WHITTLEY CLUB Queensland – TIN CAN BAY & GREAT SANDY STRAITS ADVENTURE WITH COAST GUARD TRAINING
By Lisa Greig
With eager anticipation of nearly perfect conditions—7 to 10 knots of northeast winds—on a pleasant November Saturday morning, we embraced the role of team leaders for the Whittley Club QLD (WCQ) Tin Can Bay (TCB) and Great Sandy Straits trip.
Nine boats partook in the TCB journey, arriving on both Friday and Saturday mornings. Notable vessels included Kim and Jon on Seaduced, Kim and Tony aboard JazKat, Phil and Annette with Nauti Supa, Darryl and Linda on GypSea, Scott and Pam on My Pride, Vicki and Kelvin on Lady in Red, Mark and Lindsay on Xanadu, Judy and Owen on Olivier, and Graeme and Sharon on Sea Scorpion.
Friday evening consisted of a brief 3 km cruise to overnight at Carlo Point, followed by a tender to the Carlo Quay restaurant. The night blessed us with a magnificent sunset and delightful company, providing perfect conditions for a short tender to the boat ramp.
Saturday kicked off with an early start and a brief cruise to Tin Can Bay for the Wide Bay Bar (WBB) Crossing training. Eight WCQ members generously donated $100 per boat to attend a PowerPoint information session facilitated by 86-year-old Veteran Coast Guard (CG) Oceanographer Dennis Sutton. Subsequently, the CG assisted in a bar crossing for those in attendance. Those who didn’t participate enjoyed a leisurely morning—some fishing, while others savored the dolphin feeding at Barnacles Cafe. Lady in Red hosted one of the Coast Guard Officers. Conditions were favorable, with 10 knots of northeast winds and a rising tide, presenting an ideal opportunity to put theoretical knowledge into practice.
Following the activities, we rendezvoused with the WCQ at Inskip Point for lunch on board and a fun game of tipsy run cricket on a sand island. Around mid-afternoon, we transitioned to Gary’s Landing and anchored for the night, with sundowners on four boats rafted together.
Sunday morning unfolded in a leisurely fashion, featuring a sleepin, fishing, paddle boarding, and recounting the previous evening’s festivities and tales—among them, the amusing anecdote of two men falling overboard. A mid-morning departure was planned, with two boats returning to Hervey Bay while the others set out to explore the town of Poona. Navigating the shallows at a low rising tide, we collectively reached Poona Lagoon, tendering to the boat ramp. After lunch, we headed back to our boats, experiencing rapidly changing conditions— winds of 10 to 15 knots and a sloppy high tide of half a meter. The journey back to the shelter of Tin Can Bay was exhilarating, with dinner planned at the Bar and Grill Tin Can Bay Marina.
ABOUT WHITTLEY CLUB QUEENSLAND
The club originated at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in 1996. Greg Nickerson, owner of Northside Marine, conceived the idea of forming a social club for like-minded Whittley owners to plan trips, build lasting friendships, and share valuable information about Whittley boats. The sole requirement was ownership of a Whittley—old or new, it didn’t matter; everyone was welcome.
For the past 25 years, Whittley Club Queensland has been a well organized, professional club that schedules monthly trips for members throughout Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. Fortunately, Whittley boats are trailerable, allowing us to use them as caravans during extended road trips.
The committee plans twelve trips annually, with a calendar produced shortly after the AGM, typically held in August. The club consistently plans overnight stays, often coinciding with long weekends. Additionally, national rallies are organized every two years by the head office in Melbourne, where Whittley Boats are proudly Australian-made. Members can travel interstate for these rallies, which can see participation from as many as 60-70 boats. The rallies are planned years in advance and are immensely enjoyable.
Whittley Club Queensland maintains a private Facebook page for financial members. Most weekends, weather permitting, someone posts about their plans, inviting others to join. There’s a small annual membership fee to cover admin and other expenses. The knowledge gained from the Club is invaluable, providing great fun and potentially saving members from tricky situations while boating alone. These trips are meticulously planned by individuals who know the areas best, understand the currents, and can identify the best places to stay to avoid wind, all under the close monitoring of the trip coordinator and the Club’s Commodore.
While on the journey and following one another, the trip coordinator reminds us via radio to maintain a safe distance. In case of any issues, everyone has the ability to communicate, and prompt assistance is available. Experienced boat enthusiasts readily provide guidance to vessels in need.
Whittley offers an ideal model for all preferences, be it for fishing, cruising, or enjoying wine and crackers at sunset. It’s challenging to find a boat with a superior finish, comprehensive options, excellent handling, and the aesthetic appeal of a Whittley. All Whittley boats are now equipped with outboard motors. At Whittley QLD Sales, we can customize the perfect package to meet your requirements. When you purchase a new boat from us, Whittley Qld Sales includes a complimentary one-year membership to our Club, which proved invaluable to us and continues to be a great resource for new boat enthusiasts.
www.whittleyboats.com.au/whittley-clubs
Published in print January-March 2024
