RQYS Mainsheet 2021

Lots of things were uncertain in 2021: lockdowns, cancelled events, border closures, and travel restrictions were all part of the boating landscape. One thing certain was the demand and interest for sailors to get out on the water, and shared boating is a popular option.

Attendance at the expo was off the charts on Friday, but a snap COVID-19 lockdown saw the event called off on Saturday and Sunday. At the expo, Yachtshare secured its second Integrity Motor Yacht. “Satisfaction” joined the fleet in August and is enjoying her new home at the Squadron. Our winter excursion program to the Great Barrier Reef saw 12 boats head north in 2021. The yachts enjoyed time in the Great Sandy Straits, Lady Musgrave, the Keppel Isles and other stops along the way before arriving in Airlie Beach for the season. This program allows owners to fly or drive to Airlie Beach and enjoy time out on their yacht in the Whitsundays. The cancellation of Hamilton Island Race Week meant a change of plans for many. Still, the Beneteau “Jubilation” was able to race at Airlie Beach Race Week and placed an admirable third overall in the division. The yachts stayed on in the Whitsundays until October, with shareowners exploring the reef and the iconic cruising grounds of the Whitsunday region. The fleet made its way south to RQYS during October and November, with owners enjoying great experiences on the coastal passages. Throughout the year, the yachts joined the WAGS fleet with some great results, healthy competition and plenty of excuses for not winning. Every monohull in our fleet secured a podium or two this year with nearly all of the boats winning the coveted WAGS shirt. A couple of dozen Yachtshare owners regularly turn up to race at WAGS, and it is terrific to see this yachting racing continue to grow in popularity among the Yachtshare family. At Yachtshare, we feel privileged to be part of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron and the sailing community. This year, we have supported many events, including WAGS, the QMTS Match Racing Series, the Beneteau Cup, Cocktails for a Cause, RQYS Opening Day, and Brisbane Yachting Expo, RQYS Volunteer of the Year award and the Queensland Finn Championships, to name only a few. Huge thanks to all the Squadron members, committees and staff who support and encourage us, and we look forward to sailing with you in 2022 and beyond! 2021 has been a remarkable year at Yachtshare, and we are excited for bigger and better things to come in 2022. As the major sponsor of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, we share the Squadron’s goal to encourage participation in the sport of sailing and recreational boating. If the experiences mentioned in this article whet your appetite for sailing and boating, get in touch with the Yachtshare team to discover how it all works!

The Yachtshare Fleet and its shareowners have grown significantly over the last 12 months. The fleet now has 17 yachts, catamarans and motor cruisers with more vessels on the way. Our “family” has swelled to more than 150 Squadron members. The year kicked off with some of the yachts in the fleet travelling around the Bay to see fireworks on New Year’s Eve. The largest catamaran in our fleet, the Leopard 48 “Sensation” enjoyed an escape to Lord Howe Island in January, proving that you can venture further afield with a share in a yacht. In March, Yachtshare hosted our shareowners for the annual Yachtshare Owners Breakfast. A feast in the Flags function room curbed appetites for more than 120 guests and offered the opportunity to meet each other away from the marina arms to share stories, tips, knowledge and a few fishing spots. Also in March, five teams of Yachtshare shareowners joined forces to compete in a Match Racing series on the Squadron’s Elliot 6s. This was organised by the venerable Nev Willis and was a roaring success. Enormous thanks are owing to the team of race officers, judges and rib skippers for making this series possible. Keelboat racing has always been a popular option for Yachtshare owners, and WAGS and other local regattas are popular events. In April, we took things to a new level by introducing the first Yachtshare Racing Syndicate with a sporty Jeanneau Sun Fast 3300. Commodore Captain Barry Cuneo officially welcomed the yacht “Ignition” to the Squadron at the launch event. The Ignition racing team has been busy learning the boat and racing regularly at the local regattas and combined clubs events. Ignition entered the Wolf Rock race in December, and a trip to Gladstone on Good Friday is on the cards for 2022. The Sanctuary Cove “International?” Boat Show returned in 2021 and saw a massive turnout of exhibitors and guests. Together with RQYS, Yachtshare hosted a ‘Members’ Lounge’ on our Aquila 44 “Temptation” for RQYS members. It was the ideal spot to rest tired legs while touring the vast display of marine products and services on show. Volunteers promoted RQYS membership, and we enjoyed working alongside our colleagues from the Squadron. Also in May, Yachtshare introduced a brand new Leopard 42 Catamaran—now called “Celebration” —to our fleet. Catamarans are all the rage, and five new sailing cats have joined the litter in the last two years. In July 2021 Yachtshare, with the support of RQYS, organised the inaugural Brisbane Yachting Expo. The expo attracted a display of 25 luxury vessels from more than a dozen leading boat brands.

Discover more: yachtshare.com.au