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 18^th August prior to the Bribie Island cruising weekend of the 20/21^st 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 17^th 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

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

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 11/12/13^th 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 9^th 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

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

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

CRUISING REPORT – 20/3/11

Hi all

On a wet, windy, and drizzly day that had been earmarked and advertised as the first trip for the newly named Cruising Section of the Moreton Bay Boat Club, five masochistic skippers ventured with their boats over to Bongaree, anchored, and over phone and radio discussed the option of braving rain and going ashore for the BYO BBQ.

Three of the boats belong to club marina residents and they had ventured further up into the Passage on the Saturday with the intention of joining us the next day at Bongaree. Quentin, Lorraine and the girls in their very tidy powered aluminium cat “Emma”, along with Clive on “Lucky Lady”, and Adam and Cheryl on “Reef Gypsy” joined Ed and sundry friends and clients – one sporting a definitely questionable pair of borrowed sunglasses – all aboard “Waiben”, and myself on “Sunshine”.

Commodore Greg and Cheryl on “Grecher” had best of intentions in joining us on their way back from overnighting at Cowan, however after spending the night rolling the milk out of their coffee in that fairly unprotected anchorage there, and then doing the same on the way back, they called us and suggested that they would take the club direct option and catch us later.

After a couple of hours of constant drizzle it was mutually decided that the intended BBQ could wait for another more enticing ashore day and anchors were weighed – thanks Adam – and the five boats headed back for Scarborough.

It was a tad joggly but we arrived back before the wind moved further around from the south. Ed put us all to shame by raising the steadying sail on “Waiben” and she looked a picture leading us out. I went back to the Newport canals whilst the others all went back to the club.

A good day was had by those who attended, but with the interest shown and an improvement in me picking the weather it appears that the section will be a goer.

A number of members and interested parties had also replied to the earlier club email-out about the occasion as either it not being convenient this weekend, or putting their name down, but were put off by the forecast and weather on the day. All either contacted us or were contacted and all seemed keen to be part of the next one.

As we are attempting to cater to all types of boats including power cruisers, sailing yachts, trailerboats, even tinnys, we must be mindful that not everyone just wants to drop the pick in one place and stay there for a few days, so the logistics of everyone have to be considered. Also, not everyone is able to be away for the whole weekend, so we have to allow for all variations.

The whole idea of this is to have boaties of all descriptions and denominations being able to share their experiences and conviviality with other like minded souls. The essence of club boating.

So.............It has been suggested that we look at having a monthly meeting at the club to not only solve the world’s problems, but discuss upcoming cruising day and/or weekend trips. Ideally this can be done following a meal in the club eatery and with the thought of informing those interested and those thinking of joining us as to what it is all about.

So...............I propose that we meet (following the aforesaid meal at around 6.30pm) at 7.30pm on Thursday 14th April on the clubhouse deck where we can chat and plan a weekend trip over Easter.

My thoughts would be that we proceed across the bay on Good Friday and congregate somewhere around the M9 beacon (M9 is a turning mark) off Tangalooma to watch the Gladstone race pass by, then venture down to Lucinda Bay for a couple of days.

This can be discussed and either agreed to or changed at the time. However should there be any change to these arrangements, you will be informed.

I also take this opportunity to request all and any to reply to this email to enable us to get a register of people interested.

The club is currently compiling a comprehensive email list of all its members, and as some members joined the club in the days of carrier pigeons the club needs to be able to contact its members via these more modern methods and needs your help to better their contact details.

Good and regular communication can be the catalyst of a good, active, and harmonious Moreton Bay Boat Club. Help us all to enjoy it more.

Check out the new club website – mbbc.org.au - and follow the links to Cruising

David Mason-Cox 

“Sunshine”