ORCV Melbourne to Port Fairy

Warmer? Yes. Wetter? No.

Do you remember, Warming?

Then there was a thing called, Widespread?

A good friend, Andrew Roberts, read them and got to thinking. Being an Environmental Scientist, he then applied some of his skills an knowledge to the debate.

This is Andrew, with Caitlin Poulton, in the van at Apollo Bay.

He said to me, "Saw your 'Warming' post in the ORCV news about the benign Bass Strait weather for races. I've been doing a study on a site on Flinders Island over the last couple of years, which has involved some climate data analysis and thought some tech graphs and data might be of interest, see attached. The dataset is from the BoM Flinders Island Airport weather station, representing that part of Eastern Bass Strait. In our study, we had to look at climate data from the 1950's-2000's, including wind, temperature and rainfall:"

Temperatures - Mean minimums and mean maximums for two 25 year blocks, 1957-1982 and 1983-2008. "Mean maximum and mean minimum temperatures have slightly increased being consistently higher in the period 1983-2008 compared to 1957-1982."

Rainfall - average rainfall for two 25 yr blocks, 1957-1982, and 1983-2008. Average Rainfall is generally lower in the period 1983-2008 compared to 1957-1982. The higher temperatures and lower average rainfall shown in the dataset is consistent with modelled climate change predictions for SE Australia.

Winds - Mean Average wind speeds for 9am (green graph lines) and 3pm (blue graph lines) over 20-30 year blocks between 1962-2010. "The data shows average 9am and 3pm windspeeds between 1962-1990 that are actually lower than the average windspeeds recorded between 1981-2010 by around 5-6%. This is not consistent with anecdotes of a softer Bass Strait, maybe Huey has just gone soft around race time (although there are differences between October and January), or this is peculiar to East Bass Strait only, or the data range is too coarse although they do cover a fair range of the recent offshore racing periods." Ed. Yep. Huey hates us currently...

Andrew then added, "I am sitting here at Jan Juc, writing this to you and at the moment we have a howling SW gale outside and about a 4m storm swell running - it is classic Bass Strait tonight!!!" (March 24, 2011)

We have not seen Andy since Xmas, when he was on Tilting at Windmills, as he's got a baby due soon. He has managed to indulge his other passion, surfing, a bit of late, Getting some good waves though, so managing to stay in the soup, one way or the other. "Interestingly, an article appeared in The Age on March 25 about research that has found a significant increase in ocean winds and waves since 1985", Andy added the next day. You can go HERE to read it or a small snipet appears below.

Bridie Smith reports on an Australian study that has found the wind is blowing harder and the waves are higher across the globe. Published in the journal Science today, the research — the most comprehensive of its kind — used satellite data collected from 1985 to 2008.

The study was compiled by Professor Babanin,  colleague Stefan Zieger and Australian National University Vice-Chancellor, Ian Young. The trio established that between 1985 and 2008, global increases in wave height were most significant for extreme waves, which increased by an average of 7 per cent over the last 20 years. In equatorial regions the rise was 0.25 per cent a year, while in higher latitudes the rise was up to 1 per cent a year.

Professor Babanin said, "Temperature changes the global patterns of the pressure, pressure defines the winds, winds define the waves. It's all connected." 

So there you have it. It's windier of late - just not for us.... Many thanks to Andy for all his efforts to prepare this material for us.

PS. There are a few Sea Biscuits still available for trial - read about them HERE and then call the office.

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

	This is one hell of a tourist destination! Bring the shore crew - they'll love you for it and you'll get leave passes whenever you want from then on. No. Really. Promise.

ORCV Melbourne to Port Fairy

Spots!!!! Race to PF this Easter.

Right. Seems we all love spots, as Spirit of Dowunder got to King Island after putting the call out. Now it is Ninety Seven's turn. The Farr 47 that won the 2010 Melbourne to Launceston event and then got the IRC and PHS caps for the entire Xmas series has the spots (for you).

Here's the victorious crew from Christmas time, 2010.

Built by Boatspeed on the Central Coast in NSW, she was within one millemetre of the original Farr Yacht Design drawings and they earned a commendation letter from Farr for their troubles. I know, I have seen it.

So there you have it. In addition to the spots on your eyes from looking at the screen too long, you can also look to get one of the spots on Ninety Seven. The ORCV's Rear Commodore, Neville "Nifty" Rose is ready to help you get to PF this Easter. Call Nifty on 0412 459 271, to get onboard.

If it has windward components, like getting to Cape Otway often does, then this is one vessel you may like to be on...

PS. If you're worried about seasickness, our friends at Energy Force have given us a few extra Sea Biscuit bracelets just for this sort of emergency. Sally and Tanya can take care of that for you....

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

	This is one hell of a tourist destination! Bring the shore crew - they'll love you for it and you'll get leave passes  whenever you want from then on.  No. Really. Promise.

ORCV Melbourne to Port Fairy

Oi!!! Yes. You.

Yes. You. And No. It doesn't matter whether you're a skipper or a sailor.

If you have a boat, but not enough crew or your usual ride is not going and you want to boat tart it for the Easter break (just like He of the Countdown Timer), then we can help you!!! Yes. You.

He of the Countdown Timer is going to Port Fairy on the Dry White. You'll have to win on Handicap if want to collect more of these, pal!

So far, these boats are going and usually, it's about 20 that make the journey:

1. OR1 - yes, the Big Cheese is bringing the Dry White (couldn't help it...)
2. Pretty Woman - Roger and Michelle Wale looking to fill the Master SeaChef hat, now that Ingénue and The Secretary are on limited duties
3. Slinky Malinky - it's all upside for this mob...
4. Chikara Outlaw - she's for sale and you can see about that, HERE.

Right then. It's the penultimate gig for the season and one of the best, most scenic places you'll ever see. It's one hell of a race, too.

If you're in with a shot for a prize in the Offshore Championship (you can see where you're at HERE), then you really do need to get organised, then don't you? That means you, Alien, Escapade, Addiction, eXtasea and Magazan 53. Capiche... Matrix, White Noise and others are not forgotten, either.

It may have been as early as 1810 when a Whaler named, The Fairy, found the place and it then had a stint as, Belfast, when a town was drawn up to make use of its environs, but today, it is just plain nice. Forget the sordid past, where they killed all the whales and seals. It's now about a wonderful boardwalk, interesting cafes and quaint restaurants.

It's a visual feast and you cannot help but relax in the place.

True, the port is a bit shallow (still gets Chikara Outlaw in, however), but we've even got that issue covered now for super deep drafters. The Dash Backs mean they can just high tail it back to the Heads and the bosses ashore, mow the lawns, do the right thing, have had a yacht and still look like they never left the place. Cool or what?!

So. That's all bases covered. Call Sally or Tanya now to see how we can get you going and sticking your nose in it (Bass Strait you naughty things). Demtel shoppers, the number is 9689 1622. That number again, 9689 1622. OK! Yep. 9689 1622 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NoR and all the usual bits are available from HERE.

And yes, there will be more, just let me think it up first....

PS. There are a few Sea Biscuits still available for trial - read about them HERE and then call the office.

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

	This is one hell of a tourist destination! Bring the shore crew - they'll love you for it and you'll get leave passes whenever you want from then on. No. Really. Promise.

ORCV Melbourne to Port Fairy

(M2PF as part of the MMOC)

Moment in the Spotlight.

OK. Moment in the Sun then. So as part of the whole celebrity theme for M2PF this year, it would seem Mother Nature decided to join in and shine a little sun on the Port Fairy act. Here's the proof.

Port Fairy's millionairre's row.

Great time and place to have lunch.

Otis Redding!

The view from the supposed "cheap seats" for lunch.

Turning things to a nautical flavour, George and Robyn tie their boat back up after letting the inner boat leave, to which that they were rafted up to previously.

It was an array of masts, rigging, sails - and a McConaghy sticker. Bonus points!!!

Tony Warren and the Beyond Outrageous guys and girls were surveying the view.

Group shot. They were on their boat, just chillaxing and tidying up etc. Nothing stressful....

This is the kind of thing that Beyond Outrageous were taking in.

More boats n stuff

French or low country estuary type feel - if you did not know where you were...

Colours, colours - everywhere colours. Lovely Autumn sun...

Double bonus points - Ingenue displays their Entire Group sticker and Pretty Woman their McConaghy one. WooHoo.

Port Fairy has a strong maritime heritage born out of it's early days in whaling and sealing, then later for the goldrush and western districts pastoral development.

Here the historical society brings out the rescue boat their ancestors once used.

And surfboat rowers think they have it tough. Actually it is usually an eight oared vessel, but is still heavy. She has a small sail, as well, hence the rudder and sweep combination.

That very famous boardwalk. I hadn't seen it for around 15 years or so and even then, Tim Crespin and I had been in the cockpit of Bacardi soaking it all in and I was pretty soaked myself, so not sure how much I really saw anyway...

The harbour looks marvellous with our fleet adding to the colour of it all.

One of Chikara's crew heads back to the boat. They'd had a great tussle with Ninety Seven and Bill said "It was just great fun, the boat was doing 12 to 13 knots easily and all we had to do was steer and trim - a lot!"

So that concludes Port Fairy's 15 minutes for this year and the next event on the calendar is the last (but then Winter Series pops up). The Melbourne to Apollo Bay is on 15/5/10 and for the first time it is Cat 3 only - no +. Tell your club mates and let's get those who want to go and stick their nose in it out there in the blue!

By John Curnow