Hanse 505 – Shimmer
Skipper: Steve Twentyman
Safety Beach Sailing Club (SBSC)
Shimmer is one of the yachts I sail on most regularly, and over time she’s become a familiar and trusted platform. Sailing out of Safety Beach Sailing Club, much of our time together has been spent in the rhythm of Friday twilight races and Sunday club racing, building consistency, teamwork and a deep understanding of how the boat likes to be sailed across all conditions.
Beyond club racing, Shimmer is an active and well-prepared ORCV campaigner, regularly lining up for offshore and coastal races. The boat is exceptionally well kept and thoughtfully set up, with a strong sail inventory that includes a J0, Code 0 and multiple asymmetric spinnakers, allowing us to stay competitive across a wide range of angles and conditions. That versatility really shows offshore, where sail selection, preparation and timing make a meaningful difference over long legs.
Across the past couple of seasons I’ve raced Shimmer in events including the Apollo Bay Ocean Race, Melbourne to King Island, Melbourne to Devonport, ORCV Coastal Sprints, and longer coastal returns and deliveries back to Safety Beach. These passages have added up to a lot of miles together — racing, delivering, and problem-solving — and have given me exposure to multiple roles on board, from bow and mast work to trimming and helming, depending on the demands of the race or delivery.
What stands out most about sailing with Steve and the Shimmer team is how well the program is run. The boat is prepared properly, the crew is trusted to do their jobs, and there’s a calm, methodical approach to offshore decision-making. Whether it’s setting up for a night leg, managing sail changes offshore, or working through light and difficult conditions, there’s always something to learn simply by being part of the process.
Sailing Shimmer hasn’t been about a single standout race or result — it’s been about consistency, repetition, and miles. The combination of regular club racing, ORCV offshore events and return deliveries has made this one of the most valuable yachts in my recent sailing experience, and one I’ve genuinely grown with over time.
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...