AHOY THERE !!
22 June 2025
Dark MoFo has been and gone for another twelve months. Here are a few words from members written about this year’s experiences in Constitution Dock
Jackie wrote:
On a crisp, still, sunny afternoon, 12 CYCT boats filed into Con Dock like good little ducklings all in a row. The procession was led by Serenade, with Juliet bringing up the rear. All went smoothly, with 3 boats full of Boons rafting up together!
Ian wrote:
Dark Mofo events occur behind the veil of nighttime and mystery, shrouded in red light, so the decorative theme behind the transformation of Meltemi focused on ‘what lies behind the curtains’. Artistic director, Kimberly White, daughter of Meltemi first mate Boulton, set the scene on the deck of Meltemi by draping rich, dark red curtains from the boom held partly open by red ribbons. The parted curtains invited observers to chance their arm on what lay behind, once they bravely crossed the portal illuminated by flickering candles and rare red flowers. Surrounding the doorway to unknown delights a rich array of glowing red lit the way forward.
It was all a bit of fun of course and the whole of the fleet looked fantastic in their red themed glory. The CYCT fleet provided a glorious intermediate waterfront attraction as the crowds made their way between the Dark Feast at Elizabeth Wharf and the events at Dark Park and the brewery. Maybe we should get ourselves onto the official program for the next Dark Mofo festival?
Tracey wrote:
Stella went to Dark MOFO. The weather was absolutely stunning, visiting friends for sundowners with a delightful mix of people. Mulled wine was flowing freely, and it was a great time. But there’s the thing: we’ve never been big fans of karaoke ”Sweet Caroline” with a microphone in the cockpit at 12.30 am! To add to the cacophony, Police sirens wailed and youths were yelling homeward bound around 5 am! Now, we might have joined in on the fun way back when, but these days, I think we’ve become island country mice. We’re not quite used to all that excitement!
Val wrote:
Many thanks to Andrew Boon for coordinating smooth transitions in and out of Con Dock for our traditional Dark Mofo Cruise. The judging for "Best Dressed Boat" was so demanding I felt I needed to break tradition and make up some new categories. The results were:
Sheokee: The Sheer Daring and Commitment Award. A stream of red lights from the top to base of the mast and side to side across the spreaders. A big job well done.
Meltemi: The Seduction and Suave Award: An alluring redlight and seductive glow over a themed dinner setting, draped silky red fabrics, possibility and promise hanging in the air!
Cuvee:The Generous Pirate Award. Generous because they had the idea for the dinner theme and shared it with Meltemi and Pirate because they were of sufficient piratical nature to bribe me with a glass or two of decent wine. What could I do? I accepted.
Rhona H The Excellent Electrics award: A busy schedule saw last minute electrical fixings and solutions to get a huge Dark Mofo Cross up the mast and across the spars.
Many thanks to Rhona H for hosting the presentation gathering.
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Next Tuesday July the 1st is our usual gathering at the RYCT for the General Meeting, preceded by our member Sue Powell discussing her cruising throughout the islands of Vanuatu. I hardly touched the surface during my 3 week visit many years ago so I am looking forward to catching up on memories of some idyllic stopovers. Please review the minutes from the last meeting 2025 June GM Minutes and the agenda for this meeting GM Agenda July 2025
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Thursday 17 July is our next winter Forum with Ginny Gerlach talking about anchoring. We had Andrew Boon giving us the technical side of anchoring last year and Ginny will be speaking more broadly about keeping your boat in the one spot. Ginny has extensive cruising experience in the north and south Pacific, and her presentation will provide practical examples, in a relaxed story telling style, with check lists of things to watch out for.
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Crown Venture is planning a POP-UP cruise leaving Wednesday 02 July for 4 days at Partridge Island. Check the website for details
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Thinking caps on please. It’s that time of the year where nominations for Cruising Plaques and for the Cruise of the Year trophy are called for. The Commodore’s Cup (of coffee) Trophy is to be awarded too and your Committee is after advice as to who deserves to receive these accolades. Please email your nominations to commodore@cyct.com. And, yes, you can nominate yourself.