Whittley Club Easter Weekend 10th to 13th April 2009
Easter Report 2009
By Owen and Judy Oxley
Rudi Maas was a popular launching point for the Whittley Easter Bay Cruise. Several boats were on the water on Thursday and so had an extra night on the water.
Most boats made their way to Karragarra on Friday for the usual happy hour and BBQ dinner in the well maintained area on shore.
The next day (Saturday) saw a procession of boats heading across the bay to St Helena Island where there was an organized tour of the old prison. After going ashore by duckies and dodging showers (some not dodging showers) we joined the tour which was interesting and educational, and included an enjoyable lunch. On return to our duckies we had a long walk across a shelly and rocky beach at low tide carrying the duckies.
The next stop was East Coast Marina where we settled in and all enjoyed dinner at Manly Hotel. Some showers of rain during the night did not spoil our enjoyment of the marina berths, and allowed some to determine how their Whittleys handle heavy rain and to help find the leaks.
On Sunday some of us made our way to Deanbilla Bay on North Straddie (via Horseshoe Bay on Peel Island) where we anchored in the pleasant and protected anchorage. That night we were picked up by the courtesy bus and enjoyed a lovely dinner at The Little Ships Club.
(On the way to the shore, the operator of one ducky was breath-tested by the water police and the number of occupants in the ducky was checked. The plate attached to your ducks should give you the legal load allowed in accordance to the size of the duck).
On return to our duckies (via the courtesy bus) we saw no sign of the water police so we rowed or motored back to our Whittleys (which were dwarfed by the two large vessels belonging to the Bribie folk).
The next morning, people departed at their leisure, leaving two boats, Ande and Olivier to do their own thing for the rest of the day.
A brilliant weekend was had by all, and a big thank you goes to Bill and Susanne Barrett for the time and effort put into the organization of this cruise.
Owen and Judy Oxley
“Olivier”
