Reserve your spot
Book a sail
Join your BHAG colleagues on Sydney Harbour every Thursday evening. No sailing experience needed — just show up and enjoy the ride.
Arrive 5pm, board by 5:15pm
Race starts 5:30pm and runs 1–1.5 hours
Dukes Pier, Barangaroo (Nawi Cove)
Look for the BHAG crew on the pier
After the race: Lord Nelson Brewery
Drinks and results with the fleet
All skill levels welcome
Experienced crew are always on board
Next sail
Bookings open on Friday for the following Thursday and usually fill up fast. They're taken by BHAG Sailing on RSVPify, not on this site. You'll get a confirmation code by email — keep it handy for check-in on the night.
Thursday 29 October
Board by 5:15pm · race 5:30pm
Already booked? See your races
On the water
The race
Every race starts and finishes on the line between the rib boat and Goat Island. The wind decides which way round the islands we go — these are the two most common courses.
North-easterly windclockwise
Round Goat Island clockwise, head west and round Cockatoo Island clockwise, then race back to the finish.
Southerly windcounter-clockwise
Same marks, opposite direction: both islands are rounded counter-clockwise.
The exact course is confirmed by the race officer on the night.
New to sailing?
Sailing 101
Everything you need to know before you step aboard
Points of Sail — where is the wind coming from?
"Point of sail" describes the angle of the boat relative to the wind. It determines how the sails are trimmed and how fast the boat can go.
Close Hauled
Sailing as close to the wind as possible (~45°). Sails pulled in tight. Fastest upwind.
Beam Reach
Wind directly to the side (90°). Sails half out. Usually the fastest point of sail.
Broad Reach
Wind behind and to the side (~135°). Sails eased out. Comfortable and fast downwind.
Dead Run
Wind directly behind (180°). Sails all the way out. Risk of accidental gybe — stay alert.
Crew Positions — who does what on board?
Helm (Skipper)
Steers the boat with the tiller or wheel. Makes tactical decisions. The boss on the water — their word is final.
Tactician
Reads the race course, wind shifts, and fleet. Advises the helm on when to tack and which side of the course to favour.
Mainsheet Trimmer
Controls the mainsail (the big sail). Constantly adjusting to keep it powered up without over-loading the boat.
Headsail Trimmer
Trims the front sail (jib/genoa). Works closely with the helm on tacks, grinding winches to haul the sail across.
Grinder
Powers the winches during tacks and gybes. Pure muscle work — the winches are heavy. Great job if you want a workout.
Bow
Works the front of the boat — hoisting and dropping sails, setting the spinnaker pole. Wet, exciting, and physical.
Rail Meat (Crew)
That's probably you on your first sail! Sit on the high side of the boat to help balance it. Follow instructions, hold on, and enjoy the ride. No experience needed.
Key Terminology — sound like you know what you're doing
- Port
- Left side of the boat (when facing forward). Remember: port = left = both 4 letters.
- Starboard
- Right side of the boat. Starboard nav light is green — think 'green for go, go right'.
- Bow / Stern
- Bow = front of the boat. Stern = back of the boat.
- Windward
- The side the wind is coming from — the high, drier side.
- Leeward
- Opposite to windward — the low, wetter side where the sails are.
- Tack
- Turning the bow through the wind so it switches from one side to the other.
- Gybe
- Turning the stern through the wind. More powerful and requires good coordination.
- Upwind / Beat
- Sailing toward where the wind is coming from — close hauled, zig-zagging.
- Downwind / Run
- Sailing away from the wind — sails out, fast and exhilarating.
- Mark
- A buoy on the race course. You round marks to complete laps.
- Starboard Advantage
- A boat on starboard tack has right of way over a boat on port tack.
- Ready About / Lee-oh
- Helm calls 'ready about' before a tack. 'Lee-oh' = tack is happening now — hold on!
- Ease / Trim
- Ease = let the rope out (sail gets less power). Trim = pull it in (more power).
- Sheet
- A rope used to control a sail. Not an anchor, not a cover — a rope.