the views of the vines and the azure waters from the lawns of Max’s at Red Hill Estate. 

DATE:                   Friday 16^th March 2012

TIME:                    12pm

TICKETS:              cost $120, including (limited) beverages

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!

Tickets can be purchased via a link on the front page of www.mpgourmet.com.au or through the Mornington Peninsula Visitor Information Centre in Dromana (P: 03 5987 3078), or through www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org

ENQUIRIES:        feast@mpgourmet.com.au

First, a couple of meteorological items.

A large solar flare is heading toward Earth and could disrupt power grids, GPS and aeroplane flights.  Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Centre said the Sun erupted on Tuesday evening and the effects should start reaching Earth close to 1600 AEDT on Thursday. They say it is the biggest in five years and growing.  The magnetic storm has the potential to trip electrical power grids.  Its radio emissions can disrupt global positioning systems to make them less accurate. It also could damage satellites.  Scientists said communication problems and radiation from the storm will probably force aeroplanes to avoid flying over the north and south poles. Colourful auroras may be more visible.

For the next few weeks, Mars, the red planet, will be visible for a short time low on the eastern horizon just after sunset.  It will be more prominent in the sky than usual, and will be visibly red.

Now to sailing news.  The weather forecast for the Round French Island trip this weekend is looking good.  Saturday’s wind forecast is 10 to 15 kts from the SW easing to 10 kts in the afternoon.  Sunday’s forecast is for 5 to 10 kts from the SW.  There is a low possibility of showers both days.  A briefing note for those who will be sailing is attached.  At present there are six skippers taking boats, including three keel boats (draft about 1.2m maximum.)  It’s not too late to join the fleet, but please let me know by email if you haven’t already let me know.  If you are not available for a full weekend sail but would like to sail just on the Saturday or Sunday, please join us.  For Saturday sailors, come to the briefing session for details.  For Sunday sailors, we will be sailing up the North Arm passing Tortoise Head at about noon.  Call on 27 MHz for updated location information on the day.

Regards,

Howard

The next JOY (Jeddas of Yaringa) sail is scheduled for Sunday 19^th February.  If the wind and weather are kind to us, we will sail to Tortoise Head Cove and return.  For those who haven’t been there before, it is an idyllic destination with rocky outcrops about 300m apart and a gently sloping sandy beach in between.  If we leave Yaringa about 11am, we should arrive at THC in time to anchor the boats in less than half a metre of water, then wade ashore.  Those unfortunates who don’t have lift keel boats will have to anchor a little further out and swim in, or get be taken ashore on one of the lift keel boats.  Once ashore, there are rock pools aplenty to explore, or the bluff to climb, if that appeals.  We will be arriving back at Yaringa just after dusk, so we might consider this sail an introduction to night sailing.  A couple of images from our visit to THC in January last year are attached.

The weekend of March 10^th and 11^th appears ideal for another Round French Island sail.  The tides will be nearly two hours earlier than on our recent circumnavigation, and this will allow plenty of time to explore the East side of French Island for favourable anchoring or beaching sites.  More details closer to the weekend.

Regards,

Howard

Don’t forget we love to hear your news. If you wish to share news of your sailing, cruising or fishing adventures with the Yaringa community please e-mail us at info@yaringa.com.au. Photos of your noteworthy catches while fishing out of Yaringa are always of interest to other members so please send us those too.

Our colour magazines over the past years make interesting reading for newer members or anyone browsing this site with an interest in fishing, sailing or boating in general. Simply go to “News & Events” then “Newsletters” to make your selection.

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So please browse through our new site, if you have any suggestions or comments please let us know.

All the best for the coming summer season,

Yaringa Boat Harbour Management