Sydney to Hobart yacht race 2023: Scallywag’s Ryan Ewings youngest boat captain in fleet, latest news

Ryan Ewings steered this 100 footer on a joy ride as a wide-eyed 14-year-old and five years on this Sydney teenager is now the youngest boat captain on a super maxi in the Sydney to Hobart.

Scallywag’s Ryan Ewings at 19 is the youngest boat captain in the fleet. Picture: Richard Dobson

Teenager Ryan Ewings is in for the ride of his life in his first ever Sydney to Hobart and if the weather plays ball, a little bit of history as well.

The 19-year-old has snagged his dream job helping run one of the world’s top supermaxi ocean racers preparing for her assault on the famous bluewater ocean race before shipped overseas for two years of international campaigning.

Just a year out of school, Ewings is doing “an apprenticeship of life”, working side-by-side with veteran skipper David Witt to prepare the line honour contender Scallywag for her latest assault on the great race starting at 1pm on Boxing Day on Sydney Harbour.

The former Engadine high school student admits he knows more about the inside of the boat than sailing it after working overtime on her modifications and refit done ahead of the 78th Sydney to Hobart.

Ewings’ first time on the 100-footer was as a 14-year with his father and former 18-footer skiff champion Dave a friend and skiff crewmate of Witt’s.

Ryan Ewings aboard the 100-footer Scallywag. Picture: Richard Dobson

His second race was just weeks ago with the Sydney to Hobart his first major offshore ocean race.

“I’m pretty pumped,” Ewings said.

“I just love the intensity of it, there’s always a lot going on.

“Everyday I learn something new, learn on the job.

“Witty jokes I’ve done an apprenticeship in boat maintenance, painting, electronics and hydraulics all at once.

“It’s an apprentices of life.”

Teenager Ryan Ewings ahead of his first race.

Ryan Ewings as a 14-year-old.

Ewings said his boat captain role entails a multitude of roles and he’s embracing the versatility of the job.

“It’s a bit of everything, fixing stuff, liaising with contractors, mechanics, whatever needs to be done really.”

Boat captains tend to be much older than Ewings but Witt wanted to give the youngster a chance to impress – and he has.

The 2023 Sydney to Hobart fleet boasts four supermaxis in Andoo Comanche, Scallywag, LawConnect and Wild Thing 100.

Yachts in the fleet this year range in size from the 100 footers to the 30-footers including Currawong and Nikson with Sylph VI the oldest and built in 1960.

The are also 10 international entries.

Originally published as Sydney to Hobart yacht race 2023: Scallywag’s Ryan Ewings youngest boat captain in fleet, latest news