Yachts participating in the 2013 Rendezvous to Hobart , the Wooden Boat Festival, the Van Diemens Land Circumnavigation and or who have just been Cruising celebrated their arrival in Hobart at the now traditional dinner at the Shipwrights Arms Hotel (which has catered to sailors for over 165 years) last Thursday evening.

All had different tales to tell of their Bass Strait crossings and their Rendezvous’ with other boats during the trip. Wineglass Bay, Schouten Island, Triabunna, Maria Island, Fortescue Bay, Dunnalley Canal, Bruny Island, Kettering and more were just some of the places visited as Cruisers made their way to Hobart.

All who participated in the 2013 Rendezvous to Hobart acknowledged that the Roger Badham forecasts supported by the CYCA were essential to the successful planning of their passages.

Many have now fulfilled their Wooden Boat Festival duties and will continue Cruising, circumnavigating or planning their return.We were welcomed at all anchorages and marinas, in particular at the RYCT by boats who although not part of our group had taken advance notice of the Cruise and in most instances were looking out for us, all were enthusiastic to share news and anchorages and welcome us to Tasmania. A very strong sense of community this time was marked by many impromptu gatherings at anchor, at marinas and very much so at the WBF.

The Wooden Boat Festival is a truly wonderful event and should be on everyone’s calendar, many CYCA members were seen on the docks including Simon Kurt’s Love and War that was proudly flying the RSHYR flag as well.

We would also like to acknowledge the terrific assistance of Marius Coomans and his skipr.net site for our own 2013 Rendezvous to Hobart Cruise page – you can follow all boats cruising on this site.

Best Regards from Denis Doyle and Lynne Smith on Sextant