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NEXT WEEKEND CRUISE
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Cruising
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Wivenhoe Dam |
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Horseshoe Bay - Peel Island |
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One Mile |
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Wallum Pool |
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Day cruises are also scheduled whenever there is a normal club event (check the programme), listed here are scheduled upcoming weekend cruises.
Cruising boats depart Manly at 10:00am.
17-18th October Manly to Coochiemudlo Island - (Combined).
7-8th November Manly - Scarborough.
28-29th November Manly - Blakesleys
We usually try for destinations like Tangalooma, Horseshoe Bay, One Mile, Canaipa and anywhere else people might suggest. Still with a pleasant time away but, as always, safety is utmost in our minds.All weekends will be advised by e-mail and, as the weather dictates what will be happening, e-mail is the best form of contact
[make sure you’re on our e-mail list]
Cruising On Infinity
Now, having our own boat, we’re finding we wish to go cruising more than racing. Annette is not fussed with racing and much prefers to relax and sail at a more comfortable pace. I only ever raced as a means to get on the water and, had I known someone who was going cruising more frequently, I would have been happy to just cruise with them rather than racing. Don’t get me wrong, racing has its place and serves a purpose, I believe, in teaching people to sail and the various points and aspects of sailing but I now have the means to enjoy sailing anytime I like to.We will be cruising with the group whereby the destination will usually be at or near the same venue as listed in the Programme, cruising to a destination nearby and stop for lunch on a beach or rafted up. We will plan events, if people are interested, for long-weekends which are not on the Programme and make the most of our boats.I see a number of advantages in this for the T.S.C.Q..:I can see this providing an avenue for any wives who might like to come along without the pressures of racing and be able to relax and enjoy a comfortable day on the water – even if it’s only every now and then.Members of the crew list might prefer to have their first try at sailing in cruising mode – especially if they haven’t sailed at all previously – and then move on to the racing scene if that’s what grabs them.A number of members who don’t currently race with us possibly are members merely to have their YQ/AYF affiliation for a small number of major events like the Anniversary Regatta, Bay To Bay or The Wintersun, but they don’t take the racing seriously, might be inclined to come for cruising events on the Bay. This would increase participation and possibly interest for non-participating members which can only be a good thing. I’d invite any ideas for destinations so we have some variety and/or any input or suggestions in order to help get this Cruising Group expand the repertoire. Even if it’s only when the conditions suit your Wife/Partner or when the conditions don’t suit your boat for racing, come along for a cruise and take some time out to relax! Linsay & Annette Patterson
“Infinity”.
Riverfire 2006
Yet another terrific weekend with Too Impetuous, Tuxedo, Farr Away Tree, Dream On and Infinity heading up the river to bump and grind with other boats (who don’t anchor too well).
We left at 9:30 with Bob and Debbie Catlin joining us and motored the whole way up, there being only about 5 knots of wind. We tried to anchor near Tuxedo but with a current of about 4 knots screaming past, Infinity started steering herself around so I shifted before we did drag. It’s always difficult up there as boats anchoring cut off access to the shallower water closer to the bank of the river. We ended up getting in there and anchored about 12 meters from the shore still in 5 meters of water but just out of the main flow of current and Annette said She had the best nights sleep (even with 2 tomatoes being delivered to Infinity from some partying boat nearby who must have been worried about whether we had sufficient ingredients for our salad).
The fireworks didn’t seem as plentiful as previous years but they were still magnificent and the “dump and burn” always makes the trip worthwhile.
Balloons For Breakfast
We enjoyed breakfast with 3 hot air balloons going over the city before heading off to catch the last of the outgoing tide. Stopping at St Helena on the way home we went ashore and walked for a bit around the island before heading back to Infinity. The wind had picked up while we were ashore and, after much running around in the tender in Brisbane the batteries were getting down so we had Captain Bob on the motor and me rowing to get back to Infinity and a casual run home from there. A top weekend we can all recommend to anyone but you do need to get there early, have good ground tackle, try to get out of the current and watch all the other idiots who haven’t taken all this into account.
Foredeck Crew
Farr Away Tree - heading home.
Queens Birthday Weekend
The forecast wasn't ideal, with the "possible thunderstorms" predicted for Sunday. But, they hardly ever come through, do they? MBTBC were also heading south so I met up for their briefing and said we were heading for Horseshoe Bay with whomever met up with us but lunch at the Macleay Island Pub sounded pretty inviting.
No boats joined us at the leads at the 10am departure time so we headed off with a couple of turtles, a dugong & some very smart fish (not stupid enough to commit suicide on the end of my fishing line).
A light southerly breeze & the tide against us meant it was "motor or sleep the night while still trying to sail there", glad I topped up the jerry can before departing.
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We arrived at Horseshoe Bay to see a fair number of boats already anchored, some jet skis reaping the usual havoc in opposition to peace & quiet and Supergoose anchored up waiting for us. After scouting the myriad of anchored craft and not seeing any other familiar boats we headed back to Supergoose & Co and slid in beside them (figuratively speaking), set up the spinnaker pole while Annette made lunch ready for the hammock and her afternoon snooze while I headed to socialise on Supergoose.
Sunday was calm & clear, to the east, to the south-west were building clouds which was heralding the approach of the promised thunderstorm. Brownies said there was a line of storms from the Gold Coast to the Hinterland and the winds would stay at up to 20 knots until Monday Morning. After repairs to the head (don't ask me and I won't lie to you!), we motored out of Horseshoe and headed south towards Russell Island figuring we could tuck in at Canaipa if it continued but as it hit and I could see the blue sky further to the west I thought about the forecast winds continuing. If there was another blast coming Annette wouldn't be so happy getting whacked twice.
I radioed the other boats & advised we were heading home to protest of "but it's just a passing shower", "That's my line usually" I countered, "after taking 8 years to get Annette back on the water I'm not going to stuff it for 1 weekend away".
As we came around Peel Island the wind kept heading us and, you guessed it, we ended up motoring the rest of the way home.
We did get home in time to see a brilliant full moon rising on Sunday Night.
8 boats lined up for the re-scheduled cruise/race to Scarborough. Backflip, Magnanimous, Kamikaze, Small Change, Reggie, Chamchella, Halcyon & Serenade. After the change of plans for the Regatta the November meeting decided to shift the destination to Scarborough which doubled as a reconnaissance cruise for the course / facilities etc. with the Regatta in mind.
My secret weapon was to be Roger, my Brother, who flew up from Sydney on Friday to come away for the weekend. Justin was in Melbourne seeing his Grandmother who hasn’t been well and wasn’t getting back until Saturday Night so I offered Roger to go with Kamikaze for the weekend and Serenade just had Annette and I for Saturday.
The Start |
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Comfortable Berth |
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Moreton Bay Boat Club |
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Kite Run Home |
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Conditions were very light initially 5-10 knots from SSW, SSE, NNE, ENE before finally settling in from the East, which made for some interesting changes in the leaders. That and the fact that some leading boats were cutting the marks North of St Helena Island out of the course. This being brought to their attention, they did come back and round the correct marks (and some who went around more than the marks they needed to round – hey Kev!). The tricky bit of the course out of the way and we eased sheets and reached across to the Coffee Pots. Easing further and we popped kites (Serenade included) and carried them until it was getting too tight for the leading boats so we all dropped them except Kamikaze. The wind settled back down quickly but we all decided it was too much to set spinnakers again. All the boats were heading very high for Otter Rock and we were pointing about 10 degrees lower than the others which helped us catch up a fair bit of ground.
The breeze started to pick up to 12-15 knots so we put a reef in the main before heading up at Otter Rock towards Garnet Rock and then on to North Reef. We laid North Reef easily and ended up with sails wing & wing or goosewinged to the finish at the end of the leads into the harbour.
Serenade was only about 12 minutes behind the 2nd last boat so I was happy with our performance.
The facilities at MBBC are terrific! Pontoons (and fingers for the Regatta) so we didn’t have to get our feet muddy or wet. A deck overlooking the boats on the fingers, what more could you want. They outdo anything we’ve had for the Regatta so far. All were very positive about the potential for the venue and we can’t wait to give it a go.
We had a pleasant dinner and drinks on the deck and a drink or 3. Migrating down to Magnanimous for evening drinks through to midnight.
Sunday saw a light breeze from the NW which swung to the North & NNE by the time of starting making it a work up to North Reef and sheets freed as we headed to the Isolated Danger Mark. Serenade popped the kite but no-one else seemed to be interested which allowed us to catch up and even pass a couple of boats on the way back.
From the Isolated Danger Mark there seemed to be about 4 courses being sailed and that saw some going East of Mud Island, others out to the West of Coffee Pots but we all converged on the reds to the North of St Helena and then headed home to end another perfect weekend spent on the magical waters of Moreton Island.
Come away with the TSCQ Cruising Group.
Phone Linsay or Annette 0412 250 880.