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Pla Loma IV

CountryAustralia
Boat TypeDK42
Sail NumberMH7
ClubMiddle Harbour Yacht Club
LOA13.02m, 42.71f
Beam4.01m, 13.15f
Draught2.61m, 8.56f
Owner (s)Rob Reynolds
Designer (s)Reichel/Pugh - Mills
Builder(s)DK Yachts
Former CrewAdrian Bridges
Andrew McBean
Anthony Willians
Dave Sherwood
Graeme Bridges
Jaime Dibble
Julie Hodder
Justin Cook
Kimbyl Mann
Michael Whyte
Rob Corran
Rob Lee
Roger Corrie
Scott Denton
Zane Gills

Pla Loma IV

Pla Loma IV was sailed in Asia before coming to Australia after Rob Reynolds bought her in 2004. He then modified her for sailing conditions in Australia.

Rob owned her until 2009 when he bought the DK46 Exile. Pla Loma was sold to Timothy Cox and is called Minerva. She has since competed in 4 Sydney Hobart races under that name, making it 7 in total.

2004

Sydney to Hobart 2004

From CYCA Sydney to Hobart Website:

It's been a tough year for Rob Reynolds who lost his previous boat Tara during the Sydney Gold Coast Race return trip. Not one to be beaten, Rob immediately started looking for a replacement and found this Reichel/Pugh design which will arrive from Asia in late November, leaving very little time to prepare for the tough ocean classic.

Crew: Chris Vorbach (12), Jim Bourke (6), Rob Lee (2), Andrew McBean, K Mann, Dave Sherwood, Zand Gills, Scott Denton, J Natherson

2005

Coffs Harbour Race 2005

Not sure whether this was December 2004 as Pla Loma did Hobart in 2004

Rob Reynolds on the helm
Dave Sherwood on Main
Julie Hodder on the Helm
Julie Hodder on the Helm
Roger Corrie on the helm
Cheers Rob Lee
Justin Cook and Scott Denton
Justin Cook and Anthony Williams
Rob Reynolds enjoying happy hour
Michael Whyte trimming
Michael Whyte trimming
Michael Whyte trimming
Roger Corrie on helm
Rob Lee in his sleeping wear!
Rob Lee in his sleeping wear!
Roger Corrie repairing spinnaker
Anthony Williams supervising kite repair from bunk
Roger Corrie repairing Spinnaker under supervision from Anthony
Roger Corrie repairing Spinnaker under supervision from Anthony - Big hole
Dave Sherwood on helm
Rob Lee and Dave Sherwook
Michael Whyte and Scott Denton
Dave Sherwood on helm
Rob and Roger making coffee - not that easy
Rob and Roger making coffee - not that easy
Rob and Roger making coffee - not that easy
Rob and Roger making coffee - not that easy
Julie Hodder updating Rob Reynolds on course
Julie Hodder updating Rob Reynolds on course
Anthony Williams, Rob Lee and Scott Denton on helm
Think this is Justin Cook
Julie Hodder (Nav) concentrating

Sydney to Gold Coast Yacht Race

From CYCA website:

This DK43 likes a downhill slide and will be looking to stay with the 50 footers heading north. Pla Loma IV retired from the 2005 Rolex Sydney Hobart with steering problems but reached the finish line in Hobart in 2006. In March Pla Loma contested the Audi Sydney Southport, the closing race of the 2006/7 offshore season, finishing fifth in division.

Crew: Robert Lee, Robert Corran, Julie Hodder, Michelle Warner, Graeme Bridges, Adrian Bridges, Anthony Williams, Mark Riding, Roger Corrie

2006

Sydney to Gold Coast Regatta

From CYCA website:

Pla Loma was modified late last year and the crew is still getting to know the boat.  Very fast downhill and looking to stay with the 50 footers.  Owner Rob Reynolds plans to campaign the boat in this year's Rolex Sydney Hobart.
 Crew: John Crawford, Rob Lee, Dave Sherwood, D Fagan, Rob Corran, Scott Denton, J Hilton, A Mckay, B Pelham
2007

Sydney to Hobart 2006

This DK 43 likes a downhill slide according to owner Rob Reynolds, and will be looking to stay with the 50 footers.  Pla Loma IV entered the 2005 Rolex Sydney Hobart but encountered steering problems which forced her out of the race.  Rob and his crew will be aiming for a more satisfying outcome this time around as they contest the 628 nautical mile race to Hobart.

Crew: Rob Corran (1), Rob Lee (3), Scott Denton (1), Dave Sherwood (1), Justin Cook, B Ryan, G Daven, Sam Williams, Roger Corrie

2008

Gillawa Shield 2008

Although there were not many boats competing in this year's ocean pointscore, the Gillawa Shield, the competition between Pla Loma (Rob Reynolds) and MRZ (Phillip Rowe) for first place was tough.

The last race to Newcastle was the decider and there was much banter (and red herrings) between tacticians and skippers of both boats the day before the race. The race to Newcastle was eventually started just near Long Reef due to the lack of wind earlier on in the day and then the forecasted NE really kicked in reaching just over 20kts. MRZ was coving Pla Loma tack for tack the whole way - not wanting to let the faster bigger boat out of its sight. However Pla Loma was able to handle the choppier heavier winds a little better and unfortunately MRZ (or Pascha as we have now nicknamed her) ran aground in Newcastle Harbour.

So this year the winner of the Gillawa Shield is our former Commodore Rob Reynolds on Pla Loma, 2nd MRZ and 3rd, a new boat to ocean racing at this club Mortgage Choice Rumba (Robert Carr, Kerry Burke, Stephanie Cook).

Next year we would like to see more boats compete for the prestigious Gillawa Shield. MHYC has a deep history in ocean racing and many famous Australian boats have won this trophy. There are only 5 races in the series, including the Southport, Flinders, Cabbage Tree, Bird Island and Newcastle. It is a great way to prepare your boat for long ocean races and provides variety to your yachting program without being too onerous on time.

 

 

Audi Sydney to Southport Race

From CYCA Website: This DK43 likes a downhill slide and will be looking to stay with the 50 footers heading north.  Pla Loma IV retired from the 2005 Rolex Sydney Hobart with steering problems but reached the finish line in Hobart in 2006. 

In March 2007 Pla Loma IV contested the Audi Sydney Southport Yacht Race, the closing race of the 2006/7 offshore season, finishing fifth in division.

Crew: Robert Lee, Jaime Dibble, Julie Hodder, Robert Corran, Ann Dooley, Michael Whyte, Anthony Williams, Michelle Warner, Roger Corrie

This was the year Rob could not go with us because of business. From memory there was a big storm near the border of NSW and Queensland. 

We came 38th overall and 14th in division, but a lot of boats retired and we made it.

Pla Loma - photo by Andrea Francolini
Julie Hodder (Navigator)
Julie Hodder (Navigator)
The approaching storm - we got drenched
The approaching storm - we got drenched
The approaching storm - we got drenched - with Rob Corran on helm
Roger Corrie and Michelle
Michelle Warner
Skipper Scott Denton on watch!
Jaime Dibble sleeping peacefully on the 2008 Audi Sydney to Goldcoast Race
Michael Whyte, our bowman - not sure what he was doing
Michael Whyte, our bowman - not sure what he was doing
Michael Whyte, our bowman - not sure what he was doing
Michael Whyte, our bowman - not sure what he was doing
Michael Whyte, our bowman - not sure what he was doing
Men resting - Scott Denton, Rob Lee and Roger Corrie
Men resting - Scott Denton, Rob Lee and Roger Corrie
Michelle Warner and Unknown
Jaime Dibble at the helm on the 2008 Audi Sydney to Goldcoast Race

Flinders Island Race

Pla Loma on Flinders Island Race
Pla Loma on Flinders Island Race
Pla Loma on Flinders Island Race

Hamilton Island Race Week

Crew Photo somewhere
In the Performance Grad Prix division, Rob ReynoldsDK43 Pla Loma firms its grip on the series pointscore with a wind in the first windward/leward race sailed in Turtle Bay
Annie with the 4 Tenors that sang to us on the Jetty
The Four Tenors
Annie with the 4 Tenors that sang to us on the Jetty
The Four Tenors
Dinner with the Hubby

Cruising Division Raftup on Pla Loma

A great weekend

Rob Lee
Rob Lee dancing with Julie Hodder
Rob Lee dancing with Julie Hodder

General Racing

April 2008
April 2008
April 2008
April 2008
April 2008

Sydney to Hobart 2008

Rounding Tasman Light - Unknown and Scott Denton

Rob Reynolds, a former Commodore of Middle Harbour Yacht Club, had considerable success with his previous boat, Tara,  but it was unfortunately lost on the return delivery trip after the 2004 Gold Coast Race. He bought this boat and in its only Sydney Hobart to date was forced to retire with a broken quadrant. However, she has raced well, without major success,  in most East Coast races since 2005.

Crew: Julie Hodder (10) Navigator, Scott Denton (2), Dave Sherwood (8), Rob Lee (4), Rob Corran (3), Justin Cook (2), Roger Corrie (5), M Whyte, Anthony Williams

Story sent to the CYCA from Julie Hodder

Calm and Carnage

Last night, in the middle of Bass Straight we were caught in a light NE, NW, W, SW wind. Very frustrating and of course those new people to the race cannot believe how calm Bass Straight is. But shouldn't talk too soon as today we expect much harsher conditions.

Being one of the smallest boats in the first start line was a bit hairy. We decided to start a little late but be right on the boat end and keep to the Eastern shore, hoping the larger boats would take off and leave us some air. But Ichi Baan had the same idea and tried (well did) squeeze on top of us. Their tactician yelled, "you are head to wind". We replied that maybe our sails were flapping as their gigantic boat had just gone over the top of us - well words to that effect. Still, it is always exciting going up Sydney Harbour.

The run down the coast was exhilarating, and a little scary at times. Attached is a picture of what was once our chicken shoot. It all happened just as we met up with the only boat we have seen for a day - AFR midnight rambler. Very embarrassing - not the sort of thing you like other people to see you do during a gybe. But alas 10 minutes later, AFR had their own problems gybing, wrapping their kite around the forestay. Their problem seemed a lot worse than ours.

Lovely evening last night. They guys kept putting on their thermals to go on watch and then 10 minutes later peeling because they were so hot. We are now having our diner in the middle of the day, during daylight hours (can't think why we didn't always do that). So the guys are now sipping their "brown sugar" coffees, admiring the sunset and trying to get the boat moving more that 4 knots in 4 knots of wind - very tricky.

Picture is Roger Corrie, one of our watch captains. He was thinking about trying to mend the kite.

Julie Hodder (Pla Loma)

Pla Loma

Getting Ready for Start

Just After Start

On the way to Hobart

I am not sure who took these photos, but could have been from the girl that Rob paid for on the helicopter. Also have High Res photos.

Rounding Tasman Light

Rob Reynolds rounding Tasman light
Rob Corran, unknow and Scott Denton rounding Tasman Light
Rounding Tasman Light
Rounding Tasman Light
Rounding Tasman Light
Rounding Tasman Light - Dave Sherwood and Rob Lee
Rounding Tasman Light - Robert Corran
Rounding Tasman Light - Unknown and Scott Denton
Rounding Tasman Light - Unknown and Scott Denton

Hobart Party

No idea who took these photos, but must have been funny. Sure that was a bottle of Moet!

2009

2009 Twilight Racing on Pla Loma

Rigged up and Ready

Rigged up and Ready

Sailing around Sydney Harbour in a racing yacht at twilight is exhilarating stuff. Julie Ihle tells us how to get hooked

Although I've lived in Sydney all my life. I'm a sailing virgin. So when the opportunity comes to take a hands-on sailing lesson aboard Pla Loma, veteran of the Sydney-to-Hobart, in a Sydney Harbour twilight race, I leap at the chance.

My fellow sailing newbie, Mike, and I are met by our minder, Julie, the yacht's navigator with a soft spot for sailing virgins.

Julie issues us with sailing jackets and warns we will get wet. Her other warnings are more ominous -  don't touch this rigging as the last person who did lost three fingers, and don't step on the rope as you could lose a foot. Whew. Suddenly, it's feeling less like a rollicking high seas adventure and more like boot camp with consequences.

We watch as the crew works furiously checking rigs, pulling ropes and getting mysterious gadgets out of sailing bags. I can sense the excitement mixed with what feels like pre-exam nerves.

Julie explains that as Pla Loma won the previous week's race it is handicapped tonight and will start the race last. She adds that twilight racing is more about friendship and camaraderie than winning, and I notice a keg of beer on the deck.

After a final tug at the ropes and a quick unscrambling of the sail, we set off. The crew launches the billowing sail and the boat immediately lurches to one side. Mike and I grab on to the railing as though our lives depend on it. "Mind your head in case we jibe," yells Julie.

"Tack", bellows the skipper and we clamber to the other side. Tack, jibe . . . we are learning new words.

Julie and I dangle our legs over the side of the boat. I'm just getting comfy when the skipper yells: "Tack", and we hotfoot it to the other side, taking care not to grab the rigging that might slice off our fingers.

We tack a few more times but I'm getting the hang of it now and have time to drink in views of harbour mansions and secluded bays, as well as Sydney icons such as the beaches at Balmoral and Lady Jane, which is Sydney's most famous nudist beach.

The weekly twilight race follows a different course depending on the wind and sea conditions, and tonight we are following an especially scenic course up Middle Harbour to Rose Bay and circling Shark Island.

This hands-on sailing experience is designed to give newcomers a taste of what sailing is all about and, if you like it, the club recommends you do a course at its Flying Fish Sailing School.

As we circle Shark Island, we tack a few more times and then jibe.

The hard yards have been done so the crew breaks open the beer. We drink in the scenery: the sun a molten orange disc above the Harbour Bridge, flanked by the Opera House.

The skipper kicks back and shows us what he does at the helm, before he relinquishes it to someone else. I get a sense of camaraderie on board. Crew members are a range of ages and an even male/female ratio; not the blokey atmosphere I expected.

There's a seafaring solidarity, evident as the crew waves to a tourist boat while Julie has an especially keen eye for rowers. "More talent starboard," she whoops when we spy a group of toned paddlers.

As the sun slinks out of view and lights twinkle on the harbour, we retrace our route to the start. We glide down Middle Harbour, waving at navy divers practising drills.

We hop ashore at the clubhouse which is swarming with crews from returning yachts. A band is playing and the beer is flowing.

We take a seat in the clubhouse's marvellous bistro and chow down on beer-battered orange roughy.

"How did you enjoy sailing?" asks the skipper. I tell him I am hooked.

I have learned new words, experienced the thrill of being on board a racing yacht, felt the wind in my hair and forgotten all the worries of the working week. I'm coated with salt spray, my jeans are soaked, but Sydney Harbour has never been this much fun, and I know I'll be back to learn the ropes properly.

Sydney Habour Regatta

Pla Loma crew relating after 2008 SHR Race

Ladies Day on Pla Loma

Rob leant me the boat for Lady's day at MHYC.

Scott Denton, Julie Hodder and Pip Sherwood
Dave Sherwood on main
Julie Hodder steering
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