RQYS MAINSHEET 2023

Directory

Detlef Bauer 0400 822 999 detlef@australiawide.com MORETON BAY TO FREYCINET … Simple local or southern adventures With the eventual lifting of COVID restrictions it is has been marvellous to welcome back our monthly cruises and some adventures further afield, RQYS Sail Cruising Group Chairs Quentin and Barbara Granger celebrate and report. 07 3348 3177 Marine Centre 453 Esplanade, Manly Qld 4179 www.australiawide.com

surrounded by mountains and wilderness, were the next stop with the imposing Mt Rugby being successfully climbed by the intrepid group on one of the few finer days they had in this area. They also got the opportunity to dinghy up the Davey River to visit a spectacular gorge – one of the many hidden delights of the southwest coast.

Four boats – all sailing catamarans – left Manly in early January and commenced the anticlockwise circumnavigation in February. They visited Devonport, the cute village of Stanley with its iconic ‘Nut’and Three Hummock Island before the infamous NW Coast lived up to its reputation, with all vessels exposed to 35-40kt winds, which thankfully mellowed as they sailed southwards. They arrived through ‘Hells Gates’ into Macquarie Harbour for the cruise up the Gordon River. This was the highlight of the trip with all four vessels heading to Warner’s Landing, where they used their dinghies to explore the Franklin River. The beauty of this area was awe-inspiring and a photographer’s heaven.

The Sail Crusing Group has expanded by 8% this year with over 100 registered yachts and at least 40% active members of the Group. A survey of our Group in mid-2021 highlighted the overwhelming desire to return to a simpler cruising agenda, with fewer themed events and more sundowners / barbeques on the beach – which has thus been our aim for this year. On completion of the 2021 Cruise North, the returning boats enjoyed the Pirate and Progressive Dinner weekends. 2021 rounded out with a well-attended Christmas Party at RQYS and the Christmas Lights cruise round the canals of Raby Bay. Unfortunately, the former event was interrupted by thunderstorms which brought about an abrupt end to what was turning out to be a truly festive occasion!! The start to 2022 saw further COVID restrictions and some ordinary weather so that put a dampener on activities. However, it didn’t stop a small group of adventurers heading south for a circumnavigation of Tasmania.

Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour, both

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Mainsheet 2023

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Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Yearbook