A Warm Welcome from the Port Fairy Yacht Club

Hi Port Fairy race entrants,

Firstly a big welcome to all the entrants in the Port Fairy yacht race from myself and all our committee and members of the PFYC.

We realize the challenges in racing to Port Fairy and want to make this a rewarding experience for all that arrive in our harbour. The PFYC has hosted and competed in this event for many years, and will reinstate our reputation as a great host club this year and into the future.

What we will offer is as follows,

We will allocate berths for each yacht and will have tenders and rescue boats to guide you in from the river mouth. We have charted depths and berths will be allocated accordingly. High tide on the Saturday is around midday so boats with a draught of 2.5 meters or more will need to come in at 3/4 tide. We will determine the timing of entry. We can get yachts with a 2.8 meter draught into the river but it must be at high tide at 1.20 on Saturday 8th. Yachts can anchor in the bay subject to weather then be escorted in on the tide if necessary.

On arrival, and when tied up, we will provide some vouchers to be swapped for some drinks at the club and invite you to stay for the Saturday night BBQ. We will have bacon and egg rolls and a good hot coffee available for sale in the club during the morning and BBQ snags and burgers during the day.

The evening meal starts from 6.30pm and will be an assortment of spit roasted local meats, local potatoes and assorted salads. This can be plated or in rolls. Cost will be 25.00 per head. We would appreciate it if those wanting a meal could email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by close of business today with your numbers. This will assist greatly with catering. We don’t require pre-payment and there is no commitment if you don't make it here just order when you do via the bar. We do hope to also host the race presentation at 8pm on Saturday.

We will have live music performing during the evening and fire pits on the lawns.

The bar will be open during the day and evening with drinks at club prices. I see Foggy dew is entered so we will have plenty of Guinness for you this year boys. You blokes corrupted us last time you visited, Guinness is a staple in our bar these days.

If any yachts and crew are interested in staying on in the port you are more than welcome. The cost 38.00 per night for extended stays. This also gives you the opportunity to leave the yacht here and pick favourable weather to return home.

We are very excited to host this race once again and look forward to you all arriving in our Port and our club.

Regards and safe sailing

Stuart Pyers
Commodore PFYC

Trackers

Trackers are being distributed to yacht club offices, please pick them up on Thursday in case the club is closed. Don’t forget to turn on your trackers early on Friday as you head to the start line. You can check they are working by looking at the race page here https://race.bluewatertracks.com/2023-port-fairy-race

Trackers are required to be dropped back to the ORCV office by midday Thursday 13th April.

Photos

You know the deal if the weather permits, we’d love some photos just send them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via facebook messager to the ORCV page.

Berthing

Please use Channel 73 upon arrival for communication with PFYC. After you finish, arrangements for entry will be determined which is tide dependent. Each yacht will be met by the PRYC orange coloured rescue boat and directed to follow as closely to navigate the entry into the river and onto your berth.

Please ensure you carry fenders. Fender boards can be supplied by PFYC.

Entry to Moyne River

Tides at Port Fairy are as follows:

Easter Saturday 8th :

• High 0028hr , 0.78m Low 0630hr , 0.17m
• High 1318hr , 1.03m Low 1937hr , 0.40m

Easter Sunday 9th

• High 0037hr , 0.77m , Low 0646hr , 0.13m
• High 1345hr , 1.08m , Low 2000hr , 0.47m

Water depth at the mouth of the river is 2.2m minimum at low tide, so yachts will be escorted in at the following tide heights.

• Alex-Team Macadie Draft 2.6m Tide +0.40
• Alien Draft 2.5m Tide +0.30
• Another Chapter Draft 2.6m Tide +0.40
• Foggy Dew Draft 2.5m Tide +0.30
• Jaffa Draft 2.6m Tide +0.40
• Joker on Tour Draft 2.9m Retractable keel
• White Spirit Draft 2.8m Tide +0.60
  
  

PFYC Activities

On both Saturday and Sunday morning, there will be a commercial coffee van at the club. Egg and bacon rolls are also avaliable for $8 each and hamburgers $10 each on Saturday early am to mid afternoon and Sunday early am to midday.

We hope to host the presentation dinner on Saturday night with a meal commencing at 6.30pm. Tickets for all food and tickets for booking for the dinner will be able to be purchased at the club bar .

Tickets for a raffle of cooked cray fish will also be available from the bar

In addition to activities in the main club room , two marquees will be set up in the club courtyard to provide shelter for outdoor activities. Weather permitting, fire pits will be set up on the bank of the Moyne river in front of the club

Live music will be provided by two bands on Saturday 3pm to 6pm and 6.30pm to 9pm .

The ORCV presentation is proposed for Saturday 8pm or at a time SMS via the Race Directors and will be held in the main club room

ORCV Membership

If you aren't already a member, there are still enough races left to gain excellent value from your membership.  Your skipper will welcome this as will the club for reducing the administration on both.  Join by the end of Easter and we will credit your crew fees invoiced for this race. Support your crew, skipper, and club by joining the ORCV. 

Moyne River at Night, PFYC on the left Photo Robert Blackburn