Summer Success for Beneteau Firsts!

Christmas celebrations continued to roll along for many Beneteau First owners participating in the annual Boxing Day and offshore races to Tasmania.

The list of trophy winners has been a fantastic result for Beneteau, with success in a number of divisions across a number of the newly released models. Many of these yachts were participating for the first time and it seems that all owners are extremely pleased in how their yachts performed in the conditions.

A big congratulations goes out to Andrew Steenhuis in his First 45 'Seven' who won the Rudder Cup, which is the overall ORCV trophy for the Melbourne to Launceston series. In addition Mike & Mark Welsh in their First 40 'Wicked' won the Boxing Day Dash (Cock of the Bay) in the converted IRC division 1, while Steve Copley won Division 2 on IRC in his First 36.7.

In the Sydney to Hobart race, both 'Victoire' (First 45) and 'Paca' (First 40) won IRC divisions 2 and 3 respectively making it the second successful year in a row for Beneteau, after 'Two True' and 'Wicked' took out 1st & 2nd overall on IRC in last years race.

The fleet of First series yachts continues to grow throughout Australia and especially in our local waters. We have seen the numbers sailing grow over the past 12 months, with success from each the First 35, First 40 and First 45.

These yachts make sense and suit our local Melbourne conditions. The interest we are having from potential buyers is exciting and it is clear that many club skippers are keen to grow the numbers of these yachts and compete against each other with 4 x First 45's, 6 x First 40's and 2 x First 35's now racing on Port Phillip Bay.

Boxing Day Dash Results

Skipper	Boat	Division	IRC	AMS	PHS
Mike Welsh	First 40	1	1st	2nd	10th
Dennis McConnell	First 45	1	4th	7th	12th
Steve Copley	First 36.7	2	1st	2nd	3rd
Peter Dunne	First 36.7	2	5th	4th	7th

Melbourne to Launceston Results

Skipper	Boat	LH	IRC	AMS	PHS
Andrew Steenhuis	First 45	2nd	1st	1st	-
Chris Tucker	First 40	4th	4th	3rd	7th
Peter Dunne	First 36.7	9th	5th	4th	5th
Jason Close	First 35	6th	-	2nd	1st

Andrew Steenhuis on his First 45 and first time crossing of Bass Strait, ended up 1st on IRC, AMS, and winner of the Rudder Cup.

Chris Tucker on his new First 40 claiming 3rd on AMS and 4th on IRC.

Jason Close on his 10 day old First 35 claiming 2nd on AMS and 1st on PHS.

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Business Name Change

You may have noticed that 'Sundance Yacht Sales' has recently undergone a business name change to 'Sundance Marine'.

This is to incorporate the opening of our new office in Hobart, Tasmania along with the sales of new and used power boats in the same office.

For more information, please speak to David in our Melbourne office or Danny in our Tasmania office.

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Club Racing Results

Date	Race	Skipper	Boat	Result
2 December	SYC Twilight - Heat 9	Theo Korbel	First 36.7	1st - Div 1
		Magdy Iskander	Cyclades 39.3	1st - Div 2
5 December	Women in Sailing - Heat 4	Catherine Gomez	First 27.7	1st - YV

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Brokerage Yacht of the Month


Yacht	Carter 33
Year Built	1985
Berths	5-6
Price	$72,500 ono
Location	Sandringham, Victoria
Details	Extremely well presented and maintained cruising yacht with similar layout and hull design to the famous S&S 34. Includes many extras such as Simrad wheelpilot, HF radio, B&G insturments, VDO chart plotter, BBQ and plenty of racing and cruising sails. These type of boats are in high demand at the moment, so it won't hang around long. Come down to Sandingham today for an inspection. Click here for more information...

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Yacht Brokerage Update

2005 Lightwave 45 $730,000	2004 DK46 $449,000
1988 Roberts 370 $145,000	1995 Elliott 780 $34,900
1991 Ross 780 $29,900 ono	1980 S80 $29,000
1985 Young Rocket 780 $25,000	1970's Swanson 27 $19,500 ono