Catch Up Part 4: Racing in Port Stephens

'Rogue Wave' is affectionately called 'Rogue or RW' and her crew a pack of 'Old Rogues'. It took a lot of effort to transform RW from her 13 years as a liveaboard world cruiser to a racing machine.

'Old Rogue' with an empty belly ready to race.

Nearly eight (8") inches of waterline were recovered as weight came out of her internals and externals. Sails and hardware replaced and repaired ....the list is mind blowing looking back and I thank Relle for putting up with me as I put many many hours into the refit. I am not even going to touch on cost.....lets just put it down to labour of love!

'Sail Port Stephens'

I started racing with Port Stephens Yacht Club in a mixed fleet of around 22 yachts. First year in we did very well taking 1st Winter Pointscore, 1st Sternchaser and 2nd Summer Pointscore on an new boat with new crew. We surprised many (not the least ourselves!) and the 'old Rogue' earned her place as a favourite with the members of the club......she looks like a real yacht they say!

We enjoyed several seasons working our way up to a fifth place in the overall Club Championship. Great bunch of very welcoming people. 

I wanted to get an IRC rating and start to compete offshore. Pete and Emma in the UK sail 'Ruffian' have achieved many victories in mixed IRC fleets and inspired me to follow in their wake. RW rates at 0.931 with furler and single headsail making her competitive if I sail her well and the crew gels.

Forgacs Regatta Newcastle (NCYC)

We had our first taste offshore in Newcastle Forgacs Regatta and came last. Thoroughly enjoyed and learned a lot. After another year of club racing we returned the following year and pulled a 3rd in Div 2 on one race and turned in a better corrected time in the offshore passage race than many Div 1 yachts including a Volvo 70! The problem is the Regattas are 90% windward leeward courses so we will always tail the fleet of the newer planing lightweights. 

Sail Port Stephens.....RW on song.
Note Geffro the spinnaker trimmer hard at work!

My gun crew for Sail Port Stephens

Keeping a core crew is difficult and every year the difficulty increases as the world throws up more toys, distractions, adventures.
My core crew of Daz and Ruth have been brilliant. Watching these two develop has been a pleasure and hearing of Ruth telling me she helmed through Sydney Harbour Heads was uplifting. The beauty of a small core crew is that they can do almost all positions when needed; so thanks to my crew!

We raced in the PHS Division in Sail Port Stephens only to be flogged by the allocated handicap before we even started the first race. I had strategically invited the Skipper and crew of 'Anneleise' and 'Kindred Spirit' - both PSYC club champions, to join our crew of old Rogues. Whilst we struggled to be competitive on due to our handicap, we certainly made our mark, not to mention our the parties! A great week away from work I might add. This pic is during a torrential downpour and the smiles on these faces are priceless!