Meet Luca - Sailability Middle Harbour
Luca has been sailing with Sailability Middle Harbour for many years. The joy he gets from sailing and his infectious laugh would make the saddest person happy. Luca has been blind from early childhood, and started learning Braille in Primary school. He is now 22 years old and makes handmade Braille greeting cards, helps businesses who want, for example, a Braille menu and has provided Braille signs for organisations such as the Manly Art Gallery. His business is called Braille by Luca. He also presents Braille workshops for schools and other groups. Luca’s passion is to help create a world accessible to all!
Hello MHYC members. We are on a recruitment drive for more volunteers.
We are sailing again on Sunday 8th September. If you are interested to see what we do please call by anytime between 9am and 11.30am. If after observing how we operate you think this activity is for you we’d be delighted to welcome you!
Who are we?
Sailability Middle Harbour (SMH) is one of the 25 NSW programs of Sailability NSW. As such, we aim to fulfill Sailability NSW’s mission which is to “facilitate participation in sailing and boat usage at social, recreational and competitive levels for people with disabilities regardless of age and level of disability.” Our SMH sailors have physical and/or intellectual disabilities and the age range is 8 to 65 years old.
We have teenagers and adults of all ages volunteering. Some of our volunteers are skippers. Other volunteers operate the safety boat or distribute and clean life jackets and slings or crane those that need it into the boats. Many volunteers do a bit of everything and of course there is always time for a coffee!
What do we do?
We take the sailors out on Hansa 303 boats which are two-person dinghies and steered with a joystick. The ballasted centreboard provides stability and reefable sails makes sailing very safe in most conditions.
When do we sail?
We sail every second Sunday of the month and every last Sunday of the month. We begin rigging the boats at 8.00 am for a 9.00 am start and finish about 12.30. Some volunteers stay for the whole time and others donate just a couple of hours. We are a very flexible and friendly group and you do not need to commit to every sail. We all just turn up when we can. You can choose to be part of the deck crew or skipper or do a bit of both.
Interested?
You can contact Sally O’Neill on 0411 886 539 or just turn up on a Sunday and have a look at what we do. You will find us on the hard stand at MHYC.
More information about Middle Harbour Sailability can be found on our website.
Opening Day on September 21
Middle Harbour Yacht Club's Season Opening for 2024-2025 will be held on Saturday 21 September, celebrating the beginning of another exciting year of sailing.
The schedule for the day includes:
- 10.30am Brunch in the Harbour View Room
- All day Zhik MHYC Merchandise pop-up store
- 11.00am Welcome
- 11.30am – 12.15pm Sail Past.
- 12.30pm Commodore's Front Up! Cup
- 12.30 – 4.00pm Melges 20 Sailing
- 4.00pm Keelboat Presentations including Matt Pyne Cup for Best Dressed Boat & Crew
- Live Music and Food until 6.00pm
- Cruising Group Get-Together
- Enter the Lucky Members Draw to win a Zhik Sailing Jacket!
All members and friends are invited to join in the festivities - dress in your best red and white!
To download the Information Flyer - click here
To download the Sail Past Instructions - click here
To download the Commodore's Front Up! Cup Sailing Instructions - click here
Sydney Harbour Sprints Winter Series concluded
The Sydney Harbour Sprints Winter Series concluded on July 27 in a virtual glass out. Two races were completed before the Race Committee had to call a halt to racing with not a breath of breeze.
Congratulations to Winter Series winners Contentious (Brian Lees) for Division 2 and Innamincka (John Crawford) in Division 3 on ORC. Artemis (Tracy Richardson) claimed the Division 2 PHS win.
To view the race and series results - click here
Photos by Paula Beaumont
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Combined Clubs Sunday Series announced
Middle Harbour Yacht Club and Manly Yacht Club have jointly announced a Combined Clubs Sunday Series that will get underway on September 8 and conclude in April.
Both clubs are pooling their race management experience and resources to conduct the new series which will comprise eleven races over seven race days with a combination of passage races and windward-leeward sprints. Three sprint races are scheduled for each of the two sprint days.
All races will be scored on ORC, IRC and PHS for Division 1 and on ORC and PHS for Division 2.
Competition is looking strong with a variety of classes expected to enter, including a group of 40 footers.
Two Beneteau 40.7s, Neil Padden’s Wailea and Graeme and Chris Lee’s Farr N Away, are likely to challenge Mondo, the CYCA Winter Series winning Sydney 38 of Lisa Callaghan and Stephen Teudt along with Rob Carr and Stephanie Cook’s King 40 Jambo.
Greg Wilkins/Jan Bartel's Archambault 32, Esprit, is well sailed and Kia Kaha, the Julian McPherson/Andrew Watts Young 88, is also fast..
The J/24s will be well represented with Innamincka (John Crawford), Kaotic (Catherine Rofe) and Ace (David West) already in the mix.
The clubs look forward to this new series bringing together the Middle Harbour and Manly fleets along with those from other clubs for some great racing on Sunday afternoons.
For information about the Combined Clubs Sunday Series and to enter, visit the Middle Harbour Yacht Club event webpage.
Photos by Andrea Francolini:
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MHYC Women’s Regatta Rescheduled
in the Sydney Harbour Womens Keelboat Series
Photo by Marg Fraser-Martin
Middle Harbour Yacht Club has announced the postponement of the MHYC Women’s Regatta which was scheduled for August 3 this year.
The club was looking forward to introducing a new format in 2024 since re-establishing its fleet of Melges 20 training boats.
“Our aim was to change to a series of short races with a round robin and final series in lightweight sportsboats,” said Sailing Committee Member Katie O’Mara.
“Provided one-design equipment will enable a more diverse group of women to participate and the short course racing format will be more exciting and engaging.”
“Unfortunately, we could not complete the refurbishment of the boats in time for this season but are excited to have locked in two regatta dates for 2024-2025.”
“The MHYC Women’s Melges 20 Regatta will be held on Sunday the 3rd of November and the MHYC Womens Regatta for mixed keelboats and one-design classes is scheduled for Saturday the 10th of May,” said O’Mara.
MHYC has an active group of women sailors who participate in every aspect of the sport and club life. The club’s program includes a Women’s Twilight Helm Series and MHYC members have performed well in the Sydney Harbour Women’s Keelboat Series.
To keep up to date with the MHYC Women’s Regattas, visit https://mhyc.com.au/sailing/regattas-championships/mhyc-womens-regatta
Subscribe to MHYC’s Women’s Newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/4f284c83fd5a/mhyc-womens-sailing-mc
If you would like to know more about how to get involved in sailing at Middle Harbour Yacht Club, contact Catherine, KJ or David in the Sailing Office via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone direct 02 8969 3103.
MHYC sailors in the Queensland regattas
Two of the three major northern regattas have now been completed and Magnetic Island Race week is getting under way. Yachts on the MHYC register represented well and there are many members sailing on a range of yachts. Conditions have been mixed but with several very light wind days so far.
Airlie Beach Race Week
Gordon Ketelbey’s TP52 Zen contested the Rating Division 1 on IRC and finished second overall after 7 races. In the Trailable & Sports Boat Division, Justin Brownbill’s MC38 Botany Access finished 6th on PHS within a strong and varied fleet.
ABRW Results – https://www.abrw.com.au/race-info/race-results
Hamilton Island Race Week
In the Rating Gold/White Division, Ian Box and the XP44 Toy Box 2 finished 3rd on IRC while Garth Riley, sailing the Adams 10 Wazza Red Boat as an Manly YC entry, finished 1 point ahead to claim 2nd place. In rating Gold/Black, Gordon Ketelbey also finished 3rd with Zen on IRC and TPR. Justin Brownbill’s Botany Access was 4th on PHRF in the Super 40 Division and 6th on IRC.
In the Hamilton Island Light Blue Division of 11 boats, Walter Carpenter’s Caol Ila finished 3rd and Rob Aldis & Peter Byford’s Daguet 2 were 5th on EHC after 6 races. MHYC’s Vice Commodore Racing Mitch White helmed Gin & Tonic into 2nd.
Andy Fairclough and Flying Cloud claimed 4th overall in the Hamilton Island Orange Division while Laurie McAllister’s Zeusus finished 11th and Mark Downey’s Smitten was 18th in the Non Spinnaker Division.
HIRW Results - https://www.topyacht.net.au/results/2024/hirw/index.htm
Magnetic Island Race Week
Racing gets underway on Friday and we wish Rob Reynolds well with his chartered Farr 40 Bobby’s Girl along with Gordon Ketelbey and Zen completing a full set of regattas.
MIRW Results - https://www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au/results
Airlie Beach Race Week photos by Andrea Francolini, Hamilton Island Race Week photos by Salty Dingo
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Sailability Middle Harbour - Volunteers Wanted
Hello all MHYC members. Sailability Middle Harbour is on a recruitment drive for more volunteers. 
We had a fabulous sail two Sundays ago and a pod of dolphins added to the fun!
We are sailing on the second and last Sundays of each month. If you are interested to see what we do please call by anytime between 9 and 11.30. If after observing how we operate you think this activity is for you we’d be delighted to welcome you as part of our volunteer team! Below is further information about Sailability Middle Harbour.
Who are we?
Sailability Middle Harbour (SMH) is one of the 25 NSW programs of Sailability NSW. As such, we aim to fulfill Sailability NSW’s mission which is to “facilitate participation in sailing and boat usage at social, recreational and competitive levels for people with disabilities regardless of age and level of disability.” Our SMH sailors have physical and/or intellectual disabilities and the age range is 8 to 65 years old.
We have teenagers and adults of all ages volunteering. Some of our volunteers are skippers. Other volunteers operate the safety boat or distribute and clean life jackets and slings or crane those that need it into the boats. Many volunteers do a bit of everything and of course there is always time for a coffee!
What do we do?
We take the sailors out on Hansa 303 boats which are two-person dinghies and steered with a joystick. The ballasted centreboard provides stability and reefable sails makes sailing very safe in most conditions.
When do we sail?
We sail every second Sunday of the month and every last Sunday of the month. We begin rigging the boats at 8.00 am for a 9.00 am start and finish about 12.30. Some volunteers stay for the whole time and others donate just a couple of hours. We are a very flexible and friendly group and you do not need to commit to every sail. We all just turn up when we can. You can choose to be part of the deck crew or skipper or do a bit of both.
Interested?
You can contact Sally O’Neill on 0411 886 539 or just turn up on a Sunday and have a look at what we do. You will find us on the hard stand at MHYC.
More information about Middle Harbour Sailability can be found on our website.
MHYC 2024-2025 Season Preview
Middle Harbour Yacht Club’s 2024-2025 Sailing Program has now been published.
With the aim of maintaining an active racing program and appealing to a variety of interests, the club held discussions with yacht owners and crew, class associations and the other harbour clubs. As a result, a number of changes and new initiatives are being introduced.
Saturday Sailing
The number of Sydney Harbour Combined Clubs Inshore Series races have been increased to ten this season and each one will be included in the club Annual Pointscore. Sailed from September to March, the Combined Clubs Inshore Series (CCIS) provides great racing with yachts from all around the harbour.
This will be the second year of the Sydney Harbour Sprint Series, aimed at attracting entries from other clubs while providing an exciting format for club boats. Three windward-leeward races are scheduled for each race day with Spring Series racing planned in October, November and March followed by the Winter Series in May, June and July. Starts will be provided for Divisions 1, 2 & 3 with One Design results extracted for classes with four or more entries.
The club’s fun and popular Feature Events program remains at eleven races for the coming season with an event every month except August.
MHYC’s 2024-2025 Inshore Pointscore Series will include races from the Combined Clubs Inshore Series and the Sydney Harbour Sprint Series – Spring, along with a standalone inshore race. All races will be scored on ORC, IRC and PHS for Divisions 1, 2 & 3.
Sunday Sailing
MHYC is collaborating with Manly Yacht Club to establish the Combined Clubs Sunday Series this season. Eleven races are scheduled over seven race days with a combination of passage races and sprints. Races will be scored on ORC, IRC and PHS for Division 1 and on ORC and PHS for Division 2. We look forward to this new series bringing together the Middle Harbour and Manly boats, along with those from other clubs, for some great racing on Sunday afternoons.
Wednesday
The Pacific Rigging Wednesday Non-Spinnaker Pursuit remains a very popular activity at MHYC. Fifty races are scheduled across the four series for next season.
Thursday
The Thursday Twilight Non-Spinnaker Pursuit Series will include twenty four pointscore races next season. There will be a non-pointscore on October 3 followed by eleven races in the Pre-Christmas Series and thirteen races in the Post-Christmas Series. Six of these races will make up the Smithy’s Waterproofing Women’s Twilight Series. A series of Theme Nights are also planned with special food offerings and prizes. Starts and finishes will be on the water in Hunters Bay, Balmoral, to avoid congestion within the Spit Channel.
Friday
Introduced last season, the Friday Twilight Fleet Racing Series has been increased to thirteen races for 2024-2025. Fleet starts in the vicinity of Grotto Point will be provided for two divisions of yachts using spinnakers and a non-spinnaker division. With races held about every two weeks, the aim is to make this a fun and social end to the working week.
Regattas
MHYC will again conduct the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship on November 23 & 24, and the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta on March 1 & 2 next year. The club will also deliver a series of MC38 Acts throughout 2024-2025, including one, two and three-day events. The Adams 10 Australian Championship will be held in February.
Sailing Schedule and Race Documents
The Sailing Committee, Divisional Representatives and Sailing Office have been busy over the past couple of months developing the schedule of races and reviewing all the race documentation after the feedback received earlier in the year.
The season schedule, in both PDF and filterable Excel format, is available for members to download and start planning their season - click here
The Season Notice of Race, Schedule and Series Sailing Instructions are published to the Keelboat Racing Noticeboard - click here
The 2024-2025 Sailing Handbook will be available from Reception before the end of August.
MHYC Senior Member's Luncheon
It was another great day for the Senior’s Lucheon where members who have been with us for more than 20 years get together once again. The club was just buzzing.
50+ years Members 20+ year Members
This year our guest speaker was Patrick Delaney, the Foxtel Group CEO as well as a Board member at MHYC. He is also not a bad sailor having won a National Adam’s 10 championship in 2016 and the Club Adam’s 20 championship 3 times with his beloved Powderhulk. He currently sails with boat partner Brent Lawson on their Farr40- BLUETACK.
Patrick talked about his involvement in turning around Foxtel and compared it with the recent transformation of our club.
As usual we presented badges to members who had crossed over each of the membership milestones.
Looking forward to an even bigger year next year. I managed to capture a few new members for the organising committee and we are even looking at changing the name of this exclusive group!
Story and Photos by Julie Hodder
Photo: 50 Year Plus members
Mike McEvoy, Gary Gietz, Frank Banks, Michael Green, Glen Attersall, Paul Wotherspoon, Richard Hurley, Keith Le Compte (50 years this year), John Needham, Peter Sorensen and Lloyd Bennett.
The Last Members
Entry Open for MHYC Season 2024-2025
Middle Harbour Yacht Club members and visitors are invited to enter the club’s lively sailing program.
With the aim of maintaining an active racing program and appealing to a variety of interests, some updates to existing series and new initiatives are being introduced for 2024-2025.
Saturday Sailing
The number of Sydney Harbour Combined Clubs Inshore Series races have been increased to ten this season and each one will be included in the club Annual Pointscore. Sailed from September to March, the Combined Clubs Inshore Series (CCIS) provides great racing with yachts from all around the harbour. ENTER HERE
This will be the second year of the Sydney Harbour Sprint Series, aimed at attracting entries from other clubs while providing an exciting format for club boats. Three windward-leeward races are scheduled for each race day with Spring Series racing planned in October, November and March followed by the Winter Series in May, June and July. Starts will be provided for Divisions 1, 2 & 3 with One Design results extracted for classes with four or more entries. ENTER HERE
The club’s fun and popular Feature Events program remains at eleven races for the coming season with an event every month except August. ENTER HERE
MHYC’s 2024-2025 Inshore Pointscore Series will include races from the Combined Clubs Inshore Series and the Sydney Harbour Sprint Series – Spring, along with a standalone inshore race. All races will be scored on ORC, IRC and PHS for Divisions 1, 2 & 3. ENTER HERE
Sunday Sailing
MHYC is collaborating with Manly Yacht Club to establish the Combined Clubs Sunday Series this season. Eleven races are scheduled over seven race days with a combination of passage races and sprints. Races will be scored on ORC, IRC and PHS for Division 1 and on ORC and PHS for Division 2. We look forward to this new series bringing together the Middle Harbour and Manly boats, along with those from other clubs, for some great racing on Sunday afternoons. ENTER HERE
Wednesday
The Pacific Rigging Wednesday Non-Spinnaker Pursuit remains a very popular activity at MHYC. Fifty races are scheduled across the four series for the 2024-2025 sailing season. ENTER HERE
Thursday
The Thursday Twilight Non-Spinnaker Pursuit Series will include twenty four pointscore races next season. There will be a non-pointscore on October 3 followed by eleven races in the Pre-Christmas Series and thirteen races in the Post-Christmas Series. Six of these races will make up the Smithy’s Waterproofing Women’s Twilight Series. A series of Theme Nights are also planned with special food offerings and prizes. Starts and finishes will be on the water in Hunters Bay, Balmoral, to avoid congestion within the Spit Channel. ENTER HERE
Friday
Introduced last season, the Friday Twilight Fleet Racing Series has been increased to thirteen races for 2024-2025. Fleet starts in the vicinity of Grotto Point will be provided for two divisions of yachts using spinnakers and a non-spinnaker division. With races held about every two weeks, the aim is to make this a fun and social end to the working week. ENTER HERE
Regattas
MHYC will again conduct the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship on November 23 & 24, and the Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Harbour Regatta on March 1 & 2 next year. The club will also deliver a series of MC38 Acts throughout 2024-2025, including one, two and three-day events. The Adams 10 Australian Championship will be held in February.
MHYC Sailing Schedule and Race Documents
The season schedule, in both PDF and filterable Excel format, is available for members to download to assist with planning their season - click here
The Season Notice of Race, Schedule and Series Sailing Instructions are on the Keelboat Racing Noticeboard (Feature Event SIs will also be published there) - click here
The 2024-2025 Sailing Handbook is now available from Reception or to download – click here
Skippers Briefing
The Annual Skippers Briefing will be held via Zoom Videoconference on Thursday 12 September at 7pm. It is compulsory for a representative of each boat who will be racing during the season to attend. Transport for New South Wales Maritime will provide a safety briefing and this will be followed by an outline of the new season's program highlighting changes for the 2024-2025 series. There will be the opportunity to ask questions. To register your boat's representative/s, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
More Information
If you have any questions, please call the MHYC Sailing Office (Wednesday to Saturday) on 8969 3103 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Vale Phil Clinton
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Phil Clinton, a long standing and valued senior member of the Middle Harbour Yacht Club community. Phil's deep commitment to sailing and his extensive contributions to the club for more than five decades have left an enduring legacy.
Phil Clinton's association with MHYC began almost 60 years ago, and throughout this time, he has held numerous roles that have significantly shaped the club's culture and its operations. From 2010 to 2015, Phil served as the Vice Commodore of Racing. During his tenure, he chaired the Sailing Committee and was instrumental in implementing several key initiatives from the Sailing Strategy Plan. These initiatives included the "Meet and Greet" nights, which simplified connections between skippers needing crew and members eager to sail, and the MHYC Mentoring Program, which brought experienced sailors on board to help crews and skippers enhance their skills.
Phil's involvement with MHYC extended beyond his term as Vice Commodore. He was an important member of the Race Management Team, frequently seen on the water as part of the starters and volunteer teams. His roles as a Club Judge, Safety Auditor, and PHS Handicapper demonstrated his commitment to ensuring that races were conducted safely and fairly. For over a decade, Phil also served as the Crew Board Manager during Thursday Night Twilight Sailing, where he helped new crew members find boats and boat owners find crew.
Phil's passion for sailing was deeply rooted in his family's maritime heritage. His grandfather was a ship's captain, and his father, Andrew Clinton, was a distinguished sailor and former Vice Commodore of MHYC. Phil's own sailing career included participating in six Sydney Hobart Yacht Races and numerous offshore races. Among his many club racing achievements, he particularly cherished the memory of finishing 10th from 119 starters in the 1982 Sydney Hobart Race on the famed 50-footer Casablanca.
After retiring from offshore racing, Phil continued to sail competitively with various crews, including on the Farr 30 2Excess and the Kernan 44 Swish. He later sailed with Bob Cox on 9 Dragons, enjoying the camaraderie and competitive spirit of yacht racing.
Phil's contributions to MHYC were not limited to his sailing expertise. After completing his term as Vice Commodore, he joined the Board of MHYC, where he represented the Board at Sailing Committees and supported volunteers and senior members. His efforts to adopt a welcoming and supportive environment at the club were deeply appreciated by all who knew him.
Phil Clinton was more than just a dedicated sailor; he was a cornerstone of the MHYC community. His kindness, generosity, and unwavering commitment to the club's values have left an indelible mark. The friendships he forged and the initiatives he championed will continue to benefit MHYC for years to come. In Julie Hodder’s own words “I will miss him a lot. He was true gentleman”. Words that will be echoed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Phil and his family have been integral members of MHYC for many years. We extend our deepest condolences to them during this difficult time.
Phil's dedication will forever be remembered at MHYC. Fair winds Phil you have been an inspiration.