FAQ's - MELBOURNE to HOBART
Briefing 12th December, 6 pm (Mel time)
This briefing will be held in person at Royal Brighton Yacht Club, starting at 6 p.m.
Interstate crew and skippers can attend online via the teams link here. Skippers and crew who are in Victoria are expected to participate in person. In addition, on the night, we will launch the event and have your crew packs, battle flags, and trackers ready to pick up. For those interstate crews attending online, please be online by 5:30 for sound checks to occur.
Berthing
In Hobart
Berthing in Hobart will be on Elizabeth Street, Kings Pier North, or Constitution Dock. Those boats with a profound or broad draft will be allocated to Elizabeth Street or Kings Pier North. All allocations will be made closer to the race date or upon arrival. Berthing is made available until 6 pm on 2nd January.
After 2nd January
Boating is alive in Tasmania, with many marinas in the Southern part enjoying a flourish of bookings. If you wish to stay longer, you should book now. If space is available at the Derwent Sailing Squadron, Melbourne to Hobart boats can book via this link at DSS member casual rates.
Shirts / Battleflags
Race shirts and caps will be distributed in December. Boat names can be added to the shirt. We'll reach out to you about these items closer to the time. Please login to your Sailor Topyacht profile and make sure you update your shirt size (you may only see it once you select the race at the top)
Battle flags and backstay flags will be provided to boats before departure, and we ask that ALL BOATS fly these flags upon arrival at Blairgowrie and Hobart. Upon arrival into Hobart, you will be asked to add on one more battle flag as agreed to with our host club, DSS.boats
Race Jackets
Orders for the Race Jacket can be made online here by 14th November 2022. These jackets are optional where. You can have your boat name printed on the sleeve to honour being part of history and the 50th race.
Berthing in Melbourne
Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron and Royal Brighton Yacht Club (RBYC) are race partners. They have confirmed they will offer 1-week complimentary berthing to all competing yachts before the race plus 25% off casual rates if longer is needed. Both clubs selected are close to transport shops and have food options at the club or close by. Please contact
Local Buddy for Interstate Boats
Each interstate boat will be connected with a “local buddy” who can support you should you need local knowledge of repairs and suppliers or where to locate something quickly.
Transit the Rip - Sharing the Local Knowledge
We will run a “how to enter Port Phillip heads” session for your safety for those coming from Interstate should there be demand for this. Please let
Accommodation Options in Melbourne
This is a short list of options for those wishing to stay ashore before the race. You can check out booking.com or Airbnb for more options.
- Quest Serviced Apartments Brighton (directly over the road from RBYC)
- Brighton Serviced Apartments
- Caroline Serviced Apartments
- Sandringham Hotel
Events
In Melbourne
- December 22nd - Depending on your arrival, we will run a simple “Welcome to Melbourne” event at RBYC
- December 26th – ORCV Cock of the Bay race runs from Port Melbourne to Mornington, with boats heading onto Blairgowrie for the night before the race. It’s where Melbourne fleets come together. Entry to this race is additional and can be found here
- Briefings - Please refer to your Notice of Race for all mandatory briefing dates and times.
Prize Giving
The 50th Celebration and Prizing Giving will occur at 5 p.m. on 31st December and is open to all crew plus supporting members. Please check back for location details. Wear your 50th M2H Shirt and Cap to receive your complimentary drink on arrival.
Life Rafts Rental & Servicing and Life Jackets Servicing
West Offshore Products have new and ex-rental (non-deployed) life rafts for purchase or hire. Please get in touch with Harry at West Offshore Products on 03 – 9587 9363 or
The current ORCV Special with West Offshore Products is:
- Life Jacket Servicing $43.65 (excluding parts) with a 1 – 2 day turnaround from drop off to their offices in Mordialloc
- 20% discount on life rafts when you mention ORCV Members.
Ronstan Gear & Hardware
Ronstan is pleased to offer ORCV members the opportunity to have one of our deck hardware specialists visit their boats and inspect your deck hardware and sail handling systems. The objective is to help boat owners avoid problems before they happen by identifying items of equipment that may require servicing, repair, or replacement. This is particularly relevant if you consider participating in our more extended offshore events or even heading off for extended cruising.
The audit process takes about one hour and will require the boat owner or someone with good knowledge of the boat to be in attendance. If you want an audit conducted on your ship, please register your interest by
Container
One container has been arranged for boats heading to Hobart, where space can be booked. We will ask crews who would like to use the container to assist with loading.
- In Melbourne -
- Items to go into the container must be dropped at Stokes & Bell, 44 - 46 Burns Road Altona, on Saturday 17th or Sunday 18th December between 8 am and 11.30 am.
- All items are to be labeled with boat name, number, name of person, and contact phone number
- A packing declaration form (as found here) will be completed for each drop-off, which details the contents and weight, e.g., six crew bags 20kg, one liferaft - 80kg.
- No fuel, explosives, pressured cans/spray cans, flammable items, matches, flares, cigarette lighters, batteries, fruit or food, or untreated wooden products will be included. All fuel is to be emptied from motors and containers, too.
- In Hobart - This container will be located at the Derwent Sailing Club upon arrival. Crews will need to arrange their transport to and from that location. The container will need to be empty for removal by Jan 2nd.
Fuel & Gas Filling
The Derwent Sailing Squadron offers a filling service for Diesel and bottled Gas. Please public holiday opening hours with the club for the hours provided for both services.
Sustainable Practice
We are powered by nature. The ORCV promotes clean seas and encourages all crews and boats to think about using sustainable practices onboard and to reduce the use of single-use plastics onboard. Please take a look at these options when planning for your Hobart Race.
This year, at the 50th Melbourne to Hobart, we will not be doing bow decals to reduce the potential of these washing off and creating plastics in the ocean.
Tasmanian Bio-Security
We respect the procedures when we arrive in Tasmania. Upon arrival in Hobart, all crews will be requested to dispose of all fruit and vegetables into provided bags, tied and ready for disposal.
Cruise Home
Several boats will be cruising back the route taken, often determined by the weather. If you’re interested in joining this fleet, let us know via
Family and friends are Joining you in Hobart.
Could you make sure your friends and family make themselves known to our team on the ground, who will be located at Elizabeth Street Pier? There may be some busy times and small jobs beyond race management to do so if they can assist. The ORCV is a great community of members; helping and giving some time can be fun.
