The Economic Boost from Sailing Regattas
Typical breakdown for a 42 foot boat with a crew of 10: New Sails $15,000 Incidentals chandlery other equipment $2,500 Extra Insurance $1,000 Entry fee $600 Maintenance during races $1,000 Accommodation and meals for ten crew plus five family members for 10 nights $15,000 (Based on $100 per person per day for accommodation and $100 per day per person for meals-drinks) On shore spending incidentals by 15 people $9,000 (Based on $60 per person per day for 10 days) Air fares for five family members to Airlie $1,500 Total spend for 42 footer with 10 crew and five family members$45,600 Estimation of spending in Queenslandfor Sailing Regattas Event N of Boats Average crew Estimated stay MeridienMarinasAirlieBeachRace Week 120 10 7 HamiltonIslandRace Week 200 10 9 Magnetic IslandRace Week 50 10 4 Hinchinbrook Regatta 30 10 4 Brisbaneto Keppel 50 10 4 Brisbaneto Gladstone 65 10 3 Total number of people 5150 Total number of days 31 Per person/per day spend (accom/meals/drinks/extras) $260 Per person spend over 31 days $8,060 Total spend for 10 crew per boat $80,600 By the total number of boats 515 x 80,600 $41,509,000 Boat preps of average $7000 per boat x 515 boats+$ 3,605,000 Wet weather gear and uniforms for crew 5,150 people at $100 +$515,000 Total estimated spend in Queensland from Sailing Regattas=$45,629,000
With tough times forecast for the tourism industry its encouraging to note that Sailing regattas in Queensland such as the Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race week contribute an estimated $45 million dollars to the state economy each year. 
'Russell McCart’s Night Nurse races at Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week'
Sail-World.com/ AUS © Click Here to view large photo
Meridien Managing Director and Rear Commodore of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Russell McCart said regattas contribute not only to the economy but to the promotion of the state.
"There are five major regattas in Queensland this year with visiting crew, friends and family members, many from interstate, spending up to ten days at each of the destinations. Apart from the money spent preparing the boats, the daily spend by crew and family is significant," Mr McCart said.
This year there are regattas at Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island Magnetic Island and Hinchinbrook (at Easter) as well as the Brisbane to Keppel and Brisbane to Gladstone races. The total number of boats involved is estimated to be well over 500.
"We expect up to 120 entries this year for the Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week and each of these boats can involve an average of 10 people per boat," said Mr McCart.
"The boat often stays at the destination for anything from four days at the Magnetic Island regatta to 10 or 15 days at either the Hamilton Island or Airlie Beach events."
Skippers preparing their boat for competition can spend thousands just to get their boats race ready. Most entrants go into competition with new sails, ropes and blocks to ensure equipment doesn't give up mid race.
2008 Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week entrant Brett Whitbread has one of the smaller boats but said his crew spend will be significant.
"I'll prepare the boat with two new sails, new rigging and will cost about $5,000 but bigger boats will spend up to $20,000 doing the same thing.
"We're a small crew so we have only five people spending money on meals and accommodation. Other boats will have up to 15 people. I estimate we'll contribute more than $20,000 during the week, I reckon others will spend $40,000 or $50,000," Brett said.
by Sean Rigby 
husksisson, NSW
