Vintage line-up for The Gaffers

One of Australia's longest-running classic yacht events will start tomorrow in the waters of Moreton Bay.

Dozens of yachts will weigh anchor for the 50th Vintage Yacht Regatta which celebrates timber yachts, seamanship and racing.

Hosted by Queensland Cruising Yacht Club (QCYC), 'The Gaffers', as it is affectionately known, runs from July 18-20 off Shorncliffe. 

Entries have come from around Queensland and interstate, including beautifully restored dinghies and ocean-going ketches over 60 feet.

The regatta will feature Around the Cans racing for yachts and Navigation Trials for motor yachts, held over two days on a triangular course off the Shorncliffe headland. Entries are open to timber vessels that meet the eligibility criteria.

“This regatta continues to be a showcase for noted Australian marine architects and builders including Alan Payne, Ron Swanson, Clem Masters and the Hartley business,” said event organiser Charlie Jeays.

“Their international equivalents are represented by Herreshoff, Alden, and Sparkman and Stevenson. It’s a rare chance to see these boats not just on display but out doing what they were built to do.”

The weekend includes a full racing and social program, with trophies awarded across rig types, classes and presentation categories. Prizes include the Ted Rice Shield, the Deagon Slipways Trophy and the Australia-wide Boat Sales Trophy.

Spectators can enjoy views of the racing from the Shorncliffe headland and foreshore or take in the marina views from the QCYC Clubhouse while enjoying a meal or drink from the Club’s bar and restaurant.

QCYC was founded in 1948 and is one of Queensland’s oldest sailing clubs. The Vintage Yacht Regatta has been a fixture on its calendar since 1976, starting with just six entries and growing steadily over the years.

“This event is about more than racing,” said Jeays. “It’s about the heritage, the craftsmanship, and the shared respect for these vessels and the people who keep them sailing.”