But a friend and myself were welcomed aboard Livid – an Adams 10 keel boat – with Mr Dexter, club Commodore Rod Van Berkel and secretary Robyn Malcolm as part of the Twofold Bay Yacht Club’s sternchaser race on Sunday. 

We reached a howling run of 12-knots (about 25kmh shore speed) upwind towards the visiting P&O Pacific Explorer and enjoyed a wonderfully scenic lap around Eden’s Twofold Bay before the race had to be halted. 

It was an absolute blast and I should feel privileged to help set something of a club speed record. 

As someone with a keen interest in boats and sailing, but perhaps not the stomach for it (read: seasickness), it was one heck of an introduction to the sport. 

Unfortunately, wind gusts peaked at over 25 knots, which is around the cut off for the club to cancel racing. 

Vice-commodore of the club Ted Dexter said it was an unfortunate finish to the day for a number of yachts that were enjoying a few laps around the cruise ship. 

Mr Dexter said the sternchaser series are a special handicap start race where slower boats go first and the progressively quicker boats following behind. 

Much of the fleet was able to get in a bit of a sail and cruise inquisitively past the visiting giant. 

Despite the unfortunate cancellation, Mr Dexter says excitement is building for the club’s upcoming annual Regatta on February 17 and 18. 

I will be back out on the boats too - but in less of a mixing business with pleasure capacity – for photo coverage of one of the biggest sailing meets in NSW.

There will be a good fleet of trailer sailors and off-the-beach boats taking part as well as good interest for the Bic O’pens and X3s. 

And Mr Dexter said following the success of the B14 national championships during the last regatta, the Flying Dutchman class will descend on Eden’s iconic Twofold Bay for three days of racing as part of a national title regatta. 

Mr Dexter tells me he’s been around sailing boats since he was two, which gave this – not so intrepid –reporter more confidence as a first-timer. 

It’s one of the pleasures of the sport he says, to share lifelong skills with people and it’s something the club does regularly with sailing lessons open to juniors and adults alike. 

If like me you’re interested in taking advantage of one of the great sports and lifestyles we enjoy ‘on our doorstep’ you can contact Mr Dexter by e-mail at dexter01@active8.net.au.