To renew your GFS membership for the 2019-2020 season (due from June 30), please login to our online membership portal directly at:
For more information on how the renewal process works please consult the membership information page at:
The Sailing Instructions support and modify the Racing Rules of Sailing.
There are two versions of the GFS sailing instructions a Cockpit and a Full version. The cockpit version is a quick reference when sailing. However, the FULL version has all the details and should be fully understood prior to racing.
Important Changes
SI 9 Courses – Saturday and Twilight Courses on separate sheets
SI 10 Starting Procedure – Twilight added to Handicap Start if ever required
SI 16 Abandoned Race – SMS will be sent as well as Website and Face Book page. The SMS comes from a strange number – do not reply
SI 21 Club Point Scores – clarification in line with TopYacht
SI 23 Handicaps– new boats not necessarily start on 1.000 for 3 races
SI 25 3 iii Spinnaker poles
SI25 Prohibited areas – Bradleys Head – leave to port and Onions Point – area between GFS buoy and shore is a prohibited area in Twilight races
As well be aware SI 20 Finishing Line – may be set as a transit read for details and locations
The Twilight Course Sheet for season 2019 – 2020 is now on the Yachts – Racing Information page or use the following link. Course numbers may be different from the previous season.
Saturday Down Harbour Series Race 3 is Saturday November 9. The entry list is on the Yachts – Results – Saturday Series page of this website.
Due to wind gusts today’s race is abandoned Saturday September 7.
If the current wind prediction for tomorrow holds true, racing at GFS will be ABANDONED.
Eligible entrants for Race 2 (Sept 7) of the 2019 – 2020 Spring Series are listed on the Yachts – Results – Saturday Series, page of the website.
The 2019 – 2020 Down Harbour Race 1 entry list is on the Yachts – Results – Down Harbour link.
A current eligible entry list will appear each week for both Saturday and Down Harbour Series Races
Financial members for the 2019 -2020 Season from Balmain Sailing Club, Drummoyne Sailing Club, Greenwich Flying Squadron and Parramatta River Sailing Club are invited to sail in The West Harbour Spring Series at no additional cost.
Race 1 of the 2019 West Harbour Spring Series commences this Sunday the 8th of September at 1400hrs.
In an attempt to achieve the best competition between ‘like-for-like’ boats we will now race in 4 Divisions.
Accordingly, as of this morning (Friday), we have updated the Sailing Instructions and the Course Maps.
Entry is via the Balmain Sailing Club website (Results tab) https://www.balmainsailingclub.com/
To book your ticket go to: https://www.revolutionise.com.au/lc12ftssc/events/44087/
At the Equipment Audit you will be asked to describe how you will retrieve a person who has fallen overboard.
This link is to a short information film by ‘Stormforce Coaching’ demonstrating two simple methods of recovering a person from the water when they have fallen overboard from a yacht. It initially involves using a jib sheet for the MOB to hold when next to the yacht then lifting them with the main halyard using a single or double loop around the MOB.
MOB – https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=YMicZuy0A8I
There are also a variety of devices available to buy to do this. The following link shows one of these devices in operation including how to navigate from various points-of-sail to return to the MOB. It is well worth watching by skippers and their crew.
Lifesling – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnhjOhWD4j0
Please note there are many other products available and more videos on YouTube.
Entries for the 2019 – 2020 Sailing Season are now open.
Before you race in either a Saturday or Twilight series or race at GFS you will need to enter your yacht online through the TopYacht Race Entry System. Once registered you will be able to enter events at GFS and other clubs or regattas.
Go to –https://www.topyacht.com.au/db/kb/1164
A help page for the TopYacht entry process can be found here: How to Enter a Sailing Event using the TopYacht Entry System . If your boat has joint ownership please read this.
Please be aware that the upcoming racing season commences on Saturday August 31 for the Saturday Yacht Series. Prior to racing you will require an Equipment Audit which will take place at the club on Saturday August 17 from 0900 to 1300 Hrs.
Twilight Series Equipment Audits will take place on Saturday September 21 and Sunday September 29.
Race Documents Required at the audit.
You will require the following documents on your yacht at the time of audit they are on the Yachts – Racing Information page or the following links.
Equipment Audit form completed by the owner or ‘person in charge’ .
Either GFS Sailing Instructions Full Version. Note changes are in red.
or condensed Cockpit Version of the GFS Sailing Instructions which is satisfactory for Equipment Audit compliance.
Proof of Insurance – minimum requirement is for valid third party liability insurance with a minimum cover of $10,000,000.
Safety Card
A downloaded copy of the Racing Rules of Sailing (electronic or hard copy) available on the SA website – https://www.sailingresources.org.au/class-assoc/racing-rules/
Sailing Australia Special Regulations (electronic or hard copy) available on the SA website – https://www.sailingresources.org.au/safety/specialregs/
After your Equipment Audit is complete
Prior to racing you must also upload your signed Equipment Audit Form and current Insurance details as PDFs (not larger than 2 MB each) to the TopYacht site (link above).
Courses – There are significant changes from last season – Saturday and Twilight courses are on separate sheets.
Saturday and Down Harbour Courses can be viewed and downloaded .
Twilight Course Sheet
A Skippers’ Briefing will be held at the GFS Clubhouse on Wednesday October 2. Skippers of Saturday yachts sailing prior to this briefing should make sure they are fully aware of all requirements listed in the GFS Sailing Instructions, Equipment Audit Form and Racing Rules of Sailing.
Season Programs
The full program for Yachts (Saturday and Twilight) is available on the Racing Information page.
Dinghy Classes (Sabots and Lasers) will find their Season Program on the Dinghies – Important Information page.
Well done to the GFS competitors in this year’s combined clubs winter series.
GFS was well represented by Passion X, Utopia and Avalon in Yellow Division 1; Saints III, Foxy, Jester and Vaka Totolo in Blue Division 2; Hasta La Vista, G-Whizz, Tana, StarElan and Conquista in Black Division 3; Mistress, Serendipity, and Capriole in Green Division 4.
Standout performances by Hasta La Vista, John Veale and crew, and Mistress, Ray Hand and crew, winning the Division 3 and 4 point-scores respectively.
All are welcome to attend the annual GFS Working Bee.
0900 Hrs – Saturday August 10
Welcome to the two new committee members elected at the GFS AGM on July 9.
Rob Hale replaces long serving Mark Rhodes as Building Manager and David Leslie replaces Julian Todd as Safety Officer.
The meeting also endorsed the appointment of Geoff Lucas (below) as GFS Patron for the next 3 years.
Photo courtesy David Edmiston
Roads and Maritime is conducting a state-wide audit of moorings from April 2019 that is being progressively rolled out across NSW. The mooring audits are conducted each year between March and September.
Before an audit is conducted, a letter will be sent to the registered mooring licence holder advising the licence holder that an audit of their mooring and vessel has been scheduled for the following month. The letter will contain information on what needs to be done to make the vessel and mooring apparatus compliant with the mooring licence conditions. A brochure with details of the mooring licence conditions will be attached to the letter.
Further information can be found – here
Mooring licence conditions – here
