Wednesday, 3rd November 2021
Rec Boating – Melbourne Cup weekend Cruise
Due to uncertainty regarding the timing of COVID lockdown restrictions easing the Recreational Boating committee organised a 3 day cruise departing Sunday for Docklands and returning on Cup Tuesday, rather than our usual 4 day cruise to Geelong and back via Wyndham Harbour.
Even with short notice of the event we had a great turn out, with all up 16 boats participating and 56 members and guests joining in at different stages.
Sunday saw a very leisurely trip to docklands in very light conditions under clear blue skies, followed by an enjoyable evening with everyone revelling in the opportunity to catch up along the wharf for drinks and nibblies. Old friends were re-acquainted after our long period of lockdown, while others took the opportunity to make new friends.
Monday provided a great chance to get out and enjoy what Melbourne has to offer, with another beautiful spring day making all feel invigorated. A group of 22 were even lucky enough to be hosted by the team re-building the tall ship Alma Doepel, listening to the history of the 1903 built vessel that has plied her trade in many guises, as a freighter, troop carrier and more recently as a youth sail training vessel. It was great to see the dedication of the team rebuilding the tall ship to her former glory, hearing the efforts that have gone into getting her back in the water and now well on her way to being a prominent Tall Ship once again sailing in and out of Melbourne.
Cup day proved to be another superb day, more reminiscent of a summer’s day with thirty degrees and light conditions in the morning building to a 20 knot northerly in the afternoon. Whilst some headed for home directly to go to race functions, others headed back to SYC via a lunch time anchoring off the St Kilda foreshore. After lunch most finally headed for Sandy, arriving just in time to see the Cup run and the last chance to finish off what was a great 3 day get away.
