Over the years we at PBS have tried to make sure that our Jeanneau owners rally is different and interesting, so we’ve based them at some unusual venues.
This year following a significant dredging of the Lake Macquarie entrance we decided to support our owners based on the lake, and also offer the adventure for those from the harbour and Pittwater to venture to the lake in company and see what this amazing body of water has to offer. With enthusiastic support from Lake Macquarie Yacht Club, who have just extended their marina, it was an obvious choice as they could offer us full berthing for a significant fleet.
So, on Friday the 10th of April yachts gathered in the vicinity of Barrenjoey Headland and sailed in company north to the entrance of the lake with the aim to make it through on the midday high tide & 1pm bridge opening. Thanks to Peter Lewis on his Sun Odyssey 37 “Lu Lu Belle” for acting as radio co-ordinator with everyone agreeing that the crossing into the lake went smoothly. The fleet of 28 yachts tied up on the yacht club marina in the early afternoon with the crews able to enjoy the hospitality of the club for the evening.
Saturday started with a fine autumn morning and a light South Westerly with the forecast for it to back to the SE progressively through the day and remain at no more than 8 to 10 knots. The briefing took place with morning coffee and snacks kindly sponsored by Horseshoe Cove Marine.
The racing fleet was divided into a red and blue division, and the cruising fleet who took part in an observation rally that involved completing a set of questions as they explored around the shores of the lake.
A great days sailing was had taking in parts of the lake that many had not seen before. We even had some cheeky dolphins join the two Sun Fast 37’s that were never far apart all day and reported that the dolphins actually bumped their rudders continually just for the fun of it!
Back at the club the evening’s activities started at 5pm with the drawing of sponsored prizes out of a hat with every single entry receiving some generous gift. Music by Allan Freihaut followed before a buffet dinner sponsored by PBS/Jeanneau and then into the event results for the day.
The cruising observation rally was sponsored by Cosine Shipwrights who have been commissioning our new Jeanneau yachts for some 15 years. The awards for the most correct answers were as follows:
1st – 43DS “High Time” – Kim Alvarez
2nd – SO45 “Marion J” – Kent & John Brooks
3rd – SO45.2 “Walkabout” – Cenny Wagemaker
Blue Division results:
1st – SO37 “Osprey” – Ross Shirtley
2nd – SO37 “Macscap” – Peter McClelland
3rd – SO379 “Taffy” – David Clarke
Red Division results:
1st – SO409 “Nightingale” – Ben Spannenberg
2nd – 41DS “One Life” – Ron Watson
3rd – SO42i “Blue Tango” – Ian Shade
Jeanneau 53 owner Willie Whyte has generously donated a perpetual trophy for the first yacht home at our Rendezvous events and this year this was Blue division yacht “Macscap”. First yacht home in Red division was Greg O’Neil’s SO36i “Allora”.
Without the support of our sponsors we wouldn’t be able to make the Rendezvous events what they are, so we would like to acknowledge and thank all of this year’s sponsors for their generous support which is so much appreciated. – The Quays Marine Centre, Cosine Shipwrights, Horseshoe Cove Marine, BoatCrewGear.com, Sydney City Marine, Hood sailmakers, North Sails, Bloomsbury publishing & Adlard Coles, Club Marine, Contender Sailcloth, Elite Yachting Services, Entourage Sailing, Marine Tune, Ocean Phase Marine, SB Marine Trimming, Vacuwash Sail Cote Plus, Australian Sailing + Yachting Magazine, and Cruising Helmsman Magazine.
