Once again Allicia has been doing febfast to raise money for disadvantaged youth in Australia. 
The money raised helps young Australians with education, rehabilitation, safe housing and much more. 


​This year, instead of giving up alcohol like most people, Allicia has given up TV and streaming services, including Netflix and Stan. This is proving quite difficult for the self-confessed couch potato and champion binge-watcher. 

Allicia is trying to raise $1000 this year and with just 9 days to go, she isn't even close to her target, so if you would like to encourage Allicia to continue until the end of Feb and help the disadvantaged youth of Australia at the same time, please click here to donate. You can donate as much or as little as you like (even $5 is great) and everything over $2 is tax deductible. 

If you'd like to find out more about febfast and the work they do, please click here. 

The NOR for the Top of the Bay Regatta, which will include 2 aggregate races is now available on the Special Entry page. 

Entry will be open shortly, but only yachts not currently entered in the aggregate will need to do a separate entry (unless you want to compete in the one design races - S80s I am looking at you). 

If you have any questions, please let me know. 

Allicia Rae
​Sailing Coordinator

Green Fleet and Blue Fleet
We will be running Tackers, Green Fleet and our new course Blue Fleet! Blue Fleet is a transition from Green Fleet into bigger dinghies, X 3`s and Pacers.                                                                  
Go to our web site for booking forms and more information.                                                              
http://www.rmys.com.au/learn-to-sail.html                                                                                            
​Or call Leigh on Robyn on 9534 0059                                                     
​

Can you believe that our weekend away to Safety Beach is almost upon us!

The Ruth Nangle and Jeanette Turnbull trophies will take place this weekend (Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 February). 
Entry closes on Thursday, so if you haven't entered yet, please do so here. The crew declaration is part of the entry form, so please make sure you complete it, including first names, last names and emergency contacts for everyone on board. 
The Sailing Instructions are available here. Please take note of the altered start time on the Sunday (0930 rather than the normal 1100).

If you need to book a berth with the Martha Cove Marina, you can find everything you need on our Special Entry page. 
Please ensure you let them know that you are part of the Royal Melbourne group. If we hit minimum numbers we will get a berthing discount. 

Dinner on the Saturday night is at Safety Beach Sailing Club.
This year the function is part of the Sail Peninsula celebrations and will include a 2 course buffet, a band and a minibus to get us to and from the marina. Bookings close on Thursday and must be done online. Click here to book. 

If you have any questions, please contact me. 

​Allicia Rae
Sailing Coordinator

Always wanted to learn how to sail?
Don’t be shy, give us a call, now is the best time of the year to do it!
Contact us on 9534 0059 or training@rmys.com.au                                                                
​Go to our web site for more information http://www.rmys.com.au/learn-to-sail.html

Commences Thursday evening 8th May
The Coastal Navigation course is essential for any crew person participating in coastal or       offshore yachting. It is considered mandatory for anyone who wishes to become a skipper and extend their boating adventures beyond protected waters. This course runs for 6 consecutive weeks.
Go to our web site for more information 
​http://www.rmys.com.au/marine-radio--other-courses.html                                                           
Contact Leigh or Robyn on 9534 0059 or training@rmys.com.au
​

Course commences Thursday 7th March 6pm
Learn how to handle a power boat or improve on your skills of boat handling. This includes obtaining a Victorian Boat licence without further testing. You will also learn more about engines, types of craft, chart and on water navigation.                                                                                          
Go to our web site for more information
http://www.rmys.com.au/marine-radio--other-courses.html                                                           
Contact Leigh or Robyn on 9534 0059 or training@rmys.com.au

Commences Tuesday evening 2nd April  (followed by 9th. 11th & 16th April)

We offer the internationally approved VHF (Short Range) or VHF + HF (Long Range) courses with a focus on the practical exercises using our ICOM marine radio equipment.
Go to our web site for more information http://www.rmys.com.au/marine-radio--other-courses.html                                       
or contact Leigh or Robyn on 9534 0059 or training@rmys.com.au

Our next Helm course is Sat 23rd Feb
Our next Spinnaker course is Sun 28th April

Know the basics of sailing but would like to learn how to helm or fly a spinnaker? Why not try one of our keelboat helming courses or keelboat spinnaker courses. They have been very popular so we have added more courses to our schedule! Book now so don’t miss out!

Please contact Leigh or Robyn on 9534 0059  training@rmys.com.au Or click here http://www.rmys.com.au/keelboat-learn-to-sail.html for more information and booking forms. 

WINDWARD II SAILING SYNDICATE
 
Windward II is a 44 ft classic cutter built in 1929 and in beautiful condition.
 
I could go on about her but if a picture paints one thousand words, the attached photos count for four thousand.
 
More words and photos can be found at www.woodsmancharters.com.au
 
Over the last two or three years and especially during the last twelve months, she has not spent enough time sailing. We all know that old wooden boats are all the better for plenty of attention and plenty of work. I have been giving her the former but not the latter. Indeed, over the last twelve months I've spent more time on board for maintenance purposes than I have out of the marina pen.
 
So, what to do. I don't really want to sell her but I'm baulking at the time and cost of annual berthing and maintenance.
 
The purpose of this note is to see if there is any interest in forming a sailing syndicate.
 
What I am hoping might occur is that there are 10 people who wish to come and sail Windward II.
 
This should provide a sufficient crew numbers to get her regularly involved in the Classic Yacht Association of Australia races and perhaps some social twilight racing and cruising. We usually attend Geelong Week and the Geelong Wooden Boat Festival.
 
After a qualifying period where we'll get to know one and other and the boat, each participant in the sailing syndicate would have access to Windward II as required i.e. you would be able to take her out and sail in races or socially.
 
No capital contribution is required. Ownership of the vessel would remain with me.
 
On the basis of 10 syndicate members, an annual sailing contribution of $2,000 + GST would be paid. This could be billed as a sponsorship or other service arrangement to a nominated business.
 
This gives an annual contribution of $20,000 which is slightly less than the annual average / berthing maintenance cost. I would underwrite the remainder and be responsible for keeping the maintenance up on the vessel.
 
The commitment to the syndicate would be from year to year. If a syndicate member wanted to leave then there would be no obligation other than to give an agreed notice period.
 
There will be some other details to sort out but I think this gives everyone the idea of what I have in mind.
 
I'd appreciate any interested parties contacting me by email at james.woods@ecollect.com.au or by phone on 0412 888 800.
 
Jim Woods

There has been lots happening this week!

Twilight racing went ahead on Wednesday night and instead of having a thunderstorm warning, the breeze died and many boats were scored DNF. This means that we only have results for the spinnaker fleet this week.  At least it was a gorgeous night to be on the water. 

Thanks to Andrew Gluth, Selwyn Stokes and Varan Freestone for running the race.

Once again, please be reminded that crew declarations must be filled out prior to each race. Please ensure that the correct date is at the top. Without the correct date, in an emergency, it is unlikely that we will count the boat as being on the water.  
​Please include first and last names of everyone on board. Should you need to update your crew dec once you are afloat (if crew numbers have changed on the way to the boat), simply call or text 0415 111 261 (my mobile) or 9534 0227 (office) or send an email to racing@rmys.com.au. 

On Saturday, the Big Bay Challenge ran in conjunction with the Port Phillip Sea Pilots and the Henry Press Short Course Trophy. 
Thanks to HBYC and their race management volunteers for hosting the event. 

Congratulations to Andrew McConchie and his crew on Vagabond on winning the Squadron Cup for this year's event and to Jurgen Pfeiffer and the crew of Take Five for winning the Big Bay Challenge - Measurement System Trophy, which is awarded for AMS. 

​​Glassware will be presented on Wednesday night during the twilight results. Don't forget to submit your navigator's logs to racing@rmys.com.au and racing@hbyc.org.au. 

To view full results, please click here. 

On Sunday WISC and the Classic Summer Series took place. 

WISC was the 2nd event in this year's Port Phillip Women's Championship Series and was hosted by SYC. 
Salamander III (Monica Jones), Remedy (Nadine Huels and Aurelie Chabrol) and Rock N Roll (Kim Rosman) all took part. 
Salamander III was the best placed RMYS yacht coming in 3rd on AMS and PHS and 1st on IRC. 
You can view the full results here. 
Check out the full report by Di Pearson here and photos by Bruno Cocozza here.  

​To view full results, please click here. 

Race 7 of the Classic Summer Series was hosted by HBYC. 
The post-race report is available here. 
For the RMYS boats, Dingo came 1st, Avian placed 4th, Boambillee came in 5th and Snow Goose was 9th.  View the full race results here. 
RMYS is doing well in the series. Check out the aggregate scores here and the consistency scores here. ​

Who would believe that it's been 5 years? Sometimes it feels like only yesterday, but other times it feels like the Marina has been there forever.
 
A great opportunity for Squadron Members and friends to get together - and yes we did.
 
Members Services and Events group organised Music by Ron Kingston, Bar-B-Q from the Squadron and members 'BYO' everything.
 
The marina walkway outside 'C' arm looked a bit quiet in front of William Patterson  - the sound deck - but looking through the Marina pens boats were crowded.
 
A beautiful late summer evening.
 
The Cake - organised by Rick Matthews - was cut by Commodore Charles.
 
In a short speech, Charles took us back before the 2014, and reminded us of the 15 year effort to reach this conclusion and thanked all involved.
 
Combined with the evening was a fundraiser for Cure Cancer Australia, which kicked off our campaign to the tune of 155.65 from collections, towards our team goal of $500.Online, tax-deductible donations can be made on our Barbecure fundraising page at https://curecancer.grassrootz.com/barbecure-2018-2019/royal-melbourne-yacht-squadron Feel free to share the link.

A great evening,

Cheers Chappy 

A full Members bar on Friday evening enjoyed Stuart and Jane as they gave us a thoroughly informative and entertaining account of their adventures cruising the Caribbean over 5 summers. 

Click here to view presentation slides

Our next Pot, Parma and a Chat will be tonight, February 15th with Stuart Tait and Jane Liefman talking about 'sailing and owning a yacht in the Mediterranean'.

When: Friday 15th February
Where: Olympic Bar
Time: 6.30pm onwards

​The sailing committee is seeking feedback regarding how regularly skippers and crew should do a man overboard, either the lecture or practical component. 
​
Currently the club holds a MOB lecture which occurs annually and it is currently not mandatory. Feedback is being sought from members so a policy can be formulated. 

Suggestions can be forwarded to racing@rmys.com.au by 28 February 2019.

Monica Jones,
RMYS Club Captain

Well, there isn't really much to report about last week's racing since we cancelled Wednesday due to a severe thunderstorm warning and Saturday was postponed due to a gale warning (be prepared for the possibility of a double race day for the next Nautilus Marine Series race day). 

However, we do have stacks of cool events coming up and now is the time to get involved!

Saturday 16 February - Big Bay Challenge
Once again the Big Bay Challenge will be hosted by HBYC in conjunction with their Port Phillip Sea Pilot Trophy and Henry Press Short Course Trophy. Following last year's format, the race will run from 1000hrs with a time limit of 2200hrs. 
Race documents can be found here.
Entry closes on Thursday and can be found here. 
The bar will be open from 0800hrs until 2200hrs. 
​

Sunday 17 February - WISC
Race 2 of the Port Phillip Women's Championship Series will take place at Sandringham Yacht Club. 
If you have entered the series, you are automatically in this race, but if you haven't and you would like to be a casual entry, please head to the SYC website.
​Please note that WISC has additional requirements to having a female helm. 
​

Saturday 23 February and Sunday 24 February - Ruth Nangle & Jeanette Turnbull Trophies
We're off to Safety Beach again! 
This year we will be there at the same time as Sail Peninsula, so SBSC will be in full swing. 

The NOR, SIs and all berthing documents can be found here. 
Entry is here and closes on Thursday 21 February. 
Please ensure that you tell the marina that you are part of the RMYS group and add your details somewhere on the berthing form. If we can get a group of 10-15 boats (minimum) the berthing costs will be reduced from $80 a night to $60. 

Dinner this year is a 2 course meal, complete with band and a shuttle bus to and from the marina. Safety Beach have just reduced the price to $52pp. Bookings can be made here and close on Thursday 21 February.
​
The Olympic Bar will be open from 0700hrs on the Saturday and will close at 2000hrs on the Sunday. 

Saturday 2 March - Top of the Bay Regatta
This event is hosted in conjunction with HBYC, but this year it is our turn to be the organiser. 
Yachts from RMYS, HBYC and RYCV will compete in 3 races (some of them counting towards the aggregate series). There will also be an option for non-spinnaker pursuit if laid courses are not your thing. 
The NOR is almost complete, so entry will be open soon. Mark this one in your diaries. 
The Olympic Bar will be open from 0730hrs.

Another date to put in your diary is the next Sailor's Briefing - Saturday 13 April. More details to follow. 

If you have any questions about any of the above events, please do not hesitate to contact me.
​

Cure Cancer Australia ambassador Paul Hogan explains the needs of Australian scientists and provides a simple solution: RMYS are now a registered team with a goal of $500 to help raise funds for Cure Cancer Australia so when you come down to the Marina make sure your pockets are full and make your donation at BBQ For more information visit http://www.barbecure.com.au 

Donations can also be made online by clicking here  
​https://curecancer.grassrootz.com/barbecure/rmys-marina-birthday-party ​

Day 5 of the Nautilus Marine Series has been postponed due to a gale warning issued by the BOM. 
A notice to competitors has been issued. Click here to read it. 

Allicia Rae
Sailing Coordinator

This Sunday 10th February - All day 
Road Closures: Pier Road, Beaconsfield Parade, Jacka Boulevard, The Esplanade, Fitzroy Street

This weekend we have St Kilda festival. There will be significant road closures throughout St Kilda along with restricted vehicle access along Pier Road. There will be no parking for general public and members on this day. Public Transport recommended.

RMYS Olympic Bar will be open from 11am. Come down for drinks & snacks.
​There is a music stage to the left of the Olympic Bar. 

CRUISE THE WHITSUNDAYS

FOR SALE

SHARE IN A NANTUCKETT 33 BERTHED AT HAMILTON ISLAND
1/10th share in private syndicate available, a number of whom are members from RMYS. Vessel is berthed at Hamilton Island, gateway to the Whitsundays & the best cruising area in Australia. Qantas & Virgin fly direct to Hamilton Is. so fly in, step onboard & go cruising!

Vessel sleeps up to 6 people with aft master cabin, V berth forward & 2 in settees in dinette.
Fully equipped with hot water, shower, electric toilet, GPS plotter,  dinghy & outboard, furling headsail & lazy jacks on mainsail. Hull resprayed in 2013 & standing rigging replaced in 2014.

Share price $6,900.
Contact the Syndicate Secretary, Steve Cartlidge on 0418 532014 for more details.              

RMYS invested around $7.5 million to build a new 250-berth marina facility with the latest safety and environmental services. The existing dilapidated timber marina was subsequently be removed by RMYS in the latter half of 2014.

This was a huge project coordinated by a large number of members and staff over many years. 

On Sunday 17th February RMYS are throwing a 'Marina Party' from 5-9pm to celebrate our Marina's 5th Birthday!

Save the date in your calendar and bring along your family and friends! 

On the Marina we have live music with Ron Kingston and a BBQ, picnic and drinks. 

Here is a little RMYS Marina history  www.rmys.com.au/marina-background--history.html 

New Marina Photo Source for Poster - Courtesy RMYS member Brian D'Souza. Photo taken in 2018 by drone

Some photos of the Marina before and after completion!

Twilight racing has been cancelled due to a severe thunderstorm warning issued by the BOM. 

Allicia Rae
Sailing Coordinator