3:13 AM Wed 29 Jul 2009 GMT
Pittwater sailor Henk Welleman went to the 2008 Sydney Boat Show for a look at all the new yacht models on the Cockle Bay marina and a unique Sydney 36CR cruiser racer with teak cockpit floor caught his eye.
Henk was attracted to the CR as he'd crewed aboard the Sydney 47CR Jem, that debuted at Hamilton Island Race Week several years ago with great success.
'With Jem, I saw a brand new boat with new owner, go from the truck to the winner's podium and with a fun bunch of guys and such a great sailing experience along the way.
'When I saw the 36CR at the boat show it reminded me of how successful the Jem campaign had been and what fun it was, and that was the motivation for me to have a go' Henk commented.
'Now I have my own version - Aileron - and with a great team of guys we are having the same fun times in this boat, and we are looking to be in the hunt for a similar result (as Jem's).
Aileron's first regatta was Skandia Geelong Week 2009, where she finished first in Division A Cruising.
Yesterday Welleman and Aileron took Division IRC 4 in the 24th Audi Sydney to Gold Coast race and was just 30 seconds, on corrected time, from a stunning overall win.
Welleman and his Aileron crew were beaten to the IRC crown by Ed Psaltis and Bob Thomas' very well sailed and campaigned IRC modified Farr 40 AFR Midnight Rambler.
Yesterday we were quick to speak to Henk before the celebrations became too serious.
He was all smiles. 'We had a great time, we are absolutely over the moon .....
'We headed well offshore, we ended up 70 miles out and the guys called it so well and we came in even later than planned. We figured we had to finish by 7 09:50 and went over the line a tad after 7.10 and it was a nervous wait to see if we had done it or not. In the end not, but it was great to be so close.
'The boat hung on really well to the bigger boats given we only had six on board; we needed more weight on the rail when we were offshore but that makes the result really special.
'It's just such an amazing first year anniversary for me.'
Henk's involvement in this race is like many skippers, as part of the migration to Audi Hamilton Island Race Week where last year Peter Sorenson's Sydney 36CR Philosopher's Club won the Audi IRC National Championship.
This year it seems Aileron may also be proving a force to contend with.
This great result for the 36CR comes just as Sydney Yachts is launching its new version of this very successful design - the limited edition Sydney 36CR-X Sport model.
According to Sydney Yachts Martin Thompson 'the Sydney 36CRX takes a proven great performing and winning design and makes it even better.'
Contracted by a current and very happy Sydney Yacht 36CR owner Andrew Hurt, the new model will be unveiled at this year's Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.
Hurt explains. 'The initial Sydney 36CR we had was aimed at social racing and family cruising. As is so often the case with teenage kids, the cruising didn't happen and racing became the priority.
'Ironically after doing a full review of the market place three years after buying my first Sydney 36CR, I came to the conclusion that the Sydney 36CR still was the most competitive and suitable boat for my sailing plans,' Hurt continued.
'So I sat down with Sydney Yachts and they were keen to take onboard everything I'd learnt from sailing the 36CR.
'Having had three 36CR's in the top ten of the 2008 IRC National Championship as well as taking first place, the further refinement to the design will continue their success. Nothing like making a good thing even better,' Hurt confessed.
Retaining the trademark qualities of the highly successful 36CR, the Sydney 36CR-X combines design and technological advancements with IRC modifications to deliver an even faster and more competitive racing yacht.
Delivering the same level of stiffness as the current model, the new 36CR-X design will weigh considerably less with reduced wetted surface area for faster downwind running and improved wave catching ability.
The boat will be slightly more orientated towards light air performance whilst maintaining the same righting moment for heavy air upwind speed and stability that Sydney Yachts is renowned for.
Over 20 Sydney 36CR's have been delivered in Australia and the USA in just over two years, making the Sydney 36CR the fastest growing model in the Sydney Yachts range.
With a solid history of delivering stiff, robust offshore racing yachts, Sydney Yachts continues to be the build of choice for clients seeking a true performance vessel with cruising functionality.
Sydney Yachts constructs a range of race-bred vessels with proven performance, style and strength.
Sailed across the globe from the southern ocean to the lakes of Chicago, the Sydney Yachts range includes the Sydney 32OD, Sydney 36CR, Sydney 36CR-X, Sydney 38OD, Sydney 39CR and Sydney 47CR.
Sydney Yachts will be displaying their highly successful Sydney 36CR at the 2009 Sydney International Boat Show, East Cockle Bay Marina, Berth 9 from July 30th - August 3rd.
This is your opportunity to view one of the most successful cruiser-racers in Australian history and to discuss the evolution in racing - the new Sydney 36CR-X.
by Brendan Maxwell
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Wilsons Promontory, VIC
Kitesurfing - Kites
Stand Up Paddle - Wave & Cruising Boards
