Adapted from Ian Horwarth's account. Photos courtesy of Ian Horwarth and Bill Stubbs.
Early on Saturday a strong band of thunderstorms crossed Melbourne with northerly winds and heavy rain which persisted until midday. Things improved as the fleet headed past Fawkner Beacon when sails were hoisted and decks began to dry in the following breeze.
The motor boat fleet made excellent time to the Royal Geelong Yacht Club and gave a warm welcome to the arriving yacht fleet.
The award for the day's best lunch menu was a tie between Trim and The Secretary. No prize was given, just the admiration and envy of their peers. There was also much laughter as Bill Stubbs conducted the Trivia Quiz.
Dinner in Geelong was friendly. Realising that these cruises are a marathon not a sprint, most crew retired early. The majority of boats departed Geelong at around 8 am the following morning and enjoyed a fine reach in a northerly down Corio channel while the motor fleet made excellent time and quite a spectacle as they passed by.
Then there was an unusual event. AIS alarms started beeping incessantly as an “Australian Submarine” appeared on the screens. A Collins Class sub then made a spectacular appearance heading down the channel to Geelong with friendly waves from the crew on the conning tower. To quote Bill Stubbs: “That’s not something you see every day”.
Most of the fleet then turned the corner at the Prince George Bank pile and cruised down the Coles Channel, keeping a close eye on the depth sounder over some of the shallower parts. Breaking waves to the east were a very visible reminder that, while large, Port Phillip Bay is mostly very shallow.
There were casualties. As we neared Prince George Bank the smallest boat in the fleet, Pekeri helmed by Amo Rizzuto, opted not to battle the southerly change and headed back to SYC. In a surprising twist, SYC’s resident diesel engine maintenance lecturer, Hugh Pilsworth, radioed for assistance after suffering engine problems with an apparent impeller failure. Peter Sutton in Perfect Sense came to the rescue and took Blue Flyer in tow with nice boat handling in the narrow confines of the QCYC basin to put ‘Flyer’ alongside into the hands of willing helpers.
Most of the fleet had arrived by 3pm, last in being Mel Kerridge (Artemis II) who soldiered on solo despite some instrument issues. Eric Clark in the aptly named Endurance also made it in rather late after a couple of minor engine issues. A major effort by Eric the day before the cruise saw a total gearbox rebuild and refit and left many impressed. The prospect of Eric going home from QCYC in reverse, as he recently did from Beaumaris Bay is not worth contemplating.
Then the hooter sounded signalling the QCYC bar was open and the party started.
Pizza from the QCYC pizza oven was a popular dinner choice but Robyn Brooke from The Secretary excelled with a leg of lamb roast and all the trimmings. George Shaw could easily get used to being treated like an emperor, calling for service with the merest raising of an eyebrow.
The planned raft up Monday lunch was cancelled due to a strong southerly and cold, drizzly weather and all were pleased to be able to enjoy a quiet day of reflection and recovery over coffee in the clubhouse.
Happily Port Phillip turned on a nice southerly for the trip home and by evening everyone was home completing possibly the most successful cruise in company.
Many thanks to Cruise manager, Mal Billings, and all the other helpers, rescuers and volunteers.
Courtesy of Ian Horwarth (Meltemi)
Last Modified on 16/11/2015 06:12