The 58th edition of the Marlay Point Overnight Yacht Race is set to start this Saturday night at Marlay Point, a much-loved institution for sailors and their families, with participation spanning multiple generations.
This year’s event is open to all mono-hull, multi-hull and sports trailable yachts, with entries already topping 100. Competitors travel from interstate each year, including sailors in their 80s eager to take part. Marlay Point remains the only overnight race for trailer sailors in Australia, earning a spot on the “must-do” bucket list for many.
The race originated with the Lake Wellington Yacht Club (LWYC) and is now jointly hosted by the Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club (GLYC) and LWYC. While it began at Marlay Point and traversed the Gippsland Lakes to Metung, the finishing line has been at Paynesville in recent years.
Since its inception in 1969, around 4000 yachts and more than 11,000 sailors have taken part. One of the race’s unique traditions is a flare start at sunset on Saturday evening, signalling boats off into the night.
The current course challenges sailors with a mix of broad lakes and narrow straits under darkness, offering excitement and intrigue. For many boats, especially those with multi-generational crews aboard for 12–24 hours, the race is an ideal bonding experience.
Finish times depend on weather and wind, but yachts are expected in Paynesville from dawn on Sunday. As they sail past Montague Point, spinnakers flying, the colourful display adds to the spectacle and draws spectators eager to witness the race’s grand conclusion.
