Pocket rocket with a mission

HOBART public servant Marcus McKay (right) is all set for his Sydney-Hobart yacht race debut on Boxing Day ... and he’ll be doing it as a skipper. McKay will be piloting pocket rocket She’s Apples II for the milestone 75th anniversary race, with an all-Tasmanian crew.

IT’S one thing for any sailor to decide to make their debut in the world’s premier blue water classic.

But it’s quite another to do it as skipper of your own yacht.

That’s exactly what faces Hobart public servant Marcus McKay on Boxing Day.

The 49-year-old sailor has entered his pocket-rocket She’s Apples II for the milestone Rolex Sydney-Hobart, one of 15 Tasmania yachts that will set sail from Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day.

“I’ve been keen to do it for a while and being the 75th anniversary race I thought it was a good opportunity to,” McKay said.

“I bought the boat a couple of years ago.

“It has done quite a few Sydney-Hobarts and actually won the race in 1991 when it was first launched.”

McKay entered the Sydney to Noumea yacht race last year but that did not go to plan.

“We dismasted the boat on the first day and we had to retire,” he said.

“We got that all fixed up. The rig was replaced and this year we did a cruise to New Caledonia. Then we thought we’d give the Sydney-Hobart a go.”

She’s Apples has speed and comfort.

“It’s a racer/cruiser and quite strongly built so it can handle any conditions — I like that aspect of it,” McKay said. “It’s an older boat so it’s not a lightweight downwind flier.

“It’s nice and solid and does pretty well on handicap.

“If it’s a small boat race we’ll be giving it our best shot.”

She’s Apples has an all-Tasmanian crew, and includes McKay’s son Jai, Patrick Eberhard, Gabriel Morrison, Morgan Davies, David Graney, Roland Eberhard and Tony Miller.