MBBC Cruising Section

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Cruising Section is open to members of MBBC with large or small boats, either sailing or power. . Email cruising@mbbc.org.au

Tuesday, 13 September 2011

Interclub Bay Cruise 2011 briefing

Hi all,
 
Lots happening this week in cruising.
 
Thursday evening is the monthly meeting/get-together at 7.30pm following some of us enjoying a "Schnitzel Special" clubhouse meal from 6pm on.
We will be dealing mainly with a final briefing for the Interclub Bay Cruise which begins on Saturday, and also looking to finalise a weekend trip in October. Come join us.
 
Saturday sees the start of the 36th Annual Interclub Bay Cruise with the sign on at RQYS grounds at Canaipa Point on the North Eastern tip of Russell Island between 1400hrs and 1600hrs.
The MBBC are again supplying and hosting the biccies, cheese, and port, on the Sunday night at the Southport Yacht Club's grounds "Dux Anchorage" on the northern end of South Stradbroke Island, so we will need all hands on deck that evening to held dispense the eats 'n drinks at the appropriate time. We also will be responsible to assist the following morning at 7am with an emu parade and clean-up of their grounds prior to departure down to the MBTBC grounds "Southern Haven" just south of Tipplers where we spend both Monday and Tuesday nights.
 
Wednesday night is spent in the Aquatic Basin just south of the Seaway where we are hosted by the Southport VMR. Thursday we move on to Southport Yacht Club where we are berthed. That night is the only evening where dress regulations will come into play, as the night is hosted inside the Yacht Club. Then following the annual sail past and Commodore's salute the cruise moves back to the Tipplers area where we are hosted by the Gold Coast Boat Club and the B.O.A.T. Club on the Friday and Saturday respectively. Then home again.
 
List of boats from the MBBC on the cruise - known so far
 
John and Maria Elliott and family - Sea Ray 30 - Sea-All - MBBC Bay Cruise delegates and Cruise Vice-Commodore
Greg and Cheryl Hamilton - Bavaria 38 - Grecher - MBBC Commodore
Mike and Sue Kinder - Riviera 3800 - Mahogany - MBBC Director
David Mason-Cox - 34' Bay Cruiser - Sunshine
Chris and Therese Marty and Emily - Austral Clubman 8M T/S - Real Thing
Ian Rogers - 39' Bay Cruiser - Spindrift
Sharon and Barry Felschow - 19' Haines - Sunseeker
Tony and Wendy Kelly - 30' Fastback cat - Quoll
Geoff Craig - 50' ex-Pilot Boat - Buragin
Peter and Zac Dwyer - Regal 26 - Poppy D
Mick Drew and Gail - Sea Ray 30 - C-Jade
Jock Mulligan - Swanson 32 - Idle Mind
David and Susie James-Brown and Brodie - Honeymoon - Kai Mana
Barry and Lorraine Kidman - Macgregor 26 - Soak-n-Tent
 
Wea re also hoping Merv Waldron from Rimfire will be able to join us for a day or two in Southport - he was booked on the cruise but unfortunately his boat will not be ready.
 
The VHF radio channel for the cruise will be Channel 09, so be aware of other boats from the club if you hear or see them about, and make yourself known.
 
The meeting on Thursday night hopefully will be a chance for you all to get to know each other prior to heading down and joining the cruise. Feel free to give me a call if you have any queries.
 
David Mason-Cox
"Sunshine"
0419 711488
VHF Channel 09 - from Saturday morning on  

Tuesday, 30 August 2011

Cruising Sunday - 28/8/11

CRUISING SUNDAY – 28/8/11
Following on from the postponed weekend at Bribie on the 20/21st August due to inclement weather, it again looked bleak on Saturday for the trip over to Bongaree. It was raining and not altogether pleasant, although the forecast predicted it to clear with a fine day and only a couple of showers. Good enough, so we went.

Scott and Roseanne Garven with “Miss Toorbul” called late Saturday to say that they were already there and enjoying a “quiet red” but had a tide problem with getting back into the creek at Toorbul and that they would be away in the morning. Clive Moorhouse also called early Sunday to see what time we would be arriving as he had spent a very enjoyable evening at White Patch, so he was at Bongaree when the rest of us arrived.

I left my mooring just before 10am on the Sunday morning and caught the start of the yachties getting away to a spinnaker start in their Cowan race on the way over. Quite the spectacular sight.

The water was as smooth as a baby’s backside and with an outgoing tide it was an easy ride over and we were soon anchored up near Clive just north of the Bongaree jetty. Pretty soon after we were joined ashore by Ron and Emma Tschannen and family aboard their Whittley “Scott Free”, Ian Rogers, who ventured over on his own in “Spindrift”, and Mike and Sue Kinder along with Doug and Pam in “Mahogany”. Also along by road were some more of the extended Tschannen family, and old Touring participants Gary and Fiona Semenoff and kids.

The Barbie was fired, food was quaffed and washed down, a few lies were told, although not as many as the yachties and fishos generally tell, and a good time was had.

Following the successful discussion solving of most of New Zealand’s news and problems, some of which had been mentioned in passing by a number of those present emanating from there, we then headed back to our respective boats and retuned across the bay to find that the conditions had not changed from when we went over.

It was such a shame and with a tinge of disappointment to return to the club to find that the yachties had had to call off their race as the wind had died and they were hampered by having to legally finish the race before dusk. They looked so good at the start too.

Nevertheless – we had a ball. What a fantastic day to be in a boat.

Next month we have the Interclub Bay Cruise starting on Saturday 17th September at Canaipa Point and finishing a week later at the Gold Coast Boat Club’s “Anchorage” just south of Tipplers. The MBBC will be represented with a number of boats as people are starting to come out of the woodwork and get interested in the trip.

A week or so ago John and Maria Elliott who are our Bay Cruise delegates spoke at our monthly Thursday get together about the forthcoming cruise and what to expect, and they will be along again at our next monthly Thursday night just prior to the Cruise on Thursday 15th September at the club. Join us there.

David Mason-Cox    

Thursday, 28 July 2011

cruising - 280711

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 which is readily reachable and returnable by a comfortable day cruise either by sail or power boats and has the beach and facilities to allow participants to BBQ lunch ashore.

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 and the Broadwater.

The next activity planned will be a meeting on Thursday evening 18th August prior to the Bribie Island cruising weekend of the 20/21st of  August. Meeting starts at 7.30pm following a 6.30pm “Schnitzel specials” meal at the club.

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

Wednesday, 15 June 2011

june long weekend report

Hi all,
The forecast was terrible for the Sunday trip to Bribie on the 12th of June, and it was spitting in the morning with rail predicted all day - again, I really seem to pick good weather for our trips! But the Weather Bureau got it wrong again.
So it was with a lot of trepidation that I ventured to the boat, although it had stopped spitting by the time I arrived.
I got away about 9ish and motored over to Bongaree and dropped the pick. A bit later I was joined by Scott and Roseanne in "Miss Toorbul" as they had overnighted north of the bridge at the VMR. As there was quite a bit of west in the breeze Scott suggested we move up a lot closer to the bridge on the mainland side to a lot more sheltered spot where we rafted together and sat down to enjoy a couple of prawns and a glass of red.
Adam and Cheryl in "Reef Gypsy" soon joined us and helped polish off the remnants of the prawns - at least we left a couple for him. A bit later we were also joined by Laurie and Pamela in their yacht "Pretty Alright" who had enjoyed a good sail across.
Following the usual solving of the worlds problems and conviviality, Laurie, Pam, and I headed back to Scarborough, whilst Scott and Roseanne had to wait on the tide to get back into Elimbah Creek at Toorbul, and Adam and Cheryl were intending to stay till the next day.
The breeze did venture around to the east at one stage on the turn of the tide, but resumed back again from the south west where we had it on the nose all the way home, nevertheless it turned out to be a lot more pleasant day than was anticipated, no rain, and those attending enjoyed making the effort.
So much so, that as it was relatively early in the month that we ventured out, we decided to have a meal again this coming Thursday night at 6.30pm at the club. Just to renew some of the acquaintances.
It is a "schnitzel special night" on Thursdays, anyone wishing to join us is more than welcome.
Cheers,
David Mason-Cox
"Sunshine"
0419 711488

Monday, 30 May 2011

May Cruise Report

MBBC Cruising Section – 29 May 2011 - Bribie Report

A glorious day dawned on the Sunday, albeit with forecast of showers which were not to be, and the previously hoped for (March) BBQ  gathering of boaties at the Bongaree beach was re-attempted.

This time we all got ashore, met some old, some new members, shared some of Adam’s prawns, and generally agreed to repeat this again, and regularly.

Adam, Clive, Quinnie and Lorraine in “Reef Gypsy”, “Lucky Lady”, and “Emma” were all able to take advantage of the good weather also on Saturday and ventured up north of the Bribie Bridge and spent the night off Banksia Beach coming down to set up an anchorage for us all about half a mile north of Bongaree Jetty – a good spot, and a good choice.

They were soon joined by Rob in “Antares”, and I arrived about an hour later along with John and Julie Schultz who came over for the ride. Shortly we were then joined by Mike and Sue in “Mahogany” who had Doug, Pam and friend Merilyn on board. Geoff and Jock off the pilot boat “Buragin” soon joined us, and we were then pleasantly surprised by a visit from the sailing Bay Cruise regulars, Chris and Therese Marty, who had taken the car option and driven over.

The BBQ began with everybody drooling over Adam’s prawns which he magnanimously shared with (most) of those present. The Schultz’s had previously arranged to bring “some meat and salad” for the luncheon fare that I was to partake along with them, however their idea of catering is on somewhat of a grand scale so much so that they could have successfully fed the whole of Bribie Island with the amount of food that emanated out of the numerous wheeled bags/suitcases we bought ashore. I mean, I know I am a big lad, but…………….thanks Julie, it was great. 

Following lunch, Gary and Fiona Semenoff and kids also dropped in by car to chat and then watch the hilarity of an 8’ rubber duck with me and the Schultz’s and about 15 bags of slightly diminished supplies rowing out to “Sunshine” with an inch or two only of freeboard, and the differing gyrations of non-athletic bodies going through a myriad of exertions attempting to get back on board. There was a round of applause from the shore as we managed it without any of us getting wet. It was just the getting of the dinghy back on the coachouse roof that nearly caused it all to be undone. Nevertheless perseverance prevailed.

With a lunchtime low tide we had the tide with us both ways across the pond so it was only in the Passage that we had to push against it, with the tide change the slight breeze went around more to the South East making the anchorage and conditions even better and  more sheltered. It all turned out to be an excellent day, and one to be repeated. Thanks to all who made it.

With the Queens Birthday Long Weekend on the 11/12/13th and although it is only a couple of weeks away, it is hoped that an extended overnighter again to Bribie can be accommodated. Some will not be able to spend the three days, some may only make it up for the day, but for those who can, we will plan to be there at least for the Sunday BBQ again at the same place at Bongaree. This caters for all those who may have a problem negotiating the 4.8m clearance of the Bribie Bridge.

A 7.30pm Thursday gathering at the club prior to this weekend on the 9th will follow those who would like to join some of us for the special “Schnitzel Night” at the club restaurant.

See you there.

David Mason-Cox
“Sunshine”
0419 711488
cruisingmbbc@gmail.com

Friday, 20 May 2011

May 29th Bribie Trip

With the Bribie Island Wooden Boat Festival on the 14/15th and the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show on 19-22nd and not wishing to clash, it is planned to have another day/weekend trip to Bongaree for a BBQ lunch ashore on Sunday 29th of May. Again it is BYO everything.
Those wishing to go for the weekend and spend some time up the Bribie Passage is fine, to come down and join us at Bongaree on the Sunday morning.
Bongaree being chosen to allow for those yachts and bigger power boats who may not be able to navigate under the Bribie bridge.
The planned meeting/gathering of the Cruising Section prior to the weekend will be again held at the club on Thursday the 26th at 7.30 - ideally following a "dinner specials" meal at 6.30pm. Please join us.
An indication of attendance will be appreciated either by phone or return email.
Cheers,
David Mason-Cox
0419 711488

Thursday, 5 May 2011

Easter 2011

Hi all,
Easter has come and gone and the soothsayers were all wrong about the weather, it was fantastic!
Good Friday and the start of the Annual Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race.
I motored over to the M9 beacon off Tangalooma, on the way encountered the Salisbury's on "Austral Star", the Eaton's on "Diddleyship", and the Coates' on "Blue Coaster".
On arrival at the M9 I was soon joined by the Schluter's in "Antares", the Pappin's in "Pretty Alright", and sundry others.
Unusually for Easter, there was very little wind on the day, which made the trip across brilliant, but was not much good for the racing yachts, as the day was starting to get a little long waiting at the M9 and with still no sign of the arrival of the yachts. Patience got the better of a couple of us and as there were a few boats already at Lucinda Bay, we joined them.
"Emma" with the Hannah's departed soon after, but the James-Brown family in "Kai Mana", the Faloon's in their Mustang 3400, and Doug and Pam Aitcheson in "Big Pictures" all joined us aboard "Antares" where Rob and Val very kindly hosted a sundowner.
As Lucinda Bay got a small dose of the wobbles the next morning with the westerly morning breeze a couple of boats took off for the Blue Hole, a couple headed back, and a couple stayed.
I had a picnic lunch ashore with the Pappin's and Aitcheson's then headed back home myself. Others were there, including "Moonshine" - the Green Gerkin, and I am sure more will join us as we do these trips.
So, onwards to May.
With the Bribie Island Wooden Boat Festival on the 14/15th and the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show on 19-22nd and not wishing to clash, it is planned to have another day/weekend trip to Bongaree for a BBQ lunch ashore on Sunday 29th of May. Again it is BYO everything.
Those wishing to go for the weekend and spend some time up the Bribie Passage is fine, to come down and join us at Bongaree on the Sunday morning.
Bongaree being chosen to allow for those yachts and bigger power boats who may not be able to navigate under the Bribie bridge.
The planned meeting/gathering of the Cruising Section prior to the weekend will be again held at the club on Thursday the 26th at 7.30 - ideally following a "dinner specials" meal at 6.30pm. Please join us.
An indication of attendance will be appreciated either by phone or return email.
Cheers,
David Mason-Cox
0419 711488