Cruising Yacht Club of Australia launches 2011 Cruise to Hobart

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Launches 2011 Cruise To Hobart

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia yesterday launched the second Cruise to Hobart, scheduled for January 2011, with the release of the Notice of Cruise. 

First held in 2009, the cruise is timed to allow participants to attend both the Australian Wooden Boat Festival (February 11-14, 2011) and the start of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania’s Van Dieman’s Land Circumnavigation Cruise (February 16, 2011).

Designed around an arrival time rather than a departure time, the cruise provides flexibility to participants with an emphasis on cruising in company, the organisers said. With a freedom to choose when you leave, the route to take and transit anchorages, the event has become popular amongst sailors who enjoy cruising rather than racing.

Caprice of Huon is the first boat to nominate and organisers are anticipating at least 10 participants to head south in January 2011.

The CYCA Cruise to Hobart is a Category 2 designated event and participants are encouraged to display prudent seamanship and discipline. All entrants will be provided with tailored weather information and must comply with Cruise communication schedule requirements.

The cruise is an excellent opportunity for sailors and their boats to experience bluewater cruising, gain sea miles, and explore the maritime history of Australia’s east coast, said the organisers

“We joined the 2009 Cruise and it was the tailored weather information in combination with being able to choose our departure date and stopovers that worked so well for us,” said Caprice of Huon skipper, David Champtaloup.

“A couple of days at anchor in Eden meant we sailed downwind nearly all the way to Hobart. We cruised in company most of the way and the very experienced Denis Doyle, owner of Sextant, was a great help with advice and problem solving on more occasions than I care to remember,” said Champtaloup.

For more information about the CYCA Cruise to Hobart, or to lodge an expression of interest, please download the Notice of Cruise and Cruise Participation Request form from www.cyca.com.au and return to the CYCA via email on cyca@cyca.com.au. Alternatively, it can be faxed to (02) 9363 9745.