“Hamilton Island Race Week” is a day sailing only event, with each person to provide their own accommodation on the Island for the race week. The skipper and crew master of the Hamilton Island Race week have both achieved podium results in this event previously.
 
The rally is a series of rally races between Sydney and Hamilton Island and back again with other First 40’s. The new Beneteau FIRST 40 is specifically fitted out for offshore cruising & racing. The voyage is divided into 6 passages, each 7 to 8 days in duration and we sail and compete with other First 40’s in conjunction with the EastSail sailing school itinerary.

All competent sailors are invited to join in aboard “Bennie & The Jets” on a fixed share cost basis. Bennie is in survey and uniquely fitted with VHF & HF radios, Raymarine navionics and a 3G network router so you can stay in touch with your mobile and laptop internet needs. Show your skills or learn with the latest in onboard computer software. All participants will join as crew and will be expected to have a good level of sailing experience. Sailing resume’ must be submitted on application.
These are rally races, we will stay over in ports and places of interest on most nights and “stay put” if the weather is not so good. Generally anything over 20knots is considered questionable and weather forecasts are a major consideration for comfort and safety as a priority. We will be directed by our rally captain who is a professionally qualified and highly experienced skipper.  
Leg 1: 27th July - 2nd August 2010 - Sydney to Southport - 7 Days @$150.00 per day twin share = $1050.00  
Leg 2: 4th - 10th August 2010- Southport to Yeppoon - 7 Days @ $150.00 per day twin share= $1050.00
Leg 3: 12th - 18th August 2010 - Yeppoon to Hamilton Island - 7 Days  @$150.00 per day twin share = $1050.00
Hamilton Island Race week: 20th - 28th August 2010 - Hamilton Island Race Week   - 9 days Hamilton Is. + 3 training sails in Sydney optional included  @$2500.00

Leg 4: 30th August - 6th September 2010 - Hamilton Island to Yeppoon - 8 Days @ $150.00 per day twin share = $1200.00
Leg 5: 8th - 15th September 2010 - Yeppoon to Southport - 8 Days  @ $150.00 per day twin share = $1200.00.
Leg 6: 17th - 24th September 2010 - Southport to Sydney - 8 Days @$150.00 per day twin share = $1200.00

YOU THE CREW
Favourite boat positions are achievable with the foredeck position reserved for the most experienced. We are expecting a variety of skills and experience along with some great stories and comradeship in the evenings when in port. Who’s a good boat cook, come onboard and show off your skills. Everybody will be expected to take a turn on the helm and those wanting to be a watch captain, navigator or tactician can have a turn with the approval of the skipper. Bring your logbook.

YOU WILL NEED TO BRING
•   Essential: - Wet weather gear, Personal EPIRB, Strobe light, Small Torch, Pocket knife on lanyard, deck shoes, sailing gloves, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, sea rug or sleeping bag, towel and toiletries.

•   Optional: – Camera (or should this be essential), lap top, mobile phone, alcohol (limited to 4 bottles for consumption in port only), any special medication(put in sealed container for cold storage or to place on boat for easy access in grab bag,

•   You can bring anything else you like with the proviso your entire “bring on board luggage” is contained within a standard burke sized sea bag or duffle bag to max 10kg.

•   Food – cost share kitty. Bring any special personal dietary items. Fridge freezer onboard.
What takes your Fancy?

Consider 3 legs together as an amazing sailing adventure experience.

OR
Consider a great holiday on Hamilton Island on your own or with your partner which includes exhilaration racing in an international regatta atmosphere.

SYDNEY TO HAMILTON ISLAND

Leg 1: Sydney to Southport / Gold Coast - 7 Days – from 27th July to 2nd August.
27th July. On the boat for passage briefing and provisioning and a possible short sail.
27th July. Depart the EastSail at dock Rushcutters bay. On the voyage there will be time to relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. There will be port entries at places such as Broken Bay, Newcastle, and Esmerelda Cove on Broughton Island, Port Stephens and Coffs Harbour. There will also be 1 - 2 nights at sea to experience watch keeping systems. Approximately 380 nautical miles.

Leg 2: Southport / Gold Coast to Yeppoon - 7 Days – 4th August to 10th August
4th August. On the boat for a passage briefing and provisioning and a possible short sail.
4th August. Depart Southport yacht club dock. There will be time to relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Ports of call include Moreton Bay, Mooloolaba, The great Sandy Straits and Fraser Coast. Sailing, fishing, snorkelling, swimming, reading, lazing.....you won't want to come home! Approximately 300 nautical miles.  

Leg 3:  Yeppoon (near Rockhampton Queensland) - Hamilton Island  ( in the great Barrier Reef)- 7 Days – 12th August to 18th August
12th August. On the boat for passage briefing and provisioning and a possible short sail.
12th August depart Roslyn Bay Marina Yeppoon. Visit Pearl Bay, Island Head Bay, Percy and Thomas Islands in the tropical Whitsundays region. Sailing, fishing, snorkelling, swimming, lazing, reading. Approximately 240 nautical miles.  

Hamilton Island Race Week:   
Hamilton Island Race Week and Tune up day. 19th August to 28th August.
19th August. On the boat for race preparation, set up boat, go through drills, clean down hull, check rigging, allocate positions, and run man overboard procedure.
20th August. Shake down sail and tune the boat.
21st August to August 28th onboard at allocated times for day racing. Après drinks onboard dockside, partners welcome.
22nd August. Onboard to recommission boat to sea voyage status. Celebrations and cruise to an agreed location for those who wish to join in if time permits. Partners welcome to max 10 people.
Hamilton Island To Sydney

Leg 4: Hamilton Island to Yeppoon (near Rockhampton Queensland) - 8 Days – 30th August to 6th September
30th August - On the boat for passage briefing and provisioning and a possible short sail.  
30th August. Depart Hamilton Island marina. Adventurous spirits are invited to participate in this 8 day exciting voyage through the beautiful Whitsunday, Cumberland and Northumberland islands from Hamilton Island to Yeppoon. There will be time to relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Ports of call include Thomas Island, The Percy Islands, Island Head Bay and Pearl Bay......you won't want to come home! Approximately 240 nautical Miles.  

Leg 5: Yeppoon (near Rockhampton Queensland) to Southport / Gold Coast - 8 Days – 8th to 15th September
8th September. On the boat for passage briefing and provisioning and a possible short sail.
8th September depart Roslyn Bay Marina Yeppoon.  Join us for this 8 day challenging voyage from Yeppoon to the Gold Coast. There will be time to relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Ports of call include the great Sandy Straits, Fraser Coast, Mooloolaba and Moreton Bay. Sailing, fishing, snorkelling, swimming, reading, lazing between rallies.....you won't want to come home! Approximately 300 nautical miles.   

Leg 6: Southport / Gold Coast Queensland to  Sydney - 8 days – 17th to 24th September.
17th September. On the boat for passage briefing and provisioning and a possible short sail. Sleeping onboard optional.
17th September. Depart Southport Yacht Club Marina. Your ticket home...as far as we're concerned, it's the only way to travel! Get your miles up and practice your offshore skills. There will be time to relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. There will be port entries at places such as Coffs Harbour, Esmerelda Cove on Broughton Island, Port Stephens, Newcastle and Broken Bay (Pittwater). There will also be 1 - 2 nights at sea to experience watch keeping systems. Approximately 380 nautical miles.  

Contact John Griffin – mobile 0409558848 Sydney Australia or  email jongriffin@bigpond.com (Not in conjunction with Vicsail)