Power Yacht Time Trialling 2

Time Trialling provides you with a great opportunity to use your boat, big or small, on the river during the cooler winter months.

Time Trialling is a test of accuracy rather than speed, and requires that you arrive at checkpoints located a known distance apart at precisely the right time, based on your nominated speed of between 5 and 15 knots. Each boat starts individually at an allocated time and completes a set course around ‘Checkpoints’ on the river. The ‘team’ comprises of a skipper and a navigator, it is the role of the skipper to drive the boat, a knowledge of the river marks and speed restrictions is important. The navigator is responsible for timekeeping using any preferred method including modified clocks, stopwatches, and more recently various phone and tablet apps.

A one point penalty is applied for every second that a boat is early or late at each checkpoint, so that the boat with the lowest number of points lost wins the event.

It sounds simple, but getting the perfect “zero” score is deceptively difficult, and you will find yourself developing your knowledge of the river and perfecting your boat handling skills to achieve it.

Events usually start at 2 o’clock on a Saturday afternoon, and after finishing the event, participants proceed to the Club mooring in Freshwater Bay for some well-earned socialising before returning to the Clubhouse for the announcing of results commencing at 5:30pm.

The season begins in early May with a short time trial followed by a raft-up of boats on the Main Wharf, and ends with a short time trial and presentation of the Season prizes in the Athol Hobbs Room in late September. The season comprises of weekly Club events, special events, Invitational events and 5 State Teams Events each season.

Even though the lowest points lost wins an event and has a chance of becoming Club Champion, first on handicap receives an attractive weekly prize. We have some very generous season and weekly sponsors providing the opportunity for some fabulous prizes and trophies.
 

How to Get Involved

Looking to get involved in time trialling and don’t know where to begin?

Please contact the Power Yacht Administrator by email at [email protected] or phone 9286 8200 and speak with one of our friendly staff who will walk you through the process.

A great place to start is to learn the skills of navigating for an experienced skipper.  We have  skippers available who will take new (or existing) members out on their boats and teach them “the ropes”.  When you have done this a few times you will be hooked!

Check out the links below for some further information.

Time Trialling Documents Page

How to Time Trial Guide

Power Yacht Time Trialling 3