Keel Boats

Batemans Bay Sailing Club runs a full program of races and events that promises something for both our competitive and cruising/social members. Our main keelboat (mono and multihull) events include the:

  • Bay Cup Series – Divisions 1 and 2 (Cat 7) – sailing to all points of Batemans Bay.
  • Coastal Cup Series for Division 1 (Cat 4) yachts – in coastal waters between Moruya to the south and North Durras to the north.
  • Tollgate Classic Series for Division 2 (Cat 7) yachts within the waters of Batemans Bay
  • Womens’ Series events sailed within Batemans Bay
  • Events for trailable yachts sailed on the Clyde River between Batemans Bay and Nelligen or within Batemans Bay
  • Winter Series of competitive and social races on Saturdays running from May through to August. Champagne sailing at its best!

Visit our Events/ Race Entry page to buy your All Inclusive Race Entry (value for money – covers all races in the program), a specific Series Entry or else a Single Race Entry.

BBSC Keel Boat 25/26 season

The 2025 season kicks off on September 7th with a Sail Past, coinciding with the Bay Sunday Markets. Think of this as a chance to celebrate our boats, our crew, and our pretty damned amazing environment. Not to mention a reminder to our local community that we exist! Please assemble at 1000 near the marina entrance, ready to sail (or motor) upstream towards town. The lead boat is Wishful Thinking. 

Get as many crew or guests on board as you can & fly your battle flags – let’s pack a punch. We need as many BBSC boats as possible to participate. It’s a great opportunity for those boats in the BBSC mast-up stowage to join in on the fun & support the BBSC.

After the sail past, tie up at the floating wharf in town & enjoy some lunch & a beverage.  Details of catering to follow, just in case, bring along some food & drinks.

First Race of the season

  • Saturday 27th September Bay Cup I – start 1100
  • Pre-race briefing 0900 near Southern Catch/JJ’s

Remember, the Bay Cup series provides racing opportunities for both Keel Boats & Trailables, so the briefing is for all divisions.

2025 – 26 Keel boat program

At the BBSC sailing forum held at the clubhouse after the 2025 AGM, members decided that the 25/26 draft Keel Boat program was good to go. However, if the planned dredging of Batemans Bay bar goes ahead, we can review the dates & start times for racing in the second half of the season. Imagine being able to race regularly, every second Saturday with a 1300 start, awesome.

There are plans to update the format of the online BBSC program to make it easier to filter events for different participants so stay tuned for this. In the meantime, the 2025/26 Keel Boat program is available here.

AMS Measuring 

Splashed out on some new wardrobe lately? If you require any sails to be measured before the start of the 25/26 season, or would like to have your boat measured for AMS, please contact Tony Sutton on 0412357566 to arrange a time.

AMS Certificates             

If you have a 24/25 AMS certificate & don’t require any measuring, please apply to have your certificate revalidated. Revalidation can be done via the AMS website www.raceyachts.org 

Cat 7 Certificates

All BBSC on-water events held within the confines of Batemans Bay require a boat to have a Cat 7 Safety Certificate. The sailing committee has made it really easy for owners to achieve this, as this certification is self-auditing. The sailing committee is all about safety on the water so skippers and crews should be extremely thorough when conducting their audits. Nobody wants to regret a lack of vigour when it comes to safety.

Cat 7 requirements are closely aligned with NSW Waterways requirements in terms of equipment required. Further, the Australian Sailing special regulations (Cat 7 safety requirements) are a very practical approach to safety for sailing vessels & absolutely worth looking at closely. 

Audit forms can be found on the BBSC website. Completed forms are to be sent to the club’s equipment auditor Andrew Bain andrewabain@gmail.com  

Trailable Yachts 

We have a new kid on the committee: Peter Withington. Peter has taken on the role of Trailer Sailor Captain. Thank you, Peter, we know you’ll fulfill this role admirably. Peter is keen to promote the trailer sailor division in BBSC & has some exciting ideas to entice participation. Peter has many years’ experience in trailable boats and is willing and able to help those wanting to start sailing with the BBSC who may be feeling a little daunted, so reach out if that’s you – let’s get you out there.

If you’d like to get in touch, email Peter at pwitho@hotmail.com  to discuss.

Club communications

BBSC has a regular E-newsletter, which is a great read & the best way to keep informed with any Club happenings. The newsletter is also our way of keeping sailors up to date with any changes to the sailing instructions. So please, read, stay up to date and disseminate as necessary. If any of your crew aren’t currently receiving the Enewsletter, please let the committee know, email committee@bbsc.org.au

Any changes made to BBSC keel boat races via BBSC Enewslettter will constitute a change to the sailing instructions. Just as important – the newsletter is a voice for members. Any contributions absolutely more than welcome – let’s hear your thoughts.

SMS messaging

BBSC committee also uses SMS messaging to communicate with our members. This is a great way to make last-minute changes to the sailing instructions. For example, when adverse weather or dangerous bar conditions require a race to be cancelled or postponed.

Once again, any changes made to BBSC keel boat races via BBSC SMS system will constitute a change to the sailing instructions

Please ensure that you are receiving SMS messages from BBSC. Please contact the committee if you are not currently receiving club SMS messages.

On a final note, let’s remember that it’s all volunteer time and effort that gets us out racing, so, if there’s anything you’d like to contribute, any feedback or ideas, do reach out. We, as a committee, want to see as much participation as possible – let us know what might help you get out there. More than likely, we can do it.