Latest News

19 Jul 2010 Financial Statements for 2010
19 Jul 2010 Notice of Annual General Meeting 2010
7 Apr 2010 Mutiny on the Bounty - Again!
17 Mar 2010 Couta Boat Sailing at the Geelong Wooden Boat Festival
11 Mar 2010 The Whyte Just & Moore Wooden Boat Festival of Geelong.
10 Mar 2010 Couta Boat State Titles at Geelong Wooden Boat Festival 2010
23 Feb 2010 Spirit of Mystery On Last Leg
16 Feb 2010 It's a Bird, It's a Plane ... It's the America's Cup Winner
7 Feb 2010 Queenscliff Couta Boat Regatta 2010
16 Dec 2009 Dinghy Moves in Mysterious Ways
16 Dec 2009 Trans Tasman Classic Challenge Series
13 Nov 2009 The Wooden Boat Festival of Geelong 2010
10 Nov 2009 Melbourne Wooden Boat Festival 2010
9 Nov 2009 CIA Couta Boat Insurance Policy
25 Oct 2009 The Guineas Challenge
13 Sep 2009 The Cup Regatta 2009
9 Sep 2009 Update from the Australian National Maritime Museum
7 Sep 2009 Notice of Measurement
13 Aug 2009 President's Report 2009
3 May 2009 Spirit of Mystery Leaves Port Phillip
30 Apr 2009 Couta Boat Association State Championship 2009
1 Apr 2009 Plan to Ban Recreational Boating on Port Phillip
8 Mar 2009 Spirit Not Broken
1 Mar 2009 Queenscliff Maritime Weekend 20-22 February 2009
15 Feb 2009 Australian Wooden Boat Festival 2009
2 Oct 2008 Couta Boat Fleet Welcomes 'Great White Fleet'
6 Apr 2008 Matilda Waltzes into Double Victory
27 Jan 2008 Queenscliff Maritime Weekend 22-24 Feb 2008
25 Oct 2007 Images from Couta Boat Association State Titles 2006/07
8 Mar 2007 2007 Geelong Wooden Boat Festival 10-12 March - We were there
5 Mar 2007 Mercedes-Benz CBA Nationals this weekend
18 Feb 2007 Couta Boat Association Function in Hobart 2007
27 Feb 2007 Queenscliff Regatta 23 - 25 February 2007
1 Dec 2006 The Queenscliff Couta Boat Association is reviving a 100 year old tradition
 
Chris Malkin, Monday, 19 July 2010

Financial Statements for 2010

Couta Boat Association Incorporated
BALANCE SHEET
As At March 31, 2010
NOTE 2010 2009
$ $
Current Assets
            Cash and cash equivalents 2     39,867     33,416
            Trade and other receivables 3      3,215      4,223
            Inventories 4      4,238      6,536
Total Current Assets     47,320     44,175
Total Non Current Assets           -             -  
Total Assets     47,320     44,175
Current Liabilities
           Trade and other payables 5           -        1,577
Total Current Liabilities           -        1,577
Total Non Current Liabilities           -             -  
Total Liabilities           -        1,577
Net Assets     47,320     42,598
Equity
           Retained Profits     42,598     36,211
           Current Year's Earnings      4,722      6,387
Total Equity     47,320     42,598
INCOME STATEMENT
For The Year Ended March 31, 2010
NOTE 2010 2009
$ $
Income
Non-trading income
        Subscriptions     14,880     12,575
        less credit notes given -    3,360           -  
        Interest Received         781      1,410
        Advertising         300         682
        Subscriptions in advance           -           253
        Miscellaneous Income      3,616         182
Total Non-trading Income     16,217     15,101
Trading income
        Net sales of CBA T-shirts         406         218
        Stock write down -    1,411           -  
Total Income     15,212     15,319
Less Expenditure
        Affiliation Fees           50         300
        Class Measurer Expenses      1,165           -  
        Bank Charges         601         474
        Function Expenses         800      1,601
        Gifts & Trophies         592           55
        Miscellaneous expenses      2,245           -  
        Registrations      3,475      1,561
        Sponsorship           -        1,875
        Stationary           -           215
        Printing          799      2,054
        Postage and Post Box Rental         445         479
        Web Site 
                Yachting Australia         118         118
                CBA Web site rebuilding and hosting         200         200
Total Expenditure     10,490      8,933
Profit for the Year from Operations      4,722      6,387
STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME AND EXPENSE
For The Year Ended March 31, 2010
NOTE Retained
Earnings		 Total
Balance at 1 April 2008     36,801     36,801
Profit attributable to members      6,387      6,387
Adjustment to prior year -       590 -       590
Balance at 31 March 2009     42,598     42,598
Profit attributable to members      4,722      4,722
Balance at 31 March 2010     47,320     47,320
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES FORM PART OF THESE ACCOUNTS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For The Year Ended March 31, 2010
     This financial report covers the Couta Boat Association Incorporated as an individual entity. 
     Couta Boat Association Incorporated is an associated incorporated in Victoria under the
     Associations Incorporations Act 1981.
1    STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES
     This financial report is a general purpose financial report that has been prepared in accordance
     with Australian Accounting Standards, Australian Accounting Interpretations and the Associations
     Incorporation Act 1981.
     Australian Accounting Standards set out accounting policies that the AASB has concluded would 
     result in a financial report containing relevant and reliable information about transactions, events 
     and conditions to which they apply. Compliance with Australian Accounting Standards ensures
     that the financial statements and notes also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards.
     Material accounting policies adopted in the preparation of this financial report are presented below
     and have been consistently applied unless otherwise stated.
     The financial report has been prepared on an accrual basis and is based on historical costs,
     modified, where applicable by the measurement of fair value of selected non-current assets, 
     financial assets and financial liabilities.
a.  Income tax
     No provision for income tax has been raised, as the entity is exempt from income tax under
     Div 50 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.
b.  Inventories
     Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Costs are assigned 
     on the basis of weighted average costs.
c.  Financial Instruments
     Initial recognition and measurement
     Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the entity becomes a party to
     the contractual provisions to the instrument. For financial assets, this is equivalent to the date
     that the association commits itself to either purchase or sell the asset (ie. Trade date accounting)
     Financial instruments are initially measured at cost on trade date, which includes transaction costs,
     when the related contractual rights or obligations exist. Subsequent to initial recognition these
     instruments are measured as set out below.
     Classification and subsequent measurement
     Finance instruments are subsequently measured at either or fair value, amortised cost using the
     effective interest rate method, or cost. Fair value represents the amount for which an asset could
     be exchanged or a liability settled between knowledgeable, willing parties. Where available, quoted
     prices in an active market are used to determine fair value. In other circumstances, valuation
     techniques are adopted.
     Amortised cost is calculated as:
     - the amount in which the financial assets or financial liability is measured at initial recognition;
     - less principal repayments;
     - plus or minus the cumulative amortisation of the difference, if any, between the amount initially
       recognised and the maturity amount calculated using the effective interest method; and
     - less any reduction for impairment.
       The effective interest method is used to allocate interest income or interest expense over the 
       relevant period and is equivalent to the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments 
       or receipts (including fees, transaction costs and other premiums or discounts) through the 
       expected life (or when this cannot be reliably predicted, the contractual term) of the financial 
       instrument to the net carrying amount of the financial asset or financial liability. Revisions to 
       expected future net cash flows will necessitate an adjustment to the carrying value with 
       a consequential recognition of an income or expense in profit or loss.
       The company does not designate any interest as being subject to the requirements of
       accounting standards specifically applicable to financial instruments.
       (i) Loans and receivables
       Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that 
       are not quoted in an active market and are subsequently measured at amortised cost.
       (ii) Financial liabilities
       Non-derivative financial liabilities (excluding financial guarantees) are subsequently measured
       at amortised cost.
d.    Cash and cash equivalents
       Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits held at-call with banks, other short
       term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts.
e.    Revenue and Other Income
       Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, after taking into
       account any trade discounts and volume rebates allowed.
       Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised at the point of delivery as this corresponds to the 
       transfer of significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods and the cessation of all
       involvement in those goods.
       Interest revenue is recognised using the effective interest rate method, which, for floating rate
       financial assets is the rate inherent in the instrument. 
       Revenue from the provision of membership subscriptions is recognised on a straight-line basis
       over the financial year.
f.    Goods and Services Tax
       Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of GST, except where 
       the amount of GST incurred is not recoverable from the Tax Office. In these circumstances 
       the GST is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of an item 
       of the expense. Receivables and payables in the balance sheet are shown inclusive of GST.
2010 2009
2    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
      ANZ Bank Account       13,262      7,593
      ANZ V2 Deposit at Call Account     26,605     25,823
$     39,867  $      33,416
3    TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES
      Subscriptions receivable      2,210      4,223
      GST receivable         805           -  
      Other receivable         200           -  
$      3,215  $       4,223
4    INVENTORIES
      Merchandise stock on hand      4,238      6,536
$      4,238  $       6,536
     a.  A stock write down of $1,411 was recorded during the year.
5    TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES
      Creditors           -        1,346
      GST payable           -           231
$           -    $       1,577
6    STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
      
       Reconciliation of Cash
     For the purpose of the Statement of Cash Flows, cash included cash on hand, in banks and
     investments in money markets net of outstanding bank overdrafts, Cash at the end of the
     financial year as shown in the Statement of Cash Flows is reconciled to the related items
     in the statement of financial positions as follows:
2010 2009
               Cash at  bank and on deposit $ $39,867 $ $33,416
7    RELATED PARTIES
      (a)     Councillors of the Couta Boat Association Incorporated who held office at any time during
               the financial year were:
               Carmen Bell
               Steve Chiodo
               Mark Foley
               Bruce Griffiths
               Peter Gale
               Chris Malkin ex officio
               Bernard O'Hanlon 
               Andrew Skinner
               Peter Sydes
               David Todd
      (b)     No amount of remuneration was directly received or due and receivable by any
               Councillor.
8    CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
      At 31 March 2010, the association had no contingent liabilities
9    EVENTS AFTER BALANCE SHEET DATE
      No events have occurred since 31 March 2010 which would significantly affect the operations of
      the association.
10   FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
      The association's financial instruments consist mainly of deposits with banks, accounts receivable
      and accounts payable.
      The totals for each category of financial instruments, measured in accordance with AASB 139
      as detailed in the accounting policies to these financial statements, are as follows:
       2010 2009
$ $
      Financial Assets
      Cash and cash equivalents     39,867     33,416
      Trade receivables      3,215      4,223
    43,082     37,639
      Financial Liabilities
      Trade and other payables           -        1,577
          -        1,577
      Financial Risk Management Policies
      The association's treasurer is responsible for, among other issues, monitoring and managing 
      financial risk exposures of the association. The treasurer monitors the association's transactions
      and reviews the effectiveness of controls relating to credit risk, financial risk and interest rate risk.
      Discussions on monitoring and managing financial risk exposures are held on a regular basis.
      The treasurer's overall risk management strategy seeks to ensure that the association meets its
      financial targets, whilst minimising potential adverse effects of cash flow shortfalls.
      Specific Financial Risk Exposures and Management
       The main risks the association is exposed to through its financial instruments are interest rate risk.
       liquidity risk and credit risk.
       a.   Interest rate risk
       The association is not exposed to any significant interest rate risk since cash balances are 
       maintained at variable rates. As such, no sensitivity analysis has been performed.
       b.    Credit rate risk
       Exposure to credit risk relating to financial assets arises from the potential non-performance by
       counterparties of contract obligations that could lead to a financial loss to the association.
       Credit risk is managed through maintaining procedures ensuring, to the extent possible, that
       members and counterparties to transactions are of sound credit worthiness. Subscriptions are
       expected to be paid prior to the commencement of the subscription period.
       All subscriptions are past due.
10    FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONT.)
       b.    Credit rate risk continued
      Risk is also minimised by investing surplus funds in financial institutions that maintain a high
      credit rating or in entities that the committee has otherwise cleared as being financially secure.
      Credit risk exposures
      The maximum exposure to credit risk by class of recognised financial assets at balance date is 
      equivalent to the carrying value and classification of those financial assets (net of any provision)
      as presented in the balance sheet.
      There is no collateral held by the association securing trade and other receivables.
      The association has no significant concentration of credit risk with any single counterparty or
      group of counterparties.
      Trade and other receivables that are neither past due nor impaired are considered to be of high
      credit quality.
       c.    Liquidity risk
       Liquidity risk arises from the possibility that the association might encounter difficulty in settling
       its debts or otherwise meeting its obligations related to financial liabilities. The association
       manages this risk through the following mechanism:
       -    only investing surplus cash with major financial institutions; and
       -    proactively monitoring the recovery of unpaid subscriptions.
       d.    Foreign exchange risk
       The association is not exposed to fluctuations in foreign currencies.
       e.    Price risk
       The association is not exposed to fluctuations in commodity prices.
       Net fair values
       The net fair values of the Association's financial assets and liabilities are not expected to be
       significantly different from each class of asset and liability as recognised in the statement of 
       financial position as at March 31, 2010.
10     ASSOCIATION DETAILS
         The registered office and principal place of business of the association is:
         Couta Boat Association
         P.O.Box 490
         Port Melbourne
         Victoria  3207
 

.
Monday, 19 July 2010

Notice of Annual General Meeting 2010

NOTICE IS HEREBY given that the 8th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Couta Boat Association Inc will be held in the Bay Room (upstairs) at the “The Pier“ on the corner of Bay Street and Beaconsfield Parade, Port Melbourne (Melways map 57 B4) on Thursday, 12 August 2010 at 6.30 pm for the following purposes, namely:-

 

 

BUSINESS

 

1          To confirm the Minutes of the AGM held on 13 August 2009.

 

2          To receive the President’s Report.

 

3          To receive and consider the accounts of the Association for the year ended

31 March 2010 and the Treasurer’s Report.

 

4                     Pursuant to clause 28.2 the following committee members retire by rotation:

·         Hon. Secretary                    Bernie O’Hanlon             renominating

·         Ordinary Member                 Peter Sydes                  renominating     

·         Ordinary Member                 Peter Gale                     renominating

·         Hon. Treasurer                     vacant

 

The following committee members retain office until the 2010 AGM:

·         Ordinary Member                 Bruce Griffiths                           

·         Ordinary Member                 Steve Chiodo                

·         President                            Andrew Skinner

·         Vice President                     Carmen Bell

                       

 

5          Whether it is necessary to appoint an Auditor for the financial year ending

31 March 2011.

 

6          General Discussion

·         Couta Boat Class Rules 2010

 

By order of the Committee of Management

 

Dated 12 June 2010

Bernie O’Hanlon

Honorary Secretary

 

 

 

Bounty Boat Replica
Carmen Bell, Wednesday, 7 April 2010

221 years after the original mutiny - and this time it's for a good cause

Mutiny on the Bounty - Again!

It was in April 1789 that the famous ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’ occurred just off the waters of the islands of Ha’apai in the Kingdom of Tonga. The story goes that, whilst in the Pacific, the Bounty crew were attracted to the idyllic life and were angered by the (alleged) cruelty of their commanding officer William Bligh. The mutiny was led by Fletcher Christian and some of his followers and they tried to get Bligh to sail the Bounty back to Tahiti because they terribly missed their Tahitian mistresses. Bligh did not agree with the mutineers and he insisted they continue sailing to Australia.

Fletcher Christian and his followers then cast commanding officer William Bligh and Bligh’s loyal crew adrift in a boat near Tofua Island in Ha’apai. Whilst Fletcher and the mutineers sailed to Pitcairn Island and settled there, Bligh and his men sailed for 42 days and over an epic 3,700 nautical miles from Ha’apai in the Kingdom of Tonga to Kupang in Timor in an overloaded boat with little food or water and no charts.

The story has been retold in movies, books and even in song. Now, Australian adventurer Don McIntyre is set to embark on an incredible nautical journey to re-create one of the most extraordinary stories of survival and determination – Captain William Bligh’s 4,000 mile open boat ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’ voyage. The re-enactment, following the journey across the Pacific from the Kingdom of Tonga to Timor, will launch on the same day, at the same time and in the same place 221 years after the original mutiny journey - i.e. 28 April.

The seven week expedition aboard the Talisker Bounty Boat – a 25-ft long, 7-ft wide, open wooden vessel – will see McIntyre and his crew facing the same deprivations as the original crew when cast adrift in the middle of the Pacific. Using the replica 18th century traditional open timber whale boat, they will relive Bligh’s nightmare by attempting to sail the same voyage under similar conditions with no charts, no extra landings, no toilet paper, not enough food or water.  Bligh and his crew only had 150 pounds of ships biscuits, 16 two-pound pieces of pork, 6 quarts of rum, 6 bottles of wine and 28 gallons of water  McIntyre and his crew are deliberately not taking enough food and water in order to relive the challenges Bligh faced two centuries ago.

On Friday, 9 April 2010 at the Mitchell Library in Sydney, there will be the final crew send off and many of Bligh's personal artefacts (including his notebook, log book, telescope, personal seal and some letter he wrote to his wife after the mutiny) will be on display.  McIntyre and the crew of the Talisker Bounty Boat are expected to arrive in Nuku’alofa on Monday 12 April, 2010. They will stay at the Royal Sunset Island Resort on ‘Atata Island (offshore from Tongatapu), where they will get everything in order. On Monday 19 April, they will set off on a nine day voyage to the exact location that the mutiny occurred and where Captain William Bligh was forcibly removed from the Bounty. From there, the crew will sail to Tofua in Ha’apai and spend 3 days exploring just as Bligh did after the Mutiny. The expedition even hopes to visit the cave that Bligh and his men sheltered in while on the Tofua Island. From there the crew will sail on and mark the beginning of their replica voyage.

Talisker’s Bounty Boat Expedition will attempt to raise over $250,000 for the Sheffield Institute Foundation for Motor Neurone Disease (SIF), which is the world’s first research Institute into Motor Neurone Disease (MND), Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.  They will also use the voyage to monitor sea life and water temperatures in the Pacific and work with academics to compare their findings with the detailed log that Bligh kept.

For more information on the Talisker Bounty Boat Expedition, go to www.bountyboat.com

 
 

Thistle
Wednesday, 17 March 2010

Couta Boat Sailing at the Geelong Wooden Boat Festival

For an almost first time couta boat crew member, the racing on Sunday for heats 2 and 3 of the Victorian State Titles at Geelong covered a good range of conditions, starting with a stiff breeze and everyone on the rails, then ending with the crew forward and to leeward catching the last breath of a dead offshore zephyr as we drifted over the line.  I say almost first time, I do have experience sailing the lug rigged Thistle from 1903 at the Australian National Maritime Museum where I am a curator of historic craft, so the chance to gain some different Couta boat crewing experience was not one to pass up. 

 

In fact the object of the exercise was two fold. Obviously I was going to learn more about how to sail a couta boat, getting a feel for how a well set up boat points, heels and handles, and I saw the gaff set up for comparison to our lug. But the second objective was just to be part of the scene and action, rather than an onshore observer taking notes.

 

Thanks to Carmen Bell’s quick enquiry on my behalf, I was on board C888 Mystify with Bernie O'Hanlon and crew, and given the job of running the coarse end of the jib sheet.  The wide range of conditions gave me an excellent overview, the flat, easy exit mainsail shape being the feature that made the most impression; I think the ‘old’ main has seen better days on Thistle.  Stability felt a bit better too, and the attention given to sail set and trim upwind and down was another key factor in getting good performance.

 

I hope I can apply some of this to the museum’s use of Thistle, bearing in mind the museum’s interpretation of the craft is aimed at showing the couta fishing tradition of this iconic Victoria working boat. However, we do go and join in classic regattas on Sydney Harbour, so it will be good if we can show we know how to sail it well.

 

Couta boat owners can help me too, with my project the Australian Register of Historic Vessels, a database of existing Australian historic craft which some will be familiar with. Thistle, Ariel, Maud, Amy Christina and others are already listed, just go to www.anmm.gov.au/arhv and have a look. The Register would like to list more of the wonderful early craft that the class has kept alive, some were part of the fleet on the weekend and where possible I spoke to you or left a form on the boat. Whether you race or not, if you have one of the original boats even up to the 50s, that’s the type we would like to record to show the huge variety that still survive and remind people how important this truly Australian type is to the development of our maritime heritage.

 

 

You can contact me on dpayne@anmm.gov.au  or 02 9298 3875. Meanwhile, when can I come out sailing again?

 

David Payne

Curator Australian Register of Historic Vessels

Australian National Maritime Museum

 

Sayonara
Thursday, 11 March 2010

Sirs & Siresses! Just for you, here's the results of the Whyte, Just & Moore Wooden Boat Festival of Geelong. A fuller report is being prepared. To those who came, thanks for coming, we sincerely hope you enjoyed it all. To those who didn't - well - - you missed another corker of a weekend and we suggest you pencil in 2012 NOW!!

The Whyte Just & Moore Wooden Boat Festival of Geelong.

Under difficult weather conditions on Saturday, nine classic yachts left Williamstown bound for Geelong in the centralgeelong.com.au Passage Race.  At the finish it was the topsail cutter 'Sayonara' (Doug Shields) who crossed the finishing line first in an overall time of 6 hrs. 14 mins. 43 secs.  On handicap, it was the delightful cutter 'Anitra' (Carl De Fina) who was the winner of the centralgeelong.com.au silver salver. Kent Bacon's sloop rigged cutter 'Renene' was 2nd and 'Sayonara' was 3rd.

At Portarlington, 14 Couta boats lined up for race 1 of the Couta Boat Association State Titles and the centralgeelong.com.au Passage Race.  Line honours went to Sail No. C97 (Jeffery Richardson) after 2hrs. 29 mins and 22 secs.  On handicap in div. 1. it was 'Scoundrel' (Hayden Warszewski) 1st, 'Maud' (Andrew Scorgie) 2nd. and 'Fancy' (Paul Van Prooyen) was 3rd.  In div. 2, 'Defiance' (David Cross) was 1st. 'Drizabone' (wet as a shag! Ed.) (Tom Frickie) was 2nd and 'Fancy' was 3rd, the ultimate winner of the centralgeelong.com.au silver salver being 'Defiance' (David Cross).

On Corio Bay, Heat 1 of the Norglass Heron series set off with 7 starters. At the finish it was 'Miss Spent Youth' (Dean Denny) 1st. 'Astro Boy' (Glen Wilson) 2nd and 'Sarie' (Ralph Brown) 3rd. At this point, rain stopped play.     

Sunday dawned with warm but steamy sunshine opening a most pleasant day after the deluge further north. In Heat 2 of the Norglass Heron series, 'Miss Spent Youth' threw out a big challenge by again winning from an improving 'Sarie' 2nd and 'Sparkle' (Leigh McNotley). Showing absolute class, 'Miss Spent Youth' sealed the series with another 1st place in heat 3. 'Miss Behaviour' (Paul Wedding) was 2nd and 'Outcast' (Tony Cope) was 3rd.

This resulted in the overall winner of the Norglass trophy to be Dean Denny and 'Miss Spent Youth'. 'Sarie' was 2nd and 'Sparkle' was 3rd.

The 'Pier Point' Cup Race for classic yachts was won by Martin Ryan's 'Mercedes III', another example of a well loved and cared for classic of the past. 'Anitra' was 2nd and 'Renene' was 3rd.

Race 2 of the Victorian Couta Boat State titles, div. 1 was won by 'Sorrento' (Peter Gale), Sail No. C97 (Jeffrey Rochardson) was 2nd, and 'Lola' (Raymond Bateman) was 3rd. Div. 2 was won by 'Regina' (Janet Ellis), 'Defiance' was 2nd and 'Drizabone' 3rd. 

The Longboard Wines Cup race and race 3 of the Victorian Couta Boat State Titles resulted in 'Southerly' (Andrew Skinner) winning from 'Surprise' (Nick Williams) and 'Lola' was 3rd. In div. 2 it was 'Defiance' again taking out top spot with 'Drizabone' (Now drier! Ed,) 2nd and 'Regina' was 3rd.  'Southerly' was presented with the Longboard Wines Corio Bay Couta Cup.

Selecting one winner of the 'Concours d'elegance' trophy, (meaning a competition of elegance or style), amongst such a display of so many beautiful and well cared for vessels is an extremely difficult task.  Seven beautifully maintained boats were finally selected for consideration and it was after much deliberation that the beautifully preserved Friendship Sloop, 'The Hand Of Friendship' of Mike & Phillip Morris was selected as the winner. 14 years old and built by Tom Whitfield of Mordialloc with a Beach deck and a New Zealand Kauri hull she absolutely glistens in the sunlight! The second award of a Club Marine voucher went to 'Amiri', a beautifully maintained sloop. 'Rose', a Couta boat that shimmered with attention owned by A. Osborne and the shiny ski boat 'Redskin' of Scott Botterill's were also rewarded.

The judge and jury felt that the quality of entries was so high that the least they could do would be for honourable mentions to be made of the following. The 1933 gaff yawl 'Mariko' of Eric Messer, 'Sayonara' arguably the most famous classic keel boat of the Sayonara Syndicate and 'Windward II', built in Hobart in 1929 and owned by James Woods.

Summary, a great festival enjoyed by all who attended and regretted by those who didn't!
       
Bob Appleton OAM
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

.
Bernie O'Hanlon, Secretary Couta Boat Association, Wednesday, 10 March 2010

The biannual mobile event was this year hosted by Royal Geelong Yacht Club - 6-8 March 2010

Couta Boat State Titles at Geelong Wooden Boat Festival 2010

Couta Boats from Williamstown, Safety Beach, Queenscliff and Sorrento rendezvoused at Port Arlington (after a pleasant Saturday morning cruise) for a chat & catered Fish & Chips. (Thanks for organising this Carmen – it was appreciated by all). Boats were topped up with skippers and crew that arrived by road to Port Arlington.

As we all left the dock for the SSCBC run passage race into Geelong the breeze died and a postponement was issued by Peter Taylor on board the Kaurie Chief. After a short delay the breeze came in a very light shifty westerly or was that easterly...northerly? Anyway the race was started. The sky was ominous and getting blacker by the moment, thunder was heard, lightning was seen and the rain came and the wind did a couple of 360’s. No one at that stage knew of the carnage from the “Supercell” less than 50km’s to the North...a sign of things to come???

The fleet split into 2 groups, one group sailed the rhumb line to Hopeton Channel # 10 marker, and the other group chased pressure that was settling in from the south. In the end the group that sailed the rhumb line prevailed. Another feature was the Classic Yacht fleet on their passage race coming through our fleet looking very majestic. And with waterline length coming into play on a beam reach making them fast.

On arrival Royal Geelong Yacht Club officials  welcomed us and directed us to our berths, where boats where tidied up and left for some welcome beers and barbecue with fellow sailors on the terrace overlooking our and many other boats, dingys and yachts.

The Wooden Boat Festival at Geelong was well set up with displays featuring many different craft; we admired the workmanship that was evident. A fleet of wooden Heron dingys looked very regal and seaworthy and their close racing was noted the following day.

Royal Geelong took over race management for the two short races on the Sunday which where keenly fought out. The feature being a developing persistent shift in the second race that resulted in the wind dying and backing 180 degrees enabling the second half of the fleet to finish. Those that started in clear air and anticipated the shift prevailed.

The passage back for us proved not to be boring... for off Port Arlington we were caught in a thunderstorm where visibility was significantly reduced ....we checked our heading, our waterproof chart for a course to steer. We slowed...it got dark ...the rain was constant...after a while we gained a visual sighting on the West Channel northern marker altered course to 180 degrees... and proceeded down the channel until we rounded the point of Swan Island and the Queenscliff lights came into view. In another hour or so we were on our mooring... with a sense of relief and accomplishment of a testing night passage without electronic navigational aides.

Congratulations are well deserved to the winners and placegetters being:-

 

COUTA BOAT ASSOCIATION SERIES RESULTS FOR STATE TITLES 2010 (held in conjunction with the Geelong Wooden Boat Festival):

Division 1

Total

Race 1

Race 2

Race 3

C43