Tide Lines
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday April 15, 2000
* Three cheers rang out around Bobbin Head last Sunday as more than 90 owners of historical Halvorsen boats gathered to celebrate legendary boat builder Harold Halvorsen's 90th birthday. From quaint 21-foot ex-hire boats through to Iain Murray's rebuilt 60-foot Tooronga and the 90-foot motor yacht Emma - the last big boat launched at the famous Halvorsen factory at Ryde - every crew lived it up in grand style.
* The romance of Halvorsen boats is so strong that Alan Smith, who trucked his 26-foot yacht Maud all the way from Adelaide for the Halvorsen cavalcade in Sydney, has decided to leave the boat here in what he considers its rightful home. In striking condition, the beautiful yacht was built in the '20s by patriarch Lars Halvorsen for 16-year-old Harold so he could join Sydney Amateurs and race on the harbour.
*The organisers of Newport's Sail Expo at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club are hoping office workers interested in sailing will swap their suits and ties for shorts and deck shoes for a corporate regatta on Pittwater on May 5. Up to 30 yachts, each with a skipper and deckhand, will gather for the race. Companies can enter at a cost of $35 a head. Details: 9999 0481.
* Available for charter is Bright Morning Star, America's Cup tactician and modern-day sailing mentor Hugh Treharne's boat. Fashioned from four layers of oregon and cedar, sheathed in fibreglass and epoxy resin, she is built to last. In full survey for off-shore sail-training and ready to cruise the world, the yacht has been to Lord Howe Island 15 times and cruised regularly along the eastern seaboard. Details: Hugh Treharne 9997 3036.
* Despite concerns about lack of sponsorship and conflicting events, the future of the Sunlover Holidays Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Race has been secured with the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's decision to run the event. Today, 42 yachts will line up at the start near Shark Island for the 470 nautical mile dash north. Line honours favourites include record-holder Brindabella, maxi Marchioness and Infinity III. Three yachts are using water ballast - Magna Data and RSL Com, both Open 60s, and Wild Thing.
© 2000 Sydney Morning Herald