Cruisin’ on the Channel

What you do after the MyState Bank Australian Wooden Boat Festival?

Tasmania is blessed with some of the best cruising grounds in the world.

One of the best is the remarkable D’Entrecasteaux Channel, the waterway between the south-east coast of mainland Tasmania, and Bruny Island. The northern end of the Channel commences at the mouth of the River Derwent and extends in a general south westerly direction for a distance “as the seagull flies” of approximately 35 nautical miles. It boasts beautiful scenery, deep water, minimal tides, and reasonably gentle cruising. There are many beautiful sheltered anchorages to enjoy, and it is a great place to wind down after the hectic Festival that we are all looking forward to in Hobart from 8-11 February!

Our good friends at the Cruising Yacht Club of Tasmania have organised an informal cruise “Down the Channel” (as the locals would describe such an event) following the Festival. The cruise will leave Hobart on 12 February and finish in Franklin on 12 February in time for the  St Ayles Skiff Regatta.  The first stop will be at Quarantine Bay on the evening of the 12th where the CYCT will be hosting a BBQ ashore for  a small cost.

The Danish ketch Yukon.  Photo: (c) Rob Oates/Ballantyne Photography

Anchorages for the following nights will be determined by the cruise flagship, the beautiful former Danish fishing trawler Yukon, with the hope that Friday night can be spent at or near Franklin on the Huon River. This will enable cruise participants to enjoy the festivities that will form the opening of the St Ayles Skiff regatta to be held that weekend.

The cruise is self-catered.

Can you think of a better way to wind up after the Festival? Enjoy some casual cruising, meet new friends, and do it in the company of some beautiful boats! And what’s more, non-wooden boats will be just as welcome as their timber brethren.

For more details email vicecommodore@cyct.org.au or call Greg Hitchens on 0431 567 776.