As mentioned in March Multinews, this week-end of March 8 / 9 has been set aside for a cruise. With all the unstable weather of late, once again we’ve decided to choose a destination on Thursday night at the general meeting. Unfortunately, Beats Workin’ can’t make this trip, so I’m looking for another vessel to co-ordinate events on Saturday & Sunday.

If all participating boats could muster within the vicinity of Lockyer Light at 10.00 hours Saturday, and log onto channel 72. Call up “MYCQ cruise boat”. I’m available prior to Saturday to discuss numbers & destination etc.

I’m sure it will be another fantastic couple of days on beautiful Moreton Bay.

So far we’ve got four starters for the Gladstone cruise. Attached is a booking form for berths in Gladstone if required. You may wish to book ASAP, as they’ll obviously go quickly.

I haven’t had confirmation as yet that any cruisers will be continuing on to Mackay as part of the AMOC series. Some of the competitors in that event have requested assistance in carrying gear forward for them, so if you’re continuing on, please drop me a line & I’ll pass on the details.

Now is probably the best time to start, (if you haven’t already) preparing your boats for the trip, and check all safety equipment on board. If anyone’s got any queries, please send an email.

At this stage, Beats Workin” is looking to depart Manly on Good Friday at 07.00, a few hours prior to the official race start. This will give us slower cruisers a head start on the rest of the fleet, and hopefully arrive in Gladstone before the dancing girls go home.

A couple of other boats have expressed an interest in doing the trip with us, so hopefully will get a few more. Though we won’t be undertaking the event as a race, the safety issues of an offshore passage of this nature are still paramount. I will forward a “safety checklist” for all vessels intending to join in the cruise, as a reminder of items that need addressing prior to departure. We will also undertake a radio check routine a couple of days prior, and will join the race participants for a skippers briefing & weather forecast at MYCQ clubhouse at 18.00 hours on Wednesday the 19th March. There will also be a BBQ & Calcutta on the night, so do come along.

The return leg, we intend to depart Gladstone on Tuesday the 25th, & head out to Lady Musgrave for two nights diving, prior to heading back to Brissy via the outside of Fraser (weather permitting of course) In all, will allow about 5 nights to get back home.

As mentioned in earlier correspondence, the AMOC series is continuing on after Gladstone, culminating in Mackay. If any vessels intend to continue on as part of that event, please let me know & I’ll pass on the details to the other boats.

The above is a brief outline at present, & I look forward to any input or suggestions other participants may like to add. We’ve got a full crew at this stage, though let me know & we can help source others if needed.

If all intending vessels / skippers could let me know of your intention to join in, would be most appreciated .

Best contact is email as above, or 3254 4103 after 7.00pm / 3371 2244 prior.

Beats Workin’ was joined by Kestrel, Shanda, Colandi (friends of Bruce & Lyn Wieland), Spook & Kite.

With a bit of a dodgy weather forecast emanating from down south, Spook & Kite decided to head for the more sheltered waters of King Island and the Manly marina, whilst the rest of the vessels concentrated on the ritual “sundowner” routine. A great evening was enjoyed by all, with a magnificent sunset back over the Sand Hills. (next time, we might even pack the camera!!)

What proved to be a bumpy night, with a south-wester coming across the bay in the wee hours of Sunday morning, was to provide us all with a great reach back home on Sunday, with 20 – 25 knots of wind. Hurtling along in these conditions, one soon lost memory of the prior night’s broken sleep. A fantastic & safe sail home was recorded by all four vessels.

Next month we’ll hope for some better weather (is it really 1974 since we’ve had such a bad summer!!), and look forward to catching up with a few more boats for a wonderful week-end in this beautiful part of the world.