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Known as “One Sailing”, AS and the MYA’s committed to providing sailing in Australia with a legal, governance and management framework that optimises the prospects of the sport's success. As a result, it is Australian Sailing’s responsibility to deliver all services previously performed by the state bodies.

To view Australian Sailing staff in Victoria, click here

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 Learn to Sail with Blackfish Sailing Adventures

Sail Victoria, the Gulf Islands and the Salish Sea!

Blackfish Sailing Adventures is an accredited sailing school with Sail Canada (CYA) offering sail training courses, day sails and skippered sailing charters around Victoria and adjoining Gulf Islands. We cruise as far north on Vancouver Island as Desolation Sound. If you are looking to combine a vacation featuring pristine waters and beautiful natural settings, while also improving your cruising skills, here are some great options:

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Choose either a half day or a full day on the water.  We depart from Oak Bay which is a scenic 10 minute drive from downtown Victoria.  Experience great sailing among idyllic islands set against a backdrop of soaring mountain peaks. A memorable day for seasoned sailors and novices alike.

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A Sail Canada (CYA) cruising course is recognized the world over and provides you with the basic skills you will need to begin cruising.  With some additional navigational training and experience, you should have the ability to cruise or charter a boat anywhere in the world.

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Do you want to familiarize yourself with sailing, develop some sailing skills, or find out the kind of boat you should buy?  Join us for a Customized Sailing Adventure through the islands and discover the pleasures of coastal cruising.

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Live-aboard courses: – – 5 – 7 day Cruise-and-Learns (all levels) – – Mileage and Skill Builder Cruises – – Customized live-aboard courses

Day courses (non-live-aboard): – – One day Introduction to Sailing – – Two day Competent Crew Course – – Three day Skipper Training Course

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What are people saying?

• Ashley and I had so much fun sailing with Gary on Sunday. Thank you so much for helping me plan the trip and for being so accommodating. The boat was beautiful; Gary was an extraordinary teacher and captain; and the cake was delicious! We’re now addicted to sailing and British Columbia. John Just wanted to say thanks for the fabulous sailing experience. Gary was absolutely fabulous!!! Everyone immensely enjoyed the sailing experience and will definitely recommend your company to anyone wanting to experience sailing. Jaime
• We had a terrific time. Gary is a superb instructor. He impressed the pants off of the two of our number who have taken sailing lessons in Hawaii and British Virgin Islands; and he earned a position in my evaluation of instructors based on more years in university than I care to recount. Dr.Dennis Galon, MEd, PhD Today Tim and Riley had an awesome time sailing with Gary. He was a wealth of interesting knowledge and gave everyone ample opportunities for hands on experiences. This was Riley's first experience sailing and definitely not his last. Gary, Many thanks for a wonderful birthday present for Tim and a great father/son outing for both of them. They would highly recommend this day of sailing. Glenda

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Established in 1931, Sail Canada (formerly known as the Canadian Yachting Association) is the national governing body for the sport of sailing. The Association promotes sailing in all its forms including yachting through collaboration with their partners, the Provincial Sailing Associations, member clubs, schools, and many individual stakeholders.

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Welcome to Yacht Training Victoria

Royal Yachting Association  Sailing School  on Port Phillip .

Practical Courses

Join one of our Live-aboard courses and develop essential skills to skipper your own yacht, or maybe charter overseas.

We have a large range of Theory Courses Available

From novice to expert, please click the link above for more information.

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Check out the latest course dates here

Dreaming of cruising the Aegean?

Owning your own yacht? Or maybe you just love being on the water.

Theory Courses

Come and learn to navigate by both day and night with a “Day Skipper” “theory course.

Latest course Dates & Prices

We're always adding new courses so please check in here and keep up to date.

Around the world  the cruising boat training program developed by the ‘Royal Yachting Association’ is accepted as the benchmark for Sail Training.  Yacht Training Victoria , based at Melbourne’s historic port of Williamstown, is a fully accredited  RYA training centre, and offers a full range of  on-water sailing, or shorebased theory courses to suit  you.

It could be our Start Yachting, Competent Crew, Day Skipper, or perhaps a special “ladies only” practical sail training session, up to the pinnacle of sailing qualifications – RYA Yachtmaster Offshore  Which- ever, we can assure you that you will receive both professional tuition, and we will go out of our way to make it a special and memorable experience.

In these days of Covid 19,   we ask you to provide details of a Negative test within 24 hrs of the course commencement, a RAT test will be considered adequate.

We also now offer RYA approved online theory courses for “Day Skipper” and “Yachtmaster”; a great way to get that refresher on the theory prior to taking a practical sailing course or in these new times fill in some time while in confinement.

Maybe you are planning a sail charter holiday? We will teach you the skills to make your holiday enjoyable and safe. If  you’re heading overseas, we can prepare you with an International Certificate of Competence (ICC).

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RYA Competent Crew 5 Day Practical Course         21-24 June 24

RYA Day Skipper 5 Day Practical Course                  21-24 June  24

Courses Marine Radio Operator course                          at RYCV) TBC

Marine Diesel Maintenance course                                    TBD

RYA Day Skipper Theory course :                          (E-learning)   By arrangement 

RYA Yachtmaster Theory course                            (E-learning)   By arrangement 

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What They Say!

Well spent money for great value. We had the best time and Tony has been very professional and is very dedicated to making sure we learned a lot. I can only recommend this to anyone, and hope to do the skipper training in the future. Peter Janicki & Sebastian Nowakowski, May 2013

The course was a wonderful five days that covered a range of sailing conditions and areas to provide challenges to students... I highly recommend Tony and Yacht Training Victoria. Paul O'Driscoll, March 2012

Tony is an excellent tutor - he exhibited a considered, patient approach to the theory and practical components of the course. Karen and David Burnett, March 2012

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Winter series race 1, winter series race 2 - blairgowrie, novice return race, fundamental of navigation, winter series race 3, 2024 marine safety expo day, orcv race director training.

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Tactics and determination secures Valiant the win in the 2024 Apollo Bay Race Valiant, an Adams 10.6 skippered by Jason Farnell from the Royal Geelong Yacht...

Apollo Bay race record set by Kaos untouched for almost 25 years

Apollo Bay race record set by Kaos untouched for almost 25 years In 1999, Frankston local Peter Blake skippered his Inglis 37 yacht, KAOS, to victory in the...

Near record fleet for 2024 Apollo Bay Race and ORCV Coastal Championship decider.

Near record fleet for 2024 Apollo Bay Race and ORCV Coastal Championship decider. As the sailing season draws to a close, offshore sailors are now focusing...

The Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV), was formed as the Cruising Yacht Club of Victoria by a group of yachtsmen in 1949 and renamed in 1972. We are a non-profit organisation which draws its membership from major yacht clubs in Victoria, Australia.

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Heritage Sailing Adventures

Embark on a tall ship adventure.

Experience a unique traditional sailing adventure along The Natural Coast ® of the Pacific Northwest. Our trips are relaxing, adventurous, and hands on, whichever you choose. We make sure the crew brings a wealth of knowledge to each trip. They are skillful individuals having common interests with you in mind.

The sailing vessel Duen is certified yearly by Transport Canada. Individual booking is possible, confirmed departure with 7 – 24 Passengers.

Departing from Victoria’s Inner Harbour

Join us aboard the heritage sailing vessel THE DUEN as we gently make our way out into the Salish Sea in safety and comfort. Our mission is to offer fun, accessible, and eco-friendly adventures for all ages and abilities that surpass your expectations.

We treat our guests as friends who have come to share our lifestyle and ensure you feel safe, comfortable and welcome.

An Amazing 3-hour Sail!

All ages and abilities welcome aboard..

Experience life aboard a tall ship as we motor out of the harbour, haul the sails and set our course for adventure.

Departs at 10 am & 2 pm Adult: $145 per person plus tx

Evening Cruise

Catch the setting sun and victoria’s skyline.

An evening tour of the inner and outer harbour. Relax and enjoy a gentle cruise on board our beautiful heritage vessel.

Departing between 6:00 - 7:30 pm Adult: $145 per person plus tx

Private Gatherings

From team building to private gatherings.

We offer a variety of private parties for groups of up to twenty-four, as well as networking and corporate team building opportunities.

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Find out more about the fascinating history of the Duen, upcoming events, and exciting seasonal offerings

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"World Coolest Yacht" Yachting World Magazine April 2020

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Royal Yacht Club of Victoria

Royal Yacht Club Victoria (RYCV) was initially founded as the Port Phillip Yacht Club in May 1853 and remains to be one of the oldest yacht clubs in Australia. The Club is situated in Williamstown with a stunning view of the city skyline and is steeped in decades of yachting history and tradition. Today RYCV boasts more than 1,000 Members and over 300 yachts on the register making it an ideal Club for sailors with all levels of experience. Sailors can enjoy reliable and steady breezes with little or no current, making it a perfect stretch of water for club sailing or state, national and international regattas. Royals Training Centre offers courses for all ages and we have a strong and lively social program which is enjoyed by our Members.

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Best Places To Sail In Victoria

There is nothing more satisfying, relaxing, and exciting than sailing in Victoria – a smart choice indeed for families going out for a holiday, celebrating occasions and momentous events. Out of the many sailing destinations around the state of Victoria is Gippsland.

Gippsland offers vast stretches of rivers and lakes to discover mountain streams perfect for fishing, secluded beaches, and breathtaking coastal parks. Take a break in portside towns to enjoy land trips like picnicking activities, dining out in great and sumptuous restaurants, or going all out on their excellent pubs.

Boating Options

You will be given different options when sailing in Gippsland:

• You can bring your own boat if you wish and you will be provided with public jetties, boat storage and launching ramps
• There are accommodation businesses around that offer their guests private jetty berthing – Captain’s Cove, Bellevue, Edgewater Terraces and more
• There are also available cruisers, day boats or charter yachts in the area, or you can sign up for an available day cruise

Choose which one of the available sailing options is the most comfortable and convenient for you. On the other hand, boating license is a must for almost all boat operators. Person chartering or hiring a boat might be exempted.

Destinations that You Must See

Going on a Gippsland Lakes journey will let you enjoy stunning the scenery of these waterways:

Sail the Mitchell and Nicholson Rivers and Tambo, and pick the best fishing spot during your travels. The cliff regions of Mitchell and Tambo are above all charming. Separating the Bass Strait from Hoptoun Channel is the Barrier Landing, where you can get the chance of meeting their local boaties.

Channel Side is where you can discover a great beach and a public jetty, and where you can take a 2 minute of walk to reach the Ninety Mile Beach. Manoeuvre into the redeveloped remarkable Port of Sale to enjoy high-quality restaurants and cultural entertainment along the harbour.

Sperm Whale Head and Rotamah Island have barbecue, public jetties, and available walking tracks with an abundance of native animals and birdlife. You also have to watch out for Bunga Arm, which shows off stunning sunsets.

Connecting Wellington and Lake Victoria is McLennans Straits. McLennans Straits is a soothingly flowing channel that offers enormous wetlands, good fishing, and exceptional bird life. Going down the coastline is the Mallacoota, a tranquil environment that has many secluded spots to those who want it more intimate, private and romantic.

There are just so many destinations, scenic spots and activities to explore in Gippsland, hence take advantage of the time you are in the area and make the most out of your long-awaited sailing experience.

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Victoria 30: a small boat with big ambitions

• Rachael Sprot
• March 8, 2022

The Victoria 30 is a small boat with big ambitions: a pocket cruiser that’s fun to sail and pretty to boot. Is she Queen Victoria or just a pretender to the throne? Rachael Sprot finds out...

Rowan has a cutter rig and wooden bowsprit. A sloop-rig with overlapping genoas were offered as standard. Credit: Richard Langdon

Product Overview

Victoria 30.

If you can measure the success of a boat by the strength of its owners’ associations, then Victoria yachts are right up there.

The Victoria 30 has strong offshore credentials including a GRP storm hatch which slides over the Perspex. Credit: Richard Langdon

Their devoted following spans the Atlantic, and boasts an active Facebook page that Chuck Paine, the designer himself, keeps up to date.

On this side of the pond the Victoria 34 is highly regarded. It’s the training boat of choice for the Joint Services training centre which owns 15 of them.

However, the Victoria 30s are less well known and there were only 50 or so made.

I hadn’t heard of them until I was invited to sail Rowan a few months ago by owner Bennie Mallet, but it’s the kind of boat that once introduced, you won’t forget.

The Victoria 30 is hard to pigeonhole. The most distinctive feature is the canoe stern and attractive shear-line, but she isn’t your typical, old-fashioned ‘double-ender’.

Despite the eclectic mix of 1970s and 1980s cruising boats in Torpoint Marina where I jumped aboard, Rowan still caught my eye.

I couldn’t put my finger on it, but she was just different.

Bennie told me that she had a whole suite of racing sails which she’d inherited from the previous owner.

All 16 of them were sitting in her garage at home, including multiple spinnakers! I was even more perplexed.

Canoe sterns have a significant place in the history of ocean cruising boats. From the Vikings to Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Bernard Moitessier, many great sea voyages have been made in ‘double-enders,’ but I have to confess I associated them with Colin Archer’s heavily built Norwegian rescue ships, or the Nauticat motor-sailers.

Solid and seaworthy perhaps, but more of a survival pod than a sailing machine. Spoiler alert: I was wrong.

Aside from the canoe stern there are other features that make her stand out.

Rowan has a cutter rig, encapsulated keel , bowsprit, deep gunwales and a separate tri-sail track. There’s no messing about here, this boat means business.

There was a complex evolution behind the design. The Victoria 30 was originally built in the United States as the Leigh 30.

The Leigh in turn was based on the smaller Frances 26 which Paine had lovingly designed with his own, singlehanded sailing ambitions in mind.

Paine had fallen in love with the double-ended fishing boats he’d seen in Scotland in 1974 and promised himself that he’d try to replicate the design back home.

Thus the Frances was conceived, and it soon developed something of a cult following.

Bernie Mallet bought her Victoria 30, Rowan in 2018 with plans to sail her offshore. The retired GP mainly sails out of Plymouth with her daughter, Fiona, or her dog, Bracken. She plans to explore Biscay and circumnavigate the UK. Credit: Richard Langdon

It was a natural progression to create a slightly bigger, family-sized version.

Small enough to be affordable, but rugged enough to withstand offshore conditions, there was one other important criterion: it needed to sail well.

So with its relatively small long-keel, substantial build quality, healthy sail area and generous ballast-ratio, the Leigh was born.

It was the editor of Yachting World at the time, Bernard Hayman, who persuaded Victoria Yachts in Southampton to bring the Leigh to the UK market.

Hayman spent many years perfecting his own small, offshore-cruiser, Barbican, and made pioneering voyages to the USSR and Norway in it.

So it seems that he and Paine shared many of the same values when it came to cruising boats: they needed to be bullet-proof, kind on the crew and a pleasure to sail.

Bennie bought Rowan in 2018 precisely for the Victoria 30’s offshore cruising credentials. She often sails it solo or with her daughter, Fiona.

A narrow coachroof creates a spacious deck. Credit: Richard Langdon

She bought the boat in Ireland and sailed it to Plymouth, from where she cruises the English Channel.

Initially attracted to the Victoria 34s, which were slightly out of budget, she was delighted to discover their little sister and bought one straight away.

When I stepped aboard, I was immediately struck by how safe I felt. The raised coachroof is narrow with a solid teak handrail, allowing a decent side deck to move around on.

The cockpit was surprisingly spacious in port with the tiller up because it extends right out to the gunwales in the aft section, so there’s more space than you’d expect from a boat with a canoe stern.

Continues below…

Contessa 32 – Yachting Monthly review

Theo Stocker takes an in-depth look at this iconic cruiser-racer, on an early season trip out of Sunderland

Nicholson 32: an ocean-going pedigree that lasts

Built entirely out of GRP, the Nicholson 32’s ocean-going pedigree remains desirable to this day, says Duncan Kent

Dufour 32 – impressive new smaller yacht

Dufour is one of the few yards that has maintained a constant presence at the smaller end of the new…

Bavaria 32 Cruiser: A boat built for family fun afloat

Can a practical family cruiser also deliver performance? The Bavaria 32 Cruiser straddles both worlds with ease, says Rachael Sprot

The aft part of the cockpit is directly enclosed by the push-pit, making it very secure. Under the cockpit seats are two large lockers, one aft and one to port.

Further forward the coachroof ends quite short of the bow and the flush foredeck has room for a well-lashed dinghy or in Rowan ’s case, solar panels .

It’s a useful space for raising the anchor or setting up warps.

The cutter rig and wooden bowsprit were options rather than the default spec, so there are also standard sloop-rigged versions available with large overlapping genoas.

I’ve always preferred the cutter rig for sailing offshore though.

In stronger winds a staysail performs much better than a half-rolled genoa, though for coastal cruising the running backstays, which are a necessary accessory to the staysail, do create an extra level of faff when tacking.

The interior is teak-heavy, and many were customised. Credit: Richard Langdon

The hull is solid GRP with a balsa-cored deck. Under each deck-fitting the balsa core is replaced with a plywood pad adding strength where it’s needed.

The GRP was laid to Lloyds’ specification, though Paine has commented that the resulting laminate was actually less substantial than the original Leigh hulls made by Morris Yachts in Maine.

The encapsulated keel was unique to the Victorias. The American-built Leigh had a bolt on lead keel instead but it was harder to get them cast in the UK so Victoria opted to encapsulate them.

Many ocean sailors prefer encapsulated keels anyway because it’s one less thing to worry about.

The companionway has an inbuilt GRP storm hatch which slides over the Perspex one in inclement weather. It’s another testament to the kind of voyages that this boat was designed for.

Although small boats are more vulnerable to down-flooding through hatches, due to the lower freeboard, it’s a shame you don’t always see this kind of belt and braces approach on larger yachts.

Below decks there’s enough solid teak and teak veneer to give it a warm, traditional feel.

A well-balanced helm and high ballast ratio make for a rewarding sail. Credit: Richard Langdon

The plastic laminate head-linings are easy to clean, keep things bright and have aged well. Timber strip planking lines the areas of bare hull and is a lovely touch.

There’s also plenty of stowage behind and under the seats. I particularly liked the saloon table which drops down from the main bulkhead to reveal the wine locker.

It’s a robust defence against the accusation that small boat sailing is glorified camping. The galley to port of the companionway is compact but well-equipped.

A small wet locker adjacent means you don’t drag soggy kit through the cabin. Forward of the saloon is the heads, which takes up the full width of the boat.

It’s a decent size with a large hanging locker behind the loo. Many of the interiors were customised, so the exact layout varies slightly from boat to boat.

The forepeak can be made into a very snug double berth. Credit: Richard Langdon

Officially there are seven berths on Rowan . The saloon seats are decent sea-berths and one pulls out to make a small double.

There’s also a pilot berth above the port side which provides useful stowage. There’s a decent quarter berth behind the nav station and a V-berth in the forepeak with an infill to make a double, but it’s pretty cramped for two.

There’s no doubt about it, there’s much less volume below decks than a modern boat of the same length.

But there’s still 6ft headroom in the saloon and several berths over 6ft long.

She compares well with other boats of the same era and there’s an economy of space which means that every inch is well used.

Somehow there’s room for an Eberspacher , calorifier and 150 litres of fresh water – the same tankage as you’d have on a Bavaria 30, a feat worthy of Mary Poppins’ carpet bag.

The push-pit encloses the aft part of the cockpit, making it feel very secure. Credit: Richard Langdon

Under power she handled the tight turn out of Torpoint Marina well and, with the help of her substantial prop walk, turned around in almost a boat length.

Like most long-keeled boats, reverse is not her forte, but the nice thing about the canoe stern is that it’s much easier to wiggle your way backwards into a tight berth than with a broad transom.

It wasn’t until we put some canvas up that I really understood the Victoria 30’s appeal. In a blustery Plymouth Sound we hoisted the main to reef two and unfurled half the genoa.

She shot off and I’ll admit, I was a little taken aback. I’d only just recovered from the initial shock when I noticed a big gust barrelling towards us.

I braced myself for a fight on the helm but it never came, she just dug in and kept going. I was even more taken aback.

Rowan is ideal for medium-distance, short-handed sailing in challenging waters. Credit: Richard Langdon

There was only one word for this: fun, the kind of fun you can only have when you trust the boat implicitly.

The reason she feels so trustworthy comes down to two factors: the helm is supremely well balanced, and her high ballast ratio makes her extremely stiff.

‘I really like that you can walk away from the helm for a few minutes,’ Bennie explained later. ‘It’s easier for me to take her out on my own.’

The rudder design was something Paine put considerable thought into. Its square bottom concentrates power lower down where it’s needed.

Her AVS is also impressive: a whopping 163° – better than a Contessa 32 or a Rival 34 . She’s no slouch in light airs either.

The saloon has 6ft headroom. Credit: Richard Langdon

The next day the wind had dropped to Force 3-4 and she easily hit 5 knots close-reaching with her fully battened main, staysail and genoa.

She pushed up towards 6 knots when we bore away to 110° apparent and if she’d had a clean bottom would have done more.

The wind instruments weren’t working, but we tacked through less than 90° without any effort at all.

In the lulls, her weight gave her enough oomph to power through the chop without stalling.

Though her keel is long, it’s not too long: the cut away forefoot means there’s less wetted surface area than there might be.

The Victoria 30 hold their value well, making them a good investment. Credit: Richard Langdon

I could see why the previous owners had invested in such an extensive sail wardrobe and raced her; the Victoria 30 is rewarding to sail.

That said, the cockpit is pretty tight for a racing crew: two’s company and three’s a crowd. The tiller takes up much of the space when down, so the wheel version would be better if sailing with friends and family.

These boats have generally aged well and hold their value. The usual things will wear out: teak decks and toe rails, and interior woodwork if it’s not looked after.

The sprit on Rowan was rotten on the inboard end, and Bennie has put big stainless backing plates underneath all the deck fittings after the bolts for the main halyard block ripped up through the deck.

It’s not a bad defects list for a boat that’s needed little maintenance in 40 years. I began to wonder what kind of voyages I’d do if I owned a Victoria 30.

The chart table is just by the companionway steps. Credit: Richard Langdon

She’s ideal for medium-distance, shorthanded sailing in challenging waters.

She’s a boat in which you can be self-sufficient and that will handle heavy weather well.

Her modest draught means you can get off the beaten track and if you ground her on an uncharted rock, with her long, encapsulated keel you’ve got a good chance of coming away unscathed.

I came back to her Viking heritage – she’d be perfect for a summer cruise around the Northern Isles, the Faroes and Iceland.

It’s the go-anywhere attitude that I like most about the Victoria 30. How many boats of this size have a separate tri-sail track? How many boats of any size have a tri-sail track?

The compact galley is well set up for a short-handed crew. Credit: Richard Langdon

She’s the kind of boat where some of your daydreams can become a reality. The canoe stern was still troubling me though on what is otherwise a practical boat.

I’d heard the assertion that it ‘parts the waves’ in heavy weather but I was sceptical – Paine may be a legendary naval architect, but he’s not Moses.

I asked him what purpose it served. ‘I do not believe there is any practical advantage. Sailing is a pastime that is all about quality of life. There is nothing practical about using the wind to propel a boat at five knots [but]… there are some folks who just like the look of this shape, and if it only does a little harm, they will still love it.’

As you’ve probably guessed by now, I couldn’t agree more.

Expert opinion of the Victoria 30

Nick Vass B.Sc B.Ed HND FRINA MCMS DipMarSur YS, Marine Surveyor www.omega-yachtservices.co.uk

The Victoria 30 is a long-keel, canoe-stern yacht introduced in 1982, designed by American Chuck Paine, on the same lines as the flush-decked Francis 26 and the coach-roofed Victoria 26, which were based on his older American made Morris 26 and Morris Leigh 30 designs.

The Victoria 30 has a long keel moulded into the hull with encapsulated ballast. It is likely that the ballast is lead shot.

Encapsulated ballast has the advantage of not requiring keel bolts that can work loose and the keel won’t need to be re-bedded.

Lead has value and can be sold to pay for the responsible disposal of the yacht when it comes to the end of its working life.

Watch out for the plethora of teak on the decks of Victoria 30s as this can be expensive to replace when worn out or decayed.

Bernie bought Rowen to sail offshore. Credit: Richard Langdon

Most were fitted with Yanmar 2GM20 16-hp engines which were reliable and common.

The double-ender stern pinches the cockpit and makes access to the stern gland, gearbox and rudder post gland problematic, so make sure that these components have not been neglected.

The lack of transom makes fitting an emergency boarding ladder tricky as the banana shape means the very aft end is high out of the water.

Make sure you have a boarding ladder ready for emergencies such as a roll-up rope ladder Velcroed to the guardrail which can be grabbed and deployed from the water.

I have found leaking chainplates on Victoria 30s. Leaks can damage the elaborate hardwood interior joinery.

Ben Sutcliffe-Davies, Marine Surveyor and full member of the Yacht Brokers Designers & Surveyors Association (YDSA)

www.bensutcliffemarine.co.uk

Generally, the Victoria 30 was pretty well built, but having surveyed several over the last decade, there are a few issues to look out for which are rectifiable but costly.

I should also note that these issues haven’t been found on every Victoria 30 I have surveyed! Boats which were fitted with teak decks are now 35-plus years old and need careful inspection.

I’ve seen many with water ingress through the caulking which has become trapped under the timber decks and got into the balsa deck core, causing softening.

The keel is encapsulated and reported as lead. Generally there will be a lean mix of sand and cement to act as a packer around where the lead is laid into the keel void.

Only around 50 Victoria 30’s were built in the UK. Credit: Richard Langdon

I have seen some where, following a grounding, water has got inside affecting this lean mix. It is fixable over time in a warm workshop. The rudder is keel hung.

I have seen very high moisture in this shoe support area and several boats needed work to dry the area of laminate and address this problem.

I’ve surveyed one Victoria 30 where the bonding failed on the hull to deck arrangement near the chainplates and required work.

Several had genoa tracks which leaked through the side decks. Internally, be aware of the chain locker and drain, which is accessed from within the forepeak.

I have had a few where the plywood was quite soft at the base of the locker. Check the deck collar of the keel-stepped mast as water can inevitably get in.

Alternatives to the Victoria 30 to consider

Morgan giles 30.

Many Morgan Giles 30s were home finished by owners, so layouts vary. Credit: David Harding

The Morgan Giles 30 came from the chief designer at Morgan Giles yachts, Kenneth Collyer, and was initially designed for his personal use.

Francis Morgan Giles, who was still alive at the time, is reported to have said that ‘God made man so he could float on a piece of wood’.

So, the first boat was built out of timber but with the inevitable transition to GRP , it was used as plug for the moulds.

First built in Teignmouth, when the Morgan Giles yard closed in 1969 Somerset Plastics bought the moulds.

It produced 70 hulls between 1969 and 1996. The lines are gorgeous, with a gentle sheer and classy counter stern.

The MG30 has good seakeeping abilities and handles heavy weather well.

70 Morgan Giles 30s were built between 1969-1996. Credit: David Harding

Proportionally she’s got quite a bit less sail area than the Victoria 30 but they have many similar qualities, including an encapsulated long keel and efficient, square-bottomed rudder.

First specced with 1.6T of lead ballast, most of them actually have 1.8T of cast iron instead.

The original layout is quite unusual, with the galley taking up the full port side of the saloon and a table and short bench seat opposite.

There are two quarter berths either side of the cockpit, a heads across the full width of the boat forwards of the mast and V berth forwards.

Nearly all of the MG30s were home-finished, so there are quite a few layout variations and the usual pitfalls for the enthusiastic amateur to watch out for.

They don’t tend to come up for sale very often due to the limited production run and because faithful owners tend to keep hold of them.

Owing to their age some of them are quite neglected when they come to market, and even the well-maintained ones will need investment as things like chain plates get to the age where they require pulling.

A thorough survey is essential. But, they don’t make ‘em like this any more, the lines are lovely so it’s worth snapping up a well-maintained one, or taking the trouble to restore one.

Halmatic 30

The Helmatic 30 came with a long cast iron bolt-on keel. Credit: Boy Aylott

Halmatic has a reputation for building solid, no-nonsense boats. It produced the hulls of lifeboats, work boats and Royal Navy Patrol boats.

But between the bulky grey bruisers a lot of very attractive yachts emerged from the company’s sheds at Portsmouth harbour.

The Halmatic 30 is one of them, as are most of the Camper and Nicholson designs.

The Halmatic 30 is the younger sibling to the Nicholson 32 and was designed to open up the offshore cruising market to those on a smaller budget.

Like many of these classic hull designs, it had a further evolution too and became the Barbican 30.

The long cast-iron keel makes her sea- kindly, though unlike the Victoria and the Morgan Giles 30, it is bolt-on rather than encapsulated.

The transom-hung rudder extends the wetted surface area, but there’s enough sail area to make up for it.

The interior fit out is more basic than the Victoria’s and they command a lower price as a result.

Unusually for a boat of this size and era, there are no quarter berths. Instead, the coachroof comes well aft, giving a generous saloon with 6ft headroom throughout.

Although this results in a small cockpit, the upside of the lack of quarter berths is two generous cockpit lockers.

Everything on a boat of this size is a compromise, and in our infinitely varied British climate, prioritising space below decks, rather than above it, might be a good compromise to make.

Frequently described as a ‘go-anywhere’ boat, the Halmatic 30 is still achieving its original mission: to prove that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get your hands on a serious offshore cruiser.

Elizabethan 30

A larger sail area means good sail performance in light airs. Credit: David Harding

The only fin keeler in this selection, it seemed a shame to miss out this little gem.

Designed by David Thomas, the Elizabethan was originally designed as a RORC half-tonner so they’re a performance yacht with cruising capabilities, rather than the other way around.

David Thomas created some of the most successful cruiser-racers of the last 50 years including the Sigma 33 and 38, and British Steel Challenge 67s.

Like many of his other designs, the Elizabethan is robustly built and extremely seaworthy.

The layout below works well for cruising, though some boats were home finished with varying degrees of success.

The two full-length saloon berths make clever use of trotter boxes so as not to reduce the space in the galley or nav station; there’s a quarter berth to starboard and the usual V-berth forwards.

The cockpit is a good size with useful lockers, although to go up and down the companionway you’ll need to clamber straight across the traveller, which sits just outside the hatch.

There’s an active owners’ association which would be a good source of knowledge for those new to the boat or undertaking refits.

At almost 20% lighter than the Victoria 30 and sporting a larger sail area, they’ll be good in light airs and a whippet around the cans.

The real proof of the pudding is that Thomas kept one for himself and even came second in the Round the Island Race on her.

A versatile cruiser-racer which is often compared to the Contessa 32, but can be yours for a much lower price tag.

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Victoria A (ex: Ohana)

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VICTORIA A YACHT CHARTER

43.4m  /  142'5   perini navi   2004 / 2018.

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Cabin Configuration

Special Features:

• Supreme comfort and performance
• Drop-down swim platform
• Sunken cockpit for alfresco dining and entertainment
• Cool, modern interior styling
• Walnut and sycamore joinery with leather accents

Combining an incredible sailing performance, superb living spaces and exceptional facilities, luxury yacht VICTORIA offers a private yacht charter of a lifetime

The 43.45m/142'7" 'Victoria A' (ex. Ohana) sail yacht built by the Italian shipyard Perini Navi is available for charter for up to 12 guests in 5 cabins. This yacht features interior styling by Italian designer Cristiano Gatto Design.

For the ultimate sailing experience, Victoria A offers the perfect mix of luxurious living coupled with plenty of adventure once her sails are unfurled. Step aboard and experience the magic of a sailing yacht charter for yourself.

Guest Accommodation

Families will particularly love Victoria A thanks to her child-friendly setup. Built in 2004, She offers guest accommodation for up to 12 guests with a layout comprising a master suite, two double cabins and two twin cabins. There are 8 beds in total, including 1 king, 2 queen, 4 singles and 2 pullmans. She is also capable of carrying up to 8 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht charter experience.

Onboard Comfort & Entertainment

Victoria A benefits from some excellent features to improve your charter, notably Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to stay connected at all times, should you wish. You can stay comfortable on board whatever the weather, with air conditioning during your charter.

Performance & Range

Victoria A is built with a aluminium hull and aluminium superstructure. Powered by twin Deutz engines, she comfortably cruises at 11 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 13 knots with a range of up to 4,606 nautical miles from her 33,000 litre fuel tanks at 10 knots.

Onboard Victoria A has a range of toys and accessories to keep you and your guests entertained on the water throughout your stay. Principle among these is a Topper sailboat to bring out the explorer in you. Additionally, there are two waterskis that are hugely entertaining whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro. Discover the world beneath the surface of the ocean with the dive gear and compressor. If that isn't enough Victoria A also features a seabob, wakeboards, kayaks and paddleboards. When it comes to Tenders, Victoria A has you covered - with two tenders, including a 4.88m/16' Castoldi Jet Tender.

Based in the magical waters of the Mediterranean all year round Victoria A is ready for your next luxury yacht charter. Let Victoria A Discover the magical places, food and experiences of the the Mediterranean.

Luxury sail yacht Victoria A is one of a kind, offering world-class onboard amenities coupled with an overflowing toy box full of the latest water sports gear for unforgettable yacht charters wherever you are.

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Victoria A Photos

Amenities & Entertainment

For your relaxation and entertainment Victoria A has the following facilities, for more details please speak to your yacht charter broker.

Victoria A is reported to be available to Charter with the following recreation facilities:

• 1 x 4.88m  /  16' Castoldi Jet Tender
• 1 x Avon roll away Tender Yamaha 15 HP engine

For a full list of all available amenities & entertainment facilities, or price to hire additional equipment please contact your broker.

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For a full list of all available amenities & entertainment facilities, or price to hire additional equipment please contact your broker.

'Victoria A' Charter Rates & Destinations

Summer Season

May - September

€120,000 p/week + expenses Approx $128,500

High Season

€150,000 p/week + expenses Approx $161,000

Cruising Regions

Mediterranean Croatia, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, Turkey

HOT SPOTS:   Amalfi Coast, Corsica, Mykonos

Winter Season

October - April

This yacht is available for Corporate Yacht Charter and Events

Charter Victoria A

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Victoria and Albert [Osborne], HMY

Vessel summary.

Description

first British steam-propelled royal yacht; The Queen and Prince Consort made considerable use of this yacht with over twenty voyages to ports around the UK as well as a couple of visits to the Continent. In 1854 the name was changed to 'Osborne' after Queen Victoria's country house on the Isle of Wight. The yacht remained in service until 1867 and was broken up the following year.

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Symonds, William

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Queen Victoria's Visit to Falmouth, 1 September 1843

Her Majesty's Steam Yacht, the "Victoria and Albert"

To Her Most Gracious Majesty This Print of the Royal Yacht "Victoria and Albert", at Spithead, Monday Augt. 28th, 1843

The Cutter Yacht "Dagmar," 36 Tons R. Y. S.

Her Majesty Queen Victoria's Tour Thro The Fleet in the Harbour of Cork, on the 3rd of August 1849

H.M. State Yacht Victoria & Albert, leaving Gravesend with their Royal Highnesses the Prince & Princess Frederick William of Prussia, February 2nd 1858...

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Osborne, HMY

Published on June 19th, 2024 | by Editor

R2AK: Official finish line awards party

Published on June 19th, 2024 by Editor -->

The 8th edition of the 750 mile Race to Alaska (R2AK) began June 9 with a 40-mile “proving stage” from Port Townsend, WA to Victoria, BC. For those that finished within 36 hours, they were allowed to start the remaining 710 miles on June 12 to Ketchikan, AK. Here’s the Stage 2/Day 7 report:

Since R2AK1, the Alaska Fish House in downtown Ketchikan has served as landing pad for finishing racers, waiting room for loved ones and expectant fans, and supplier of camaraderie and “Welcome to Done” sustenance with some of the hands-down best fish and chips we have ever eaten.

On the night of Day 6, the Fish House hosted the 8th edition of the only official finish line awards party possible for a race whose finishers stagger in over a three-week period. But tonight, for a fleeting moment, the top four finishers were in the same room before scattering to the winds in the coming days.

Team Malolo was given their first-place winnings in the traditional form—100 crisp Benjamin Franklins nailed to a piece of firewood with an outlandishly large spike.

Why is this a tradition? Why is this firewood different from all other firewoods?

From the Book of R2AK, 1:15:

Race Boss said onto the masses, “We shall nail $10,000 to a tree in Alaska and see who gettest it.” And lo, they did race. Racers could not come to the tree, for there was much difficulty, and it was brought to them. And so it is written, and so it shall be.

Or something.

Less holy and closer to true, someone thought it was funny and it stuck. Eight years in and there’s $80K in US currency floating around with an R2AK-sized hole in Franklin’s nose.

In front of Ketchikan, god, and everyone, Team Malolo got the log and the money, Team Brio got the steak knives. Team Hullabaloo and Stranger Danger (the latter landed within minutes of the party starting) both held the impressive, empty honor of being the first teams to not win anything. To commemorate this, they were awarded with a bucket of nothing. An actual empty bucket. R2AK AF.

Insult to injury, they had to give the bucket back at the end of the night. It was on loan from the Fish House. Malolo got to keep the firewood. To the victors go the spoils.

It was a night of revelry between teams, families of teams finishing soon, local news, local fans, and at least a few members of the R2AK’s Tracker Nation who had flown in specifically to bask in Ketchikan’s finish line glory. And. It. Was. Glorious.

In the hours (minutes) that happened prior to their Fish House log/knife/bucket ascension, Teams Brio, Hullabaloo, and Stranger Danger had hit the dock, rang the “bell,” and started unpacking—first their stories, then their boats in the dockside boat belch of all the gear below on to the dock that seems de rigueur in the process of shifting from racing machine back to the real world. Stories piled out with similar frequency, all day:

05:19. Team Brio’s second-place finish can only be described as equal parts improbable, well-earned, and righteous. Team Brio was a pickup crew, built off of R2AK veterans Doug Walker (Team Swan Song, 2018) and Karl Krüger (Team Heart of Gold, 2017), the only person to successfully SUP the R2AK.

The two had been planning a joint effort for years, and found willing collaborators in wooden boat sailor turned nav software rep Daniel Joram and Great Lakes multihull technician Matt Scharl. Experience, talent, brains, and skill—a solid portfolio for your R2AK fantasy league draft. One catch: they’d never met.

That’s a lie. They did meet. It was Wednesday, two weeks ago. “The first time we were all in the same place was four days before the Port Townsend start.” To be fair, they did have a Zoom call prior to that. One.

We’re told that in the world of professional sailing, this might not be weird. Game recognizes game, and we’re told that for the grown dogs of the America’s Cup puppy mills, this type of assignment is some portion of normal. The jobs onboard pro-race boats are more or less known, there’s a common language, culture, and sets of expectations. You’re Cog Six, get to work.

To a person, Team Brio’s crew of mutts lacked both the pedigree and the training to muscle memory R2AK’s off-leash area, let alone any chance at Best in Show. Riding this metaphor until we have to have it fixed, when Team Brio shoved off for Stage One they didn’t even know if everyone onboard was housebroken, let alone if/how they would hang together when they were four days in, sleep-deprived in rough conditions (foreshadowing).

Then there was the boat. Doug and Team Swan Song Raced to Alaska on the same Corsair F-28CR in 2018, then put the boat on the trailer and hadn’t touched it since.

Mothballed boat, untested crew, what could go wrong?

Turns out, not much.

It could have been disastrous. Alchemists spent centuries trying to turn lead into gold, TikTok spent weeks turning Mentos and Diet Coke into face eruptions; there’s a rap sheet a mile long of failed experiments of thrusting dissimilar elements together in the quest for fame and fortune—especially in the R2AK. This thing is a proven accelerator for friendships. But also divorce.

Team Brio’s come-from-behind second-place finish is a testament to the fact that while you can’t conjure gold out of a sow’s ear, with the right attitude you can turn Spam into Musubi. Over their Race to Alaska, Team Brio didn’t just avoid self-destruction but learned, gelled, and musubied themselves from an also-ran anecdote to second place steak knives with authority. Their philosopher’s stone: trust in each other.

You can track their learning curve in their progress, catching then overtaking teams in the past few days. Seriously run it back, it’s fun to watch. Early in the race, still figuring it out. By the end, they were a well-honed machine, each crew member realizing which cog they were and turning in unison. Their words on the dock were for appreciation of each other.

“I spent 5 days and 14 hours learning what these sails were supposed to do.” By their accounts, Matt is a trimaran whisperer and a natural coach who tweaked and taught the rest of them. “No question, I’m a better sailor because of him. I just had a Clinic to Alaska.” A mathematically slower boat to several, they won on the strength of their crew

Team Brio’s hidden story is as vulnerable to tell as it is important. In 2018, Doug sailed as Team Swan Song as a 74-year-old with a fresh and aggressive cancer diagnosis. Swan Song wasn’t a hyperbole, it could have been his last. Five years later and he’s cancer-free, almost 80, and still able to rock the oars.

“I rowed at Syracuse, so I have the technique.” Doug is our oldest participant by years, and our oldest steak knife winner by 14. Seeing the spectrum of exhausted, much younger faces cross the finish line over the years, Doug’s near-octogenarian energy and joy, was palpable and inspiring. His quote from the finish line: “I haven’t really slept in 36 hours, but couldn’t possibly go to sleep now. I’m too wound up!”

09:11. Just hours later, Team Hullabaloo’s finish line was a markedly different scene. They finished, belled, beered, then the world fell away as they began a measuredly frenzied debrief with Team Brio about all the tacks and tactics that brought them to the finish line—and with good reason: these were teams in the tightest hand-to-hand combat to hit the beach this side of Normandy, but especially in this year’s race to date.

A day or so before, from Aristazabal Island to Dixon Entrance, Hullabaloo and Brio had locked horns in a tacking battle that was every bit as close in reality as it looked on the tracker. Thirty-seven tacks in 100 miles, they counted.

Tack, bait, cover, sail change, tack, cover, etc, for a full eight-hour night shift of upwind sailing. It was a close-quarter fight for the knives that is/will be discussed ad nauseam in the sailing world’s online forums for weeks. The difference between the armchair online chat and the docks yesterday—these guys were there.

On the dock, at the finish, the fusion of sleep-deprived adrenaline plus fresh memory recency yielded the kind of sailor-to-sailor chatter rarely experienced unless you were in the race. It was like hearing a debrief of the intricacies of D-Day, but no one died and it was just sailing.

To be dockside at 9 AM and change arrival of Team Hullabaloo’s finish was to be inside of a tactician’s waking wet dream.

If you love the details of sail trim, backstay tension, wind shift math, and helm positions, who should have beat whom if we used the standard racing handicaps, how those handicaps don’t matter in a sailing race that doesn’t care about them—especially in a year where teams biked for 20% of the course (150 miles!), you would have liked to be on the Ketchikan dock for the 57 conceptual minutes between Team Hullabaloo finish and breakfast. It was like Comic-Con for sailors, a bleary-eyed collaborative TED Talk in foul weather gear for the most informed.

Our livestream cut out before the juiciest dry bits, but if this turns your crank, you should demand a subject-matter-specific podcast from the two of them. #passingthebuck #neverstoplearning

17:36. Team Stranger Danger

If you’re still reading, consider us impressed. That was a lot, clearly you’re reading at or above grade level. Gold star.

You are out of attention, our keyboard is out of keys, and rather than lure you into the windowless van’s worth of Team Stranger Danger’s R2AK, we’re going to cliffhanger their part until tomorrow when they will likely share the written stage with Team Natural Disaster and possibly Team Narrows Minded. At time of writing both are rocketing north at the speed of stoned Tai Chi—1.8 knots. Team Natty D should be in sometime this evening, Narrows Minded sometime in the oui hours on June 20.

Sorry, and you’re welcome.

Event information – Entry list – Tracker

The 8th edition of the Race to Alaska (R2AK) returns again in 2024 for the 750 mile course from Port Townsend, WA to Ketchikan, AK.

Stage 1: The Proving Ground – June 9 start Port Townsend, WA to Victoria, BC (40 miles)

R2AK starts with an initial jaunt across open water, two sets of shipping lanes, and an international border. While not a race in itself, the Proving Ground is designed as a qualifier for the full race and as a stand-alone 40 mile sprint for people who just want to put their toe in.

Stage 2: To the Bitter End – June 12 start Victoria, BC to Ketchikan, AK (710 miles)

Racers start in Victoria at high noon and continue until they reach Ketchikan—or are tapped out by the sweep boat. Unlike the 2022 and 2023 races, the western side of Vancouver Island is no longer an option as the course has returned to the original format with two waypoints at Seymour Narrows and Bella Bella.

Source: R2AK

Tags: Race to Alaska

Related Posts

R2AK: A winner, nine years later →

R2AK: Living in liquid suspense →

R2AK: Not such a scary bedtime story →

R2AK: The day when Seymour yawned →

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Justice Clarence Thomas took more trips paid for by donor Harlan Crow, Senate panel reveals

FILE - Members of the Supreme Court sit for a new group portrait following the addition of Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, at the Supreme Court building in Washington, Oct. 7, 2022. Bottom row, from left, Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts, Associate Justice Samuel Alito, and Associate Justice Elena Kagan. Top row, from left, Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch, Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, file)

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Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin says his committee has uncovered at least three additional trips given to Justice Clarence Thomas by GOP megadonor Harlan Crow as part of the panel’s ethics investigation into the Supreme Court.

Durbin, D-Ill., said Thursday the committee obtained information from Crow that Thomas took three trips, and at least six flights, on Crow’s private jet in 2017, 2019 and 2021. The panel also found evidence of private jet travel during trips to Indonesia and California that Thomas recently disclosed in an amendment to a 2019 financial disclosure report.

The Democratic-led Judiciary panel launched the investigation last year after several reports that Thomas had for years received undisclosed expensive gifts , including international travel, from Crow. The committee has since pushed the Supreme Court to adopt a stronger ethics code as trips by Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito came to light, along with six-figure book deals received by other justices.

The new information “makes it crystal clear that the highest court needs an enforceable code of conduct, because its members continue to choose not to meet the moment,” Durbin said in a statement.

There was no immediate comment from the court on the Senate report. In the past, Thomas has maintained that he is not required to disclose the many trips he and his wife took that were paid for the Texas megadonor because Crow and his wife Kathy are “among our dearest friends,” Thomas said in an April 2023 statement that he was advised by colleagues on the nation’s highest court and others in the federal judiciary that “this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the Court, was not reportable.”

Thomas, 75, and his wife, Virginia, have traveled on Crow’s yacht and private jet in Indonesia as well as stayed at his private resort in New York’s Adirondack Mountains, ProPublica reported last year. ProPublica wrote that it could have cost more than $500,000 had Thomas chartered a plane and yacht himself.

Last week, Thomas said in his annual financial disclosure that Crow paid for a hotel room in Bali, Indonesia, for a single night in 2019, and food and lodging at a private club in Sonoma County, California, the same year. But he did not report the plane flights or the stay on Crow’s yacht.

In a statement released minutes after the Judiciary panel released its report, Crow’s office said he reached an agreement with the committee to provide information responsive to its requests going back seven years, “despite his serious and continued concerns about the legality and necessity of the inquiry.” The panel voted in November to authorize a subpoena for Crow as part of the probe, despite protests from all committee Republicans.

Crow, a longtime GOP donor based in Dallas, has maintained that he has never spoken with his friend about pending matters before the court.

The Judiciary panel said it will release a full report later this year. But among the details Durbin released Thursday were a 2017 trip Thomas took on Crow’s jet from St. Louis to Montana, along with a return flight from Montana to Dallas; round trip private jet travel in 2019 from Washington to Savannah, Ga., and a round trip flight on a private jet from Washington to San Jose, California, in 2021.

The committee said it also has evidence of private jet travel for the 2019 trip to Indonesia, along with documentation of the eight-day yacht excursion.

The justices adopted an ethics code in November, though Democrats say it is not strong enough because it lacks enforcement. The code treats travel, food and lodging as expenses rather than gifts, for which monetary values must be reported. Justices aren’t required to attach a value to expenses.

Starting last year, the justices also must report private plane travel that is given to them. Thomas has declined to report trips he took before those rules went into effect.

Associated Press writers Mark Sherman and Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this report.