RGYC Cruising Group Summer Cruise 2014  Update

We have announced the preliminary notice of a cruise to Flinders Island in February 2014.  

There has already been a strong response from skippers wishing to participate.  So far we have 5 yachts, 2 power boats and one catamaran as part of the Fleet for Flinders 2014.  

If you want to see what this cruise might be like, go to tenislandtour2013.wordpress.com to look at the blog of the recent trip to Hobart and return.

We invite more sailors of yachts, catamarans and powerboats to begin thinking about their participation in this event.  Early plans are: depart Geelong on February 5th or 6th and travel along the Victorian coast, then to Deal Island and Flinders Island.  Return journey via some less frequently visited places but generally heading for Geelong by March 6th or 7th.  There will a more detailed plan after discussion with those interested in this trip.  We will invite you to attend a meeting for this discussion in late July 2013.  

Initial contacts for this event are Chris Williams and Grant St.Quentin. You can also leave your name with the RGYC Office staff and it will be passed on to the organisers.

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The French Riviera Yacht Rally July 4 - 20 2014

Click here for more information

 

 

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Van Diemen's Land Circumnavigation 2013

Below is Information for Participants 

Entry Form

East Coast Cruise Plan

Crusing Safety Requirements

Tasmania Map

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.