Jones/Hart 14
I have raced with Jock MacAdie aboard Alex across numerous Sandringham and ORCV races, gaining valuable experience on a highly competitive and historically significant offshore racing yacht, sailed to a consistently high standard.
Alex was built by Hart Marine and launched in 1993 as Cadibarra VII, designed and raced by Don Jones. Following major structural modifications in 2000, she was relaunched as Kontrol and quickly established an impressive offshore record, including an ORCV Sovereign Series win, Melbourne–Hobart line honours, second place in the Melbourne–Osaka Double-Handed Race, and setting the Melbourne–Stanley race record.
Jock MacAdie purchased the yacht in 2005, renaming her Alex – Team MacAdie in memory of his father. Under Jock’s ownership, the yacht became renowned for exceptional double-handed performances against fully crewed fleets. The pinnacle achievement came in the 2007 Melbourne–Osaka Cup, where Jock and his son Hamish overcame major equipment failures to restart the race, claw back an 800-mile deficit, and win outright.
Across the 2007–2010 seasons, Alex achieved multiple overall and divisional wins in major offshore and bay races, including repeated ORCV Sovereign Series victories, Melbourne–Hobart podium finishes, Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy wins, Port Phillip Sea Pilots Trophy honours, and consistent line-honours results—often sailed two-handed against fully crewed boats.
After a quieter period, Alex underwent a full refit in 2019 and has since returned to racing. Jock remains deeply committed to double-handed sailing and to mentoring and developing the next generation of sailors in this discipline—an ethos that strongly shaped my own experience aboard the yacht.
Blogs
Unprecedented
Sailing out of Safety Beach on this modern Jeanneau Sun Fast 3300 was a shift in perspective. Lighter and more responsive than most cruiser-racers, the boat is purpose-built for efficiency. Managing the running backstays and highly loaded rig highlighted the technical precision needed to keep such a performance-focused platform moving at its best.
Airlie Beach Race Week 2024
The Whitsundays definitely showed their teeth during the 2024 regatta. Working the bow on a Hanse 430E, I spent the week wrestling with 30-knot gusts and complex island tides. It was all about staying one step ahead of the next sail change while navigating the narrow, choppy channels that define racing in this part of the world.
Hot Chipps
Club racing on Port Phillip Bay provided the perfect introduction to the Dehler 46 platform. Spending time on this versatile yacht was great preparation for a later coastal delivery, offering hands-on experience with its systems and deck layout. Assisting with a new mainsail setup also gave me a more technical look at the boat’s performance beyond just pulling ropes during a race.
Arcadia
Sailing on this Archambault 40RC across club and ORCV races has been a masterclass in team efficiency. PJ and the crew operate with a calm, quiet precision that makes even complex sail changes look routine. It’s a great environment to observe how a cohesive team relies on clear roles and consistent repetition rather than noise to maintain performance under pressure.
Adams 10.6
Sailing aboard Cloud 10, an Adams 10.6, provided a classic club racing experience out of RMYS. This 35-foot Australian design is a staple of the local fleet, known for its one-design competition. Getting time on this platform was a practical way to broaden my experience across a different style of local yacht.
RYCV Lipton Cup
The Lipton CupNorthern Port Phillip’s Premier RegattaIf there is one weekend that perfectly captures the spirit of sailing in Melbourne, it’s the Lipton Cup. Held annually at the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, this regatta is a massive multi-class celebration that...
Melbourne to King Island 2025
ORCV Melbourne to King Island 202554th Melbourne to King Island Ocean RaceThe 54th Melbourne to King Island Ocean Race was one of those events where the conditions aligned, the fleet was competitive, and the crossing of Bass Strait did everything it was supposed to...
It’s not just sailing
Racing the Dufour 40 near the Yarra River mouth keeps us on our toes. Beyond the technical challenges of Port Phillip Bay, sailing with Peter’s team highlights the social side of the sport. Post-race drinks in the galley are as vital as the racing, cementing the camaraderie that makes club sailing worthwhile.
Jarkan 925
Short-course racing at SYC on this 30-foot cruiser-racer. Handling the Jarkan 925 in a tight fleet provided plenty of practice with various spinnaker pole setups and quick sail changes. It was a solid, hands-on way to refine timing and coordination on a more traditional deck layout.
Ragnar – Beneteau First 36
Sailing with Richard and Alice Ekberg across both Blairgowrie and Sandringham offered a great look at this modern design. Moving from relaxed summer twilights to more competitive winter series at SYC highlighted the boat’s versatility. It was a practical way to experience how modern layouts handle different club environments and varied racing formats.
Trilogy – Dehler 42c
Navigating the unique tides and shifts of southern Port Phillip. Staying ahead on this Dehler 42C requires constant anticipation. It’s a rewarding environment where sharp race management meets a welcoming community; chasing the perfect start is only half the experience when participation is the lifeblood of the club.
Junior Sailing at RYCV
The Gateway to the BayJunior Sailing at RYCVIf you’re looking for a place where the city skyline meets the open water, Royals is it. The club has a long-standing reputation for nurturing young sailors, from their very first time on a boat to competing in state and...