The Cruising Group is a growing section of the Club.  Its purpose is to provide a social and sailing mix for those who wish to wander far and wide - either around Port Phillip Bay or out the Heads and around the world.

There is a dinner meeting at the Club on the first Wednesday of each month (see Event Calendar).  This meeting often has a guest speaker who tells of their adventures or of opportunities Members may like to take up.  Bookings for these dinners are essential and can be made via the RGYC Office.

Interested in Cruising?  Go to the Main Menu item, "Circumnavigation Of Tasmania", and read Rochelle's blog of the 2009 cruise.

2011 Circumnavigation of Tasmania Cruise

Visit the Cruising section of the Royal Yacht Club Of Tasmania - www.ryct.org.au for information about the cruise.

Trip Diary Cruise Geelong to Killiecrankie March 2010

Three yachts from Royal Geelong Yacht Club Seabird, Sapphire of London and Lady bay departed Geelong on Sunday 28^th of February bound for Queenscliff with the expectations of an early departure on Monday 1^st March to head to Wilsons Promontory. A fresh sail to Queenscliff was experienced with gusts of up to 35kts, seeing quick reefing at Portarlington by Seabird and Sapphire.

Seabird en route to Queenscliff

Typical Bass Strait weather on the Monday delayed our departure until Tuesday 2^nd so the crew had a pleasant day in Queenscliff joining the Café Latte set.

The weather improved and we departed Queenscliff on the 2^nd March at 0400 with full moon to head to Refuge Cove, motor sailing to Cape Shank then a sail from here to The Genies with the wind of between 15-20kts slowly abating during the day. Seas of 2-2.5 m were a bit bumpy to begin with but calm by evening. Seeing Sapphire anchoring at Refuge at 2100 with Seabird and Ladybay arriving together at about 2300.

The day saw 2 kayakers arrive who joined us for drinks and Lady Bay for dinner.

The next day 3^rd saw all three at anchor at Refuge enjoying magnificent weather for swimming and exploring the cove and of course the mandatory sundowners.

Sundowners on Sapphire at Refuge.

Scull Rock en route to Refuge.

Sunset looking back to West.

Sapphire and Lady Bay at anchor in Refuge, Thursday 4^th March saw a 0400 departure to head to Killiecrankie with the conditions a bit rolly to begin with but improving with little wind as we passed Deal about 1200hrs arriving at Killiecrankie bay at 1730.

Seabird and Lady Bay approaching Killiecrankie.

From Friday 5^th March until Monday the 8^th we enjoyed this wonderful part of Tasmania which included a BBQ at Richard Ham’s holiday shack “ Slipways” trip to Whitemark, fishing and beach combing the shores and enjoying coffee and lunches at the local café.

Coffee at Killiecrankie.

Slipways

The photos of the 3.5kg crayfish as entrée prior to the B BQ at Slipways.

On moorings Killiecrankie (one bottle of Jim Beam the fee).

Looking out from Slipways.

Sapphire and Lady bay  departed Killiecrankie at 1030 as there was a break in the weather that would see us safely to Deal before the next front was due Seabird having left at 0800.

We arrived into East Cove ( Lighthouse) at 1600 and went ashore to look at the keepers cottages before smartly returning to move to West Cove on Erith ahead of the approaching change!

Seabird, Ladybay and Sapphire in East Cove.

Lighthouse Keepers Cottages Deal Island.

Approaching Front

Just anchored West Cove the front comes in.

Lady bay having fun re-anchoring in some serious bullets West Cove Erith Island

Both Sapphire and Ladybay provided the entertainment having to re-anchor during the storm

Lady Bay and Sapphire remained at West Cove until Thursday morning Seabird having departed Wednesday for The Prom.

Seabird departs Erith.

Walking on Erith  to visit the fisherman’s hut.

Sun rise after departing Erith heading towards Refuge Cove Sapphire and Ladybay arriving at about 13.00. Seabird decided to go on ahead the day before and departed Refuge just prior to this.

Lady Bay approaching Refuge.

The boat boards at Refuge.

Sapphire and Lady decided that we would remain at Refuge to enjoy a magnificent afternoon relaxing and beach/bush walking before departing at 0300 the next morning.

We experienced very calm conditions for the trip back to Port Philip arriving back at QCYC at approximately 20.00hrs.

Passing through Port Philip Heads.

A great trip was had by all three boats Seabird, Lady Bay and Sapphire, a very big thank you to Richard Ham for sharing with us all his passion and the experience of visiting Slipways for a few days.