How Good is your VHF Radio/AIS Installation?
How Good is your VHF Radio/AIS Installation?
1. Background
VHF radio has traditionally been thought of primarily as a means of communication for club racing due to its shorter range compared to HF radio. However, with the advent of repeater networks and significantly improved coastal networks, the role of VHF radio for coastal sailing has greatly increased. Likewise, AIS has become an...
Preparations in full swing for 50th Melbourne to Hobart
Preparations in full swing for 50th Melbourne to Hobart
Preparations are in full swing for the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria’s (ORCV) 50th Melbourne to Hobart, as entrants make their final preparations for the ‘Westcoaster’ as it is colloquially known, which starts on 27 December at 12pm from Portsea Pier on the Mornington Peninsula.
The ORCV is proud of the numbers their anniversary race has...
Work with Us - Marketing, Events & Member Engagement Coordinator
Marketing, Events & Member Engagement Coordinator
Part Time Role
The Role
Leading the planning and delivery of ORCV marketing, events and membership engagement activities, yours is a key role in promoting ORCV membership, programs and member engagement.
Working with the Chair of the Marketing Committee you will design and structure...
Ian McKenzie Award
Ian McKenzie Trophy Awarded
The memorial Ian McKenzie Trophy, was awarded last weekend to Mark Cunnington, Skipper of the yacht Panacea, a Beneteau 40.7. This trophy is awarded to less experienced sailor for their achievement in getting to offshore sailing.
Mark has amplified this throughout the Beyond the Bay course and his final offshore passage with the Longitude Coastal Passage....
Under the Stars, a Navigation Challenge
Under the stars, a navigation challenge
Last weekend a fleet of 15 entrants sailed all night in the ORCV Overnight Challenge on Port Phillip Bay. “A race that offered a bit of everything, in perfect conditions” commented Andrew Neeson, skipper of Runnalls 39 “Jaffa and overall winner.
Jaffa crew development of crew and overall winners photo Andrew Neeson
As we head into...
Inadvertent Beacon Activations Investigation
Inadvertent Beacon Activations Investigation
Do you know what an inadvertent beacon activation (IA) is? Have you ever experienced one personally or observed one on yachts you hIve sailed on? Equally, and as importantly, have you seen articles from Australian Sailing on Digital Selective Calling (DSC), followed by Accidental PLB Activation along with an article written by MAST published in...
Women Skippers get Behind the 50th Westcoaster
Women skippers get behind 50th ‘Westcoaster’
Seasoned and respected women sailors are among those so far signed up to compete in the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria’s (ORCV) 50th Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race - or ‘The Westcoaster’, as it is simply known to most - which starts at midday on 27 December, 2022.
Clare Olding turns 22 this month and is currently the youngest skipper in the race. As...
ORCV Championships
2022/23 ORCV Championships
As we approach 60 boats in the 50th Melbourne to Hobart and crews prepare with the qualifier to Devonport, the upcoming sailing season is shaping up to be big. Add into the mix some Coastal Sprints and the 70th Apollo Bay and you may automatically qualify for one of the 3 ORCV Championships, Coastal, Offshore or Double-Handed. The competition will be strong for all...
Melbourne's hottest race in the coldest month
Melbourne's hottest race in the coldest month
“Best day I’ve had sailing” was how Damien King, co-skipper of the Frers 61 ‘MRV’ sailing double handed summed up the day after taking the overall win in a fleet of 47 yachts in Saturday’s Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV) Winter Series destination race to Geelong.
47 yachts from around the bay at the start Photo Dave Hewison
The last...
The New Ocean Season on September 17th
The New Ocean Season on September 17th
We ease into the next ocean season on September 17th with the first of the West Offshore Coastal Sprints. A great way to test your boat and crew before heading onto a longer category 2 race such as Devonport in October or Hobart in December.
The start of the first West Offshore Products Coastal Sprint will be just after sunrise. With 2...
Double-handers targeting 50th Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race glory
Double-handers targeting 50th Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race glory
Amid the double-handed entries already received for the 2022 Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race, there are some serious contenders for the Heemskerk Trophy, awarded to the overall winner of the race each year.
Being the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria’s (ORCV) 50th anniversary race, everyone wants to win it and Ryujin’s...
South Aussies add weight to 50th Melbourne to Hobart
South Aussies add weight to 50th Melbourne to Hobart
Twelve years ago, John Willoughby scored a clean sweep of wins in the testing Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race with his striking red yacht ‘Enchantress’ - and the memory of that race - and its outcome, lingers, bringing the South Australian back for what is likely his last hurrah.
Willoughby can vividly recall the 435 nautical mile race...