Christmas Wishes from SV Merlin!

Now in Brisbane. See them here!

Latest Jibsheet! and Merry Christmas to all members!

See the latest Jibsheet here.

Cruising News

Latest from "The Road" - a broken rudder and sea rescue, the delights of Macquarie . . . see HBYC Cruising World.

Merry Christmas from them at Noonsite!

Marinas for Sale - prices updated

See the Boat Jumble section.

The Christmas Spirit not over yet it seems!

Yesterday saw the annual Christmas Lunch of the Hout Bay "Business Orphans", held this year at Spiros in Main Road. Quite a cheerful event it was too, culminating with the traditional Greek breaking of plates etc etc. At least I hope they were the traditional ones! The event raises a fair sum for a worthy local charity too.

Give that man a Bells!! Just one more should do it!

Sail America; To: South African Miura Afficionados

My name is Tony Van Vugt. I own a South African Miura. It is located on the East Coast of the USA. In my travels I sometimes meet South Africans that would like to sail in the US. The East Coast with the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) and its many rivers and bays is the preferred sailing area. The Miura is renowned in South Africa as a voyager. There are a dozen or so here in North America. While it is quite capable of doing so, and my Miura did, it’s a bit of a hassle and time consuming to sail a boat from South Africa to the States. I’m therefore offering my Miura for sale in the US so that she can be sailed here for as long as a new owner wants to do so personally or share with friends each taking the boat for separate periods.
I seek your advice as to how best publicize this opportunity among the SA sailing fraternity. I’m thinking about SA sail and boating clubs and, if need be, advertise with nautical publications. I would be glad to have your recommendations. To give potential buyers the opportunity to learn about the boat and east coast cruising areas I’ve put together and published a website. It may be found at: http://www.van-vugt.com/miura/. If you like, please have a look at it and let me know if it is clear enough.
Your assistance would be much appreciated.
Anthony Van Vugt
1031 Carper Street
McLean, VA 22101
USA
Email: anthonyvanvugt@gmail.com
Tel: 703 734 2727 (Home); 703 508 5377 (Mobile)

2010 Prizegiving

A short prizegiving was held during the Christmas Party, recognising the main achievements of our members during 2010. Briefly, these include:

• Best performance in the 2010 Opening Cruise (Yacht faraway, with a great display of bunting on the back of the mast!)
• Most Improved Sailor (Keith Gemmell - Keith is moving Savannah around the course at ever improving times, often singlehanded, and never misses a race if he can help it!)
• Most Active Sailor (Chris Sutton - our intrepid Commodore!) Say no more.
• Winter Series 1 Megafreight, 2 Faraway, 3 Savannah, 4 Nandi.
• Shareholders Award - a new award recognising "exemplary patronage and support of the club bar over a sustained period, far beyond the call of duty, and for associated perseverance and stamina".  A tightly contested award, the clear leaders emerged as Robin Parker and Alan Harrington, in a breathtaking tie. . . .
• "Beyond the Call of Duty" - Jeremy Nel. The highest award HBYC has, for a member that has made a truly exceptional contribution to the club, in leadership, action and behaviour. The trophy is a priceless brass mercury barometer prominently mounted in the club house. This trophy has not been awarded for several years, but the current committee was unanimous and enthusiastic in awarding it this year to Jeremy Nel, for his outstanding contribution to the club in 2009/10. Major achievements included a total revamp of the club premises (plus the requisite fund raising!), an awesome social calendar including motorcycle breakfast runs, oyster and champagne feasts, Friday night draws, Thursday Fireside tails, three new flat screen TVs, overhaul of the downstairs function room, great assistance in sailing events (mark laying etc), new Lipton campaign for junior sailors, and most recently even running the racing bridge!! Its a fair bit of work just to type this all. Jeremy was however unable to attend this function - taking a well-earned holiday in Zimbabwe - so Pierre Albertyn was asked to receive a token bottle of bubbly on his behalf. A formal thank you will be issued imminently by the Commodore.

 I can say this award was extremely well applauded by all members - and to Jeremy - most sincere thanks from all of us - the club simply wouldn't be anything like it is today without you! Give that man a Bells!

Christmas Party and Prizegiving

HBYC Christmas Party was a very festive affair, with fine food, music and great Christmas Cheer! Many thanks to Penny, Cheryl and Patricia who organised the whole event, and also to Jeremy Nel who somehow turns out to be the inspiration for most of these things. Proceeds went to a very deserving local charity too. There are some great people in this club! More pics here.

Spare a thought for a a few ARC Yachts who were battling their way in to Hout Bay in a very strong wind at the same time, with great assistance from the NSRI who towed two of the yachts into the harbour in exceptionally difficult circumstances (70 knot winds, one sans rudder!) - and in pitch dark. Well done to James Beaumont who led this rescue (as I understand), James is also a HBYC Club Member.

Crew Wanted Hout Bay - P.E. and back

Trip from Hout Bay to Port Elizabeth departing 15 Dec, Returning 3 Jan 2011. Phone Sam 072 788 2668