Top Hat Regatta 2010

[admin]

Top Hat Yacht Social Gathering & Race – In conjunction with the Hawkesbury River Yacht Club (HRYC), NSW March 20&21, 2010

We have been approached by the Hawkesbury River Yacht Club of NSW (whom currently have 4 Top Hats within their club fleet) expressing their interest in hosting a sailing event in conjunction with our members to provide any Top Hat owners the opportunity to both get together socially and participate in their scheduled racing events for the weekend (20/21 March 2010).

The weekend will be made up of the following:

Event 1 – Observation Rally
Yachts complete a questionnaire covering items observed during their voyage to HRYC from their home port
Questions will be of observations, general sailing knowledge etc, nothing too hard.
This event is open to ALL Top Hat yachts attending and is designed to help pass the time of the voyage.

On arrival at HRYC participating Top Hats are requested to notify HRYC Club House by hailing or by radio VHF Ch16 of their arrival and as a confirmation of participation in events.
Detailed Sailing Instructions for this event will follow.

Event 2 – Round the Buoys Match Race
This event will be conducted on the Saturday, starting a 1330hrs, and coincide with the normal HRYC Point Score race.
ALL Top Hat yachts competing will have the same handicap and carry NO Extras.
Detailed Sailing Instructions for this event will follow.

At the completion of this event a BBQ, Social gathering & Presentation of prizes etc will be held at the HRYC Club House. Visiting yachts can tie up alongside the HRYC Club house, drop anchor or pickup a visitors mooring for overnight stay. The HRYC tender will be available to ferry sailors from yachts to the Club House etc. Please note that visiting yachts should make themselves aware of tide heights in the river as the area to the West of the Club House can be very shallow at low tide.

Event 3 – Race to Refuge Bay (Raft Up)
This event will be conducted on the Sunday, starting at approx 0930hrs, following breakfast on the HRYC Club House.
Detailed Sailing Instructions for this event will follow.

Information for those Top Hats participating:
1. HRYC does NOT require any participating yacht to submit an entry fee.
2. HRYC will cater for the BBQ on Saturday evening. There will be a nominal cost of $25/head (collected at the BBQ) which will cover HRYC costs for BBQ & Breakfast Those attending should bring their own drinks. Participation in ALL other events is FREE.
3. Insurance – The owners of ALL participating yachts are to ensure that their insurance coverage complies with the HRYC Club Rules (available from the HRYC WEB site) www.hryc.asn.au
4. ALL participants are to read the ‘Risk Warning’ available on the HRYC WEB site
5. Information on joining HRYC can be found on the HRYC WEB site.
6. Any yacht anticipating that they will attend the event is requested to email: treasurer@hryc.asn.au and advise numbers for catering. Please cc the tophatyachts.org administrator info@tophatyachts.org

[Shaun]

Many Thanks Dan & the organising members of the HRYC ,

This sounds like a fantastic event, it really is great to meet other Top Hat owners.
Could we get a show of hands here whose a definite "yes" or a "maybe"??

It's only 3 & a bit weeks away now & i'm a "maybe", havent contacted the HRYC as yet, but will do so..really wont know until a couple of days before with weather anyway.

cheers
Shaun

[SeaLady]

I am still a maybe.
Weather and crew are my considerations.

Diana
Sealady

[mmts]

I'm a definite starter....come on Top Hat owners, it'll be a great get together.
HRYC is a friendly little club and you'll all be made welcome

Nothing better than sailing with a group of similar yachts....any that can't sail down, think about coming by train to Brooklyn and heading down to Parsley Bay for a lift out to the clubhouse

[auriga]

Count me in (one way or another, hopefully onboard my own though!)

[storm petrel]

Hi All,

Sorm Petrel will be there, provided a mega southerly swell and/or gale force winds do not prevent us from getting out of Brisbane Waters. I have contacted HRYC to tell them we will be at the BBQ and breakfast.

Should I bring a dinghy?

Looking forward a fun couple of days,
Capt. Mark, First Mate Jacko and Cabin Boy Jake..

[Dolphin]

G'Day everyone,
I'm sorry I can't make it. Too many things on. It'd only be a 10% chance but I'd love to do it.
I'll probably be in Broken Bay in April for a week, so I may catch up with some of you then.
All the best, Greg.

[Curly Tops]

Hello all!

Curly Tops will certainly be making the intrepid voyage up the River. Thanks to all who are involved with organising the event.

Sonia

PS Diana, if you're short on crew, then hop on board n we'll show the lads how it's done... (Drinking I mean of course! )

[Denis Smith]

Hi All
Below is some additional information for those attending (or thinking about coming along)
I'll also email out to all those who have indicated that they are going to come along the 'Notice of Race' etc.
Detailed information on the events scheduled can be found on the HRYC WEB site also.
Cya there
Denis (HRYC - Event Coordinator)
MIJ'A
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TRAVELLING TO HRYC
Some boat crews and spectators may wish to travel to the HRYC by car or train for the race.
• CAR – drive to Brooklyn on the Hawkesbury River. Turn right at the ‘Anglers Rest Hotel’, in Brooklyn itself, and follow the road around to Parsley Bay, where there is plenty of car parking.
• TRAIN – travel by train and get off at the ‘Hawkesbury River’ station. Walk over the railway bridge towards the ‘Anglers Rest Hotel’ and follow the road around to Parsley Bay, a short pleasant journey.
On arrival at Parsley Bay walk out onto the Breakwater and phone the HRYC Tender, which will come and pick you up. MOB: 0406833143

Boats that would like to participate in the event, but cannot make it due to distance; weather etc can still have their crews attend and HRYC will try and place crew on participating boats or crew can spend a pleasant afternoon on the Clubhouse.

BERTHING/MOORING FACILITIES
Participating boats can raft up along side the HRYC Clubhouse. For Top Hat yachts there is plenty of water at low & high tides on either side of the clubhouse.
Note:
• If anchoring on the Western side of the clubhouse, at low tide it can get shallow.
• Visiting boats can pickup crew from Brooklyn Marina (close to Railway Station) or Parsley Bay.
• Parsley Bay – when entering the breakwater turn sharp left and pickup only from the breakwater pontoon. Inside the breakwater shoals fast.

There are numerous ‘Visitor’ moorings (Blue in colour)
Parsley Bay
Latitude: 33°32'54.28"S
Longitude: 151°13'59.00"E
Dead Horse Bay
Latitude: 33°33'6.51"S
Longitude: 151°13'48.08"E
Brooklyn
Latitude: 33°32'39.09"S
Longitude: 151°13'54.97"E

RACE COMMITTEE AND PROTEST COMMITTEE
Will be made up of HRYC committee members

MEAL/FACILITIES
HRYC Clubhouse has BBQ available, limited fresh water and a Marine Head.
There are no shower facilities.
• Saturday, - BBQ will be held at the Clubhouse after conclusion of Saturday’s race (BYO drinks).
• Sunday – Breakfast will be help at the Clubhouse at 0830hrs.
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[Shaun]

G'day
Great to hear there should be a good turn out of Top Hats attending!,

Just letting people know not to be put off by the wording of the Insurance required on the HRYC website.
I spoke to Denis last week with a query on the insurance required by HRYC,
As the "races"(more of a social gather by the sounds of it ) are under 25nm, as long as your insurance covers for racing "up to" 25nm(as is standard for most ins policys) that will be sufficient, plus there will be no handicap or extras(spinnakers, from what i gather), & your public liability is $5M (my standard is $10M) should all be ok.
Best to phone Denis if your unsure his phone number is on the HRYC website.
Denis can you confirm i've understood the insurance requirements correctly?

cheers
Shaun