Photo: S Ash
Our 2022 ROBTEK WCC was a huge success.
As the four yachts Charlotte, ( Brad & Saskia Stemmet ) Reflexion ( Derek & Sharon Robinson ) Lucky Lady ( Frank & Gail Stuyck ), and Point Blank ….. with the Pirates ( Aka Gunnar Heiberg and his motley crew ) rounded Stompneus Point in close proximity, the race was on! You may well say – hang on, this is supposed to be a cruise….. but then four yachts all sailing in the same direction !!??
But I am getting ahead of myself.
It all started the day before on the eve of the 27th of December at Saldanha Bay Yacht Club when the crew of the thirty yachts entered for the Bi-Annual West Coast Cruise all met for the welcome by Port Owen YC Commodore, Ian Mackintosh followed by a skippers briefing by Derek Robinson ( Vice- Commodore of the Port Owen YC ) Derek asked each skipper to introduce his crew, which resulted in some hilarious jests. Each entered yacht received a goody bag with cruise detail and some mementos for their yachts. This was followed by supper, catered for by Joan du Plessis ( Rear- Commodore Social ) and her team from the Port Owen Yacht Club. And then there was the pudding … yummy and luckily there were seconds.
The next morning most yachts elected to leave quite early from Saldanha Bay – destination Port Owen. As there was very little wind most yacht’s motors- sailed most of the way and that’s how the four yachts all met at Stompneus Point at the same time, and as the wind had come through, motors were switched off, and ……… the race was on !!! and …….. the Pirates won.
By the time the fleet got to Port Owen the South-easter had come through pretty strong and it took careful management to get so many yachts, new to Port Owen, into the allocated Marina berths. Three yachts didn’t follow instructions and touched the mud but a skiff was on standby to pull them off and assist them to their berths.
Soon everyone was showered and in the Port Owen Yacht Club pub to quench their thirst. As usual, stories were told, wagers were settled, and the barman was kept busy.
The next morning the predicted South-easter came through with vengeance and everyone kept a low profile. By late afternoon the POYC pub started filling. New wagers were being made, and at 18H00 Ian Mackintosh and Derek Robinson held a hilarious hour of fun where misdemeanors of the previous two days were highlighted and punished with a forfeit. You were however allowed to try and talk your way out of the forfeit, and while nobody was successful, those trying to talk their way- out implicated others, and so the forfeits grew. This was followed by Ed’s famous curry for supper – a tradition at the POYC.
The next morning dawned beautifully, and everyone left the Marina – destination Stompneus Bay for lunch. On arriving at the bay’s entrance, one could smell the aroma of braai fires and meat being grilled. Some yachts had rafted up, others launched their dinghies and joined yet other yachts, while others, well just did nothing, relaxed and read a book … while yet another played the game – let’s drag my anchor in a confined anchorage!!! Luckily, no damage except a bruised ego.
By late afternoon most of the yachts weighed anchor and headed off to Sandy Point Harbour where one could tie up / raft-up to the quay and most crews went for supper at the Oppiekaai Restaurant.
The next morning crews awoke to quite a stiff easterly wind but this soon abated resulting in a pleasant sail across St Helena Bay back to Port Owen. Knowing the channel better this time all yachts entered without a hitch.
The day being the 31st or old year’s eve the crews took the afternoon easy saving their energy for the evening. However, by 18H00 the pub had filled up again, and sometime later the effervesced POYC catering crew had a buffet fit for a captain!!
Soon the music man ( sponsored by Patrick Barato Knobel ) fired up his boomboxes and the dancing started. Sassy Sas led the onslaught and was rewarded for her endeavors the following day at the prizegiving. After much happy “new-yearing” the crews eventually settled with the ‘unlucky’ being invited to after-parties on various yachts.
The next morning dawned bright…… err bleary-eyed but nothing a cool swim in the marina and a shower couldn’t sort out. By 09H00 everyone, well most crews, had come over for a traditional POYC Full Cholesterol breakfast and prize giving.
It was amazing that somehow each yacht had done enough to win a prize and with promises from most yachts of – I’ll be back!! for the next West Coast Cruise 2024….. and with that this year’s cruise had come to an end. The POYC Cruise Committee and Catering Team went home to sleep while most visiting yachts left with the tide – the destination being their respective home ports.
A special thanks to:
Co-hosts – Saldanha Bay Yacht Club Title Sponsor – Robtek
Sub-Sponsors: Port Owen Estates, Top Carpets, and Floors Vredenburg, Port Owen Boatyard, Glen Carlou Wines, Seaport Supply, POMA, Shelly Point Hotel, and Spa and YachtportSA.
