sydney to hobart yacht cost

2023 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

Race on ‘merit’, race onboard the volvo 60 ‘merit’ in the world-famous classic rolex sydney to hobart yacht race..

Be part of the crew on a thoroughbred racer – you’ll be fully involved in sailing the boat.

*** This is not a commercial charter. Michael Schwarzel is campaigning the boat privately. Each crew member contributes to the cost of participating in the event: individual contribution is $9.9k. ***

‘Merit’ is full for the 2023 Sydney Hobart. Email to register interest for 2024

Or phone 0488 068719

Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is an occasion as much as a race. Each Boxing Day (26th December) a flotilla of sleek yachts races out of Sydney Harbour, following Australia’s east coast down to Tasmania, where the yachts arrive in the city of Hobart in the days leading up to New Year’s Eve. This race is about more than sails and speed – it brings Sydney and Hobart to life as they celebrate one of the country’s great sporting events. 

Don’t be left sitting on the sidelines watching from your armchair. Be part of the spectacle and get in on the action on ‘Merit’.

Your crew contribution includes:

• Race Entry fees
• Racing shirt and cap
• 24-hour 150 nautical mile qualifying passage
• Passage back from Hobart to Sydney (optional)

The training camp

Five days of intense training covering all the basics of sail handling and yacht racing. This program incorporates a 150 nautical mile qualifying passage.

Your Skipper

Owner/Skipper Michael Schwarzel holds a Royal Yachting Association Offshore Yachtmaster Certificate and is a qualified sailing instructor.

Experience? He’s crossed oceans, won trophies, dealt with those moments at sea you’d rather avoid, plus rebuilt ‘Merit’ almost from scratch after Cyclone Debbie. With his ‘plan, prepare, execute’ approach, even novices feel safe and have an excellent time participating on board.

2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on 'Merit' - the Schedule

Whitsundays to Southport

6th – 12th December

Delivery trip (optional)

Southport to Sydney  

15th – 20th December

Qualifying Passage (included in contribution)

Training Days

21st – 22nd December

Sydney Harbour (included in contribution)

Sydney Hobart Race  

26th – 30th December

Counting on 3 days only

Hobart to Sydney    

2nd – 7th January

Return trip (included in contribution)

Sydney to Southport

9th – 13th January 

Return trip (optional)

Southport to Whitsundays     

16th – 21st January  

Prerequisites

• wet weather gear
• SSSC (safety cert.)
• sailing experience (min. RYA Competent Crew Course if no sailing experience)

Recommended

• travel insurance

“Wow! … Thank you for the experience of a lifetime.”

The Moreton Group

“I’d never been sailing before, much less on a vessel built for speed. What a truly enjoyable experience.”

“Don’t miss this great opportunity to experience offshore yacht racing at its best.”

*** Credit for the images of The Moreton Group on ‘Merit’ goes to the fabulous Lucinda Bartkaitas of LB Designs , who travelled as a guest of The Moreton Group . Lu is one gutsy photographer! ***

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2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Entries Open

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) is pleased to welcome entries for eligible yachts for the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. The 78th edition of the historic 628 nautical mile classic will start on Sydney Harbour at 1pm on Tuesday 26 December 2023. An international and highly competitive fleet is expected to participate this year following the success of what has been described as a ‘Classic Hobart’ in 2022 which saw 109 entrants on the starting line – the first race not heavily impacted by border restrictions since the 75th Anniversary race in 2019. A tightly contested upwind start on Sydney Harbour was followed by a fast run down the NSW coastline before the main fleet experienced challenging conditions and strong breeze as they approached Hobart. Sam Haynes’ TP52 Celestial was the Overall Winner of the 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart. John Winning Jr’s 100ft maxi Andoo Comanche took Line Honours in a time of 1 day, 11 hours, 56 minutes. Both are expected to defend their titles in 2023. Eight international boats from across the globe competed in 2022, including  Caro,  (winner of the 2022 Australian Championships and Division 1 at Les Voiles de St Barthes),  Warrior Won,  (Winner 2022 RORC Caribbean 600), and Sunrise,  (Winner of the 2022 Rolex Fastnet Race and 2nd in the Rolex Middle Sea Race). Nineteen boats competed as two-handed entries with Ruper Henry’s Lombard 34 Mistral taking IRC honours.   Arthur Lane, Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, said: “We expect a strong fleet to contest the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart with the prospect of our many local racing teams from all states of Australia being joined by a world-class group of international entrants. There has already been early interest shown by overseas teams. “The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia once again extends its warm appreciation to Rolex for its ongoing support of the Race and sailing globally as well as to our many valued race partners including our good friends at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania as Race Finishing Partner.” Entries for the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart close at 1700hrs on Friday 27 October 2023. NOTICE OF RACE RACE ENTRY

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Sydney Hobart Race 2021

• AUD $9,500.00 / Race per person Enquire now

Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2021

INFO ALERT/UPDATE - [We are still operating throughout the Covid19 pandemic 2021, check out our terms and conditions for cancellation policy]

Eve is offering places for one of the toughest and most respected ocean races in the world. This will be the 77th edition of Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race , with a fleet in excess of 150 yachts expected. The Sydney to Hobart yacht race involves very serious sailing in frequently heavy weather and so requires a safe yacht and competent crew. ‘Eve’ is an extraordinarily strong and safe yacht. Like all S&S Swan 65s, she was built to the highest standards for around-the-world racing and has already completed three circumnavigations. There is no stronger or safer boat in the Hobart fleet.

Whether you’re looking to learn new racing skills or to tick off an item from your bucket list, competing in this 628-nautical-mile race will certainly challenge your endurance, boat handling and seamanship. An unforgettable experience for any sailor that has done the race. The buzz of helicopters and global media at the start, the 600 mile passage down the coast through all weather conditions, the rounding of Tasman island and the last leg to the historic city of Hobart.

The training program:

The key to success in an event like this is preparation and teamwork, our 14-day program is designed to build a crew’s confidence as well as knowledge and experience to promote safe and successful experience. This 14-day course will be spread over 4 months so training sessions can be mostly done during the week-end.

The program will include basic skills & safety, offshore passage making, and race training:

Learn to work in a watch system and race with broken sleep as you sail through the night. Everything will be about sail trim and making the boat go faster. Emphasis will also be placed on emergency routines, safety procedures and handling the yacht in tough offshore conditions to make sure the crew are familiar with the yacht and their role on board.

As a crew member, you will need to hold a Sea Safety Survival Certificate. We recommend contacting Neil Driscoll, from AAB Boating, to complete your SSSC.

• Sail handling : The “drills and skills” module will be covering all the basics of sail handling, yacht racing and safety procedures. Training will be run in Sydney Harbour and surrounds just prior to the Blue Water Series- starting in November.
• Qualifying race : You will be required to participate in the Cabbage Tree Island Race scheduled in December 2021 (A part of the Blue Water Series). You will experience a big ocean race start and medium haul ocean race with full racing gear and crew rotation. This race is a shorter equivalent of the Sydney Hobart race but is run to the same racing & crew rotation model.
• If you are an experienced sailor that would like to join us for Sydney to Hobart , but cannot commit to the Blue Water Series, then please contact us to discuss alternatives.
• Pre-race training: 3 consecutive full days of training will take place, within the last week prior to the Hobart Race, in Sydney Harbour.
• Bird Island Race: 86nm overnight race on the 12th and 13th of November.
• Sydney harbour drill and skills dates: 22nd to 26th of November 2
• Full Crew Training: 8th of November
• Cabbage Tree Island Race: 3rd and 4th of December
• Classic Sydney to Hobart regatta : 11th and 12th of December
• Pre-race training/ Safety drills: 18th and 19th of December
• Race start: 26 December
• ETA Hobart: 29/30 December
• Trophies and Fireworks : 31 December

Our price and Inclusions:

• AUD$ 9,500.00 incl. GST (20% off for those that have raced with us before) - 50% is due when you book and will reserve your place. The remaining 50% is due by 10th November 2020.
• Professional skipper and crew
• All yacht costs and Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race entry fee
• Full provisions on board during racing and lunch whilst training
• Branded team polo and cap
• 5 Professional crew

Your crew package excludes: accommodation ashore, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, wet weather gear, PLBs and AIS trackers . Its always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility in case of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules.

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

The Yacht Race You Need to See to Believe

WHAT SPARKS YOUR INTEREST?

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Considered one of the most difficult yacht races in the world, this is one of Australia’s most beloved and anticipated events.

What Is It?

The yacht race starts in Sydney, Australia and takes racers all the way to the Tassie capital of Hobart , taking place over several days. The winner often reaches the finish line in less than two. With over 100 contestants, this is an extremely challenging and competitive race.

What Can You Expect

Interested in catching the end of the race? Go to Hobart’s Constitution Dock where the fleet will arrive after finishing the race and witness local new year festivities.

The race is held by both the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (Sydney). The winner receives a Rolex watch--hence the festival’s name. It is extremely difficult to win and the crews of the yachts compete at the most professional level.

When and Where?

Not sure where to go? If you want to celebrate with the yacht’s captain’s and enjoy champagne, then you will want to go to Hobart.To get there, fly into Hobart’s international airport .

Go to the Royal Botanical Gardens for the best view of the competing yachts. For a fun time, bring food and snacks for a picnic. If you want to see the boats cross the finish line, then you will need to stay in Hobart beforehand. Most boats start to arrive 2 or 3 days after the race begins.

The race started in 1945. Since that time, its taken place every single year without missing a beat. Yacht racing can find its origins in England.

Luckily for spectators, the event only costs money for those yachts that register to compete.

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So you want to sail the Sydney Hobart…

So, you want to do a Sydney Hobart Yacht Race?

For many sailors, the Sydney Hobart is considered the pinnacle of offshore racing. Whether you want to do a bucket list race or it’s recurring affair, the allure of the Sydney Hobart draws sailors from near and far to make the epic journey south.

But, it’s not a race to be taken lightly.

The yachts and crew often cop a beating heading down the NSW East Coast, through the Bass Strait, around Tasman Island and across the aptly named Storm Bay. One of the worst squalls I’ve ever seen was in the Derwent River which is usually known for the frustration it causes due to lack of wind as crews try to get to the finish line. You never know what’s going to come your way.

Before you set off, especially if it’s your first time, you want – and need – to be prepared.

Moreover, you’re very unlikely to get a crewing position if you’re not well prepared and experienced enough to make the voyage, nor should you attempt to join a team that’s lackadaisical about experience and preparedness on their yacht.

Let’s look at some of the things you, as a crew member, can do to get yourself onboard a yacht and make sure you’re prepared for the race.

1. Build up your experience

If you’re looking to head to Hobart, or any significant offshore race, offshore sailing experience is your friend.

To qualify to complete in the Sydney Hobart, at least 50% of the yacht’s crew are required to have completed a Category 1 race or an equivalent passage.

If you are new or relatively new to sailing, don’t set your sights on doing a Sydney Hobart right away. Not only does this pose a potential risk to yourself and others, but you’re very unlikely to find a crew position if you don’t have significant offshore experience.

Start out with shorter offshore races or passages, then work your way up to longer offshore races or overnight passages.

Delivery trips are a great way to gain offshore experience. There are lots of yachts looking for help to get back from Hobart, and this is a great stepping stone to gain experience before doing the race. However, delivery trips aren’t without risks, so make sure you’re adequately prepared for the voyage and there are experienced sailors on-board who are familiar with the yacht.

I cover some tips and steps on how to gain experience and work your way up to doing a Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in the MySail blog .

2. Get some sailing qualifications

In order to enter the Sydney Hobart, at least of 50% of the crew need to hold a valid Australian Sailing Safety and Sea Survival Certificate or an approved equivalent.

In addition, at least two crew members need to hold a current Senior First Aid Certificate or equivalent qualification, or be a practising medical practitioner, and two crew need to hold a Long-Range Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency (LROCP) or higher qualification.

Gaining these qualifications give you a competitive edge on the competition when looking for a crew position.

You’ll also gain important skills and knowledge that will be useful on-board.

3. Find a crew position

Your next challenge is to find a crew position.

Most yachts build a committed team early in the season and then sail together in regattas and offshore races leading up to the Sydney Hobart.

It’s a requirement for any yacht entering the Sydney Hobart to complete a qualifying race of not less than 150 nautical miles, or qualifying passage not less than 24 hours, in the six months prior to the event.

Look for a yacht that has the Sydney Hobart in their race program, and try to get on-board early in the season. Most yachts will require their Sydney Hobart crew to commit to all of the lead-up races, especially the offshore ones.

You can look at the CYCA’s Sydney Hobart website for a list of race entrants, or a previous year’s list, to see who is, or is likely to do the race. Also check out the Sydney Hobart race page on MySail and add your profile there so skippers who are looking for crew can find you. Nothing beats meeting with people face-to-face, so head down to the CYCA or your local yacht club and start building and working on your network.

4. Prepare for the race; body, mind and soul

If you are working towards doing a Sydney Hobart, make sure you’re physically and mentally prepared for the race by the time December 26 rolls around.

Physical preparation will help you cope with the fatigue and physical exertion required. Building good physical fitness, strength and stamina will help you keep going over several days, and help you recover after arriving in Hobart.

Get involved in as much of the yacht preparation as you can. Helping with maintenance and boat preparation will help you learn where things are and how things work; a great asset when you need to do something in a hurry, in a big sea, in the dark.

Lastly, with all of the preparation it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Take some time to make sure that you’re well rested and in a good frame of mind when the race starts.

5. Get your gear ready

Doing a Sydney Hobart is not supposed to be easy, or comfortable, but there are a few things you can do to stay as warm, comfortable and safe as possible during the race.

There is a lot of good gear on the market to help you stay warm and dry, so do your research and get a good set of wet weather gear. You will need a PFD fitted with a tether and PLB (personal locator beacon) which are required by all crew, and may want to consider getting a personal AIS which provides your location back to the yacht if you go overboard.

You might also want to carry other gear such as a blunt, serrated knife, watch, head torch with red light setting and personal seasickness medication. I wear a (very stylish) bum bag to carry this gear and my PLB, which is easy to grab if you need to go on deck in a hurry.

Make sure you have adequate layers and warm gear; thermals are extremely light and easy to pack, and will keep you warm. You’ll be very glad for these warm layers when a southerly front hits in southern Tasmania.

Don’t forget about your extremities either. I always take a waterproof hat, socks and gloves. If you get water in your boots the socks will keep your feet warm and dry. Especially for the women with long hair, a waterproof hat helps keep salt water out of your hair and your head warm and dry.

Pack your clothing and gear in waterproof or large ziplock bags to keep it organised and dry. This helps when storing gear in small compartments, makes it quick and easy to find gear in a hurry, and will stop dampness from infiltrating everything you own.

No matter how prepared you are, inevitably something will go wrong! But, that’s where all of your preparedness really comes in handy. With the right experience, knowledge and attitude amongst the crew, you’ll be able to tackle tough situations and have a great race.

Safe sailing and I look forward to seeing you on Constitution Dock in 2019!

– Deborah Dalziel https://mysail.team/

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Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s premier blue water event, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, will start at 1pm on Boxing Day.

Courtesy Destination NSW

• Thursday, 26 December 2024
• Starting line at Point Piper

No other commercial port in the world can boast the start of such an iconic and internationally recognised blue water classic, with the natural grandeur of Sydney Harbour providing a unique backdrop for competitors and spectators alike.

Ranked as one of the most challenging and prestigious long ocean races in the world, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race covers a distance of 628 nautical miles. As the fleet heads south into the Tasman Sea, the yachts will battle the elements before reaching the finish between two and five days later, depending on the size of the yacht and sailing conditions.

For more information please visit  Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2024

• Port Jackson – east of Sydney Harbour Bridge (PDF 3.09MB)

Coming soon

Tips for attending aquatic events

Sydney Harbour is an extremely busy waterway. It's used by recreational and commercial vessels, from big ships and high-speed ferries to small powerboats, yachts and kayaks.

It has busy navigational channels and special rules.

The risk of collision is much higher on the harbour, so keep a proper lookout for other vessels, swimmers, marine life, hazards and seaplanes. Be prepared to take action to avoid a collision with another vessel. You may need to slow down to travel at a safe speed and keep a safe distance.

If you're planning to go on the harbour, know your responsibilities and take extra care.

Make sure you have the right safety equipment and lifejackets for enclosed waters before you go.

Courtesy moorings and marina facilities on Sydney Harbour

Sydney Harbour has more to offer the general boating public with the installation of courtesy moorings and a destinations plan increasing access to services and amenities.

The pink courtesy moorings are available to moor recreational vessels for up to 24 hours (with the exception of Athol Bay (4 hours) and Spit Bridge (2 hours for vessels waiting for the Spit bridge opening), or where emergency mooring is required but not available. They provide an environmentally sensitive alternative to anchoring and are available for short term use by any registered vessel under the 20 tonne size limit.

Courtesy moorings have been installed around Sydney Harbour including Balmoral, Rose Bay, Chinamans Beach, Hermit Bay, Chowder Bay, Athol Bay, Taylors Bay, Camp Cove, Watsons Bay, Vaucluse Bay, Nielsen Park and McMahons Point West.

The Sydney Harbour Destinations Plan is another initiative of the NSW Government to increase the number of services and amenities available to the general boating public on Sydney Harbour through participating marinas.

Facilities available include access to toilets, pump out, water and fuel, cafés, kiosks and marine services. When out on Sydney Harbour, look for the green Boating Destination marina banner on display at participating marinas. Blue banners within the marinas show the location of available Boating Destination berths.

To find your closest destination marina or courtesy mooring, visit the Sydney Harbour Boating Destinations webpage.

Sydney Harbour Bridge Transit Zone

The Sydney Harbour Bridge Transit Zone was created to allow safe navigation through this very busy part of the harbour. It prohibits vessels from stopping or drifting under Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The zone includes the area around Sydney Harbour Bridge, and between Bennelong Point and Kirribilli Point to Millers Point and Blues Point. It does not include Walsh Bay, Sydney Cove, or Lavender Bay north of Blues Point, or the southern end of Milsons Point ferry wharf.

You can only travel through the zone to get to an area alongside or outside the zone.

Vessels must not travel faster than 15 knots or anchor or drift in the zone, except in an emergency.

 Restircted zones

Check if and where you can take your vessel on the harbour:

• personal watercraft (PWC) – you must not drive a PWC anywhere on Sydney Harbour. This includes its tidal bays, rivers and tributaries, Parramatta River, Middle Harbour and Lane Cove River.
• kiteboards – you must not use a kiteboard on the harbour
• sailboards – many areas within the harbour are restricted. Check maps and signage.

See Exclusion and restriction zones .

For information on seaplanes in Rose Bay see the best practice guide for the use of Rose Bay (PDF 373.38KB) .

You must follow the give way rules on Sydney Harbour.

There are special rules for ferries that display an orange diamond shape. This shape is called the 'priority over sail signal'. This replaces the usual 'power gives way to sail' rule during the day, meaning that sailing vessels must keep well clear of these ferries. The 'priority over sail signal' does not apply at night or if the ferry is overtaking a sailing vessel.

Sailing vessels must keep a minimum distance from these ferries of:

• 200m from the bow
• 30m from the sides or stern.

High-speed ferries display an all round yellow flashing light when travelling at speed. Be aware that they may be travelling much faster than they appear to be.

Shipping channels

Sailing vessels and powered vessels must keep well clear of big ships in Sydney Harbour's shipping channels. These vessels are limited in their ability to manoeuvre. You must keep to starboard (right) side and give way.

Sydney Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) broadcasts safety messages and shipping movements every 2 hours on VHF 16/13. The broadcasts start daily at around 1am.

Lifejacket rules apply on NSW waterways and you must wear a lifejacket in a range of situations. Children aged under 12 must wear lifejackets at all times on boats less than 4.8 metres, or when they are in open areas of vessels less than 8 metres that are underway.

Lifejackets must be worn by everyone on small boats less than 4.8 metres when boating at night, or on open (ocean) waters, or when boating alone, or when instructed to by the skipper.

It can be difficult dropping anchor in a crowd of spectator vessels. Gain experience and confidence by practising anchoring before the big events, and follow these simple guidelines:

• Know the depth of water before you anchor, you will need anchor rope and chain at least three times the depth of water
• Ensure there is adequate chain on the anchor, generally one to two times the length of the boat
• Ensure you have an appropriate anchor for the size of the craft. Carry a spare anchor and rope/chain in case your main anchor gets fouled
• Keep your distance and maintain a space at least three times the length of your boat from other vessels anchored nearby
• Keep 200 metres clear of submarine cables or pipelines. Check the boating maps for these location or look for signs on the foreshore.
• Carry fenders as spectator areas may be very crowded
• Watch the weather. Wind and waves can cause your anchor to drag
• Do not anchor close to ferry channels or exclusion zone boundaries.

As the skipper, you must keep a proper lookout – by sight and hearing – at all times. This helps you judge your situation and the risk of collision. This is essential to keeping everyone safe on the water.

When keeping a proper lookout, look all around, including behind you. Look out for hazards so you can avoid colliding with people, other vessels, structures, land and animals. Look out for vulnerable groups, including swimmers and divers, and smaller vessels, such as sailboards and kayaks, which can be difficult to see.

Be mindful of noise – such as loud music – that could prevent you from hearing sounds or signals from other vessels or people.

Take extra care at times of restricted visibility, for example, at night (between sunset and sunrise) or in poor weather conditions.

Make sure you're travelling at a safe speed . If you have a radar, use it to keep a lookout. Remember to dim the display at night so you do not lose your night vision.

It's recommended that you have a lookout person. They can alert you if your view is blocked.

Ensure you have appropriate navigation lights, particularly if you want to attend night time events.

• Check they are in working order and you have spare fuses, globes and torches before heading out
• Ensure navigation lights are on and working between sunset and sunrise
• Turn off cabin lights as they may reduce your ability to see
• If the vessel has a flybridge and weather permits, it is generally preferable to drive from there as you will have a better all round view
• Avoid using flood/spotlights high up. These lights reduce the night vision of other skippers
• When at anchor at night, show an all round white light where it can best be seen.

Find out more information on what navigational lights are required to be displayed for your vessel. 

It is important to have the right communication tools so you can stay informed while afloat. In the event of illness or emergency, a marine radio will give you a direct line of communication with authorities.

In the event of an emergency on the water, communicate with authorities on radio VHF 16 or if you only have a mobile phone, call 000 .

The Transport (Maritime) information line 13 12 36 operates from 8.30am to 4.30pm during all major aquatic events.

Random breath testing can be applied to skippers of boats underway. Keep below the 0.05 limit.

It can be a long day afloat and both skippers and passengers can suffer from fatigue, sunburn and wind chill. Be aware that the boating environment can multiply the effects of alcohol.

Sydney Harbour is spectacular. Let's keep it that way. It is illegal to pollute any waterways in NSW with oily bilge or galley water, litter or sewage.

Collect all your rubbish on board and dispose of it properly ashore. This includes cigarette butts and oil or grease from deck mounted barbecues. Stow it, don't throw it.

• Boaters on Sydney Harbour are reminded to keep an eye out for Little Penguins between North Head and Manly during the summer breeding season.
• A 4 knot speed limit in these 'Environmental Protected Areas' extends from Cannae Point to Smedleys Point, and includes Quarantine Bay, Store Beach, Collins Beach and Little Manly. This speed limit also continues north to 100 metres offshore from Smedleys Point toward Manly.
• Boaters must anchor at least 50 metres from the high water mark, which is identified by yellow aqua mark buoys and not in the vicinity of known seagrass beds.

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Boxing Day Cruise – Ocean Dreaming 2

Get ready to take in the Sydney to Hobart race start on Ocean Dreaming 2! This multi level catamaran is the perfect vantage point to watch the start of the biggest sail race start in Australia.  Watch the beautiful sailing yachts hoist their sail and head off down the Australian cost. You’ll be front and center and follow the boats out past the Sydney heads. Get tickets for your family and friends today.

Departure Point

• Departs Darling Harbour – Aquarium Wharf at 11:00am

Vessel Features

• Three levels of outside viewing decks
• Comfortable cushioned seats
• Climate controlled cabin
• Wheelchair accessible
• Toilets on board (1 disabled)

Cruise Details

• Watch the start inside Sydney Harbour from a position near Watsons Bay
• Follow the leaders down the coast
• Catered cruise
• Licensed Bar

Friends and family of race crew are most welcome as we attempt to work back through the fleet once out of Sydney Harbour to say a final farewell to all those with loved ones on boats heading south towards Hobart.

Please note: the ocean cruise component is weather dependent, if it is too rough we will continue the cruise in the Harbour. Return times may vary on some cruises.

Ocean Dreaming 2 Boxing Day Cruise Information

• Caramelised onion & parmesan baby frittata (v)(gf)
• Falafel, lemon & coriander hummus (vegan)(gf)(df)
• Fresh kings prawns, lemon & aioli (gf)
• Lemon pepper and herb wood roasted salmon, creme fraiche, balsamic glaze (served cold) (gf)
• Italian antipasto with crostini
• Pesto chicken, buckwheat and herbed potato salad, green beans, semi dried tomato, parmesan, balsamic (gf)
• Vitamin rich, high fibre, spiced cauliflower, chickpea, pumpkin, cranberry salad, almond dressing (vegan)(gf)(df)
• Artisan roll, butter

Dessert Menu

• Assorted cakes & slices (v)
• Gluten free chocolate fudge brownies (v)(gf)
• Fresh fruit nibble (platter) (vegan)(gf)(df)

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Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2024

• About the race
• Southern Cross Cup
• Race Reports
• Start & Finish Villages
• Hobart & Beyond
• 2020 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race - List of Entries

As the then Governor of Tasmania, Sir Guy Green, observed at the prizegiving for the 2001 race, it is indeed an egalitarian event, attracting yachts as small as 30-footers and as big as 100-footers, sailed by crews who range from weekend club sailors to professionals from the America's Cup and Volvo Ocean Race circuits.

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is a classic long ocean race open to anyone who owns a yacht that qualifies for this challenging event and which meets all the safety requirements of a Category 1 safety race.

In the earliest years of the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, all the yachts were built from timber - heavy displacement cutters, sloops, yawls, schooners and ketches designed more for cruising than racing.

The increasing popularity of the 628 nautical Christmas-New Year sail south to Hobart quickly began to attract new designs and innovative ideas in boat-building, sails and rigs…dacron sails and aluminium masts and in the early 1950s, the first boats built of GRP (glass reinforced plastic) or fibreglass as is the more common phrase.  Then came aluminium, steel (mostly home-built) and even one maxi yacht built of ferro cement.

Innovative Australian yacht designers such as the Halvorsen brothers, Trygve and Magnus, and the late Allan Payne and Bob Miller (Ben Lexcen) produced faster boats and the race was on to create line and overall handicap winners. Prof. Peter Joubert, a part-time designer of stout cruiser/racers, and John King were other Australians who produced winning boats.

Following in their wake are currently successful designers such as Iain Murray and his partners, Andy Dovell and Ian "Fresh" Burns, along with Scott Jutson, David Lyons and Robert Hick.

New Zealander Bruce Farr, now based on the US, led the move towards light displacement yachts and is by far the most successful designer of Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race overall winners under different international handicap systems, first IOR (International Offshore Rule), then IMS (International Measurement System), and now IRC.

The space age has had a significant spin-off for yacht racing, first in the America's Cup and then in the design and construction of ocean racing yachts, introducing composite construction of boat hulls, using Kelvar and other manmade fibres in moulding the hulls in high-tech ovens.

In the past few years carbon fibre has been used successfully to build yacht hulls, masts and spars and in the construction of working sails (mainsails and genoas/jibs). The multiple line honours winner Wild Oats XI is the latest example of almost total use of carbon fibre in its hull, mast, boom and working sails.

The fleet in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is virtually all sloops (mainsail and one foresail genoa or jibs) but several of the maxi yachts with a big fore-triangle (between the foredeck, the forestay and the mast) are successfully using two headsails on close reaching races, theoretically making them cutters.

At the small end of the 2016 fleet, Sean Langman's Maluka of Kermandie was the oldest and smallest yacht to compete, and Michael Strong’s pretty wood S&S design No. 54, Landfall, the second oldest. Landfall is the first S&S built outside the USA - by Percy Coverdale at Battery Point in Tasmania. In her other Hobarts, she finished seventh in 1952, retired in 1954, and at age 40, finished 52 nd  in 1976. Landfall returned to the race after a long absence to celebrate her 80 th  birthday in the 70 th  Hobart in 2014, but retired with sail damage, and again in 2015 retired with hull damage. 

2016 Overall Winner, Giacomo (NZL), is a true to form Volvo 70. Formerly Groupama 4, winner of the 2011-2012 VOR, Jim Delegat bought her in 2013. Delegat and his crew spent the 2016 summer season away in Sydney in an attempt to top the board in the Rolex Sydney Hobart, following his 2013 and 2014 campaigns, in which he finished sixth on line and 22 nd  overall to Black Jack’s fourth, and 36 th  overall - and dismasting off the Tasmanian coast in 2014. 

One of the most innovative and uniquely designed yachts the race has ever seen is Ludde Ingvall’s old 90ft maxi Nicorette, made over as a 100ft super maxi, CQS, which was launched in November 2016 in New Zealand where she was rebuilt. Working with a top technical team including yacht designers, engineers, yacht builders, rig designers and sail makers, he produced a boat that pushes the boundaries. The distinctive new hull shape features a reverse bow, an outsized bowsprit, ‘wings’ to spread the shroud base supporting the mast and a wide platform across the cockpit area. With such a short lead time to the 2016 Rolex Sydney Hobart, the capabilities of the boat weren't able to be reached in the race, including some damage to the hydrofoils, resulting in seventh on line. 

100ft super maxi Perpetual LOYAL, smashed the race record set by Wild Oats XI in 2012 by almost five hours, to stand at one day 13 hours 31 minutes and 20 seconds. Perpetual LOYAL is the former Speedboat and Rambler, and was slated ‘the fastest super maxi in the world’, and has now proved it in Australia. After retiring from both the 2014 and 2015 Rolex Sydney Hobarts, she underwent some technical developments, which paid off in the return of line honours and race record. 

The wide downwind racer, Jim Cooney & Samantha Grant's LDV Comanche  then came back in 2017 to show her prowess and carve nearly seven hours off the previous record. This set the new record to 1 day 9 hours 15 minutes and 24 seconds.

Divisions in the Rolex Sydney Hobart

There are many divisions in the race, which are dependent on a variety of factors; boat measurements such as weight, length and age, rig size, sail area, and any performance modifications on the boat. Here's a run down:

IRC is a time correction rating system used extensively in yacht racing around the world. Under this system, a yacht’s finishing time (elapsed time from start to finish) is multiplied by its IRC rating number to determine a corrected time. A boat’s rating is calculated by an independent body (RORC), using measurements of the boat; the length, weight, draft, rig size, sail area, and specific characteristics and features.

The resulting time corrector, or the boat’s ‘TCC’, is her handicap. The higher the TCC figure, the faster the boat's potential speed. When the last boat arrives in Hobart, the corrected times of every boat in IRC fleet will be compared and the one with the lowest time after correction will be declared the overall winner. In theory at least, this system ensures that any well-sailed boat, regardless of its age or level of technology, can win. 

Seen by its advocates among grand prix yacht owners as a more transparent rule and a truer reflection of a boat’s performance based on the old IMS system, ORCi is the other rating handicap system used in the Rolex Sydney Hobart. 

ORC Rating Systems use science and technology to develop its handicap systems. With a complete set of measurements of the hull, stability, rig and sails, it is then possible to use computer software, known as Velocity Prediction Program, to calculate the theoretical speeds for the boat in various wind conditions. This way, ORCi can tell you the performance differences between different boats in different wind conditions and course geometries.

Results for ORCi are decided by the application of the Time-on-Time Simplified Scoring System as a multiplier of elapsed time. The boat with the lowest corrected time (after application of scoring penalties, if any) will be scored first in each division.

PHS is a performance-based handicap system, with yachts being allocated a performance or arbitrary handicap. PHS division strives to give all entrants a chance of winning, provided they sail reasonably well. This is not a boat measurement based handicap, but is based on the "performance" of a particular boat. The Handicap for each race is mathematically calculated using data from all previous races. 

Results will be calculated by the application of Time Correction Factors (TCFs) as a multiplier of elapsed time. Yachts entering the IRC or ORCi handicap categories may not enter the PHS category.

A Verteran entrant is a yacht which is competing under the IRC rating system and was build prior to 1994. These entrants can also be entered in to the Overall IRC category to compete against all other yachts.

Grand Veteran

A Grand Verteran entrant is a yacht which is competing under the IRC rating system and was build prior to 1976. These entrants can also be entered in to the Overall IRC category and the Veterans category.

Corinthian Division

A Corinthian is an amatuer sailor, a Group 1, non-professional as classified by World Sailing. It states: A competitor who takes part in racing, only as a pastime, is a Group 1 competitor.

Results for the Corinthian division, are calculated by the application of PHS Time Correction Factors (TCF's) as a multiplier of elapsed time. A boat's TCF will be determined by the Race Committee or its nominee. The boat with the lowest corrected time (after application of scoring penalties, if any) will be scored first.

Cruising Division

The Cruising Division is scored on a points system. 

Prior to 9am on Race Day, a boat in the Cruising Division may nominate their predicted dates and times at which they will pass through the latitudes 36°S, 38°S, 40°S and 42°S, and when they will finish.

For example, a boat receives 20 points for first passing through the specified latitude or finishing within 1 hour of its nominated date and time, 10 points for doing so between one and two hours of its nominated date and time etc.

Points will also be awarded or deducted based on engine and autopilot usage during the race. The boat with the highest number of points (after application of scoring penalties, if any) shall be scored first.

OFFICIAL ROLEX SYDNEY HOBART MERCHANDISE

Shop the official clothing range of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in person at the Club in New South Head Road, Darling Point or online below.  

From casual to technical clothing, there is something for all occasions. Be quick as stock is limited!

The tech millionaire who crossed first in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race is happy giving credit for the win to his crew

Topic: Sailing

Christian Beck hoisted the coveted trophy after LawConnect's win but he's giving full credit to his crew. ( Supplied: CYCA/Salty Dingo )

It's no secret that elite sailing costs money and the sleek high-tech supermaxis first up the River Derwent in the Sydney to Hobart race are financed by people with deep pockets.

This year, the battle royale pitted two millionaires against each other in a thrilling, if not almost slow motion, line honours finish.

In an ending that will be retold for years to come, Christian Beck's $1.6 million boat LawConnect claimed line honours, but the tech millionaire says he had little to do with the stellar effort.

Beck says he doesn't really come from sailing stock and is not taking credit for the win.

"To be honest, I don't actually do much on that boat. I find it performs better when I'm asleep," he says.

In a twist of history, runner-up Andoo Comanche's owner John Winning Jr was on board LawConnect when it won the race under its former name Perpetual Loyal in 2016.

The race leaders were only 51 seconds apart at the finish line. ( Supplied: CYCA   )

Winning, whose family fortune was built on an appliance business, sailed this year's edition with his father John Winning Sr and was hoping to repeat last year's line honours win on Andoo Comanche.

Although Beck was always intrigued by sailing following a couple of short stints as a child with his stepfather, he became fully enthused in his 30s.

"I was always a bit of a frustrated sailor as a kid. I didn't really come from a sailing family," he says.

The father of five spent an exhausting month in the lead-up to the Boxing Day start looking after his newborn child.

"I actually had more sleep on the boat than I did at home," he says.

He's described winning the coveted blue water classic as a dream come true but the celebrations on the Hobart docks did not go long into the night.

"The guys from Comanche were super nice but they bought me a few shots, and that knocked over early so I ended up back at the hotel," he laughed.

Beck taught himself to code and became a successful businessman. ( Supplied: CYCA/Salty Dingo )

A tech innovator by trade, Beck is a regular on the Australian Financial Review's Rich List.

He taught himself to code when his lawyer father asked him help with building software.

Beck owns LEAP Legal Software and founded Australian Technology Innovators.

He bought LawConnect in 2017  — a year after it had won a Sydney to Hobart title as Perpetual Loyal.

After line honours glory, Beck caught media attention when comparing this year's runner-up Andoo Comanche to his yacht — labelling it a "shitbox".

"Comanche is an awesome boat and ours is a lot worse, and the 'shitbox' term is a summary of that," he says.

"I love the boat but it was probably just trying to put it into context.

"It was a huge challenge to beat Comanche and I still can't believe it happened.

"I'm very grateful for the crew for what they did because it was them that made that all possible."

Who actually sails? Not me

Beck was given a ceremonial dip at Constitution Dock after taking line honours glory. ( Supplied: CYCA/Salty Dingo )

He says his contribution to the win goes as far as owning the boat and pulling together an outstanding crew.

In the end, he says leadership and teamwork gave LawConnect the winning edge.

"I couldn't believe how well our guys did. You had Tony Mutter steering, you had Chris Nicholson doing tactics," he says.

"You also had a lot of good crew work, if you look at the furling and unfurling, that was all flawless — it all sort of came together."

"It's important to have not only good people but have a really good teamwork form."

Christian Beck gives the thumbs up after the win. ( Supplied: CYCA/Salty Dingo )

Preparations for a Sydney-Hobart have a long build-up, with practice intensifying from early December.

"You need like a football team to run these boats, honestly, it's like 15–16 people. You've got people near full-time working on it all year," Beck says.

"There's a lot of preparation and maintenance … for a relatively short race.

"The guys that run the boat have all done Volvo Around the World ocean races and they are used to doing 5,000 miles across the Southern Ocean — for them, they just think the Sydney-Hobart is an overnighter.

"They're the guys that really run it, a guy like me I don't do much, or really anything actually. 

"If you are going to go up and change a sail in a storm in the Bass Strait at night you have to be very brave and very skilled.

"It's incredible what they do, there's no way I could do that."

Underdog full of pride

The crew of 21 on LawConnect included four non-sailing company staff who were along for the thrill.  ( ABC News: Maren Preuss )

His core crew have been sailing in Sydney to Hobarts for six years but four of the 21 crew members this year were surprise entrants, who are gifted a lifetime experience.

"What we do every year is we bring four people from our various companies along … often it's a draw in a hat," he says.

This year, they got to be a part of LawConnect's remarkable comeback, which seemed like touch-and-go for a while.

"I am very, very proud to be part of it because we are seriously the underdog," Beck says.

"We were pushing all the way, and we were taking a lot of risks to get where we looked like we lost at the end as we had for the past three years, so to come back from so far behind and win was remarkable."

Up until the finish line, LawConnect was about three nautical miles behind Andoo Comanche.

In the space of 1.5 nautical miles the lead changed about five times. 

"We didn't really think we had much of a chance but Comanche kind of got parked up into a pocket with no wind," he says.

"We could see them there and we obviously got somewhat excited when that happened.

"We had a fairly good chunk of wind come in compared to them, and then when we met them, we both had the same wind and then the tacking duel happened and that was incredibly stressful but incredibly exciting."

Sailing into the sunset

Moments after the win, Beck joked the value of LawConnect may just have gone up again, creating a good opportunity to sell.

"It was not really on sale, that was a bit of a joke. If you want to sell the boat, it would be a good day because it just beat Comanche," he says.

Beck paid $1.6 million for the supermaxi but putting a current price on it, if it were for sale, is hard.

"To build that boat again would cost you more than $20 million, even a mast would cost about $3 million to replace," he says.

"But the value is a bit dependent on how they perform and how old they are [but after winning] I'd say the value is about $2 million, is my best guess.

 "It will eventually become obsolete, we're going to keep sailing it until that happens.

"My guess it's got between two and six years … left before it becomes replaced by probably a foiling boat, and then I don't know what we will do with it."

In the meantime, he is planning to try and win more Sydney to Hobarts which, by the way, he ranks as number six in his list of lifetime achievements — after the birth of his five children.

Beck won the race after coming second in the past three editions. ( Supplied: CYCA )