RQYS Sailing Cruising Group
Welcome to the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Sailing Group WebSite
Quick Links to previous cruises
Nov 08 Dec 08 Jan 09 Feb.. 09 March09 April 09 May 09 July09 Aug09 Sept09
Next Cruise February 20th Gilligans Island with cruise captain Kanda
Australia Day Cruise 2010
This years Australia Day Cruise became a joint affaire with the power cruisers. The cruise captains Geoff and Di from Stylopora and Clare and Ian from Clarian representing the power boats, they created a full program for what turned into a 4 day event. Kevin and Tina from RQYS Canaipa catered a full roast dinner on the Saturday evening with a jazz band to set the mood for well over 100 hungry crew. The marquee was full to the brim and additional tables had to be set up outside.

The Sunday saw an early start for the flag raising as some crew needed to return for work on Monday. The Sailing cruising group muso's played Advance Australia Fair with all crew in full voice, the traditional cricket match was played with the Sailing group beating the power boaties with an over to spare.

Goldmund boys dominate the cricket.

Heemskirk crew win the best dressed Aussie attire.
Security at Canaipa catches Karen, but she gives out an Aussie, Aussie ,Aussie

Geoff keeps control of a roudy bunch at the cricket.

Scott pulls off "Man of the Match" with a great catch.

Judges ready for the dressing of ships.

Flag ceremony draws a big crowd.

Food platter has an interesting combination

Teerk Roo Ra (Peel Island) Historical Cruise November 09
Affaire cruise captains Shawn and Jan Ket with the assistance of Warren & Debbie Kerswell organised a historical visit with our host Peter Ludlow to Peel Island. Peter well known author of a number of books relating to Moreton Bay was a wealth of knowledge and kept us informed to the history of Peel Island.
Affaire anchored off Peel awaits the flotilla.
The eager crew begin the trek on Peel Island

Peter Ludlow informs the crew at points of interest along the way.

We were all surprised at our accommodation.

The best accommodation on the island

The beautiful walk back along the beach at horseshoe bay.

Sangria’s and Pinyarta Sail Cruising Group 2-5 October 2009

Does anyone have some photos from this cruise?
Sangria’s and Pinyarta Sail Cruising Group 2-5 October 2009
With 20-30 knot winds from the North, followed by a forecast for similar strength winds from the SE on late Saturday night, plans to head to Horseshoe Bay, Peel Island were abandoned at the Friday night brief. Canaipa was the agreed destination by the 11 skippers and crew.
A great sail from the Manly leads to Canaipa, with skippers choosing either the Wallen Wallen (Oasis) or Pelican Banks (Genesis) channels. Degrees of Freedom looked impressive with the new sail wardrobe ready for Lord Howe, to be only just outdone by the impressive manoeuvre of the 70 foot SV Southpaw at Canaipa, taming the powerful main in front of the anchored Curlew, that surely had Mike on edge for a moment or two.
An impromptu lunch on SV Southpaw with Jeffery’s celebrity international chefs (Ruth and Corrine) was quickly arranged before the main festivities ashore.
Canaipa Caretaker Kevin, with ladder in hand, was only to kind to assist with hanging the Pinyarta between two palm trees. After a few fruity sangria’s (including a peachy sangria compliments of Curlew), many dared to put the blind fold on and after 6 spins were lead to the spot to crack open the pinyarta. After a few near misses, and a couple of solid strikes, Karl from Kanda deployed proprietary engineering techniques to crack open the Pinyarta, revealing a treasure of Crunchies, Time Outs, and Eclairs. Finn from Stylopora eagerly distributed the bounty to the skippers and crew of Waterloo Sunset, Adastra, Capricorn Dancer, Liberator and Next Phase.
Festivities ashore were cut short as the forecast southerly change came through around meal time. With a constant breeze and strong gusts, vessels jostled around on anchor throughout the night. With the southerly easing in the early morning, the winds were good for another leisurely sail back to home ports of Manly and Raby Bay.
The planned cruise to Little Ships Club was an apt name when cruise captains Lester and Helen found the depth at the pontoon at low water was less than 1m and even our little ships would not get in, with a flurry of emails a relocation to Canaipa and a new "Footy" theme was soon organised, Helen ran a strict footy quiz, with phone a friend adopted by some of the crews and any means used to extract information to get the answers required. Lester and Helen's teaching skills became apparent when we all swapped sheets to be answered by a crew mate. Geoff and Di from STYLOPORA had already won the best dressed and looked set to win the quiz, but a late rally by Terry & Sharon ADASTRA took the spoils away from them.

What a mark.........

The competition begins.....
The group prepares for action........
After the game the feast began.......

This is why I love crusing.............
Our new cruise captains Karl and Anita from Kanda organized their first cruise to Blakesleys (read his write up), the Sundowners were mixed with some rigorous sand sculptures as each crew attach the sand with anything from spades and buckets to oars and paddles and to be honest I was amazed with the outcome.
Curlew crew grab hard hats to build their construction of the giant crocodile.
Karisma creates a bogged jeep in the sand.

Fred and Marie from Genesis create a turtle from Lady Musgrave

Oasis creates a broach at wide bay bar.

3D Map of Tasmania created by the Heemskirk crew.

The competitors try to explain their entries to convince the judges of a win. Bev and Peter tried hard with a beautiful rendition of Kanda, unfortunately we did not get a photo (so if you have one please pass it on).

This year Xmas in July was a huge event with 27 Yachts (if you count the cats) and 70 guest. Kevin and Tina did a great job of the catering for us, which allowed the crew time to relax and enjoy the Xmas atmosphere. Geoff and Di arrived with their new Xmas in July present a lovely yacht called "Stylopora"
The annual Xmas present draw lived up to its reputation with the present swapping flurry in full swing. Bryan laid low this year at resisted the temptation to leap around the tent swapping presents as he has in the past, but that left room for the new breed to take over and many a flurry still exists.
Glenn picked up some Xmas cheer and made a quick getaway in the super dinghy.

Fred and Marie keen for a swap, the fun continues.
The Mystery Cruise was finally revealed by Abe our cruise captain for the May Cruise, a great cruise to Myora. With Allen our host to the ROCK hut created a great facility to party on after the Oyster clean up on the quickly diminishing sand bar.

Myora sandbar disappears as we move onto the rock hut.

Allen shows his godliness and walks on water.

Allen our host at the HUT

The HUT rocks on.
Warp Drive naps to the quite set. Mollie reads on in her trophy shirt.

Heemskirk models their trophy T shirts for cleaning up the oysters.
The trip to myora springs.
The fleet arrives safely on a falling tide.
Curlew in flight to Myora via Horseshoe Bay
Easter Cruise "Bunny Hop around the Bay"
The Easter Cruise this year had its rain periods as usual, but that didn't deter the spirits aboard our yachts. With a full program planned by our cruise captains Colin & Molly from "Celebration" a sailing marathon around the bay was modified to suit the conditions and two evenings spent at Deanbilla Bay.
Perfect anchorage at Deanbilla Bay.
Phil shows his style at the "Bunny Chuck" and wins the men's RQYS Sailing Cruising Group inaugural titles 08.
The girls discuss tactics while Karen copes with glare and blurred vision.

Bev provides some counseling, the pressure is high amongst the girls. Esther judges the distance in preparation for her shot.
Many boat parties kept the spirits high all weekend and a great time was had by all.
Port and Cheese Tease at Blakesleys
March saw a strong fleet head to Blakesleys for a Port and Cheese Tease on the beach. Mark & Karen from Lieta were our cruise captains and it proved a popular event with great weather after cyclone Hamish disappeared from our coast.
The crew from 15 yachts gather under the trees at Blakesleys, a great range of cheese and port soon had the group chatting about there day.

The low tide created a parking lot for the assortment of tenders.

The excellent conditions as the shadows grow longer and the stories get bigger as the port tasting continues.

Some of the cruising Flotilla at Blakesleys Sunday morning.

A perfect anchorage for the weekend.

Nye our photographer has a keen eye for an interesting photo, crab city sprouts from the sand. Another perfect cruise.

February cruise saw an evening sail for Curlew, Kanda, Haze and Genesis to the Sand hills on Moreton Island. Then a beautiful sail to Lucinda Bay, saw NFIESA anchored close to the beach, the remainder of the fleet shortly arrived Heemskirk, Oasis, and Octet. Heemskirk in full pirate uniform broadside most of the fleet with cannons of water, Molly and Lucy gave repeated fire to all craft with Captain Rachel aloft waving the sword like a Master and Commander.
At 1600 hrs we raided the beach, light boats sped to arrive for the fight with swords and pistols, the spoils of the battle soon came out and rum and food quickly took away the pain of battle. Sea shanty's filled the air. More from Kanda
The winners of best dressed crew had there turn to sing to

The rogues of the sea "Heemskirk" show their talent of song

The battle on shore saw Lester's pirate knowledge win the Rum

The pirates are ready to raid

Australia Day Cruise (Goodbye to Gary & Wendy)
The Australia Day long-weekend cruise was captained by Abe from "Prelude".The largest fleet so far with 27 nominations and 24 boats making it for a fun filled weekend. It was the last opportunity for our members to farewell Gary & Wendy who have been Managing Canaipa for the last 5 years and the Sailing Cruising Group wanted to show our appreciation for a job very well done.

Sunday the traditional girls against the boys cricket match.

Fred gets in the spirit of Aussie Day and takes out the prize.
The judges making a decision on which team won.
Nothing was missed with Abe gathering the stats from the cricket match.
With the rain set in the Marquee was put up, the PA plugged in and the RQYS sailing group resident musicians played with full audience participation.
The band kicked on until late.
Monday's big breakfast breakfast with the volunteers cooking up a storm.
Mike chairman of the sailing cruising group thanks Gary and Wendy.
December Cruise - Blacktie at Blakesleys (Canaipa)
This months cruise was captained by Mike and Jane from "Curlew". The weather forecast for the weekend saw a number of late cancellations, but a switch of anchorage to RQYS Canaipa gave the fleet a sheltered location and of course excellent facilities ashore. The cruise group where instructed to be ashore for the traditional meet at 1600 hrs. The wine tasting was instantly put in place, with bottles hidden behind an assortment of bags, the tricky questions handed out and your best guess of style, year, winery and name a challenge for most. Shawn from Affaire (Seawind 1000) was top scorer.
Shawn and Mike discuss the grape

Second place was a tie with Heemskirk and Genesis requiring a wine spit off to determine a winner. The first spit was to close to call, but all participants would not go again and Scott passed up second to Genesis.
The Genesis team second place wine tasters.

The Heemskirk team in the wine tasting.

The band with Marina on percussion.

Abe (Prelude) wins the Blacktie Trophy

Neptune in prime position.

That's all for 2008. The next cruise is Australia Day long-weekend, details with be posted shortly.
November Cruise - Chase the cat to Coochiemudlo
Bryan Menhinnitt was Cruise Captain for our November cruise to Coochie. The cruise was well attended with all members meeting as usual on the beach at 1600. The theme this month was "Masked" Twilight Beach Party. Everyone presented themselves for judging by the C' est La vie crew, there was a lot of bribery and corruption during the judging process, with the eventual winners announced after a count back to new members from "HAZE" Lester and Helen.
See you at the next cruise.
Mike & Jane

