Valiant 9

Dufour 40 skipper by Peter Dusting at Royal yacht club of Victoria, RYCV

I sailed aboard Valiant 9, a Dufour 40, out of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria (RYCV). Sailing on Port Phillip Bay, particularly around the mouth of the Yarra River, offered a mix of shifting tidal flows, variable winds, and strong currents, providing an excellent environment to refine boat handling, tactical awareness, and crew coordination.

Being part of the Valiant 9 crew was also a reminder that sailing is as much a social experience as it is a technical one. After racing, the crew gather in the galley to share stories, enjoy the camaraderie and sample sips from an impressive array of whiskey bottles. These moments reinforced the sense of friendship and enjoyment that make club sailing so rewarding.

Valiant 9 - Dufour 40 - Peter Dusting
Valiant 9 - Dufour 40 - Peter Dusting

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