RQYS MAINSHEET 2023

Sail Cruising Group report

Cruising the Bay and beyond under sail The Sail Cruising Group has continued to grow in 2023 with more members and more knowledge being shared. Every year, we put together a series of monthly cruises around the Bay, each organised by different members who choose the destination/s (with one eye on the forecasts) and the theme — colourful concepts, educational topics or just the sheer simplicity of peacefully enjoying sundowners — writes Group Chair Steve Christie.

This year we had three major events: the Australia Day party, Christmas in July (both held at RQYS Canaipa) and the final event was a Christmas function held at the Club. These are shared with the Power Cruising Group and always are well-attended. A Cruise North was organised for the members who like to venture a little further afield. These longer cruises are a great way to share experiences and knowledge about the many wonderful anchorages up the coast. ‘Cruising in company’ means that there is always someone close by to guide and assist you, if needed — reassurance for our first-time Northeners!

Bay outings have included ‘Simple Sundowners on a Beach’, ‘Out of Asia Charades’, ‘First Mate Swapping’ for the outbound sail to the destination (nothing to see here!) and Sand Hills tobogganing. Many have been educational, including ‘Whipping and Splicing Ropes’, ‘Celestial Navigation’, man-overboard retrieval techniques and the history of Fort Lytton at the mouth of the River. The educational theme was carried further this year with a three-night lecture series on all aspects of the Predict Wind weather app using an outside presenter. Many other presentations are by our own group members sharing their knowledge and experiences.

Mainsheet 2023

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Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Yearbook