Pittwater to Coffs

The Pittwater and Coffs Harbour Yacht Race and the associated series has developed into one of the most popular of all ocean-racing events in Australia. This race offers competitors a strategic challenge as they race past unsurpassed scenic coastlines, prior to arriving in one of Australia's most popular coastal cities.

Originally competitors raced north to Solitary Island before returning to Broken Bay although the introduction of a world class marina at Coffs Harbour and the holiday appeal of the coastal town prompted race organisers to halve the course distance. The event soon developed into a series with the introduction of races off the Palm Beach Circle, close to Barrenjoey Headland & a final race around the beautiful Islands of the "Solitary Island Marine Park". The event as it is now is in its 27th year, and is considered to be the "warm water" alternative to the Sydney to Hobart Race. The course covers 226 nautical miles of the NSW coastline, traveling north from Broken Bay to Coffs Harbour. This year in 2007, a 50nm overnight race has been added to proceedings as a "warm-up" to the passage race to Coffs.  

 A variety of yachts and sailors from around the world enter the series from year to year. Previously, yachts such as Bob Oatley's "Wild Oats XI", a 98 footer & winner of the 2007 passage race to the 50 year old veteran, the 30ft timber yacht "Lahara", designed by Jock Muir have entered the race. Many high profile yachts from the world's top designers compete for Line Honours and the race record. Nicorette, Ragamuffin, Hollywood Boulevard, Aftershock, Infinity III, Grundig, Heaven Can Wait, Illbruck, WIld Joe and Wild Oats X are just a few. Some of these yachts complete in the Sydney to Hobart before the delivery crew rush the yacht back for the January 2nd start.

The race also provides a great competition between the smaller classes such as the Sydney 38 One Designs, Farr 40 One Designs, and the Open 60's.

The Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race covers 226 nautical miles of coastal racing from Broken Bay (the mouth of Pittwater and the Hawkesbury River) to Coffs Harbour on the mid north coast of New South Wales.

The race is highly strategic, as the prevailing Australian east coast current flows south. In general, this means that the best strategy is to stay close to the coast, in the shallower water.

Most competitors wish for southerly winds, meaning that the conditions are easier and fast times can be achieved. If the northeast sea breezes are prevalent, conditions are very challenging. Most boats will short tack up the coast where the winds tend to ease at night. Tidal "gates" come into play.