SAILING GROUP

The Sailing Group of the Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club organises events, races and cruises, for not only the sailing enthusiasts of the MBTBC but other partner sailing clubs such as The Wynnum Manly Sailing Club, The Trailer Sailor Club of Queensland, Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron and the Multihull Yacht Club of Queensland.

The Sailing Group caters for members who like not only the excitement of a friendly race but also those who have a cruising interest.

The racing fleet consists of a variety of boats from small trailer sailors to 30-45 ft fixed keel boats. Because of the difference in sizes and performance the fleet is divided into divisions. Division 1 & 4 is for the faster boats in the fleet, Division 2 for slower sailors, and Division 5 for the Multihulls. This recognition of size and performance encourages new skippers to try racing without necessarily having to tangle with the faster, larger and sometimes more serious competitors.

Meetings
The Sailing Group meets the Friday after the first Monday of the month at 19:30 hours at the MBTBC. Cruises and races are planned and discussed as well as guest speakers to cover topics of interest.

The sailing calendar is set keeping in mind tides, public holidays and other events around the club.

The racing series is from February to November and there is generally one race every month.

In either September or October we hold a two race series over a weekend to Coochie Mudlo Island. On the Saturday we race to Coochie with a BYO BBQ on the island that night. After staying on the boats overnight we have a return race to Manly on the Sunday.

In May there is another over nighter in conjunction with the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron. There is a Race to Caniapa Passage on the Saturday with a BBQ stopover at RQ’s facilities on the Saturday night. RQ play host providing excellent onshore facilities including showers, BBQ’s and Pool as well as a Taxi service for those without shore transport. There is a race back to Manly on the Sunday.

The remainder of the races are held on Sundays over courses up to an average 18 Nm. After the race we all meet back at a club house for drinks, a sausage sizzle and the days race results. Results are announced at alternate clubs each month to spread the joy around.

The season is divided into three small race series Series 1: 4 races, Series 2: 5 races and Series 3: 4 races. Trophies will be awarded to place getters in each series and an overall club champion will be decided over the entire season. In total there are 13 races of which only your best 11 results will count so you do not have to worry about missing some of the races.

Each entrant may nominate to race either with or without a spinnaker, this is usually at sign on in February. Your handicap will be set accordingly.

We are Yachting Queensland affiliated and our members are most welcome to join in other events held throughout the bay.

Presentation Night
The Club Presentation Night is usually held towards the end of November – approx two weeks after the last race.

Cruises
We try to organise at least one social cruise per month. This will either be a day sail somewhere or an overnight cruise, again refer to the sailing events calendar.

Overnight cruises usually start on Saturday morning returning Sunday afternoon and include some long weekends. The courses and destinations for the cruises and races are influenced by the prevailing winds and tides. With our cruises, the emphasis is on family boating with a raftup or beach BBQ in some of the most beautiful and pleasant spots in the bay.

For more information please call our Group Captain or register/log on to the MTBTBC Forum