A Brief History of the TSASA

Since 1967

The first TSASA newsletter was published and distributed the same day as the AGM. Committee details were provided, followed by a request that anyone who had built or was currently building a boat could have it inspected by the Safety Officer, A. Crawford. Once inspected and approved, the Association could issue the boat registration number. At that time, the TSASA could issue boat registration numbers starting with 'TS' to members' boats on behalf of the government marine authority. The final segment of the newsletter reminded members to pay the $2.00 annual membership promptly. This one-page information sheet established a philosophy of strong communication, which, over the following decade, led to the regular publication of newsletters and, in 1977, the production of the Bilgewater newsletter in a multipage format.

Initially, the TSASA had a primary focus on racing, as many owners had migrated from off-the-beach dinghy racing. The Rosebowl Race is held every November, and the Grecian Cup Race is held every February, allowing participants to hone their sailing knowledge and skills. In the early days, the number of starters numbered around 40 vessels, but today it has reduced to about 12. The larger and more stable trailer sailers enabled the involvement of other family members, and the Association's activities expanded to include social events for friends, partners, and children. A women's race was established and held annually in February on the same day as the Grecian Cup. It is now known as the Women's Classic, but in the early days of the TSASA, it was referred to as the 'Powder Puff Derby'.

Membership of the Association grew to around 40 within 10 years of establishment. Then it surged to 20 new memberships a year, peaking at around 160 due to the wide variety of fibreglass boats that had become available. The Association now has a relatively stable membership of around 100 members. Like all long-lived clubs, membership goes through cycles as people come and go, boats change hands, members' ages change, and leisure time is filled with competing priorities.

Cruising has become a growing focus of the Association, with so many great sailing destinations across Australia and the ability to tow boats to them. Members have visited many places with their boats, including Hobart and Macquarie Harbour in Tasmania, the Gippsland Lakes and the Glenelg River in Victoria, the Myall Lakes, the Hawkesbury River, and the Clarence River in New South Wales, as well as the Whitsunday Islands, the Great Sandy Strait, and Moreton Bay in Queensland. South Australia also boasts many excellent boating destinations that require regular trips, including the Coorong, the Murray River, the Upper Spencer Gulf, the Sir Joseph Banks Islands, and Coffin Bay, among others. Nothing beats happy hour around the campfire with good company, great conversations, maybe the odd camp oven meal and perhaps a batch of scones, all whilst being kept warm if needed with a small pile of coals under your chair!

The number of different trailer sailers has grown over the past 50 years to include Australs, Farrs, MacGregors, Duncansons, Coles, Noelexes and many more. Most were built commercially out of fibreglass and have maintained their condition, a bonus given that no more of this class are being manufactured in Australia.

The comfort level on board, along with increased safety features, has made sailing an enjoyable pastime for those interested.

The Association has also focused on safety for racing and cruising, with a comprehensive safety framework developed over recent years to ensure that, as much as possible (given unpredictable conditions), events are safe, well-run, and, importantly, enjoyable.

Knowledge and Information To assist new members in using their boats safely and to provide guidance about boat maintenance and sailing skills, the Members' Handbook was produced in 1997. Supplied to all new members, this 50-page publication has provided valuable advice up to 2020, when printed stocks were exhausted. The Handbook has now been replaced by the 160-page book Cruising Essentials, which is available in digital form to all members.

Keeping Connected The "Bilgewater", the Association's monthly magazine, continues to keep members updated on meetings, events, members and sponsors. It now features full-colour photos and articles on recent events, enabling participants to relive a trip and whetting the appetite of other members to visit the destination. For a little more history of the Bilgewater, Click Here.