Sailing on Sydney Harbor

The Gippsland Lakes or Sydney Harbor!!! That was the big question. After some hesitation, particularly because we had ventured north before, Sydney Harbor got the nod. So we were heading north again.

It proved to be the right decision. Sydney Harbour on New Year’s Eve is spectacular and so are all those 40 and 50 ft Beneteaus which seem to surround our seemingly tiny yacht. We were fortunate to have a beautifully balmy night, which added to the perfect surroundings as we watched the Fireworks on the Harbour in absolute awe.

We pre-booked a pen at CYCA at Rushcutters Bay for $40 per night. With no launching facilities at CYCA, we launched nearby at Rose Bay and carefully secured our boatless trailer to a tree --- just in case. We drove the car around to the CYCA so that we could use it to go into Double Bay (Double Pay) for supplies and a shopping experience… lots of shopping experiences. Our pen was positioned approximately 20 meters from the Yacht club, which included all amenities. Chandlery facilities were next door, yacht hire and of course a fabulous bar and restaurant which was always full of activity. At this time of year several Sydney to Hobarters (who did not finish the race) were there, and of course some who did. So we were able to eavesdrop on lots of conversations and stories.

We were fortunate to see many of the Maxis such as the successful 60ft Nicorette and the pre race favorite Shockwave, all 80 ft of it, which was a retiree. It is a bit humbling to be parked in close proximity to these boats --- Top Shelf was parked between a 40 ft Beneteau on one side and a 50 ft Farr on the other. We were further reminded of this whilst having a quiet orange juice on our boat one morning, Steve heard a passer by say “I think everyone should start out on a boat that size” her elderly and very Double Bay partner replied … Yes, that’s a Magnum, I’ve heard of them”.

Each day we would do sorties out into Sydney Harbour and return to the comfort of our pen in the late afternoon and settle in for the night. The options are going west past Circular Quay, under the Bridge and further upstream, however, we found the winds to be very fluky and so did a fair bit of motoring. A better option, which we tended to do, was head east, up Sydney Harbour toward the Heads, which is the main sailing ground. It did however; take us a day or two to work out the route of the ferries, which is rather significant, as they tend not to get out of your way. Often a toot and abuse came our way in which Steve promptly responded with a raised finger.

We spent New Year’s Eve on the water with thousands of other boats amongst the spectacular fireworks in perfect conditions. The idea is to find a spot drop the pick and fend off when necessary, thus windy conditions would be very challenging.

We were joined over New Year and a few days after, by a very dear friend of ours (recently of single status), who managed the first night sleeping in the front berth – no doubt aided by the amount of Champagne consumed on New Year’s Eve. However, day two when looking out the companionway, Steve noticed a body lying in the cockpit. When asked why he was sleeping out in the open, he replied “well I’m claustrophobic, I thought it might be a problem, the first night was OK, must have been the booze, but last night I had a panic attack”. So Peter had managed to haul himself out through the front hatch with doona and pillow (which prevented him stepping on my head) – that was a good idea.

A few days later we were joined by Cameron (Steve’s second son age 21) who was heading north on a surfing holding with six mates. We took them out on Top Shelf for a tour around Sydney Harbour. We rarely experience this many on our boat and I was close to ringing up Magnanimous for weight distribution guidelines.

Another of Steve’s mates also now single and living in Sydney, joined us on several occasions for some sailing. With all these men joining us for company, my mind was working overtime as to whom I could match them up with. But alas, with no single friends in sight the outcome was not looking good. But wait there’s more!

In the second week we headed to Manly and spent two nights with another couple. This was a welcome respite to living on the water. During this time we moored our boat at the Spit Harbor Yacht Club, a cow of a place with pylon moorings and a bit tricky at the best of times, but when the wind is blowing at 25 knots it gets very messy, very very messy.

We left early the next morning in a light North Easterly and headed out through the heads and sailed up to Pittwater, which was a very pleasant motor sail, arriving at our destination early that afternoon (see picky). We had earlier delivered our car and trailer to a large car park and boat ramp almost directly opposite the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Pittwater. This was much more convenient than launching at Akuna Bay as we did a few years earlier, mainly because the car was accessible to go to the local shopping centre for supplies.

We then spent the last week mucking around on Pittwater (with no friends this time). Our favorite mooring place is Americas Bay as it has ample moorings and is very protected. Only occasionally you are asked to move (when signaled by a classic sloop with aging captain, and distinctly a member of the Royal Sydney Yacht Club with Burgee flying for all to see). Such folk do not need to speak to you; they merely wave you off as they approach in their superior vessel. All too soon it was time to go home. We tend to make Goulburn our overnight stop at a very accessible Caravan Park just off the highway. Goulburn is about 3 hours from Sydney – so on the journey up it makes the second day short and gives you time to put the mast up. Coming home it is ideal as it is usually late in the day when we leave Sydney.

This was a most enjoyable trip, shared with good friends and we still had plenty of time on our own. The weather was superb, no rain and good winds. But you do need a cockpit canopy (a Sydney thingy as we have come to call them), as most days it was around 30 degrees and very hot. By the way, since this trip both of our single friends have since found partners.

Happy sailing!

Steve and Teryle