CYCA announces Cruise to Hobart in 2009
'Caprice of Huon on Gaffers Day 2008'
John Jeremy Click Here to view large photo
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, with the cooperation of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, is pleased to announce details of an organised Cruise to Hobart to take place in January - February 2009.
A non time-based voyage from Sydney to Hobart, the Cruise has been organised to follow a set of communication and safety disciplines with a designated arrival time in Hobart no later than midday on 5 February, 2009.
The arrival date is set to coincide with the Australian Wooden Boat Festival, which will be held from 7-9 February, as well as the 2009 White & McAllister Van Diemen's Land Circumnavigation Cruise which departs Hobart on 11 February 2009.
CYCA Vice Commodore and Sailing Committee Chairman, Garry Linacre said when launching the event today: 'On behalf of the Board of Directors and CYCA Cruising Committee, I am pleased to announce this event that will offer members and other interested yacht owners the opportunity to participate in a cruise to Hobart.
'There will be no speed or timed distance reporting required. The objective is to perform excellent seamanship, navigation and communication disciplines. There will be no advantage achieved by, or any need for competitive speed during the cruise.
'Entrants will be encouraged to make the 628 nautical mile voyage in company and may proceed at any time under sail or power. Vice Commodore Linacre added.
He went on to say: 'Some may say this is the way the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race started out; however the Board of Directors agreed that the CYCA should always look at ways to enhance our sailing calendar.
'If demand exists from our members to participate in an organised cruise to Hobart that coincides with a number of planned social and sailing events, then we should provide such an event,' the Vice Commodore said.
Several yacht owners have already indicated their intention to join the Cruise, including David Champtaloup with his classic yacht Caprice of Huon, a two-times member of the Australian Admiral's Cup team in the 1960s and a placegetter in the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in the early 1970s.
Details of the 2009 Cruise to Hobart can be found in the Cruise Directions which are available to download online at www.cyca.com.auunder the Cruising pages.
by Peter Campbell 
