BOAT TOURING/CRUISING
The Touring Section of the MBBC was part of the original idea in setting up the Club as it provided a means of safe traveling for the power boats of club members back in the early 1960’s.
Until the early sixties the Federal Government prevented the importation of outboard motors over 10hp for private recreational use, so most power boats were built from “bondwood” an early marine grade plywood and powered by either small outboard motors or converted car engines.
Once these restrictions were lifted and as larger outboard motors became available to the boating public then the unreliable noisy and messy mid-ship mounted Heath Robinson type propulsion fixture became obsolete for family boating and was replaced by the outboard and the stern drive, albeit a slightly more sophisticated converted car engine.
Soon after came fiberglass, and boating changed forever.
It is no wonder that the late fifties and early sixties type of boating enjoyment centred mainly around power boat racing with the odd family trip being rare, but as boats changed, became cleaner, quieter, bigger and more family friendly then a number of the activities that they engaged in became more sedate.
There is still power boat racing available, and there are still mid mount converted car engines towing water skiers all over the world, it is just that all these activities are catered for in separate clubs and the boats and motors are a tad more refined and technical than in days of yore.
Hence the beginning of the MBBC and its Touring section, where owners and builders of 12ft bondwood boats with relatively small outboards and 15 –17ft larger boats with inboards decided company and prudence were required as they continually headed blithely across the Bay to beaches and anchorages like Tangalooma.
The idea of a number of vessels going together in “convoys” appealed, and as these convoys became more successful, then more were arranged, hence the evolution of the Touring section.
As Touring has been somewhat in the doldrums over the past couple of years, there are still a number of members who would like to join in with a group of like minded boat owners, it has been decided to re-activate this section again, however as times and circumstances change and the types of boats interested in “cruising in company” are more variable, then the logistics of catering for them varies as well.
Consequently now, in arranging organized cruises we are looking to cater for boats of all types, be they slow, fast, or sail. Hence the rebadging of the old “Touring” section of the club to being now known as the “Cruising Section”.
The emphasis also has altered so that now instead of all boats leaving together and travelling in convoy, it is more about setting up a destination for boaties to meet at, allowing them to travel at their own speed and pace both to and from. Ideally the destination is somewhere like Bribie Island
Some who may have more time availability will take the option of cruising further afield and taking off earlier in the weekend, others may be more restricted time-wise and only able to enjoy a day trip, but by having a monthly planning meeting prior to each trip these things can be sorted out, as can arrangements for newer members to meet others.
The cruising highlight each year is the annual Interclub Bay Cruise which our club has had participants involved and flying the burgee in for most of the past 35 years since its inception.
This cruise is held during the September school holidays each year and is generally held around the boat clubs in the lower reaches of Moreton Bay
The next activity planned will be a meeting on Thursday evening 18th August prior to the Bribie Island
The week-long Interclub Bay Cruise this year commences Saturday 17th September at RQYS Canaipa on the NE tip of Russell Island
All and any interested possible participants are requested to let either the club office or me know their intentions in advance.
David Mason-Cox MBBC office
“Sunshine” 3203 5188
0419 711488
