Boxing Day -
The best day to be on Sydney Harbour
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"Boxing Day is the
best day of the year to be on Sydney Harbour and the best boat
to be on belongs to anyone else" says skipper John
Boyce because the colourful start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht
Race attracts all the "once a year boaters"
on to the water. Both sides of the exclusion zone (reserved
to give the racing yachts clear passage and room to manoeuvre)
are "jam packed" with craft, all trying to get a better
view of the on water excitement.
It takes all John's skills, as a former yacht racing champion
and with more than 15 years experience as a charter skipper,
to position "Sydney Sundancer" right on the
start line for a clear uninterrupted view of the competing craft
as the starting gun is fired.
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Click on an image for an enlargement
Then, as the armada of spectator craft
surges forward, John maintains this exclusive position alongside the
racing yachts so that all guests aboard "Sydney Sundancer"
appreciate and almost become part of the action, as the crew of the
racing yachts frantically tack their vessels for best position in the
Southern Hemispheres most prestigious yacht race.
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The day begins with a short cruise
on Sydney Harbour before we take up our priority position (reserved
for charter boats) right on the start line for Australia's premier
Blue Water Racing Classic. Once the ancient muzzle loading cannon
is fired, signifying the start of this world famous event, we
follow the fleet of racing yachts to farewell them and wish
them bon voyage at the Heads of Sydney Harbour. Last
year was so exciting - we were in a perfect position to view
(almost become part of) the maxi's (the formula one racing yachts
of the world) competition. It was just so exciting (no other
words to describe it, so I just have to repeat them!)
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Click on an image for an enlargement
Having farewelled the fleet, we will
continue our cruise around Sydney Harbour before anchoring for a late
lunch accompanied by live entertainment from our "muso" who
is an expert guitarist and singer.
Two facts combine to make Boxing Day, the best
day of the year to be on Sydney Harbour !
The first is that John's navigational skills are exceptional (as all
the accompanying photographs show - click any photograph to enlarge
and sample the photographs you could capture on your camera simply by
joining in the fun and excitement aboard Sydney Sundancer).
He is able to manoeuvre Sydney Sundancer to the best position to view
the action that many guests, who own their own boats choose to leave
them on the mooring, so that they can enjoy this great day without the
stress!
Click on an image for an enlargement
And the second is that we all enjoy
a shipboard feast second to none - "Bon Appetit",
the American gourmet magazine, has written to John's wife, Lynne, requesting
one of her recipes for publication in the USA, so you can be assured
that the meal you will enjoy aboard will exceed your expectation and
surpass much of what is served in well known Sydney restaurants.(to
view the special "Sydney to Hobart" shipboard feast click
here)!
Needless to say, Boxing Day is an event, which becomes booked out
very quickly. Already, this year, a lot of people (who joined us in
previous years) have booked and paid, (we are nearly half full) so if
you would like to join us BOOK QUICKLY! Every year our
waiting list grows longer, and those on it are always disappointed to
have missed such a spectacular day. It is great value for money at $220
because it includes the sumptuous on board banquet, all beer, wine,
champagne and soft drinks, as well as the live entertainment.
Departure will be at 11.30 am (SHARP) from the Watson's Bay Ferry
Wharf and 12.00 noon from Clifton Gardens Jetty in Mosman, returning
about 5pm.
Parking anywhere on the waterfront on Boxing Day is always a problem
because of this spectacular event so you should make plans to be on
the wharf well ahead of departure time.
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