The traditional wooden fishing boat fleet will be returning to Queenscliff in big numbers over the weekend of 25/26 February for the Couta Boat National Titles. It relives the history of racing for rewards but this time it’s for trophies and not a commercial fish catch.

This will be the first time for many years that sailing clubs on both sides of the bay have come together. It will be a cooperative effort between the Couta Boat Association, Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club, Queenscliff Lonsdale Yacht Club and the Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club. 

Couta Boats are integral to the history of Queenscliff which is considered to be the true home of this iconic fishing vessel. These majestic fishing boats, with their distinctive gaff rig, have been transformed into slick racing machines. Many participate in competitive racing on the Bay during summer.

Many years ago and for many years the waters around Queenscliff supported a fleet of fisherman and was a frenzy of activity. There are many stories about the characters and personalities of these brave men. Many of whom were well known local identities whose history is recorded in the Queenscliff Historical Museum and the Queenscliff Maritime Museum.

The Couta boats were developed for these waters at the start of last century and during the 1920s and 1930s more than 50 of these open boats would set sail from Queenscliff to fish in Port Phillip or head out into the open waters through the dangerous RIP.

On the weekend of February 25 and 26 an armada of Couta Boats will be visible off Queenscliff, The Cut and Shortlands Bluff. Their distinctive gaff rigs will make a spectacular sight as skippers navigate the tides, currents and each other around the bouys and channel markers in Port Phillip. On Saturday night they will moor at QCYC and gather at 360 Restaurant for dinner.

For more information contact: Geoff Cook mediaqlyc@gmail.com