It might seem paradoxical but our landlocked national capital is home to the Canberra Ocean Racing Club, whose enthusiastic, skilful members own shares in a 14-metre cruising and racing yacht that sails the South Pacific.

CORC’s yacht, Namadgi 3, has just returned to Batemans Bay for the first time in 12 months having spent the past year sailing around 5,000 nautical miles to New Zealand, Fiji, New Caledonia and back to Australia via the Great Barrier Reef.

The German-built Bavaria 46 cruising (and racing) yacht is visiting Batemans Bay from 26 February for six weeks, where CORC members and their guests will explore the harbours and bays of the NSW South Coast.

If you’re a sailor who is keen to upgrade your experience to skippering an ocean-going yacht, CORC has a limited number of debentures (or shares) available in Namadgi 3.

Sailing enthusiasts from the Canberra or South Coast regions who are interested in becoming associate members or owning a debenture and want to check out Namadgi 3 are invited to contact the Club at www.corc.com.au.

Membership in CORC is especially suited to those without the time or funds to maintain a yacht on their own and is an ideal way for sailors to gain practical experience before acquiring their own yacht.

Namadgi 3 is an all-rounder, well-suited to either gentle cruising around Sydney Harbour or completing 1000nm bluewater trips to cruising grounds as far flung as Noumea, Vanuatu, Fiji or the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, where debenture members can book the yacht on a fly-in, fly out basis.

As well as cruising, the boat competes in racing regattas in the Airlie, Hamilton Island, and Port Stephens races. CORC’s previous boats have also entered and finished 15 Sydney to Hobart Races.

Namadgi 3 sleeps eight in four comfortable cabins with a well-fitted galley and saloon and carries comprehensive navigation, communication and safety equipment plus an extensive range of sails including an asymmetrical, and deck gear.

Founded in 1979, CORC is a community of sailors, their partners and friends who sail and socialise.

CORC is unique and a well known and respected yacht club in Australia.

Members access the yacht through a comprehensive and fair booking system. Debenture members and associates often sail together to increase their sail-time over a year. For example, a 10-day delivery can often overlap into a week or two of cruising with partners and friends, maximising sail-time.

The expenses of running the 14-metre yacht are shared between debenture members. An elected committee oversights decisions around the yacht – maintenance, the annual cruising plan, and expenditure – in consultation with the members.