MBYC Montrose Bay Yacht Club

04/11/2026

Pennant racing returns to MBYC this Sunday. After two rounds sailed in relatively light breezes, this weekend’s forecast promises much cooler Southerly winds up to 20 knots with an outgoing tide.

The year long pennant series rewards consistent sailing across, inevitably, a wide range of conditions. Sunday may well present an opportunity to those skippers who relish a little more breeze to show their skills. The return of our Impulse skippers, after an East Coast raid last weekend only adds to the possibilities. These boys seem pretty unstoppable once the breeze ticks above 15 knots.

In more boisterous conditions, the real question is simple… can anyone curb the dominance of Elise Ford? Elise has shown mastery in all conditions over the past few weeks, seemingly able to round the fleet up upwind from almost any situation and then assert her authority downwind. Several have challenged, but nobody has succeeded in outdoing Elise for any length of time.

If the forecast conditions eventuate, watch out for Tim, Mark, John Cooper and Paul amongst the Sabres. Anthony and Max are always in the mix, and the Impulse boys will be keen to reassert their dominance over the fleet.

Handicap results are much harder to predict. Of late there has been little difference between yardstick and handicap placings. Watch out for a mid fleet skipper who stays consistent.

With cooler conditions, more solid breezes, an outgoing tide and a full fleet, we can expect tremendous racing. Starts and windward leg choices (ride the tide, or look for shifts inshore??) will quite possibly be the decisive tactical factors.

Get down to MBYC on Sunday to find the answers!

03/11/2026

If you wondered where our 3 impulse sailors went on the weekend, check out the division 2 results from Georges Bay Sailing and Aquatic Club regatta.
Great turn out and by all accounts a great weekend had by all.

From everyone involved in the Georges Bay Sailing and Regatta Club, we'd like to extend a massive, heartfelt thanks to all who made the trek north for such an amazing, fun weekend.

Without further ado (and with a big thanks for your patience), we'd like to present our Regatta Race Results.

Below are the Overall Division Placegetters, and you can view all races, timings and places by downloading the official race results documents: https://www.revolutionise.com.au/gbsc/events/380896

Thanks for all the good vibes!! and thanks to our event sponsors Community Bank St Helens-St Marys, The Social, Panorama, Easy Tiger, Hilly's IGA, Tamar Marine and Hames Paints!!! 🙏🙏🙏

DIV 1 SERIES

Nick Browne
Mike Church
Sean Keady

DIV 2 SERIES

Gordon Stewart
Doug Pianta
Barrie McIndoe

DIV 3 SERIES

Lachy Barr
Billy Lynch
Jack Barr

Australian Sailing - Tasmania

01/11/2026

After an excellent morning “Discover Sailing” session, run expertly by Felicity Allison and her team, which saw several newcomers to the sport given an at times rambunctious introduction, afternoon racing saw skippers and crew contesting the annual Brett Webster trophy series.

Racing was conducted in mild conditions with a SW-W-NW-N-NE (you get the picture!) breeze varying in strength from almost zero to more than 20 knots at any given moment. Skippers were rewarded for consistent upwind decision making, balancing the need to avoid the ever strengthening outflow of the turning tide and the desire to be where the wind was at its strongest.

With the exception of the very consistent Elise Ford (3 wins), placings amongst the 9 Sabres, one Heron and one Mirror were regularly reshuffled as conditions made skippers look a million dollars in an instant, only to find themselves bankrupt very soon afterwards. Paul Matthews (2,4,3) and Tim Mitchell (3,3,7) were the next best. Handicap results saw the same 3 skippers, Elise (1,1,1), Paul (2,6,3) and Tim (3,3,8) lead the way.

Other highlights for the afternoon included the excellent effort of young skipper Josh Cooli, sailing Wildfire, an older club Sabre. Josh improved in each race, taking lessons learned and acting on them. In conditions that experienced skippers found exasperating at times, Josh kept his cool (or his Cooli!) and worked his way around the course with great skill. His effort to avoid capsize in a very strong gust left even the most experienced observers amazed. It’s not often that a boat heels so far that the entire centreboard is on show without suffering a capsize. But Josh managed a tremendous save and recovery. Great work, Josh!

But we can’t finish our report without recounting the tale of Anthony and Max and the quest for the magic key…..

Brave Sir Anthony (Morgs to his mates) and his trusty sidekick, Mighty Max set out for the day full of hope. Their trusty steed Dynamite Jack was ready for battle, having been meticulously prepared in advance. (Or so they thought!) Sir Anthony had performed some wizardry of late and there were those who were beginning to attribute supernatural abilities to the DJ crew.

But today, the Gods had other plans….

Race 1 saw the team eagerly awaiting the David and Goliath Challenge of matching their trusty Heron with the gaggle of sharpened Sabres ranged against them. Until, that is, Mighty Max noticed a missing shackle. Very difficult to pull the vang on if it’s not attached to the boat, lads! Back to shore our trusty crew raced. Problem fixed, but by then the fleet had bolted and a lonely circuit of the course ensued….

“Not to worry!” The ever positive Sir Anthony enthused. “We have 2 races left to save the day! Onward, Mighty Max!” But it was not to be. This time a dropped jib stick saw the lads have to turn back and perform their own maritime rescue, as the fleet, once again, sailed away…

Race 3 went far more smoothly. No disasters for the plucky lads.

Until they got back to shore….

“Don’t fear, Max, we’ve had a rough day, all Knights do on occasion. But don’t be sad, we’ll retrieve the magic key from inside the buoyancy tank and all will be good in the world.”
Sir Anthony reached inside the tank. Gadzooks! The magic key had disappeared! The Gods must be punishing the lads!

All the Kings horses and all the Kings men were summoned to assist. The key must be found, it is the key to the entire Kingdom! Bravely, and without fear of back strain or lumbago, several of Sir Anthony’s loyal subjects took up the challenge, hoisting DJ up in the air, shaking her, tipping her hither and tither. But to no avail. The magic key had vanished. Sir Anthony did not relish explaining this to Her Majesty. Much snarling and gnashing of teeth followed. Where could the key be? How could a key locked in a tank vanish? After much boat shaking and creasing of brows, lumbar supports and knee braces, the quest was abandoned. Sir Anthony was defeated….

Until, that is, Mighty Max very cheekily suggested that Sir Anthony check his spray jacket pocket…..

Surely not!

Mighty Max wisely just smiled and said no more.

As usual, thanks go to our wonderful race officials, rescue boat crews, spousal child minders and encouraging parents. You’re all so important!

Next week sees a return to Pennant racing. Get down to MBYC and join in the fun!

27/10/2026

This Sunday at MBYC. Members around in the morning to assist would be appreciated. We have some registrations already. Share this around.

25/10/2026

Ominous black clouds and a building southerly breeze greeted 8 Sabre skippers in the second round of pennant racing at MBYC today. Morning rain kept many away, but those who made the effort were rewarded with (as predicted!) a dry afternoon. The breeze never lived up to the threatening look of the cloud buildup, and skippers raced in 8-12 knots of shifty S-SW breeze, suiting the lighter breeze experts perfectly.

The comment was made pre race that it was entirely possible to finish anywhere between first and last, such is the close nature of the Sabre fleet. This proved correct as skippers played a nautical version of snakes and ladders all afternoon, as breezes shifted and currents behaved unpredictably.

Standout for the day was John Cooper in Mad Max, who scored two 2nd places before dropping a 7th in the last race. John was closely followed by Elise Ford in Nauti Shorty (5,4,1) and Paul Matthews in This is it (3,8,2). Ken Barnes in Hooligan and Dave Smith in Texas Pete both won races, but an OCS for Ken spoilt his chances of a top result.

Handicap results saw Dave (1, 3.5,3) lead the way from John (2,2,6) and Paul (3,8,2).

Next Sunday sees a “Discover Sailing” morning, followed by the annual Brett Webster trophy series. Racing gets underway, as always, at 1330

Pictures by Chris

22/10/2026

The second round of pennant racing for the season takes place on Sunday at MBYC.

Conditions are forecast to be dramatically different to last Sunday’s drifting conditions and summer temperatures. Conditions this Sunday are expected to be much cooler and the breeze is forecast to be S-SW at 5-15 knots.

Whilst rain is forecast for Hobart, competitors can be completely confident that no such thing will happen on the river…. Trust me, it never rains on sailing days!

The light breezes last week allowed those who excel in those conditions to make a solid start in the hunt for this year’s pennant. Current handicap leader, Commodore Glenn is closely followed by Paul, Darren, Elise and Steve. More solid breezes will no doubt bring others into contention. Watch out for Anthony and Max, who have been in hot form over the past few weeks, along with Ken (these days, he’s a pacemaker in more ways than one!) Tim, Peter, Gordon, Roger,Coops and Mark.

The one design aspect of our racing brings with it some intriguing battles.

Our growing Impulse group are providing stiff competition for each other. The rapidly improving Darren will be looking to continue to challenge Roger and Gordon.

Meanwhile, the Sabre group continues to exhibit close racing. With a fleet well above 10, placings have been shared amongst most skippers in the races held so far this year. There are plenty of skippers with their eye on first place each week. So far, in the 7 races sailed, we have had Paul, Tim, Elise, Ken and Mark leading the fleet home. Several others have been in the mix regularly.

Look out for these “races within the races” as the afternoon unfolds.

Get down to MBYC on Sunday and join the action. Racing kicks off at 1330.

Mark

Click on a file below . .     

19/10/2026

As predicted, Sunday’s pennant racing at MBYC saw conditions vary from a drifting 1 lap first race, to an abandoned second race as tide outpointed wind, to a third race sailed in a light to moderate SE sea breeze. Apart from the usual competitors, it was great to see Jeff Viney and daughter Molly enjoying an afternoon on the water together in a Pacer.

Race 1 saw skippers battling near enough to zero wind. An upriver first beat saw some skippers opt for the inshore route and others gamble on more wind mid river where the tide was strongest. As it turned out, both possibilities succeeded for some, but others were left floundering. The standout performers were undoubtedly Anthony and Max in Heron Dynamite Jack, who kept pace with the leading Impulse and Sabre skippers. No mean feat!

Down wind (if there was wind!), Darren in his Impulse, Ego, was best performed, crossing the line ahead of Gordon and Roger. First Sabre was Paul in This is it, ahead of Elise, Ken and Mark. On both handicap and yardstick, Anthony and Max were way too good, making a strong start in the pennant series.

Race 2 was abandoned when what wind there was, died completely, leaving competitors at the mercy of the outflow of the river. Some chose to finish up for the day, whilst others waited patiently for the SE to make it. One even worked on his capsize drill to cool down and fill in some time. (Mark says that the water was quite warm!)The breeze teased us for 20 minutes or so until finally filling in around 3.20pm.

Those still afloat sailed a full course race 3 in around 8-10 knots of SE breeze. A good contest ensued all through the fleet. Leading the way was Darren, followed by Elise, John Cooper and Paul.

Elise led the way on yardstick, followed by John, Paul and Peter Wright.

Handicap honours went to Commodore Glenn, followed by John, Elise and Paul.

So after the first round of racing, Glenn, Paul, Darren, Elise and Steve Brown lead the handicap standings.

Yardstick rewarded Sabre skippers. Paul and Elise head the standings, followed by Darren, Ken and Peter.

Next Sunday sees round 2 of Pennant racing. The question will be, who can shake up the leaders? Or will the current leaders continue to dominate? Get down to MBYC on Sunday to join the action and find out who climbs a ladder and who slides down a snake.

Pic by Wendy Matthews

18/10/2026

A teaser. Today was a super long day and nobody took any photos . . ALMOST.
I took some video of the trainers out this morning so introducing Hamish, Max, Spencer and Jeff Viney with his daughter Molly. Mike was out there somewhere but he always disappears over the horizon.
The wing surfer turned up out of nowhere.
Marks wrap up and the results will post tomorrow.

17/10/2026

Preview….

Pennant racing for season 26-27 kicks off tomorrow with the first 3 races of the series.
The weather man says that we will see light breezes in the morning (Ideal for our beginning sailors!) with a SE sea breeze in the early afternoon. At this time of year, sea breezes often appear mid to late afternoon, meaning we will most likely sail early races in very light winds, with the SE filling in later in the afternoon.
These predicted conditions will test all and give everyone in the fleet a chance to sail in their preferred conditions.
Early races should suit our light weather specialists, Roger Masters, Peter Wright and Dave Smith tend to particularly excel at in these conditions.
As the SE begins to fill in, watch out for our “all rounders” - Ken Barnes, Paul Matthews, Elise Ford, John Cooper, Anthony and Max.
And if the SE picks up above 15 knots, keep an eye on winner of the first two weeks’ racing , Gordon Stewart and Sabre heavy air experts, Tim Mitchell and Mark Rasmussen.
Whatever happens, the handicap results will be wide open, with honours going to those who can master the tricky conditions and keep their cool in summer conditions.
Get down to MBYC tomorrow and join the fun. Beginners will be on the water early and race 1 begins at 1.30.

12/10/2026

Results from Sunday are up on website

Click on a file below . .