One of Australia's most influential yachtsman, Robert Oatley has today died at the age of 87, after a long and generous life in the sailing and winemaking community.

While he needs no introduction to any Aussie sailor, in recognition of the great things Bob did for the Australian sailing community in his 87 years, we thought it appropriate to list some of the most memorable reasons he'll be missed...

Building an solid fortune in the wine making industry, Oatley and his wife Valerie commissioned the 100ft superyacht, Wild Oats XI in 2005, built by McConaghy Boats. The yacht, sponsored by Channel 7 has been the flagship for the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race since it was launched, holding the race record and winning no less than 8 times. Unfortunately Wild Oats XI had to retire from racing in this years Sydney to Hobart due to a mainsail tear.

Bob was to be the primary source of funding for Australia's first challenge in the Americas cup since the incorporation of hydrofoils and stadium style venues. With plans drawn up for a yacht, team of willing professional sailors drafted and builders ready to lay carbon to moulds, the campaign was axed at the request of Bob himself, citing the enormous costs of an Americas Cup campaign as his reason. It wasn't that he couldn't afford it (he's worth around $1 billion), it was simply the fact that he didn't think that a couple of races in a flying multihull was worth it!

The Olympic sailing campaigns over the years might not have been there, if it wasn't for the support of Bob Oatley. He's funded the campaigns of numerous gold medal winners, and kept the Australian anthem playing in Olympic sailing events through his donations to the team.

When he purchased Hamilton Island back in 2003 (for $200 million), he not only invested considerable funds transforming it into a luxury getaway, but continued the tradition of Hamilton Island Race Week. It went from a low-key cruiser/racer event, to one of the highlights on the professional sailing calendar with hundred of entries and the who's who of Australian fashion in attendance.

Finally, Bob started a tradition on board Wild Oats XI, of them always carrying either him, or his walking cane on any big race. The cane, with a scale model of Wild Oat's XI hull as the handle, was passed on to skipper Mark Richards two days before the start of this years Sydney to Hobart. It was was Bobs way of being on board, while his health wasn't the best.

Sail on Bob, thanks for the fast yachts, fine wine and the best damn race week in Australia.

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