Looking at the weather at high pressure is crossing Victoria over the weekend. The fleet will have South Westerlies for the start, with the wind moving more south over Friday, once round Cape Otway the wind could come from all points of the compass with it finally settling in from the west, the models are not in agreement so watch this space.
The trip home is looking great with West to South westerlies on Sunday and Monday
Traditionally held over the Easter holiday, the race to the historic and picturesque western district town of Port Fairy is one of three coastal races conducted by the club.
The 135 mile course is often a race in two parts. The first takes competing yachts south-westwards past the coastal resorts of Torquay, Anglesea, Lorne and Apollo Bay before rounding rugged Cape Otway. The second part is from Cape Otway to the finish line where it is often possible to ease sheets for a reach or run.
All weather berthing is available in the Moyne River except for deep draft yachts which can anchor in the sheltered Bay. Excellent hospitality and meals are provided by the Port Fairy Yacht Club at the completion of the race.
One tradition in this race is competitors pledge donations to the Royal Childrens Hospital Good Friday Appeal during one of the morning mandatory radio Position Reporting scheds.
This race is part of the Offshore and Double Handed Championships.
Race documents have been uploaded, entries are open. Join our ocean fleet!
Since yesterday the wind has increased in strength a bit, the direction at the start will be South West at 6 to 8 knots, then shifting 20 degrees to the west and increasing 10 to 15 knots. By lunch time the wind will be a westerly
The boats will be tacking to Cape Otway and the 40 footers should reach the Cape by 3pm on Friday. From there it should be long tack. short take to Port Fairy. Friday night will see the wind clock more right and become a bit more shifty. The waves will increase in size as the days goes so helming will be critical to you success.
The Predictwind model has less wind than Meteye so it will be interesting to see which model is correct. Predictwind has the boats finishing between 2 am Saturday and the last boat should by home by lunchtime
Happy sailing, Don, Barbara and Sue from the ORCV will be on hand to welcome you into Port Fairy. The Port Fairy Yacht Club are all in readiness for the boats, so enjoy
Looking at the weather maps for weekend there is a very slow moving high pressure that will endure for the weekend. The race will start under south to south easterly winds of 8 to ten knots moving to a westerly and going to the west after that.
Looking at the Predictwind models they are in broad agreement that a Beneteau First 40 will be finishing early Saturday morning. So sailors we will keep you updated, but plan for light weather and you will need plenty of diesel to come home.
Weather Forecast for Melbourne To Stanley Yacht Race
Forecast at 1200 0n Friday 30/10/2015
So Overall things are looking set for a great race across to Tassie. The Predict wind models are all very consistent and you can see from the course tracks they are all following closely the rhumb line. The larger boats in the TP52 size should expect a fast trip arriving by Midday Saturday and maybe threatening the race record. The smaller boats in the Beneteau First 40 range will arrive around 1400 and the latest boats should be enjoying festivities by 2200. All in all a pleasant, fun and fast event for everyone in great conditions
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There are currently no warnings for the area between Queenscliff and Stanley for the next 24 hours.
The initial period will be controlled by a high pressure system located over Tasmania. Winds at the start of the race are predicted to be Easterly to South Easterly at 15-20 knots with some strengths to 25 knots. The swell will be from the south west at 1.5 to 2.0 meters. Seas will be 1-1.5m.
During Saturday winds will stay easterly at 10-15 knots increasing to 20 knots. Turning towards the NE in the late afternoon/evening as a trough approaches from South Australia. Swell will continue from the SW at about 1m with seas 1-1.5m.
As the high moves slowly west the following trough will begin its influence into Sunday and will bring winds from the W beginning during early Sunday around 10-15 knots and some chance of rain
So Based on the wind patterns we are expecting a very fast race across to Stanley. If these winds hold the race will break the record. Good luck and fast sailing to all yachts and crews.
3 Aquatic Drive, Albert Park VIC 3206 Ph. 0493 102 744 E. orcv@orcv.org.au