It was a near perfect day in Rye on Sunday for our Sailing Day with a light northerly breeze occasionally dropping out to leave us bobbing about in the crystal-clear water. The boat ramp parking was nearly full of empty boat trailers when we arrived around 9:00am, an impressive sight signifying the many motor boating folk who’d obviously launched in the early hours. Of course, not all the stink boats were out fishing. The dreaded jet skis were plentiful and the peace and quiet was often interrupted by the noise of their hard revving engines. Despite there being three apologies from WBA members (and one who turned up a day early) there was a good turnout of seven wooden boats.

Our Commodore, Peter Batchelor was in his second outing in his brand spanking new Coresound 17 ‘Nytayne’ and had many folks taking turns enjoying the ride.

Mark Humphrey with his son (aka Captain Sebastian) looked good in his Iain Oughtred Tammie Norrie ‘Mirka’.

Sam C. was there in his very sleek Ross Lillistone designed First Mate ‘Surprise’ with son Ollo.

Don Nicholson enjoyed the light airs in his modified Drifter 14 Trimaran ‘Trinap’.

Jim and Penny sailed far and wide in their elegant Iain Oughtred Ness Sloop ‘Talisman’. Alex Pigdon presided over a family affair with his brother Keith, son Stuart (Stewart?) and grandson Hugh in their beautiful blue Elver Yawl ‘Halloween’, the largest boat in the fleet.

And I had lovely time pottering about in our Nick Atkins Moyne 10 ‘Lily’, the smallest boat of all. Thanks to the light conditions I managed to shoot quite a few snaps and shot some more 360-degree video so I’m looking forward to seeing how that turns out.

One memorable sight I encountered was a very relaxed fellow catching squid from a stand- up paddleboard, balancing with the poise and grace of someone who’d been on boats all his life. “I don’t actually like seafood” he said when I commented he’d have a nice meal tonight. “They’re for my mother-in-law!”. He just liked fishing. And catching. He reeled in three squid in 10 minutes.
Another interesting sight were the familiar massive black stingrays gliding around the boat ramp jetty like living stealth bombers, seemingly unperturbed by the many boats and people coming and going.
Hats off to Parks Victoria and all responsible for the fantastic, free and well used Rye boat ramp facility.

The forecast stronger south-easterlies showed up tantalisingly as the day’s activities were coming to an end.

Once we were all back on dry land and packed up, some of us indulged in the now traditional fish and chips on the beach in the late afternoon sun, well pleased with a great day on the water.
Kelvin Gedye