Ahoy - September 2022

NE

H E

T O U

W

S

NG

S

A

I IL

FEATURE ARTICLES

P

A

A

R

C I

F I C

A U S T L

IA

&T

S

H

"IT'S FREE TO ENJOY AHOY!"

SEPTEMBER 2022

https://yachtsalesco.com/boats/preowned/sailing-yachts/2005-beneteauoceanis-473-kahea/

https://yachtsalesco.com/boats/pre-owned/sailingyachts/2007-beneteau-oceanis-46-denize-ii/

https://www.multihullsolutions.c om.au/boats/pre-owned/sailmultihulls/2006-grainger-1220angus-boi/

https://www.multihullsolutions. com.au/boats/pre-owned/sailmultihulls/2016-stealth-13slevi/

https://yachtsalesco.com/boa ts/pre-owned/sailingyachts/2015-moody-54-dscalypso/

https://www.multihullsolutions.com. au/boats/pre-owned/sailmultihulls/1994-simpson-42windvane/

https://www.multihullsolutions.com.a u/events/gold-coast-open-day-2022/

Inside Ahoy SEPTEMBER 2022

New Horizons- A World Circumnavigation on a 25ft Yacht Cruising NSW-Capturing The Clarence Cruising The Kimberly Part 3 with Sailing No Regrets

Cruising QLD - The Whitsunday Coast Cruising Vanuatu -Part 1 - The Southern Islands & Efate

Rally News: Loyalty Islands Rally/Go West Rally/OZ to NZ Rally/2023 Pacific Rally WE HOPE YOU ENJOY AHOY!"

AHOY is published by: Down Under Rally Pty Ltd Contact John Hembrow - Director Website: downunderrally.com Email: admin@downunderrally.com ©Copyright 2022 Down Under Rally Pty Ltd Ahoy Newsletter is published monthly and distributed electronically via the world wide web. Original editorial content & advertisements in this newsletter are copyright and the exclusive property of Down Under Rally Pty Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the Down Under Rally Pty Ltd. The comments and views in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Down Under Rally Pty Ltd.

Down Under Rally Members Prize Draw Each month the Down Under Rally draws the name of one of our members as the winner of the member's prize draw.

The winner gets to choose any item from the woman's or men's range of PredictWind Clothing plus a PredictWind Cap.

CONGRATULATIONS, JAMES C - MEMBER NUMBER 004.

You are this month's winner of our PredictWind Down Under Rally Members Prize Draw predictwind.com/clothing-shop downunderrally.com/membershi

FULL INWARD CLEARANCE IN LIFOU LOYALTY ISLANDS NEW CALEDONIA

2022 RALLY NOW OPEN FOR REGISTRATIONS This is your opportunity to arrive in New Caledonia and begin your cruise in the Loyalty Islands before heading to the east coast of mainland New Caledonia, The Isle Of Pines and the Southern Lagoon.

Normally you would have to go to Noumea to clear in and then wait for a weather window or attempt to beat to windward in order to experience what you had to sail past.

THESE LOCATIONS ARE THE BEST OF THE CRUISING ON OFFER IN NEW CALEDONIA. RALLY INFORMATION: DESTINATION: ISLAND OF LIFOU, LOYALTY ISLANDS, NEW CALEDONIA ANCHORAGE NAME: BAIE DE DRUEULU DATE OF CLEARANCE: THURSDAY, 29TH SEPTEMBER 2022.

TIME OF CLEARANCE: 09:00 - 15:00

For more information submit an obligation free expression of interest at

downunderrally.com/new-caledonia-loyalty-islands-rally

CRUISING YACHT MARINE INSURANCE

Power & Sail

SPECIALIST MARINE INSURANCE BROKERAGE BY BOATIES FOR BOATIES

BOAT INSURANCE CAN BE OVERWHELMING!

Understanding what insurance cover, you need for your Boat can be complex, particularly as boats generally are very diverse assets, largely dependent upon the individual owner. It can be devastating if you get it wrong, so it does pay to have an Insurance Broker on your side who knows Boats and Boat Insurance.

As your Insurance Broker, I work for you, not the Insurers. Utilising my 25 years of Marine Underwriting experience in Boat Insurance, I’ll take the hard work out of getting the right cover for you, arrange the policy and manage the administration of any claims if and when you need to claim.

Live Aboard QLD Cyclone Cover Agreed Value Coastal & Offshore Get In Touch Today!

Call Damian for an obligation free review of your current policy or to discuss a new policy for your vessel

P: 0439 771 109 | E: damian@helminsurance.com.au

HELMINSURANCE.COM.AU

New Horizons "as long as we find meaning in movement, fleeting encounters and new horizons, we will abandon our comfort zone to follow this insatiable desire for the unknown, even if we do not know exactly where we are going and why".

INTO THE WIND "Life over the water and the wind" intothewind.fr/into-the-wind-english

New Horizons In October 2013, Christophe set off from France on what was planned to be a 4-year circumnavigation on a small sailboat, a Django 7.70m (25 feet) called L'Envol.

The Original Plan

Having sailed singlehanded to South America and whilst transiting the Beagle Channel in Patagonia in 2015, Christophe met Carina, who joined him aboard L`Envol.

Christophe & Carina departed Chile in February 2016 and began their crossing of the Pacific, the world's largest ocean. Three years, three months, three weeks and three days later, they arrived in Bundaberg, Australia, in June 2019.

The plan was to head to Tasmania; however, realising that the timing was wrong for a southbound voyage, the decision was made to take the long way round!

New Horizons Six months & some 6000nm later, L'Envol had made her way to Tasmania, dropping anchor in Strahan on the 28th of December 2019.

Little did they know that they would still be there two years later!

Finding themselves unable to depart Australia or even Tasmania due to the coronavirus pandemic and global lockdowns, Tassie became home for Christophe & Carina & L`Envol, and so began their Tour Of Tasmania.

Below is a summary of those adventures from the Blog of L'Envol: "Tour of Tasmania PART 1" Links to this blog entry and the subsequent 'Tour Of Tasmania' entries can be found at intothewind.fr/tour-de-tasmanie-i/

We begin the summary of our Tour Of Tasmania in a counter-clockwise direction.

With its wild and untamed West Coast, a delightful reminiscence of much-loved Patagonia, then, we will quickly circumvent its inhospitable south coast.

The contrast offered by the South-East coast is then striking because we find civilization in a rural version, borrowing channels kindly protected by the long rampart that forms Bruny Island to the pleasant town of Hobart.

Rounding the open sea around the Tasman Peninsula, we will continue north along the east coast to the spectacular Wineglass Bay; then, we will retrace our steps via the improbable Denison Channel in order to calmly spend the worst of the austral winter in Murdunna Bay. We will pass the Freycinet Peninsula and reach St Helens, the last shelter on the east coast before the superb but sometimes dangerous Furneaux Islands, unfortunately, located in the infernal gully of Bass Strait on the NE borders of Tasmania. We will turn them, but we will have to mobilize all our energy and experience not to lose the boat in what is to date, the most demanding and difficult terrain we have ever sailed!

The Tamar Yacht Club became L'Envol's refuge during her second year in Tassie

New Horizons

Although Tasmania has stunning landscapes, the memories we will cherish the most are not of the places but of the faces of people we met, of their hospitality and kindness.

We were invited countless times to share a meal or a cup of tea, to have a hot shower or do the laundry. We were often given greens from the garden, fresh eggs and fish.

We received rides to trail heads, shops or wherever we were going without ever needing to take a bus. We were offered free moorings, then taken on walks and excursions. We even received materials, expertise and time to help fix things on board!

One may wonder why people did it and how they could trust us – after all we were just two strangers on a small boat passing through.

New Horizons With another 2,500 nautical miles in her wake, having made the trek north to Cairns and a few new skills learned along the way, such as bar crossings as she sought refuge in the rivers of New South Wales, L'Envol and her crew announced they would be departing our shores with this heartfelt message:

Farewell, Australia! You've become so familiar that it's a bit like leaving home.

Once again, and as long as we find meaning in movement, fleeting encounters and new horizons, we will abandon our comfort zone to follow this insatiable desire for the unknown, even if we do not know exactly where we are going and why...

May the non-destinations and spontaneous decisions that shaped this journey continue to take us where we need to be. We will never forget how, in the diversity of your coastal landscapes, naturally suited to exploration and anchorage, as well as in the hospitality of your people, you cherish sailors.

May many others have the chance to meet you as we did.

Christophe & Carina intothewind.fr

New Horizons

The Down Under Rally would like to take this opportunity to wish all the crews aboard the many yachts who have called Australia home for the past few years who are about to or have already departed our shores fair winds & following seas & may the memories made on those new horizons last a lifetime.

DOWN UNDER RALLY RELEASES NEW MEMBERS PORTAL WITH APP! THIS MONTH THE DOWN UNDER RALLY IS CELEBRATING THE 12-MONTH ANNIVERSARY OF LAUNCHING OUR DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM! We are excited to announce that we now have a DEDICATED DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS ONLY WEBSITE that provides our members with a much-improved membership experience, including the addition of the DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS APP.

AP P

VI EW

TO SEE HOW IT ALL WORKS WATCH OUR INTRODUCTION VIDEO BELOW

WHAT YOU CAN VIEW & DO IN THE NEW MEMBERS PORTAL View your Digital Membership Card.

View details of discounts and offers from our rally partners.

View our Offshore Cruising Preparation Course Videos.

View the New Resources Library containing Technical Tips, Checklists & More View The New Yoga Video Library with Yoga Classes members can practice to at any time.

View items for sale in the member's marketplace.

View & update your membership and your partner's membership & account details Renew your membership online quickly and easily.

AND YOU CAN DO ALL OF THE ABOVE VIA OUR MOBILE APP AT ANY TIME, ANYWHERE YOU HAVE INTERNET!

For more information or to BECOME A DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBER Visit the new members portal at: downunderrallymembers.com/membership

OZ to NZ Yacht Rally Departs Newcastle Australia February 2023

Your Portal To The Pacific

DOWNUNDERRALLY.COM/OZ-TO-NZ-RALLY

ISLANDCRUISING.NZ/EVENTS/PACIFIC-RALLY-2023

Weather routing algorithms typically use wind and current to calculate the fastest or safest route.

However, the biggest factor for comfort and safety is typically the wave conditions.

Whilst the PredictWind weather router has always had the ability to use a wave polar, which can define the adverse effects of wave conditions on the boat's performance, this functionality is rarely used in practice. For most sailors, it is simply "too hard" to predict or even guess their boat's performance in all the possible wave conditions.

Using advanced wave modelling of your boat's characteristics, the PredictWind router can now predict the performance of your boat in all wave conditions. Experienced sailors intuitively know that wave conditions can have a dramatic effect on the boat's performance.

How the waves affect your vessel's performance is now auto-calculated in the routing algorithm so you can benefit from a more accurate, safe and comfortable route. Simply enter in your Beam, Length on Water Line, Draught, and Displacement to activate this automatic wave routing feature.

WATCH TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WAVE MODELING ON PREDICTWIND OR LEARN MORE ABOUT PREDICTWIND AUTOMATIC WAVE DATA AT: predictwind.com/news/automatic-wave-routing

CHOOSING THE TENDER THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU

WHEN IT COMES TO TENDERS, THERE IS NO "ONE SIZE/TYPE FITS ALL." Everyone is different, everyone has different criteria & it seems everyone has a different opinion about what makes the best tender. What you think should be good as a tender for the next person is totally unsuitable.

Having been in the inflatable boat business for almost 30 years, Mike at Rib Force Inflatables has met with many vessel owners and has heard what is important to them as individuals. For instance, one had a passion for birdwatching and needed a visual enhancer mounted on the foredeck of the tender. More common are keen fishermen who would like a casting platform, SCUBA divers who desire a special deck arrangement and so on. Then there are also differences between requirements for coastal sailors and those venturing far afield.

To cater to the wide range of requirements, the Aurora has a wide range of RIBs in both aluminium and fibreglass in several different configurations.

As a start, those looking for a tender need to establish their constraints in terms of weight, length and beam that can fit on the yacht. Often these constraints are absolute, and as such, the choices are limited. Once limitations have been established in terms of what they can have, the next step is to look at what their objectives are in terms of the tender, i.e. what they need/expect the tender to do.

Once that is established, the appropriate tender choice can be considered to fit within the constraints.

An important consideration for many sailors is weight. Aurora Reef Rider has a range of lightweight, aluminium RIBs. There are heavier fibre glass options with full floors for those wanting a heavier RIB for diving or fishing purposes. For those wanting a rescue-type RIB with safety colours, these are available.

RIB Force Inflatables specialise in providing the appropriate advice and options, including custom builds.

Phone +61 7 55 737 265

ribforceinflatables.com.au DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS. Produce your current membership card at Rib Force Inflatables and receive 7.5% off the RRP of all new Aurora RIBS. Offer valid until 31st December 2022.

REMEMBER GOOD OLD-FASHIONED SERVICE? That is what you will find at our chandlery, Australian Boating Supplies.

Dave and Helen brought Australian Boating Supplies (ABS) about 15 years ago when it was located at the front of Gold Coast City Marina, part of the Gold Coast Marine Precinct. Since then they expanded to shed F31, and again into shed C17 which is right next to the boom gates and has substantially increased the range of boating and marine products.

Having raised their family in Canberra, they moved to Queensland, purchased the chandlery and Tropical Sunset a Seawind 1160 and boating became a large part of the family's lives.

For many years Dave, Helen, Danielle, Michael and Emma holidayed and sailed between the Gold Coast and far north Queensland on Tropical Sunset. During this time they tried and tested many of the products currently stocked in the shop and can provide advice and knowledge based on their own experience.

The Hutcheson family and the staff at ABS have extensive boating experience and really do enjoy helping you with your chandlery needs.

We look forward to welcoming you IN-STORE Monday to Friday 8 AM – 4:30 PM Saturday 8:30 AM -12:00 PM, OR by phone or online when it suits you

PHONE: 07 5502 8484 AUSTBOATING.COM.AU

C17 Gold Coast City Marina, 76-84 Waterway Drive, Coomera Qld. 4209

DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS RECEIVE GENUINE DISCOUNTS OFF ALL ITEMS IN-STORE, EXCLUDING ITEMS ALREADY ON SALE AND AS SUCH ALREADY DISCOUNTED.

CAPTURING CLARENCE CRUISING

By Forfar Petrie

CAPTURING CLARENCE CAPTURING CLARENCE CRUISING CRUISING

By Forfar Petrie The Clarence, “The Big River”, is sourced in the Great Dividing Range, 394km in length, and situated in the Northern Rivers District of NSW. It pours its substantial volume of water between the towns of Iluka and Yamba, through their rock walls, and into the Coral Sea. It is steeped in the maritime history of early settlement and natural resources.

My wife and crew, Sally and I of S.V. Sarisha, were fortunate enough to base ourselves, mainly in the Iluka anchorage, for approximately 3mths and 4mths, in the summers of 2021 and 2022, respectively. Both years had extraordinary weather events with multiple major flooding. Other considerations, including Covid, determined we stay put rather than pursue a passage south. The area offers several places for extended safe anchorage on a coast with limited options. This cruising ground can sustain extended and varied activity. There was never a day with nothing to do.

S.V. Sarisha

CAPTURING CLARENCE CAPTURING CLARENCE CRUISING CRUISING

By Forfar Petrie Entry is over the river bar and through the rock walls. Following the normal route, around the North Wall, inside the Banana Bank, and transversing across to South Wall will bring one to deeper water. Alan Lucas’s, Cruising the NSW Coast, although dated, is still a relevant guide for an exploration of “The Big River”. The local Iluka/Yamba Marine Rescue can give updates on the immediate bar conditions and the NSW River Bar Cameras, a view in real-time. www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/using-waterways/conditions-weather-and-tides/webcams/iluka/yamba

Another source of information, Clarence Cruising, A Mariners Guide to the Clarence River, is free and available online & in most retail and tourist venues.

CAPTURING CLARENCE CAPTURING CLARENCE CRUISING CRUISING

By Forfar Petrie As with all river bars, the Clarence should be approached with caution and prudence. It has had its fair share of sunken vessels and loss of life. The tide here is important with significant overrun times. Any ebb tide will cause pressure waves in addition to the sea state. The state of the river itself should also be considered, especially during a flood. Navigation markers can move and be lost with significant current and water volume. We can certainly attest to that as a maritime officer casually remarked of 50 lost positions when we reported the movement of one in our last flood. Debris and wind over tide can make anchoring and negotiating the river a challenge in these times, but several areas provide reasonably safe haven.

Iluka anchorage is one of these safe-havens. The East Entrance is best used on a higher tide for deep-draft vessels. The area inside the walls has shallow areas, <2m, and the charts should be used as a guide only. The Western Entrance should be approached close to the wall, avoiding the adjacent shallow mud bank. This, close to the wall approach, should continue on the inside east towards the anchorage. It has deeper areas depending on river height, with good holding in mud and sand. Swing room can be limited depending on the number of vessels. In our experience, this area can be subject to an infrequent abrupt or sustained South and Southeast wind of >50 knots. Fetch is dependent on open water distance and proximity to the rock walls. We ensured our anchor was well dug in with the maximum scope possible. There is the option to utilise the commercial moorings (red buoys), or piles in the Trawler Harbour, if available. These areas in the eastern field are well protected. I wouldn’t recommend those very exposed moorings near the Ferry Terminal and Boat Shed; the picture below tells the story.

Opposite the anchorage is a well-constructed pontoon where you can tie up and leave a dinghy. I have seen larger vessels, including a small catamaran at the end. Be aware of the NSW maritime safety rules regarding lifejackets, particularly going solo. Maritime officers are a regular presence. Security, while not a major issue, should be observed. We were advised once of a stolen dinghy and also a runabout sinking. Apparently, the bungs were removed in a local dispute.

Docking here leaves you well placed to visit the iconic Sedgers Reef Hotel, so named when many local fishermen allegedly aborted their mission out to sea in favour of the bar! The last few years have rumoured about the demise of this asbestos palace, but I’m yet to see or believe it! Cash over the bar, good pub food, happy hour and raffles Thursday, with the occasional musicians, make it a worthwhile visit.

Iluka foreshore & dinghy pontoon with Sedgers Reef Hotel in the background.

CAPTURING CLARENCE CAPTURING CLARENCE CRUISING CRUISING

By Forfar Petrie Iluka is a small village with a lot to offer. Known to me as “God’s Waiting Room” in a past life, the locals include a large percentage of retired and aged pensioners. In contrast to its brash cousin, Yamba, across the river, Iluka has avoided invasive development, its urban influence and changing culture. I can’t help feeling this won’t be for much longer.

The shopping areas provide enough for provisioning and entertainment, including a few niche shops, café/restaurants, Post Office, Hardware, and Emporium Art Gallery. You may notice a local artist and author of “Sailing in my Sarong “ there. With no local doctor, a newly stationed ambulance is available for medical issues. It’s a short distance to the District Hospital in MacLean, and further to the larger Base Hospital in Grafton. I visited their A & E after spearing my leg on a surfboard fin.

We would recommend the Museum. It gives a comprehensive history of the town and surrounding areas and a new respect for the early pioneer’s perseverance and resilience.

We dinghied over, past the mermaid guarding the trawler Harbour entrance (see image on page 2 of this article), to the wharf and filled our cans. It is possible to tie up there, depending on the size and manoeuvrability of a vessel. There is also a service station in town. Gas, more competitively priced, is available from the Caravan Park near the Sedgers Reef. They offer showers and hot water for $3 and a very good laundromat. Beware, the dryers are hot!

You can pass the time between spins across the road at Old Mates Cafe, where I recommend the coffee.

Water is accessible from a tap inside the public toilet, below the sink, and the tap outside, with your own universal tap turner. We collected all our water from rainfall, Yamba Marina, and MacLean pontoon. Yachting services are sparse. There didn’t seem to be a marine diesel mechanic in the area, and most of the trawlers and others we spoke to, use Thwaites, a service based in Coffs Harbour. Grafton may be an option where most farm and heavy machinery are serviced. There is, however, a very good outboard mechanic, Gary, with pick-up and drop-off service from the pontoon. Getting around includes Drive Share, pub and club courtesy buses, and regular large bus service around and outside the area. There is also a regular ferry between Iluka and Yamba.

Because yachting services and spares are limited, they are better sourced in Yamba. However, there’s a change in the wind. The Iluka slipway is under new management and will be refurbished by Peter Agg and partner. Peter was a long-time cruiser, who has swallowed the anchor, and their mission is to expand the facility by encouraging the hauling out of recreational vessels. Trawlers will still have priority, but this is a major development. The haul-out and hard stand facilities at Yamba Marina are limited to smaller vessels and exclude catamarans. Harwood has a haul-out facility for larger vessels, including ships. Still, a visit, and information from fellow cruisers, reveal it operates more like a commercial shipyard and is not suited to domestic vessels. Cost, isolation, access for vessels (tide dependent), and the yard's state are prohibitive. It is not a marina, and amenities are very basic.

https://podcasts.googl https://itunes.apple. e.com/feed/aHR0cHM https://open.sp com/au/podcast/boa 6Ly9yc3Mud2hvb3No otify.com/show/ tinga2FhLmNvbS9yc3Mvc 6PqudAXf7jusu insights/id14294524 G9kY2FzdC9pZC80MD VhUNLn1BM 47?mt=2 Ey

https://www.aabboating.com/podcasts/

CAPTURING CLARENCE CAPTURING CLARENCE CRUISING CRUISING

By Forfar Petrie Despite its size, Iluka has much to offer those seeking outdoor activity. Fishing, and crabbing, are major tourist attractions. The Iluka rock walls boast catches of record size Mulloway. I can attest to exceptional flathead fishing in the lower reaches. A flood can limit this activity unless you’re particularly fond of catfish! There were massive fish kills in the 2022 flooding, as tons of dead salt and freshwater species littered the beaches and choked some areas upriver. This can occur as anoxic and acidic water from the breakdown of organic material and agricultural practice, mobilise from the wetlands, wiping out any living thing in its path. The reefs off Woody Head to the north, and Angourie Point to the south, can be very productive for saltwater species, including mackerel and other pelagic in season. Tackle and bait are readily available. Fishing licences in NSW are mandatory.

If you’re a surfer, Iluka is a hidden gem with increasingly congested line-ups elsewhere. Quality beach and reef breaks for the small local crew and transient surfers present themselves in the right conditions. I surfed a peak off the north wall and have seen ridable waves all the way to the Bluff and beyond. I was lucky enough to surf a sandbar inside the river rock walls, opposite the coast guard tower, in front of Moriarty’s Beach and Wall. On its day, with the right tide, this wave performs like a point break. There are tracks through the rainforest to the north and east, with enough wildlife and time to keep the walker vigilant and the option to end in a beach walk. We also enjoyed cycling out the main inroad, past the golf club, to Frazer’s Reef and Woody Head, located in a National Park.

Woody gives access to more beaches, extensive rock platforms and barbecue facilities, Frazer’s, surf breaks and beaches.

CAPTURING CLARENCE CAPTURING CLARENCE CRUISING CRUISING

By Forfar Petrie Yamba is an alternative for further exploration. Whiting’s Beach has anchorage at either end inside the rock wall but is prone to swell, east and current, west. The water here tends to be better quality than Iluka as the flooding sea naturally gravitates to this side of the river, and most cruisers fire up the water maker here as necessary. This beach gives access to the town at the eastern end, the South Wall, and Turners Beach.

We used the tender and, more frequently, our canoe to go surfing and attend the Farmers Markets, held every Wednesday. The stalls are genuine and reflect the description, but be early. It starts at 0700, and the fresh produce tends to go rapidly. There is also the usual variety of Sunday Market along the walkway and river opposite the Ferry Wharf. Yamba has a greater variety of upmarket shopping, hospitality, and entertainment than Iluka. We went to the movies at both theatres with a senior discount. These venues present in a style reminiscent of a lost past. The only thing missing was jaffas rolling down the main aisle! The steep walk to the top pub (Pacific Hotel of legendary status) is worth the views, restaurant food, and craft beers.

We found Yamba Marina, owned by the famous solo sailor Kay Cottee and her husband, an accommodating and pleasant stay for something different. This was also my “go-to” when presented with a 40 – 63knot wind prediction and solo in the Iluka anchorage. Six yachts came to grief. After that, I fled. The usual amenities include a small chandlery, sailmaker and rigger, and an industrial area nearby. I enjoyed an enjoyable evening following an invitation to the Yacht Club above the café. Follow the navigational markers through the rock wall and proceed via the narrow channel, passing the trawlers to port before entering.

There is limited space to anchor outside the marina and harbour walls. The commercial moorings here may be available. Visiting dinghies may be left for brief periods in the marina and for extended times on the rear of the ferry wharf and pontoon opposite the Calypso Yamba Holiday Park.

The Yamba Shores Tavern further upstream provides a unique opportunity. Dock free for the night on their pontoon, as long as you purchase a meal and enjoy their facilities. We advised them of our intention and arrival in advance. There is room for four large vessels, and those with a deep draft need to work the flooding tide and channel markers on approach. It is possible to anchor east of the Tavern and opposite Rabbit Island in the deeper water. Observe the charts as there are some very shallow areas in the vicinity of the Marina and Tavern.

Heading in for a meal at the Yamba Shores Tavern with Sarisha safe & secure on the Guest Pontoon

CAPTURING CLARENCE CAPTURING CLARENCE CRUISING CRUISING

By Forfar Petrie HEADING UPSTREAM It’s possible to travel upriver as far as Grafton in deep draft and masted vessels and further for others less restricted. We travelled this route up and down several times during our stay in the region.

Most of this was done under motor, but sailing is possible with the right wind. There is nothing like ghosting along past the lush and green riverbanks, listening to aquatic birdlife in this large expanse of flat water.

Leaving Iluka/Yamba and heading upstream, the channels are well marked. We worked the tide, which can prove significant, particularly if you choose to go against it.

Commercial and recreational crab pots can be numerous downstream from MacLean, and they are banned upstream of there. I was therefore not tempted to travel at night.

The first obstacle for tall masts is the older Harwood bridge. By giving at least 24hrs notice, this bridge can be opened. The operator preferred early morning, before 0700hrs, or midmorning 1000hrs. The lift involves stopping north and southbound road traffic and a minimum of 20mins preparation on the bridge. Sometimes arranged times can be fluid, and I would advise confirmation the night before.

Passing Chalmer’s Island to port revealed some pretty impressive riverside mansions before the Fishing Haven Holiday Park pontoon. It is possible for a large vessel to moor here but at a substantial cost per night, according to a fellow cruiser. On passage to the bridge, we encountered large commercial barges, dredges, and the small river trawlers grunting along with nets down, vacuuming the riverbed for school prawns and varied bycatch. We were intrigued by the seemingly abandoned ships/boats and unanswered questions. Why were they there? What was their maritime history?

CAPTURING CLARENCE CAPTURING CLARENCE CRUISING CRUISING

By Forfar Petrie Approaching the bridge, a red light will appear between the navigation markers when the operator stops traffic and begins the lifting process. This light and the green, indicating you are clear to go, are obscured by the new elevated bridge unless close to the pylons. We passed the Big River Sailing Club and Harwood Slipway to starboard. Further on and immediately before the bridge lies the Harwood Sugar Mill. We anchored for the night across the river from here. It is out of the tidal stream with good holding and a depth of 4-5m.

Passing through and clearing the bridge, the Harwood pontoon is immediately seen to starboard. Capable of mooring two 12-15m vessels, it lies in front of the pub, colloquially known as the “Harwood Hilton”, and the few shops in Harwood village. We anchored further upstream, between Ulgundahi and Harwood Islands, for a couple of nights. This gave us the opportunity to explore the surrounding area by canoe and put out some crab pots. It was a short paddle across North Arm to Ashby, the small town on Ashby Island.

Continuing for a short distance upriver lies MacLean, a town that takes enormous pride in its Scottish heritage. The two pontoons on the port side can take four vessels, 12-15m. While a fantastic place to stay, they can be subject to some wind against tide and the wake of early morning trawler activity and passing boats. We were also subject to an intense squall from the west here, requiring additional fenders in the driving rain and substantial fetch, which broke on and over Sarisha. Alternative anchorage is found across the river.

CAPTURING CLARENCE CAPTURING CLARENCE CRUISING CRUISING

By Forfar Petrie On approach to MacLean, you are likely to hear the eerie wail of bagpipes emanating from the Scottish Shop across the road and main street. The telegraph poles that line this thoroughfare and most main streets display the many varied tartans of Scottish clans.

The pontoons supply both fresh potable water and power, free!

We were lucky enough to meet Peter, a member of the MacLean Cruisers Club. Peter gets a signature and comment in the visitor’s book, and he loves a chat.

There are toilets, a shower (on request), barbeques, tables with seating, and rubbish disposal immediately adjacent to the pontoons. From here, we accessed the main street with a Spar supermarket, BWS, and varied shops and hospitality venues.

The fisherman’s Co-op has fuel, but it is some distance to transport fuel containers. The local bakery had a good sourdough bread, and I’m reliably informed by Justin of Hurtle Turtle that the apple turnovers are worth a go too!

The town swimming pool, a short walk from the main centre, was a worthwhile chance to cool off and exercise in the hotter months of summer. A larger supermarket, liquor outlet, and bowling club are also nearby. There are more than the usual charity and op shops dotted around this small town. It’s a steep and reasonable walk to experience some extensive and far-ranging views from the MacLean Lookout Reserve.

You may pass the Pinnacles on the way, rock formations sacred to the local Yaegl people.

We also detoured to other attractions within easy distance, including the MacLean Chiefs Tartan Poles, Cairn, and Bicentennial Museum.

The Highland Gathering is an annual event in MacLean and is dear to my Scottish roots. We attended in mid-April, both years. 2022 was their 117th and indicates the Scottish influence on local settlement. The two days resound with Scottish culture as local and visiting participants from around the country, starting with a street parade and ending up at the Maclean Showgrounds on the banks of South Arm. Here the bands, with bagpipes, swirling kilts, rapid-fire drumming, and military precision, compete alongside the dancing of highland flings and sailors' Hornpipe while strong men and women toss cabers and hammer throw. All giving their best to the various activity. My only disappointment? No haggis on the menu!

CAPTURING CLARENCE CAPTURING CLARENCE CRUISING CRUISING

By Forfar Petrie There is so much more to see and experience further upstream, but some publishing restraint is required in this already lengthy article. I will now summarise as necessary and allow for your interpretation when you visit.

Heading upriver, rounding Ashby Island, and passing the Broadwater (an alternative flood anchorage), we sailed under the power lines, past the two ferries and anchored near Munro Island opposite Lawrence village. Based on the old 2NR Broadcasting Station, Lawrence has the best regional museum we encountered. The pub has a friendly and unique atmosphere with its wall of “Locals” hats behind the bar and Bistro meals. Sportsman’s Creek is worth the nature paddle, and the very “country” golf course offers physical activity if required. Further south lie the villages of Cowper and Brushgrove, joined by a bridge over the South Arm tributary, where it intersects with the main river. Both pontoon and anchorage are available to access the heritage-listed pub (1868) on Woodford Island, the largest inland or offshore in NSW. Cowper boasts a small art gallery, Ian Cameron, a local artisan cabinet maker, and the sobering memorial to 20 fatalities from the 1989 bus crash. During our stay, we encountered some great locals, including local indigenous man Cockatoo Paul, Bill Gleeson, a seasoned mariner and restoration shipwright, and Glad and Rick Smith, seasoned cruising sailors and past Shag Island Yacht Club activity organisers.

CAPTURING CLARENCE CAPTURING CLARENCE CRUISING CRUISING

By Forfar Petrie Ulmarra, a small town with a multitude of interesting distractions, was our last stop. The pub lies immediately adjacent to the pontoon, and past that, heritage-style housing, art galleries, bric a brac, craft shops and one of the best second-hand books stores.

Further upriver, Grafton, a city with every convenience, is accessible by most yachts. However, we chose the 20min bus ride from Ulmarra.

On reflection, most of our time cruising the Big River was dogged by floods and rain. It is a testament to what the Clarence has to offer, and despite the questionable weather, we were able to have a memorable and worthwhile experience. I’m sure there is so much more to see and do that we missed. The annual Jacaranda festival in Grafton comes to mind. To complete this adventure, we were lucky enough to share it with other like-minded visiting sailors and meet the local water men and women of the Clarence.

THIS ARTICLE IS DEDICATED TO GREG SMITH OF S.V. ASTRID AND HIS CONSTANT COMPANION, MUFFIN.

Sally and I met Greg in the Iluka anchorage when he was kind enough to visit Sarisha with some freshly baked bread rolls. Humble, friendly, and an experienced mariner, he swapped recipes with Sally, and I managed to tease out some of his past. This included a horrendous delivery passage across the English Channel from France to England in storm-force winds (80knots), disabled crew, and a badly damaged steel yacht. On arrival, customs officials, disbelieving his survival story, suspected ulterior motives and spent the next 24hrs on a thorough inspection of his vessel. I was in awe of his self-reliance. On anchor, he was refitting Astrid, including a complete removal and reconditioning of his Buch diesel engine on deck.

After we sailed north to warmer climes, we were very saddened to hear the news that Greg had died of misadventure when diving into the water to retrieve his dinghy and failed to resurface.

We first met Forfar & Sally when they joined the 2017 Go East Rally to New Caledonia. s.v Squander was their vessel for that adventure.

They joined us again in 2021 for the Beyond The Barrier Rally on their then new to them boat s.v Sarisha.

They have a very interesting story to tell about the events that lead to them replacing Squander with Sarisha that they may tell you one day if you happen to see them in an anchorage or ashore for sundowners.

S.V Katatonic, the first of our 2022 GO WEST RALLY participants, arrived in Bundaberg Port Marina this month.

Here is what they had to say when we contacted them for feedback about their arrival experience:

"The process we went through was professional and respectful.

The Biosecurity and Australian Border Force officers all did a great job."

Learn More About Sailing To Australia with Go West Rally at:

downunderrally.com/about-go-west

JOIN THE GO WEST RALLY TO AUSTRALIA REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW OPEN! RALLY ENTRY FEE $595.00 (AUD) AND INCLUDES: 1 Year Down Under Rally Membership valued at $125.00. Down Under Rally Membership provides access to discounts and offers from our network of rally partner businesses in Australia including Bundaberg Port Marina who offer our members the following: 15% discount on the first 15 days of berthing at Bundaberg Port Marina.

Pay for five days on the hardstand and receive two days extra free of charge Pay for two weeks on the hardstand and receive an additional three days free.

Pay for three months of dry storage and receive a 10% discount Payment of biosecurity fees*. The Down Under Rally will pay the fees associated with the Department of Agriculture's initial biosecurity pratique & timber inspection for all vessels who join the Go West Rally. In recent years the average cost of this fee for small craft arrival in Bundaberg Australia has been $448.00, with some vessels being charged as little as $330.00 and others over $700.00! (*conditions apply) Support, advice and accurate information from the rally organisers about sailing to, arriving in and visiting Australia.

Down Under Rally COMPREHENSIVE Guide to Entering Australia by yacht including passage planning information from New Caledonia & Vanuatu to Bundaberg, destination waypoints and much more.

Down Under Rally COMPREHENSIVE Guide to Australian Customs and Biosecurity with instructions on preparing the vessel and crew for customs and biosecurity inspections & visa requirements.

Free to attend Welcome Week events in Bundaberg, including, Cruising the East Coast of Australia presentations, fully catered functions (some food & drinks included), fun social activities and much more.

The chance to WIN PRIZES, including FREE HAUL OUTS!

TO LEARN MORE & REGISTER AS A PARTICIPANT VISIT downunderrally.com/go-west-rally

CRUISING THE KIMBERLEY (PART THREE)

By Chris Rose

Rounding the most northern point of Western Australia, Cape Londonderry, we experienced some brisk winds blowing against the tide creating short, steep waves which were standing up far more than we expected. At this most northern point are the Stewart Islands, where we decided to pull into the protected waters that exist between these two small picturesque sandy islets.

Dropping anchor in a small indentation of the fringing reef of the east island, we lowered our tender and motored to the shore with just enough tide remaining to get over the shallow reef. Leaving the tender anchored on the water’s edge, we planned to walk part way around the island, exploring this very remote location.

CRUISING THE KIMBERLEY (PART THREE)

By Chris Rose

With very few visitors coming to this area, numerous beautiful shells could be found along the pristine sandy beach where we could not see a single footprint. Coming around the corner on the island, we found a tiny tidal creek feeding into a small, sparsely lined mangrove lagoon. With the water reasonably clear towards the seaward side and the lagoon shallow and clear, we waited a while to assess the risk, looking keenly for any eyes and nostrils from a lurking crocodile. Deciding that the water was only knee-deep at our crossing point and having not observed anything concerning, we waded to the other side.

It was here we discovered a huge and very fresh slide in the sand from a big crocodile that must have been very recently sunning itself. Quite shocked at our discovery, we walked just a few meters further around the point and found the huge offender swimming at the water’s edge.

There was no way we were going back and re-crossing the creek, so we continued our walk around the island to get back to our tender. Discovering yet another very large crocodile slide confirmed that big crocodiles were most definitely present here and would have been closely watching us. Continuing around the island, we found a well-established eagle’s nest from where the birds above kept an eye on us whilst protecting their eggs.

Returning to our tender and getting ready to push it out, a reef shark patrolling the shallows made numerous darts around us, trying to determine our activities.

Safely back aboard No Regrets, we continued onwards, around Point Talbot and to the Governor Islands.

This anchorage is very well protected from almost all wind directions and made for a lovely overnight stop.

Anchoring just offshore between the islands, we dropped our tender and ventured to the lovely beach on the western end of the East Island for sunset drinks. Anchoring our tender at the water’s edge, we walked around the stony beach with rocks of such vivid and fantastic colour variations. Sitting on the beach with our drinks and taking in the beautiful scenery, I spotted something moving towards us across the western bay from a couple of hundred meters away.

Very slowly, we watched a saltwater crocodile sneakily make its way across before stopping directly in front of us alongside our tenders. Sitting quietly watching its movements, it then submerged at the water’s edge, right alongside our tender! Carefully walking to the shore's edge in the ever-reducing light, we could still make out this rather concerning crocodile lying on the bottom, looking up towards us on the shore.

Not feeling at all comfortable with this crocodile taking such an interest in us, it was time to leave before it got any later, and we lost what advantage the remaining light gave us. Carefully climbing back into our tenders, ensuring that we kept ourselves out of the water and the tender between the crocodile and us, we returned to the safety of our yachts.

CRUISING THE KIMBERLEY (PART THREE)

By Chris Rose

Venturing down into Mission Bay, we stopped at the Honeymoon Bay Campground. This campsite offers fuel, fresh fruit and vegetables, and emergency supplies that can be arranged through the campsite managers. Joy is a lovely host and very accommodating to passing yachts. Unfortunately, with covid closing borders and countless locations inaccessible to visitors, supplies were very limited, and the nearby town of Kalumburu was totally off limits. We had not planned on getting supplies, so it did not present any inconvenience for us, but hopefully, with covid becoming less of a concern, this service will again resume.

After a fantastic fishing session in the bay, landing nice specimens of Queenfish and Trevally, and not being able to stop many other bigger fish that busted off most of our gear, it was time to head off to Vansittart Bay. It was an opportunity to do some baking with very light winds, but we could not find our egg beaters.

For a bit of fun, we dropped the tender while under the spinnaker and zipped around to the other two boats. Giving both yachts a push along and getting the boat speeds up for a brief while with our tender provided some entertainment. Returning to No Regrets, the wind had died entirely with our spinnaker collapsing, so it was time to drop sail and start an engine.

"Returning back to No Regrets, the wind completely died and with our spinnaker collapsing it was time to drop sail and start an engine."

"Giving both yachts a push along and getting the boat speeds up for a brief while with our tender provided some entertainment."

Heading through the gap between Mary and Long Islands, there is an obstruction in the middle of this passage labelled Middle Rock. This obstruction is incorrectly marked on the official nautical charts. The actual position of this rock is approximately 600m east of the marked position, so careful observation is needed. The Kimberley Coast Cruising Yacht Club Guide is invaluable in these situations as it clearly warns of the situation and recommends the best passageway.

CRUISING THE KIMBERLEY (PART THREE)

By Chris Rose

Tucking into Butchers Bay, it was time to fix an issue with an electrical cable that had occurred in the mast of one of the boats, resulting in it jamming the halyard. Luckily it was the mobile phone booster antenna cable and not the more important tv antenna cable, neither of which was doing anything in this remote location but provided some entertainment for us nonetheless.

In the morning, we travelled the short nine nautical miles to anchor off the beach of the DC3 plane wreck, which I was keen to explore. The wreck is located on the eastern side of the salt pan, hidden in the scrub.

The US Airforce Douglas C53 Skytrouper emergency landed here en route from Perth to Broome back in February 1942, after the disoriented pilot got lost and made an emergency landing in bad weather. All crew and passengers survived and were rescued days later by a passing QANTAS flying boat. After years of storms and fires, the wreck is still in relatively good condition and provided some great photo opportunities sticking our heads out the cockpit windows.

CRUISING THE KIMBERLEY (PART THREE)

By Chris Rose

Just a short five nautical miles from the DC3 wreck is Pauline Bay, where we dropped anchor and went to shore to try and locate the Jalandal Aboriginal art site.

After climbing over rocks and pushing through the scrub, we eventually located the site and found it to be quite extensive and interesting.

If you are into aboriginal art, then this was probably the best art site we explored in the Kimberley and well worth the effort to locate.

Returning to No Regrets, we made a hasty decision just before sunset to head into Maia Cove, which was far more protected. As it turned out, this hasty trip was unnecessary, but with the weather models unable to agree on the forecast wind direction when we downloaded the forecast using our Iridium Go! & the Predictwind Offshore App, it was better to be prepared than caught out. Maia Cove was a picture-perfect anchorage, so we were glad to have stopped there for the night. The following morning dawned with perfect glassed-out conditions, so we launched the drone and captured some of the beauty of yet another stunning Kimberley anchorage

CRUISING THE KIMBERLEY (PART THREE)

By Chris Rose

RESOURCES FOR CRUISING THE KIMBERLY

KIMBERLEY COAST CRUISING YACHT CLUB. The club's intentions are: To be a social network for owners and crew of vessels who have cruised the Kimberley Coast or are planning to cruise to the Kimberley.

To encourage private cruising vessels to visit, and enjoy the adventure and spectacle of the fantastic Kimberley Coastal Region.

To provide a source of information and contacts for skippers and crew planning to cruise the Kimberley Coast in their own vessel. The goal is for experienced Members to help others to cruise and enjoy this beautiful area.

LEARN MORE AT: WWW.KCCYC.ORG.AU

SAILING NO REGRETS - YOUTUBE CHANNEL

WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/C/SAILINGSVNOREGRETS

CUSTOMS INFORMATION FOR AUSTRALIAN & VISITING INTERNATIONAL YACHTS When you arrive in Australia, there are a number of clearance options depending on when you intend to leave.

If you intend to leave within twelve months, you may be granted a Control Permit, asked to provide a security for temporary importation or to formally import the craft.

A Control Permit will be issued to the Master of the craft if the ABF are satisfied the craft is transiting Australia for noncommercial purposes. Control Permits may be issued for a period of 12 months or the length of the Master's visa, whichever is less. Extension of the initial control permit may be granted on application for up to two years, provided that you meet eligibility requirements and have an appropriate visa. The maximum period of time the vessel will be permitted to remain in Australia before it will be required to be imported is three years.

A person eligible to apply for a Control Permit must be a tourist or a temporary resident of Australia. Australian citizens are not eligible for a Control Permit unless they have overseas residency. Satisfactory evidence of overseas residency is required.

If you are an Australian citizen, permanent resident of Australia or migrating to Australia on a craft purchased outside Australia, importation of the craft is required. Customs duty and tax are payable on any craft imported into Australia upon its arrival.

See the following page of the Australian Border Force Website for more information: www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/entering-and-leaving-by-sea/yachts-and-pleasure-craft

AUSTRALIAN VESSELS RETURNING TO AUSTRALIA. If your vessel has departed from Australia, it is likely that you will be required to re-import your vessel when you return to Australia despite having not exported the vessel when you departed.

You can clarify this yourself with the Australian Border Force by emailing the Bundaberg Office of the ABF using the following email address. bundaberg@abf.gov.au.

If the vessel was tax paid when it left Australia, you should not have to pay import duty or GST again; however, only the ABF can confirm this.

If the ABF confirms this is the case, they will likely inform you that you will need to complete some paperwork on arrival to re-import the vessel and that they strongly recommend you employ a customs agent to assist with the completion and lodgement of the associated paperwork.

The Down Under Rally has a long-standing relationship with DAZMAC, who are customs brokers. The Down Under Rally recommends contacting DAZMAC to get a quote from them to act as your agent should you be required to import or re-import a vessel.

You can make an obligation-free enquiry with Dazmac via the following page of the Down Under Rally website: www.downunderrally.com/agents.

Discounts for Down Under Rally Members.

WELCOME WEEK DOWN UNDER A FUN & INFORMATIVE INTRODUCTION TO AUSTRALIA! Go West Rally participants are invited to attend the Down Under Rally Welcome Week in Bundaberg.

The Welcome Week activities below are a mix of informative presentations, fun social events and relaxed gettogethers and are included in the Go West Rally Entry Fee.

FREE SERVICES & SOCIAL EVENTS Free daily shuttle bus to local shops & the city Welcome to Country Cocktail Party.

Fun Social Events Beer & Prawn Party (free beer & prawns for all) Cruisers Cove Hootenanny /Jam sessions Pot Luck Dinners & BBQs Free Yoga Classes by Yoga4Yachties Done & Dusted Party

FREE LOCAL KNOWLEDGE SEMINARS Surviving Down Under VHF Channels & Weather Land Cruising Down Under Presentation East Coast Cruising Presentations x 4 1. Bundaberg to Gold Coast 2. Gold Coast to Sydney 3. Bundaberg to Cairns and Beyond 4. Sydney to Tasmania

Tours to local attractions* In addition, there will be the opportunity to join tours and visit local attractions, including Bundaberg Rum Distillery, Hinkler Hall of Aviation, Snakes Down Under Reptile Park & Zoo, Wineries, and Boutique Breweries. (not included in rally entry fee*)

Meeting The Locals Snakes Down Under Reptile Park & Zoo

For More Welcome Week information visit: downunderrally.com/welcome-week ©Down Under Rally 2022

GO WEST WITH THE DOWN UNDER RALLY TO WIN TOTAL PRIZE POOL VALUED AT OVER $5000.00 Here a just a few of the prizes that you could win if you join the Down Under ‘Go West’ Rally!*

2 x VOUCHERS FREE LIFT + FREE WATERBLAST

valued at $700 EACH • Conditions Apply • Subject to Availability • Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer

FREE LIFT + WATERBLAST + 5 DAYS FREE HARDSTAND valued at $1100 • Conditions Apply • Subject to Availability • Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer

2 x VOUCHERS

PREDICTWIND

HARDSTAND CREDIT

12 MONTHS PRO SUBSCRIPTION

valued at $500 EACH

valued at $499

• Conditions Apply • Subject to Availability • Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer

• Conditions Apply • Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer

WIN ONE OF 5 CRUISING QUEENSLAND GUIDES

TOTAL VALUE $450 • Conditions Apply • Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer

CHANDLERY VOUCHER VALUED AT $250 • Conditions Apply • Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer

PLUS MANY MORE MINOR PRIZES *2002 Go West Rally Participant Only *Participants must be present during the 2022 Down Under Rally Welcome Week Cruising The East Coat of Australia Seminars in to be included in the prize draws. *Maximum of One Major Prize per vessel

DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS

LOCATED AT BUNDABERG PORT MARINA.

Our well-stocked family-owned, and operated ships chandlery has been helping cruising yachties for almost 20 years!

WE CAN DELIVER YOUR CHAIN/ANCHOR TO KENCO GALVANISING PH: (07) 4159 4399 E: info@captainschandlery.com W: captainschandlery.com

"The most popular port of entry into Australia, Bundaberg Port Marina has been welcoming visitors from across the globe for decades"

TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR

Bundaberg Port Marina 15-17 Marina Drive Port Bundaberg QLD 4670 AUSTRALIA P: (+61) 7 4159 5066 E: info@bundabergportmarina.com.au W: bundabergportmarina.com.au

https://www.everythingmarine australia.com.au/ Down Under Rally Members Offer: $50.00 OFF MAST & RIGGING SURVEY REPORTS

SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND CRUISING YACHT HAVEN Located ON Brisbane's Moreton Bay, Scarborough Marina provides visiting yachts with easy access to the many anchorages and the islands of Moreton Bay, including Moreton Island and the Tangalooma Wrecks. The City of Brisbane and the Brisbane international airport are only 40mins away, with Public Transport right at our door. The suburb of Scarborough is home to families and retirees who form part of the safe & friendly community. With the convenience of waterfront Cafes, Clubs & Restaurants plus major shopping centres and medical services nearby and our popular weekend farmers & craft markets, Scarborough really is a home away from home!

Recognised by the international cruising community as the preferred destination when visiting the Brisbane Region.

Safe Enclosed Harbour Protected from swell & unaffected by flooding.

Clean, Modern & Well Maintained Facilities Modern Cruisers Lounge with TV and free WIFI Electronic gated Access, with 24 Hour CCTV Monitoring 24 Hour Fuel Wharf Full-Service Boatyard with 35 Tonne Travelift On-Site Chandlery DOWN UNDER RALLY PARTNER DISCOUNTS FOR MEMBERS

Tangalooma Anchorage Moreton Island

PH: +61 7 3880 0300

SCARBMARINA.COM.AU info@scarbmarina.com.au

BOAT STORAGE PEACE OF MIND & PREMIUM BENEFITS

AUSTRALIAS GREATEST BOATYARD Get In Touch Now (07) 55 000 000

theboatworks.com.au

admin@theboatworks.com.au

Coomera, Gold Coast

BOAT STORAGE PEACE OF MIND & PREMIUM BENEFITS THE BOAT WORKS OFFER THE COUNTRY’S FIRST DRY MARINA – OUT-OF-WATER BOAT STORAGE. To accommodate the increasing number of vessels, including large monohulls and multihulls cruising the east coast annually, the out-of-water storage accommodates up to 150 boats from 25 to 65ft, in a dedicated, fully-secure fenced precinct, complete with CCTV and caretaker.

According to General Manager Shane Subichin, the Dry Marina provides “peace of mind for owners in with it being a safe haven from the elements”.

Mr Subichin said the storage option was created in response to an influx of transient boats and visiting yachties who are looking for a safe haven to store their vessels.

“Owners of keeled vessels can be confident they can head to the Gold Coast up the Coomera River in any tide to access the Gold Coast Marine Precinct and all the services they require, including storage, much more cost-effectively than elsewhere on the east coast.

“We believe the approach of ‘why moor it when you can store it?’ will appeal to owners who would prefer to keep their boats dry and protected while they’re not in use. It will eliminate the need for many forms of maintenance that arise from sitting in saltwater, minimising the need for regular checking of the boat, he said.

“Another advantage is your insurance premium. ‘Lay Up cover’ could be an option dependant on your insurance company; that may mean you save on your insurance with dry storage while your boat is not in use.”

The exclusive storage area will allow clean works boat owners to have full access to power and water onsite, as well as marine trades who can be coordinated to maintain regular checks and to detail or wash down your boat.

All customers at The Boat Works are able to use the free services such as courtesy cars, ensuites, laundry, barbecues, the Bridgedeck Lounge with office and communications equipment, and barbeque on the water’s edge with direct access to all surrounding services, marine and non-marine.

The Boat Works is an easy 50-minute drive to Brisbane International Airport, 40 minutes to Coolangatta Airport, 30 minutes to Surfers Paradise, 5 minutes from the Coomera Westfield Shopping centre and Train station.

For more information charmaine@theboatworks.com.au or Tel: 5500 0000. More at theboatworks.com.au

sales@dbyboatsales.com.au

https://www.dbyboatsales.com.au

sales@dbyboatsales.com.au

https://www.dbyboatsales.com.au

https:// www.do wnunde rrally.co m/prep arationtraining

https://www.downunderrally.com/preparation-training

By Greg Luck

PART 7 RUISING THE WHITSUNDAYS This is Part 7 of the Ahoy magazine series of articles based on information contained in Cruising the Queensland Coast, the eBook by Greg Luck. In Part 6, we cruised the Capricorn Coast. In this part, we cruise the famous Whitsundays. This is a small summary of what is in the book, which has 68 pages on the Whitsundays.

The Whitsundays is one of the world's great cruising grounds. It features forest clad, steep-sided islands, with hoop pines. The water between the islands is generally deep, with most rocks and reefs marked, Most islands have fringing reefs, providing snorkelling opportunities. The platform reefs of Hardy and Hook are 17 to 23 nm away from the trade wind shelter of Hook Island, making it an easy place to get out to the reef with even a small weather window.

The islands also provide many anchorage opportunities. There are also 160 public moorings plus private The Mackay Coast

moorings to make things even easier. Most of the islands are in the Whitsundays National Park. There are tracks on several of the islands offering great bushwalking and sightseeing.

The Whitsundays has several resorts that welcome cruising yachts: Hamilton Island, Daydream Island and Palm Bay Resort. They provide private moorings and Hamilton Island has both moorings and a marina. As part of the fee, you get a visitor pass with access to resort facilities.

All of this makes the Whitsundays a perfect bareboat cruising ground. Cumberland Yacht Charters, Sunsail, Charter Yachts Australia and many others operate here. There are about 180 charter yachts in total. Charterers receive a briefing before departure and then go. For cruisers, sharing an anchorage with bareboaters is a little different. They are there

© The State of Queensland (Globe Queensland) Creative Commons 4

Photo G. Luck and are there to live it up, for a short-term holiday

so it is common for them to party every night.

RUISING THE WHITSUNDAYS

By Greg Luck

Bareboaters tend to stick to the public moorings, except for Nara Inlet, which is generally suggested as the first-night anchorage, due to its protection and mud bottom. In the book, we have the moorings but also anchorages where you are far less likely to encounter a bareboat.

Climate and Weather The Whitsundays have warm, humid and wet summers, and comfortable, dry winters - a wet season and a dry season.

You can get around in shorts and t-shirts year-round, with a jumper for the evenings.

November to May is cyclone season.

All of this makes the dry season from May to October the best time of the year to cruise. In fact, locals call it the cruising season.

Wind in the dry season is from the south or southeast. Variable winds with northerly elements are rare until November, which is the start of the cyclone season.

Most cruisers come up here from May onwards and then work their way south in October or November.

Photo: Down Under Rally

RUISING THE WHITSUNDAYS

By Greg Luck

Passages Cruising the Queensland Coast includes passage plans for each coast. Here are a few highlights of the Whitsunday coast.

All passages in the Whitsundays are day passages. You can cruise from one public or private mooring to another. Public moorings all have 2 hour time limits from 7am to 3pm. If you pick one up from 3pm you can stay overnight. So the ideal passage plan in the Whitsundays gets you into your mooring just before 3pm. Use AIS to check how many yachts are in an anchorage.

You may need to divert to another if it is full.

Bear in mind that the anchorages on the eastern sides of Whitsunday and Hook and the islands east of them generally have no mobile phone coverage. My son Curtis had to climb the peak at Border Island to get in touch with work when we overnighted at Cateran Bay. In the book we provide mobile bars for Telstra for every public mooring and anchorage.

© The State of Queensland (Globe Queensland) Creative Commons 4

Photo: Down Under Rally

RUISING THE WHITSUNDAYS

By Greg Luck

#

Passage

Notes

Rte. Dist.

12 Blue Pearl Bay to Bait Reef

Passes north around Dolphin Point then a straight run to Bait Reef. Crosses the shipping channel. Keep watch for ships. Quicker on an ebb tide.

⎈ ⎈

18nm

4

Popular route for those in delivery or passage making mode. Passes close to islands for the shortest route.

Passes between Cockermouth Island and Silloth Rocks, west of Coppersmith Rock and Silversmith Island, west of Platypus Rock. It proceeds up Dent Passage, keeping well away from the northern end of the Hamilton Island Airport runway.

⎈ ⎈

50nm

Scawfell Island to Hamilton Island

Caution: See Hamilton Island Marina for details on runway clearances and safe distances.

14 Airlie Beach to Cape Gloucester Resort

Warnings: Shoal areas 1.5m LAT, windy and narrow passage. Passes east of Grimstone Point, between Armit and Gumbrell Islands, north of George Point and Saddleback Island then enters Gloucester Passage and follows the marked channel. The channel needs tidal assistance in the shallow western section near Passage Islet. Also be aware of strong tidal flows through passage.

Quicker on an ebb tide.

⎈ ⎈

24nm

7

Warning: Solway Passage hazards. Passes east of Plum Pudding Island, south of Fitzalan Island and its shoals, southeast of Frith Rock then up Solway Passage. Solway Passage can be extremely rough with steep standing waves in wind against tide conditions. During tidal flows a powerful whirlpool sometimes forms in the passage north of Teague Island which can spin a yacht off course. Use your motor through this area if under sail. Quicker on an ebb tide.

⎈ ⎈

10nm

Hamilton Island to Whitehaven Beach

Caution: See Hamilton Island Marina for details on runway clearances and safe distances.

Warning. These are illustrative routes only. Not to be used for navigation. Click ⎈ for a GPX file to import the route as a starting point for your route planning, or ⎈ for a Navionics boating link.

RUISING THE WHITSUNDAYS

By Greg Luck

Thomas Island We like this island and try to stop here each trip to the Whitsundays. There is a nice feeling of protection with the Young Tom’s Island enclosing the bay. At the bottom of the bay lies Naked Ladies Beach. There is a small, enclosed, sandy swimming area in between the fringing reef and the shore. With the clearly defined fringing reef and a clear bay, there is plenty of room in this anchorage in a 400m x 800m area.

Photo: P. Grogan

RUISING THE WHITSUNDAYS

By Greg Luck

Hook Reef When in the Whitsundays, if there are going to be a few days of calm winds, there is nothing better than a trip out to nearby Hook Reef. It is 20nm from the northern Hook Island or Hayman Island anchorages such as Blue Pearl Bay. The most direct route is via the deep channel between Bait and Barb Reefs.

Lady Elliott Island from Mooring 2

The reef lagoon starts on the northwestern side of Barb Reef. The water abruptly shoals from 50-60m to 9 14m. From this point on there are bommies at various depths. Set a bommie watch at the bow and proceed slowly, marking your track as you go.

The anchorage shown is one we stayed at in 2018 for 3 brilliant days. With light southerlies produced we made our way in and then south until the bommies seemed too dense to continue, to reduce the fetch.

We anchored in the sand with

Hoof Reef sunset, during dead calm

Photo: G. Luck

bommies all around, just beyond our swinging room. While we went in alone, over the next few days some other yachts joined us. From there you can take a dinghy to the reef 0.8nm to the south for some good snorkelling in shallow sand-bottomed pools.

The deep channel between Hook and Hardy reefs is 3nm to the northeast. It gets busy in there with the tourism pontoons, including the Cruise Whitsundays Reefworld Pontoon Hotel. The channel is only 400m wide, then you arrive at the shallower lagoon of Hardy reef. We left the yacht where it was and took the dinghy.

RUISING THE WHITSUNDAYS

By Greg Luck

Palm Resort, Long1, Island Calm Bay Waters in Anchorage Pearl Bay Palm Bay Resort, on Long Island, is a beautiful boutique resort welcoming yacht visitors. Located on a narrow neck of Long Island, the resort occupies both the eastern, exposed side and the protected western side.

It has a small inner harbour for shallow draught vessels 100m long by 50m wide. It is visible in the aerial photo but not in the chart. There are two private moorings inside for vessels up to 7m.

Outside the harbour, there are two further private moorings suitable for larger yachts.

The narrows, just 0.5nm south of the resort see some of the strongest tidal currents in the Whitsundays, with 4-5 knots. So this is not a recommended anchorage.

The mooring fee is $100 per night for two people and a further $15 for each additional person. That gives you access to the resort including the pool, grounds, and the bar and communal cooking area.

Check-in is from noon and check-out is at 10 am.

© The State of Queensland (Globe Queensland) Creative Commons 4

For bookings contact the resort on 1300 665 126.

Palm Bay Resort, Long Island, August 2022

Photo: G. Luck

RUISING THE WHITSUNDAYS

By Greg Luck

Famous Winter Yacht1,Gatherings Calm Waters in Anchorage Pearl Bay During the last week of August each year, there are two famous gatherings of yachts: Hamilton Island Race Week and SICYC Rendezvous. They happen at the same time, so you can only do one.

Hamilton Island Race Week Hamilton Island Race Week is a weeklong regatta with 6 races. There are many divisions, from trailer yachts through to 100 feet maxis. For cruising yachts, there are many spinnaker and one non-spinnaker class. There are separate catamaran classes too.

While the racing can be serious, for many cruising sailors, ourselves included, it is the only regatta they do, so we tend to take it a lot more casually. Cruising divisions use the Performance Handicap System (PHS), meaning it is possible to place well if you improve throughout the week.

First Place

Photo: K. Clarke Curlew Escape, 2022

In 2022, we did just that, winning first place in our division on day three.

SICYC Rendezvous The Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club is named after Passage Islet (renamed by them within the club to Shag Islet) in Gloucester Passage.

Photo: j. Whiteman

It is also the location of the annual gathering, known as the SICYC Rendezvous. The club is lighthearted and big on being social, but it does have a serious purpose, raising money for Prostate cancer every year from the proceeds of events like the Rendezvous.

I have not managed to get to a Rendezvous, but I did go to the Christmas party at RQYS last year.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS. Email: book@gregluck.com with your Down Under Rally Member # to receive a

20% discount code for use on Google Play Books when purchasing the guide.

East Coast Marina, Manly Boat Harbour, Brisbane, Australia offer 330 secure water berths, catering for boats up to 18m.

Located less than 10nm to the south of the Brisbane river mouth Manly Boat Harbour is the perfect base for visiting yachts and East Coast Marina has long been a favourite of the international yachting community.

A variety of public transport options that will take you directly to Brisbane City and the Brisbane International Airport are within walking distance of the marina The Manly Village is only a short walk away, offering a grocery store, post office, news agency, chemist, coffee shops, restaurants and more. Markets are on some Saturdays and every Sunday.

EAST COAST MARINA Phone: +61 7 3393 3811 Email: info@eastcoastmarina.com.au Location: Latitude…27º27.6′ S Longitude…153º11.2′E VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.eastcoastmarina.com.au

DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS OFFER. *15% off casual marina berth rates *subject to availability at time of booking and confirmation of current DUR membership.

CRUISING VANUATU PART ONE SOUTHERN ISLANDS AND EFATE

By Richard Chesher, Rocket Cruising Guides

CRUISING VANUATU

By Richard Chesher Rocket Cruising Guides

VANUATU, A MAGIC CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

Black Magic Tour Tanna Island

Cruising Vanuatu is a magical cultural experience you will truly enjoy - and never forget. Here are some reasons cruising people from all over the world cherish their visit to the islands of Vanuatu...

Known as the Friendly Islands, Vanuatu has been tagged as one of the happiest countries in the world.

The people of Vanuatu have a powerful and enduring attachment to their islands and their environment. In the remote islands, the people still follow their ancestral traditions and their artwork, dances, music, and dress will transport you to an era before the concept of time began.

The Vanuatu people's sense of community and culture creates a kind of peace and friendliness that extends to visitors from other lands.

The people of Vanuatu are, in a word, really nice.

Every Vanuatu Island organises dances and festivals for their own enjoyment and to help keep their "custom road" strong.

Visiting yachts are welcome to come and watch the fun. Yacht crews are treated as special guests, and the villagers truly enjoy the visit.

Some of the festivals are organised on an annual basis so you will know when they are happening and can plan your cruise so you can attend.

CRUISING VANUATU

By Richard Chesher Rocket Cruising Guides

Vanuatu dances and festivals are organised on most islands, and some villages will perform custom ceremonial dances if you ask them to and are willing to contribute to their village.

There are annual festivals in Gaua, Southwest Bay Malekula, and Ambrym. The Ambrym Back to My Roots festival in August is a favourite for yachts.

Ambrym is an active volcano, and the people there are believed to have powerful magical abilities.

Vanuatu is one of the few places on Earth where you can enter into a very ancient culture and feel safe and comfortable at the same time.

"You'll constantly be amazed and surprised by Vanuatu and its people."

CRUISING VANUATU

By Richard Chesher Rocket Cruising Guides

Vanuatu also has a wealth of adventure treks through wilderness areas on all islands.

The chief of the village will assign a guide to show you the local waterfall or accompany you to the top of a live volcano, or walk through a forest of giant ancient trees or maybe explore a taboo ancestral site with cave paintings.

Some treks to really amazing places are set up as tours, but you can arrange a guide in almost all remote island villages to take you on some fantastic adventure treks.

YACHTING WORLD VANUATU IS OPEN It has been a huge task to reinstate all the facilities and install the moorings after all most 3 years of forced closure.

Congratulations on weathering the storm Yachting World Vanuatu.

Wishing you less challenging times in the future.

YACHTINGWORLD-VANUATU.COM

DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS *10% OFF MARINA & MOORING FEES AT YACHTING WORLD VANUATU *conditions apply

CRUISING VANUATU

By Richard Chesher Rocket Cruising Guides

"To enjoy the islands of Vanuatu, you first have to sail there.

Sailing or motoring to Vanuatu is an enjoyable experience if you select a good weather window and your yacht is seaworthy."

Sailing to Vanuatu

Sailing Routes To Vanuatu & Ports Of Entry.

When sailing from Australia, yachts participating in the Down Under Rally Go East Rally generally stop in New Caledonia - about 790 nautical miles from Brisbane and then, after exploring the New Caledonia lagoon for a few months, sail about 200 nautical miles to Aneityum, the southernmost Vanuatu Island as part of the Mystery Island Rally. Yachts travelling on their own can't enter in Aneityum, so they generally sail to Tanna or go 332 nautical miles to Port Vila.

Yachts coming from Fiji with the Down Under Rally Mystery Island Rally sail 450 nautical miles from Fiji to Aneityum, or, if not with a rally, sail 519 nautical miles from Lautoka to Port Vila.

From the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, Island Cruising NZ Rally yachts sail 928 nautical miles to Aneityum, and solo yachts sail 1100 nautical miles to Port Vila.

Down Under Rally Participants arriving in Aneityum from New Caledonia - August 2019.

CRUISING VANUATU

By Richard Chesher Rocket Cruising Guides

A General Cruise Plan From South To North

Planning your cruise in Vanuatu.

Vanuatu has about 80 volcanic islands, with easy, deep water sailing between them. The islands are close enough together to day-sail up the entire island chain and back again. During the cruising season, the winds are typically East to the South East, and many yachts choose to enter Vanuatu in the south so they can visit these interesting islands and then sail north with favourable winds.

ANEITYUM Aneityum is the southernmost island in Vanuatu and has an excellent harbour protected from all winds except from the west. It is, however, NOT A PORT OF ENTRY. The Down Under Rally and Island Cruising NZ get special permission from the Director of Customs and pay the cost of flying the clearance officials from Port Vila to Aneityum, Vanuatu’s most southern island, and back so their participants can enter the excellent Analgawat harbour, and then day-hop north to Tanna, Erromango, and on to Port Vila.

Aneityum harbor with the Down Under Rally yachts clearing into Vanuatu

Online On Demand

Amazing amount of useful, practical information to help us prepare ourselves and our boat for blue water cruising !!!

It's definitely the old adage that an ounce of prevention is better than a ton of cure!

Sharon & Jonathan AUGUST 2022 EXCLUSIVE ACCESS FOR DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS! BECOME A DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBER FOR JUST $125.00 AND GET UNLIMITED ACCESS TO OUR OFFSHORE CRUISING PREPARATION COURSE. WATCH THE COURSE CONTENT AS OFTEN AS YOU LIKE FOR AS LONG AS YOU ARE A MEMBER!

downunderrally.com/offshore-cruising-prep-courses

BECOME A DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBER TO RECEIVE...

Discounts & Special Offers all year round on a wide range of marine-related products & services from participating rally partner businesses & sponsors.

Unlimited Access to our Offshore Cruising Preparation Course. Watch the course content as often as you like for as long as you are a member.

Access to our Members Only Portal. This is where we share articles and stories that we believe to be both of interest and use to anyone that owns a cruising yacht.

e-Help. Contact us via email, telephone or even via video conferencing as often as you like for advice on anything related to your vessel, your cruising plans and goals. Plus assistance and support when cruising in the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia.

Priority Rally Registrations.

Our rallies have a maximum number of participants. DUR Members will get advance notification of rally registration opportunities to help avoid disappointment.

Discounts on all Down Under Rally Registration Fees.

Access to our Members Only Facebook Group. Being a member of this group provides you with the opportunity to interact with other Down Under Rally Members, many of whom will have a wealth of knowledge and experiences to share about all things sailing & cruising!

Full Membership $125.00 AUD Per Year downunderrally.com/membership

CRUISING VANUATU TANNA Lenakel, on the island of Tanna, is a port of entry but a very poor anchorage.

Clearing into Port Resolution, a better Tanna anchorage, requires special permission from the Director of Customs and you have to pay the travel expenses for clearance officials to make the 4-hour drive from Lenekel to Port Resolution - if the road is passable - and back again.

That's pretty expensive, and they only accept cash, not credit cards. The officials will now accept foreign currency at favourable rates, and you can go to Lenekel from Port Resolution by car to exchange funds in the bank or at an ATM.

Tanna showing the two options for clearing into or out of Vanuatu

"Tanna is one of the most interesting islands in Vanuatu for two reasons: The most accessible active volcano in the world, and Tanna's enchanting traditional culture."

Most yachts anchor in Port Resolution to visit the volcano. Mount Yasur volcano is just a short drive from the Port Resolution Yacht Club and an easy walk up a trail to the crater's edge. When the volcano explodes - and it erupts every few minutes - the blast is something you'll never forget.

When Yasur explodes you can feel it being recorded forever in your bones.

Organise a traditional village tour or the black magic tour and experience Tanna's ancient culture and phenomenal storytelling.

Getting a tour organised is another reason to join a rally - the more participants, the more enthusiastic the dances and presentations.

CRUISING VANUATU

By Richard Chesher Rocket Cruising Guides

ERROMANGO After exploring Tanna, it's a 53 nautical mile downwind reach to Dillon's bay on the west side of Erromango.

Dillon's Bay is well protected with good holding in 8 meters of water.

At high tide, you can take your dinghy up the river to visit the village and organise treks into the interior or visit historical sites.

Erromango and approach routes

Welcome to Erromango

Erromango offers some lovely white sandy beaches and spectacular scenery to enjoy before sailing the 81 nautical miles to Port Vila on the island of Efate.

CRUISING VANUATU

By Richard Chesher Rocket Cruising Guides

PORT VILA, EFATE ISLAND

PORT VILA HARBOUR SHOWING THE DEPTHS AND LASER LEAD LIGHTS THROUGH THE ENTRANCE CHANNEL. Port Vila Harbour is protected from winds from any direction, but it's also very deep, with few places you can safely anchor. Most cruising yachts tie up to the Yachting World sea wall marina or rent one of their moorings. Yachting World's fuel and fresh water wharf is really the only place in Vanuatu where you can easily fill up with diesel and fill the tanks with water. They also provide high-speed WiFi to yachts on their moorings and sea wall marina.

Yachting World Vanuatu is the Cruisers home away from home with showers, furnished apartments, laundry service, garbage disposal, a dinghy wharf, and the Waterfront Bar and Grill's cruisers corner where sailors from all over the world get together.

Yachting World Marina And Swing Moorings in Port Vila

CRUISING VANUATU

By Richard Chesher Rocket Cruising Guides

PORT VILA, EFATE ISLAND You might be interested in doing a SCUBA dive on some of the local wrecks and coral reefs or maybe even going horseback riding.

You can rent a car to drive around the island and visit some places of interest. You'll want to visit Mele Falls and the Secret Garden just north of Port Vila and take a tour around Efate in an air-conditioned bus to the Epule River Custom Village. The villagers will show you their traditional beliefs, medicines, how to catch crabs, social traditions, cooking, kava, their sacred stone, music and dances.

ROUND EFATE ROAD TRIP, THE MAJOR SITES TO VISIT AND THE EPULE RIVER CUSTOM VILLAGE TOUR.

IN THE OCTOBER AHOY, WE’LL CARRY ON TO EXPLORE THE CENTRAL AND NORTHERN ISLANDS OF VANUATU, PART TWO OF CRUISING VANUATU.

CRUISING VANUATU

By Richard Chesher Rocket Cruising Guides

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Richard and Freddy Chesher have cruised the South Pacific since 1976 aboard their Kelly Peterson 44 Cutter Moira.

They were residents of Vanuatu from 1997 to 2005 and are now residents of New Caledonia. Richard is a PhD marine scientist, and Freddy is a professional photographer.

Together they created the Rocket Cruising and Travel guides to New Caledonia and Vanuatu in 2000 (5 years before Google Earth existed) and have updated the guides continuously with the latest information.

The guides are interactive programs – not books - and work on Windows or Macintosh computers (not Ipads or Android tablets). Rocket Guides offer thousands of full-colour, high-resolution images from space, professional aerial surveys, drones, and surface and underwater images illustrating an encyclopedic amount of detailed and carefully surveyed information on every aspect of cruising and tourism in both countries.

20% REBATE ON THE ROCKET GUIDES FOR DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS. MORE INFO HERE.

https://www.downu nderrally.com/prep aration-training https://www.downunderrally.com/preparat ion-training

The Rocket Cruising and Travel Guides offer the perfect way to experience Vanuatu, so when you arrive for the first time, it will be like you’ve been there before.

See our Cruising Vanuatu presentation Video on the Rocket Guide Youtube Channel below.

https://marinerboating.com

https://yachtsharemariner.com

HARNESS THE

POWER OF THE WIND

THE RUTLAND 1200

Unique Tri-namic Profile Blades

Available in 12V & 24V

Quiet operation lets you sleep!

Direct savings on fuel Reduced engine running time and maintenance Assurance of power for essentials such as navigation, refrigeration etc.… and so you can enjoy electrical comforts on-board with confidence.

3 Phase AC power minimises voltage drop on long cable runs

483 watts max INQUIRIES: david@stellamarine.com.au

Ask abo discountsut DUR Membfor ers

www.stellamarine.com.au

From The

Galley

By Leanne

Ahoy friends of Yoga, Health & Sail Wellness

TM

with Leanne

When we live with access to the freshest seafood at our fingers tips, it becomes part of our diet. We share with our nomadic cruising community, take ashore for pot luck dinners, or we offer our catch as a gift for a helping hand or just pure generosity.

As a boy John spent much of his life around Moreton Bay & Gold Coast waters fishing and crabbing with Family, while I was catching Yabbies at the local creek in Country Queensland.

One of my favourite seafood is Mud or Sand Crabs, hiding amongst our mangroves and muddy salty bottom of the Australian water ways.

CATCHING & COOKING A MUD CRAB WHAT WE NEED TO CATCH A CRAB ?

Crab Pot with long rope & Float.

Bait : Fish Frames or Chicken Carcass.

Crab Size Measurer.

Tall Bucket.

DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS DOWNLOAD THESE TIP VIA THE MEMBERS PORTAL

METHOD We load up our dinghy with our Crab Pots and bait at Mid to High Tide to leave overnight in the water.

A float is attached to the crab pot with our name and contact details. We use our fish skeletons from recent catch for bait which are pushed inside the bait pocket until full and secured inside pot. For mudcrabs place close to mangroves.

CHECKING YOUR CATCH Hopefully you know where you left your pots! Once you’ve located your float begin pulling the long rope into dinghy to expose crab pot and hopefully see a catch inside. Grab your crab size measurer, release females and undersized, keeping only the Legal Crabs and max allowed. (Regulations vary from state to state) IMORTANT HANDLING THE CRAB Pick up the Crab up with your thumb and index finger. Hold together the base of the back two swimmer legs and lift the crab up. That way it can't bite you.

METHOD TO COOK AND CLEAN CRAB 1. See this YouTube Video HOW TO CLEAN A CRAB 2. Place Crabs from Bucket into freezer for about 20-30 min to allow sleep - do not freeze - see tips below.

3. Fill tall pot with sea water and bring to boil.

4. Place Crabs into boiling water, close lid and bring back to boil, cook for 10 - 20 min depending on size.

5. Once Cooked drain hot water - I fill my bucket with ocean water and pour crabs into it allowing to cool slightly, then begin to clean crab removing the male flap, open the shell to clean inside, leaving only white meat flesh and claws, cool and eat.

TIPS To sleep crab with no freezer - refrigerate overnight or place in bucket of ice slurry.

You can use fresh water heavily salted to cook in, but they taste so much better using t sea water.

Check your tide times if you are leaving the anchorage early the next morning. If it is low tide you may find that the crab pots are high and dry.

Enjoy 😋 www.namasteoceanyoga.com www.sail-wellness.com

https://greenskinwine.com

Members Marketplace Down Under Rally Members are invited to list their *unwanted items for sale in our AHOY! To list your item or items in the members market place: Email photos/description/price & contact information to admin@downunderrally.com FREE FOR DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS *Items offered must be used equipment / personal items related to sailing & cruising - No boats for sale listings, please. (Tenders ok)

Two complete sets of diving gear All served in 2019 & not been used since then The Dive equipment below is available in Mona Vale NSW. We are leaving Australia on September 15th & need it sold before then. Asking $1200.00 for the lot but will consider all offers.

Contact Dan and Åsa Gerdes 0426 351 733 asa.gerdes@gmail.com

Props For Sale

Aluminium propellers 16” dia x 12” pitch Removed from SD20 saildrives and 3GM30 motors. $100 for both propellers.

Contact: Graham Swannell 0418 918 311 graham.swannell@bigpond.com

• 1 x compass • Weights 20 kg.

• 2 x Dive Knives • 2 x flashlights, • 1 x lobster catcher, • 1 x repair kit to BCD and Regulators • 2 X BCD SubGear JAC 1 x Medium and 1 x Small with weight pockets • 2 x Regulator sets SubGear SD 100.

• 3 x Wetsuits • 1 x 8 mm, Aqua lung M-4 175 cm about 75kg • 1 x 6-7 mm Akona W-13/14, 170 cm about 75kg • 1 x 6-7 mm Cressi Lady XXL/6, from 2019 175cm about 85kg • 2 x Dive computer SubGera XP 100 and Oceanic Veo 100 incl extra battery • 1 x Hood Size M • 3 x par Fins • 2 x Tanks 2 alu 200 baar, inspected in NZ 2019

2022

Partners & Sponsors

For Members Discounts & Offers visit: downunderrally.com/rally-partners-sponsors

2022

Partners & Sponsors

For Members Discounts & Offers visit: downunderrally.com/rally-partners-sponsors

2022

Partners & Sponsors

https://greatcircleliferafts.com.au

DISCOUNTS FOR DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS Please quote your member number when placing an order with us.

For Members Discounts & Offers visit: downunderrally.com/rally-partners-sponsors

2022

Partners & Sponsors

For Members Discounts & Offers visit: downunderrally.com/rally-partners-sponsors

2022

Partners & Sponsors

For Members Discounts & Offers visit: downunderrally.com/rally-partners-sponsors

2022

Partners & Sponsors

It might just save your boat!

Find out more about Prop Protector.

HERE

DOWN UNDER RALLY MEMBERS SAVE 20%

For Members Discounts & Offers visit: downunderrally.com/rally-partners-sponsors

2022

Partners & Sponsors

For Members Discounts & Offers visit: downunderrally.com/rally-partners-sponsors

2022

Partners & Sponsors ers for b e t m eba ly Me R l 20% er Ra d Un n w Do

Sail the New Caledonia Lagoon with complete confidence & safety. 220 personally surveyed anchorages, 240 confirmed GPS routes covering all islands plus 1000 high-resolution colour images. GET READY TO GO!

For Members Discounts & Offers visit: downunderrally.com/rally-partners-sponsors

2022

Partners & Sponsors

Founded in 1970 & still, family-owned & run. Nautical giftware, Navigation Charts, & equipment, Cruising Guides, Brass Bells, Compasses, Sextants and much more.

Discounts on charts and cruising guides for Down Under Rally Members. www.downunderrally.com/charts-flags

For Members Discounts & Offers visit: downunderrally.com/rally-partners-sponsors

2022

Partners & Sponsors

YACHTINGWORLD-VANUATU.COM

For Members Discounts & Offers visit: downunderrally.com/rally-partners-sponsors

DOWN UNDER RALLY YOUTUBE CHANNEL. Videos about sailing to and cruising in Australia, Indonesia & the SW Pacific islands, including Fiji, New Caledonia & Vanuatu and more...

youtube.com/c/DownUnderRally

FREE Cruising Guides

View & Download at: downunderrally.com/cruising-guides-resources

SAILING TO AUSTRALIA

FREE INFORMATION SESSION WHERE & WHEN?

OCTOBER 2022 | PORT MOSELLE | NOUMEA Thursday, 13th October 2022 15:00 - 17:00 Le Bout Du Monde Bar & Restaurant Port Moselle Marina (Upstairs in the private function room)

WHO IS INVITED? The captain and first mate of all vessels that are interested in visiting Australia

WHAT INFO WILL BE SHARED? Ports of Entry | Passage Planning | Pre & Post Arrival Formalities Customs and Biosecurity Inspections | Cyclone Season & Vessel Storage options East Coast Cruising info | Question and Answer Session

JOIN US AFTERWARDS FOR A SUNDOWNER COMPLIMENTS OF SCARBOROUGH MARINA!*

NUMBERS STRICTLY LIMITED - RSVP REQUIRED RSVP AT: downunderrally.com/aussie-info-session OR SCAN THE QR CODE.

SW PACIFIC TO AUSTRALIA

special thanks to our platinum partner businesses