Mordialloc Motor Yacht Club

There have been a number of cruises of late with small groups of members headed in different directions.  It is hoped that these trips will all be reported here on the Web Page and a list of suitable destinations, how to get there and what to expect when you arrive can be created for all to share.  It’s often very hard to schedule a cruise because of weather and other commitments, but with a good list of possible destinations it is hoped that cruising will once again become an important part of club and boating life at MMYC.

Following a cruise over this last weekend Jenny put together a report of the trip.

 

Queens Birthday weekend saw Mark and I on Silver Cloud along with several other club vessels headed for Sandringham Yacht Club (SYC) for an overnight stay. SYC is perfect for a short overnighter being just 6nm from Mordialloc.  If you are unfamiliar with the various yacht clubs around the bay, here is a brief description of how to get there. 

You need to exit Mordialloc Creek and head North towards the city.  It is approx 2nm to Ricketts Point (make sure you take note of the cardinal marks and channel marker guides or you’ll end up on the rocks) and a further 1nm to Black Rock Yacht Club. (which has a jetty, the yacht club and a wonderful fish and chip style restaurant on the waters edge.  If calling in there you will need to keep the Cerebus to starboard in order to approach the jetty safely). 

You are now half way there and should be able to see a large number of masts behind a rock wall towards the North - that is where you are headed.  As you get closer you will clearly make out the very new and very impressive Club house and Marina.  Heading past the club proper you enter from the North end of the rock wall and you'ill be confronted with the concrete Wave Break wall as soon as you round it.  This wall is marked with Port and Starboard lights and you can enter the Marina from either end.

As SYC is a very busy Marina it is often hard to find somewhere to tie up but don’t let that put you off.  We choose to go down the first or second finger from the wave wall and tie up along the walkway. There are signs stating “No Berthing” but so long as you are staying with your boat they are happy for you to stay there “short term”.  If you are self sufficient, enjoy your stay right there on the mooring.  Otherwise, you can exit the Marina without a key and head to reception where the Duty Manager will fix you up with a visitors pass and key which will give you the freedom of the Marina and the Len King Centre near the entrance.  You will find toilets, showers, barbeques and a snack bar there.  Be aware that the snack bar may not always be open.  The Duty Manager will be able to advise you of where you will be able to obtain a meal.  At the moment the Member’s Bar is the only place for meals, but when the new rooms open, I believe there will be a choice of restaurants.

For any further information on SYC check out their web site at http://www.syc.com.au

I am sure you will find that they are very welcoming.

With all that said a total of five boats ventured to SYC on this trip.  Ian MacWilliams on Nina, Steve & Sharyn on Skeo, Denise and David on Boss Lady, Mark & Jenny on Silver Cloud as well as Des Fullerton and Peter Walker on Jay Jay II who came for a spin on Sunday morning to join us for coffee.

Skeo and Silver Cloud berthed at the rear of the marina after Skeo’s maiden voyage.  The winds were so fair that the iron horse was required to make land before dark.  Nina took a diversionary trip to Black Rock, escorted John Leahy on Siobhan back to Mordi and then elected to head to SYC again.  He arrived around 6.30 and found the others very easily.  Having settled in we headed to the Member’s Bar for dinner and found David and Denise already tucking into their meals.  We were the only people in the dining room at that time and were well treated with a beautiful open fire making it feel a little like home.  The meals were all very good but the Bread ‘N Butter Pudding was “the best.”  With full bellies we headed back to Silver Cloud for an evening of fun, laughter, tall stories and a bottle of Baileys.  The boats were nice and toasty as the power cords had been pre laid and fan heaters installed.

After a good nights sleep (for most!) in really calm conditions it was coffee and crumpets for breakfast, followed by a bit of sightseeing around the marina.

Des arrived with Peter Walker on Jay Jay II just in time for coffee.  Des did a quick surveillance of the Marina and its facilities while we did a not so quick surveillance of Jay Jay II before bidding farewell to both Nina and Jay Jay.  A shopping expedition was next in line for Steve and Sharyn as Skeo needs a little sprucing up.  We left SYC at about 3ish and with very little wind once again, arrived back in the creek at approx. 5.30pm.

It’s great being able to get out on the boats for a night or two. Because as much as we see each other around the island, we don’t always spend a lot of time socialising on our boats.  Cruising is a great way to get to know people and their boats better, so if you hear of a cruise happening please join in.  Also if you happen to go somewhere good, please write to the web page c/- Ian Mac and let us know so we can either join you or try out your location on another occasion.