Queenscliff Cruise
The inaugural Mornington Yacht Club – Martha Cove Chapter (MYC-MCC) cruise was held on November 15 and 16 – destination Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club (QCYC).
Graeme, Penny, Chris and Malcolm on Amici (Beneteau Oceanis 331) set off under motor in zero wind conditions (and watched the Capel Sound fleet patiently waiting for wind behind us) as we motored south to Safety Beach to meet up with Glenn and Michelle Brien in Daisy (Nauticat from Martha Cove).
After some floating introductions and course discussions we set off for QCYC. We followed the course suggested by John Hall (MYC-MCC Cruise convenor). This took us via Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron through the Sorrento Channel, avoiding the Sorrento - Queenscliff Ferries and across to Queenscliff. My first experience of the tricky Queenscliff cut was relatively straight forward with the last of an ebb tide creating a stable flow for our entrance. We were surprised to find there were no other visiting yachts on the wharf, so we had the run of the extensive facilities at QCYC to ourselves.
The weather on arrival was pleasant and sunny and ideal for a walk along the beach of Swan island and back via the lake shore. Barbeque dinner, with ales, wine and lots of talk re sailing expeditions and family (and yes some US politics!). We had rain overnight with a westerly change and stronger winds; a peaceful night punctuated by the fisher folks motoring around the moorings. Eggs on toast for brekky before setting off mid morning as we decided to wait for a squall to go past – We had some interesting discussions about leaving against the strong breeze pushing us onto the pier. Both boats got off OK and then motor sailed with a following breeze back across the bay via the more direct south channel route. We were conscious of a deteriorating weather forecast but managed to get back to MYC just as the thunder arrived!
All in all, a really good weekend messing about in boats with new friends – hopefully the next cruise will have more boats sailing, so keep your eyes on the Cruising section of the “On Water” section of the MYC web site MYC-MCC Cruising HQ - Mornington Yacht Club Official Site.
Graeme Hart,
MYC Member
Graeme, Penny, Chris and Malcolm on Amici (Beneteau Oceanis 331) set off under motor in zero wind conditions (and watched the Capel Sound fleet patiently waiting for wind behind us) as we motored south to Safety Beach to meet up with Glenn and Michelle Brien in Daisy (Nauticat from Martha Cove).
After some floating introductions and course discussions we set off for QCYC. We followed the course suggested by John Hall (MYC-MCC Cruise convenor). This took us via Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron through the Sorrento Channel, avoiding the Sorrento - Queenscliff Ferries and across to Queenscliff. My first experience of the tricky Queenscliff cut was relatively straight forward with the last of an ebb tide creating a stable flow for our entrance. We were surprised to find there were no other visiting yachts on the wharf, so we had the run of the extensive facilities at QCYC to ourselves.
The weather on arrival was pleasant and sunny and ideal for a walk along the beach of Swan island and back via the lake shore. Barbeque dinner, with ales, wine and lots of talk re sailing expeditions and family (and yes some US politics!). We had rain overnight with a westerly change and stronger winds; a peaceful night punctuated by the fisher folks motoring around the moorings. Eggs on toast for brekky before setting off mid morning as we decided to wait for a squall to go past – We had some interesting discussions about leaving against the strong breeze pushing us onto the pier. Both boats got off OK and then motor sailed with a following breeze back across the bay via the more direct south channel route. We were conscious of a deteriorating weather forecast but managed to get back to MYC just as the thunder arrived!
All in all, a really good weekend messing about in boats with new friends – hopefully the next cruise will have more boats sailing, so keep your eyes on the Cruising section of the “On Water” section of the MYC web site MYC-MCC Cruising HQ - Mornington Yacht Club Official Site.
Graeme Hart,
MYC Member
