In honour of this, Women Who Sail Australia will stage the second annual Gathering on the Bay to coincide with the regatta.

“We’re hoping the WWSA members can stay on to take part in the Sail Port Stephens or just enjoy unofficial events around the bay,” regatta director Paul O’Rourke said.

“Subject to numbers, there will be a separate trophy for women skippers in the Commodores Cup as well.”

Gathering on the Bay will begin on Friday, March 31 with an informal dinner at Nelson Bay Bowling Club.

It will include a talk by renowned cruising sailor and writer Lin Pardey who, along with husband Larry, has clocked more than 200,000 sea miles in a home-built wooden yacht.

Broughtons on the Bay at d’Albora Marina will then become the venue for two days of talks.

Among the topics are storm tactics, diesel maintenance, weather, personal safety, tips on food preparation and storage, sailing in the Mediterranean, boat importation, ropes and boat plumbing, plus marine rescue.

There is a special presentation planned from Melanie Piddocke who is preparing her boat for a solo, westabout, global circumnavigation in 2018.

Saturday night’s dinner will feature a discussion panel comprising Lin Pardey, globetrotting sailor and author Jackie Parry, and Paralympian sailing gold medallist Liesl Tesch.

Sydney sailor Poppy Moore is planning to use the Sail Port Stephens regatta as a launch pad for a circumnavigation of Australia, raising money and awareness for Parkinson’s Disease.

Her father has Parkinson’s and his older brother died of the disease.

Moore bought an East Coast 31, named Scaramouch, in June 2015 and has been fitting it out herself, including an engine replacement, rewiring and plumbing.

Scaramouch is Moore's first yacht, having previously sailed Cherubs, skiffs and Lasers.

“I’ve basically been learning how to maintain it as well as sail it,” Moore said.

“There have been a few challenging moments but I’m now quite good with power tools.

“I’m doing this trip so my parents can follow the adventure – remotely, while my dad is still around.”

Tickets for Gathering on the Bay are available at Eventbrite.

For more information, check out the Women Who Sail Australia Facebook page.

Also read: Sail Port Stephens celebrating 10 years