Class Action

As we have pointed out in previous issues of Trade-A-Boat, buying a big-name boat is becoming more and more like joining a family. Get-togethers, regattas, newsletters and personal service are now the norm rather than the exception when you buy into the big companies.

Certainly one of the leaders in this field is Beneteau. The Beneteau Cup Regatta is becoming a bit of an institution, and it's easy to see why.

The 12th running of the regatta, held over two consecutive days on Sydney Harbour, was certainly a classy affair. With sponsorship from Peugeot, rivers of champagne flowing and the Consul General Monsieur Laurent Delahousse in attendance, it had a distinctly French feel.

Sydney turned on a stunning 35° day with a fickle northerly breeze for the first day which, after briefings and the mandatory glass of champers, involved two very interesting races. The courses, one for boats wearing spinnakers and one for no extras, were designed to take in all of the sights and scenery of Sydney Harbour - and all of its nuances.

PAR FOR THE COURSES
The start was just out of Rushcutters Bay with a beat up to Neilson Park. It then turned back to head south and leave Shark Island to starboard, and then ran straight down the Harbour, under the bridge and around Goat Island. We then turned back east toward Shark Island again, leaving it to starboard, and then back to the finish.

A total of 34 boats left the CYC, with everything from small Oceanis yachts to the bigger 40.7s, the new 44.7s, a brace of 47.7s and even the flagship, a Beneteau 57, which acted as a VIP yacht.

Entries came not only from Sydney Harbour but also from Pittwater, Melbourne and even New Zealand. I sailed on Gary Anderson's Melbourne-based 47.7 Esprit, which was en route from the Whitsundays. 

Our campaign began unfortunately with a broken outhaul before the start of race one and went downhill from there. A broken spinnaker halyard, a rip in the kite and a few other dramas forced us to retire. However, we moused a new halyard, taped up the kite and were ready for the gun in race two.

We performed marginally better in the second race, but the day was won by Imagination in the spinnaker division and the Oceanis 473 Vida II in no-extras.

Prize giving and a wonderful party followed the racing, and this led to some slow starts on day two.

SECONDS OUT
The second day was a bit more casual. We took some people from the French/Australian Chamber of Commerce out for the race, which this time was a no-extras event run in a more favourable and consistent breeze.

The course was shortened, mercifully, to eliminate the section behind Goat Island. Instead, we used Fort Denison as our bottom mark. We finally figured out how to sail Esprit without breaking everything and had a cracker of a race on another stunning Sydney day.

We came in fourth behind the Kiwis on another 47.7. Laissez Faire had a great sail. Another party was the order of the day, with a jazz band prize giving.

Over $10,000 worth of prizes were on offer including two overseas trips, boating equipment, wine and insurance vouchers from Club Marine.

We had a great yarn to the Kiwi crew who had all flown over from NZ just as our crew had flown up from Melbourne. We found a sort of kindred spirit in being fellow minority groups, and found reason enough for a couple of rums.

The whole event ran like clockwork and was a credit to organiser Brendan Hunt and his team. And while we didn't exactly bathe ourselves in glory, we had a great time and weren't too displeased with our efforts. Maybe next year... 

IT'S NOT ONLY IN SYDNEY
Melbourne also had its own very successful Beneteau Regatta in September. Held at the Sandringham Yacht Club and organised by Sundance Yacht Sales, it attracted 26 yachts from all over Melbourne.

The Melbourne regatta is just as much fun and just as well run as the Sydney regatta, and has attracted a growing fleet of Beneteaus since its inception.

The event involves a race for either spinnaker boats or no extras, and is followed by fantastic three-course dinner in the yacht club with prize giving and music. Owners are offered berths at the marina for the duration of the event, and many sail in the night before to negate the early start.

This year's event was won by Sure Thing (Ray Shaw) in the spinnaker division, while the Oceanis 361 Liberte (Anthony Cook) took out the no-extras division.

Organiser David Beck from Sundance says all Beneteau owners are welcome. For more information, tel (03) 9598 8999 or email info@sundanceyachts.com.au.