MAKING WAVES

Australia Day Tinnie Muster

Up to 400 vessels of all shapes and sizes are expected to attend the inaugural Tinnie Muster on Australia Day on Sydney Harbour. The exciting new event isn't confined to just tinnies per se, rather, it's open to all pleasure boats and their chummy crews. The muster will occur in Athol Bay from 2pm for an afternoon of live music, games and water activities around a floating barbecue and coffee lounge. There will be tinnie (small boat) and bathtub races and a harbour scavenger hunt before the Twilight Fireworks Finale. Another new event, the Tug and Yacht Ballet from 12.30pm to 1.30pm is described as a dazzling, choreographed display of two powerful tug boats dancing with a flotilla of yachts. The 178th Australia Day Regatta, the world's oldest continuously conducted annual sailing event, will take place throughout the afternoon with up to 700 yachts. Full Australia Day program at www.australiaday.com.au. Captains briefing at 5.30pm on January 16 at the Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour. RSVP: australiaday@dpc.nsw.gov.au or call on 9513 2038. John Boyce from charterboat Sydney Sundancer is helping organise an Australia Day Parade with public voting for the best dressed. See luxurysydneyharbourcruises.com.au.



Lee Dillon departs

Long-serving Riviera dealer Lee Dillon, whose name still graces the transom of so many boats in Sydney, has officially exited the boating industry. His R Marine Pittwater dealership at Church Point has been bought by Mark Riley, who established a concierge service for luxury boats in Sydney. "I truly believe that boating brings people together from all walks of life and it is a unique experience enjoyed by all ages," Riley, an avid boater and wooden-boat buff said. R Marine Riley will focus on customer care and Riviera and Belize boat sales in the Pittwater area. See rmarineriley.com.au.



Farr 40s with rockstar crews

This weekend's Farr 40 One Design Trophy is being held in conjunction with Middle Harbour Yacht Club's Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship. Six Farr 40s will make the start with a superb line up of Olympic gold medallists. They include Malcolm Page, Tom Slingsby and Nathan Wilmot, all recent winning America's Cup sailors and world champions in their respective classes. The owner-driver Farr 40 yachts support both Corinthian and semi-professional crews. Results at ssorc.mhyc

.com.au.