December 2025, Vol #45, no #10. Editor: Gerald Nicholls
Heading into Port Stephens at sunset - Sanna Westling
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Captain's column
G’day Cruisers
Well Christmas is almost here and we had our Cruising Division Christmas party last Friday night in the members area downstairs at the club. I’ve added a few photos and a bit of a write up later on in the newsletter. Thanks to everyone who came along, to Jenni for her help and decorations around the room to Dot for helping to set up and of course Evan for agreeing to be Santa, even though he no longer fills the suit.
Next event will be our Christmas New Year Cruise to Port Stephens, leaving Sydney on Boxing Day and Jenni and I will be returning to Sydney on the 3rd or 4th of January. I think others are intending to stay up there longer. Details are in the Coming Events section below and if ever you’re looking for our Calendar of Events it/they are on the MHYC website under Cruising and then Cruising Events (link here ). If you’re interested in joining, please use the Book Now button on the event so I can make sure you’re included as part of the arrangements.
At our January meeting (21st January) Phil Darling is going to run a practice session for us on how to use the hand-held flares we’re all required to carry. We’ll practice lighting flares on the beach in front of the club and I’m currently advising all the necessary authorities of the date and time to ensure we don’t get an emergency response. If you would like to join in the practice session, you’ll need to bring along your own flares. Hand-held flares and orange smoke signals only please with no rocket or parachute flares allowed. We recommend using flares that are within their expiry date for this exercise but if you choose to use any expired flares you might have, well that will be at your own risk.
Jeremy and Kristin on Kai Rani unfortunately suffered a lightning strike back on 8th November and have lost a lot of their electrics/instruments on board. Jeremey has written an article for us on what happened on the day which is included below.
Andy (our CEO) mentioned to me the other day that Richard Freeborn and Alexandra Blakeman Early on Hawkeye were visiting MHYC for the next few months. So, Jeremy Clarke and I stopped by to say hello and invite them to the upcoming cruising events. Richard and Alexandra have been sailing Hawkeye, a Lagoon 450F, for the last 6 years, leaving San Remo Italy in 2019, crossing the Atlantic and Pacific. They’ve said they’d be happy to come and have a chat to a Cruisers meeting if we can arrange a time and date that suits them and us.
Niclas and Sanna Westling on Rara sailed back into Sydney Harbour last Wednesday after 10 months cruising to the Whitsundays and back. Sanna has provided an article on Marinas along the NSW & Qld Coast, north of Sydney.
And finally, Jenni and I hope everyone has a safe and very happy Christmas, celebrating however it is that you choose to do it. Hope the weather is good and that you all are able to spend time with friends and family.
Cheers
Gerald Nicholls, (Serenite)
Past Events
Cruising Christmas Party
Our Cruising Christmas Party was held 12th December and we decided to utilise the member's area on the ground floor. Jenni brought some Christmas decorations from our place for the night and she, Kathryn Thorowgood and Dot set them up around the two rooms so it looked very festive.
The bar was open upstairs and we cooked on the balcony. Jeremy Clarke had, as he does every year, very generously donated sausages for the Make-a-Wish day which was unfortunately cancelled so he'd had his butcher cryovac them, so we defrosted and cooked those. Everyone bought salads and other goodies and we all shared.
Santa arrived to distribute the secret Santa goodies and Alex Comino provided 5 lucky door prizes in the form of Calendars including his art works. He also had a gift for Santa of a painting of the Lagoon at Lady Musgrave.
Everyone seemed to have a good time and it was great to be together celebrating.
Gerald
Cruiser happenings
Lightning Strike – Kai Rani
Well I think Kristin and I are lucky we didn’t get a direct lightning hit but it must have been close because it killed all of our Navigation, Radar, Chart plotter, wind instruments and depth and Auto Helm.
It was Saturday 8th November 2025, we brought Kai Rani around to MHYC for the day. I had a racing commitment with CaVa and Kristin went off to Croquet for the day. We arranged we’d meet at MHYC at about 16.30 after the race and CaVa was in her pen.
We Jumped aboard Kai Rani at about 17.00 and headed off thinking we might anchor in Little Collins for the night or pick a mooring up at Quarantine. No luck at either location as it was packed. We were aware a storm might be coming so we decided we shall go back to our mooring in Little Sirius Cove.
We were in the middle of the harbour heads near Middle Head and this strong westerly suddenly increased in wind speed to gale force. Kai Rani heeled over to about 40 plus degrees from a big strong gust, no sails up but we rounded up and going sideways. Then the rain started and with the strong wind the rain was stinging my face, the one time I’ve appreciated glasses. I held up my hand to protect my face as the rain was painful. We were trying to get past middle Head as this was major protection from this storm cell. The rain was so heavy and wind so strong I could not see the bow of Kai Rani.
I suggested we head east away from rocks and Middle Head as we could not see much past the mast. The rain disappeared as quickly as it arrived but as we rounded middle head we heard thunder and saw lightning hit Rose Bay and then Vaucluse. The next thing a very very loud bang above our heads, we jumped about 10 feet in the air, the apple watch said I was in a loud environment.
The boat wandered off and I realised that we had lost auto pilot. I steered with my foot worried about the electricity in the air around us. When we got to Obelisk Bay we were hidden from the strong westerly and we were much more comfortable. It was then I realised we had lost all navigation instruments. The chart plotter was dead and everything associated to the navigation network was dead. I turned everything off on the instrument panel and back on again, nothing. I then turned all power off isolated batteries and rebooted the system, still nothing.
We got back to Sirius Cove and I did a radio check with marine rescue which worked ok but we’d lost all Bluetooth connections on the boat. When Kai Rani was heeled over at 40 deg it remined me of the cabin windows leaking and not being water-tight, making Kai Rani venerable in a knock down. So, I’m replacing the Sika all around the main cabin windows. It was very easy to remove the windows but extremely hard to remove the old Sika. Heat gun, scrapers, knives and turps, two days to remove the sika and clean up the windows which were only held on with a soft, not bonding but sealing, silicon I put on a while ago.
Pantaenius are our insurance company so it will be interesting to see how that goes.
1. The visibility is good, the wind is south-west, the barometer is rising and there are showers. What weather feature has just passed?
2. For an anchor warp, what is the advantage of nylon over other materials?
3. On the Australian coast, does a sea breeze back or veer during the day?
4. Why does a sea breeze back (or veer) as it increases in strength?
5. A sailing vessel is overtalking a motor vessel. Which one gives way?
6. You are on starboard tack approaching a yellow buoy, and a racing fleet approaches on port tack looking to round the same buoy. What do you do?
7. On your GPS, what do the initials COG mean?
8. Why may COG be different to CTW?
9. You notice that your diesel engine has a loss of power at full speed and is also “hunting” (ie revs rising and falling) and putting out black smoke. What may the problem be?
10. On which tack is it best to heave to?
Cruising Destinantions
Marinas along the NSW & Qld Coast
Rara has returned to Sydney Harbour, almost 10 months after we left and sailed north. Our trip took us to the Whitsundays and back, a story we will talk about in more detail later (which is available on our blog too).
As we sailed up and down the coast of NSW and QLD we stayed at various marinas and this is a short note on my thoughts and experiences. It might come in handy for other travellers though the circumstances of the marina management will most likely change over time and everyone has a different perspective, these thoughts are mine.
We stayed in marinas when the weather forecast was looking rough or when we needed to fill up water, food and do some laundry. Mostly we stayed on anchor or on a mooring.
At some of these marinas we have stayed longer and multiple times.
Some marinas we chose because it was easy to fly to and from, as we returned to Sydney a few weekends to visit family. We also planned for a long term stay for Rara when we went to Europe for three months.
The Anchorage marina, Collette Point, Port Stephens, NSW
This marina tops the list for me, the staff are super friendly, the amenities are great, clean and well kept with a feel of luxury. There is also a courtesy car to borrow for 2 hours, which makes it easy to go shopping. Shops are 2 km away but a flat walk if you want the exercise. There is an easy access fuel dock in the marina and the marina is well sheltered from winds.
Coral Sea marina, Airlie beach, Whitsundays, QLD
A favourite of ours, we stayed here multiple times during our 6 weeks in the Whitsundays. It is a busy, large marina but safe from winds (it is rated cyclone safe). The staff are very friendly and the facilities are clean and well kept. This is the hub for many charter boats as well as super yachts and gets busy. There are marina guest facilities at both ends of the marina (only accessible if you have a marina key) and they are very good. The ones at the Ocean Club have individual changing rooms, with shower and toilet in one room. Here there is also a deck and workspace where you can chill. Laundry facilities are good at this Club end. Though there are laundry facilities both ends of the marina.
Shops and restaurants available at the marina, and Airlie beach town is within walking distance. A short walk from the marina, Coral sea resort has a swimming pool which marina quests have access to. Courtesy cars are available to book for a few hours at a time.
East coast marina, Manly, Brisbane, Moreton bay, QLD
In the Manly boat harbour, next to RQYS. This harbour has 3 marinas and 1500 boats fit.
East coast marina have simple but clean facilities, toilet and shower in one room. The laundry machines were a little under par.
A restaurant at the marina but it is an easy walk to Manly town where there is an IGA, a chandlery with soo many things in, and restaurants. There is also a public pool here. Walk along the breakwater and there is a lovely restaurant/pub/fish and chip place.
Port Macquarie marina, Port Macquarie, NSW
A smaller marina but well placed with a shopping centre, and petrol station, within a short walking distance.
Amenities open to the public, and quite small and very basic.
Laundry is clean and works well.
You can walk into Port Macquarie, along the waterfront and out to the breakwaters and the beach.
Sandy straights marina, Hervey Bay, QLD
This is where we chose to park Rara when we went to Europe, the airport is located 5 kms from the marina and has direct flights to Sydney.
The facilities are clean and for marina guests only. They use an app to open the gates, no need for a key.
Restaurants around the marina basin, shops are a few kms away. It is a flat walk and easy to get a taxi for transport.
Keppel bay marina, Rosslyn bay, QLD
Very shallow channel to get into the marina, enter at high tides.
Friendly staff, there is a bus stop just outside that takes you to town. Hard to find Taxis so probably do online shopping to the marina.
Gladstone marina, Gladstone, QLD
The marina is behind the main shipping harbour and once you are in, it is hard to spot the ships.
Friendly staff, clean facilities and the marina is well kept. It is council owned so the cheapest marina of all the ones we stayed at.
It is abit of a walk to the shops and restaurants, there is a courtesy bus once a day to take you to town and back. Again, finding taxis was not that easy.
Mackay marina, Mackay, QLD
The gateway to the Whitsundays. From here there are shorter hops to get to the islands.
A large marina, also cyclone safe. You enter through a shipping harbour, so need to watch out for big ships docking/leaving.
The marina staff are friendly, there are some restaurants by the marina and the facilities are being upgraded this year. There are two amenity blocks, one was newly refurbished when we were there - the showers are great.
The laundry facilities are bit out of the way at the back of the offices, and unlocked. Fellow cruisers have had things taken out of washing machines and stolen - I would not leave the washing here. Waiting inside the laundry is at least an air-conditioned space.
You can rent a car ‘rent-a-wreck’ for 4 hours - at a cost (the most expensive cars we found). The best way (we found) was to rent the car in the afternoon - and you will be able to return it in the morning when the office opens again. This way you can explore further. And the car needs to be fuelled up before you return it.
Coffs Harbour, Coffs, NSW
This marina is safe from winds now, there are extra breakwaters in place. Coffs Harbour is easy to enter, though can be rolly inside, whereas going into the marina is a smoother option. When we were there they were replacing the docks and extending the marina. The facilities are only for marina guests, were slightly dated, but clean. Staff are friendly.
There are some restaurants nearby and shops within walking distance. The bigger food shops and Bunnings etc are a drive away. Laundry facilities are good.
Southport Yacht Club, Gold Coast, QLD
This is one of the more expensive marinas we have stayed at. The club restaurant was great and the chandlery is well stocked. A short walk to shops and restaurants.
The marina caters for Super yachts too so there are big boats around. The fuel dock is open 24-hours, the water is very tidal though around the fuel dock.
Bundaberg Port marina, Burnett Heads, QLD
This is one of the gateways to Sydney for yachts travelling from abroad.
The marina feels a little outdated, though there is a chandlery and a restaurant at the marina as well as facilities which are OK. The laundry is good.
There is a hardstand area which is very popular with travelling yachts, there are many trades here and you are allowed to live on the boat on the hard.
You can also store your boat here on the hard for longer periods.
Each Friday the marina hosts a BBQ in the gardens, you provide a share plate and drinks and the marina provides the protein.
Hamilton Island Marina, Hamilton Island, Whitsundays, QLD
The most expensive marina in QLD we stayed at. It portrayed luxury, and it is a big marina, with concierges that assist you into your berth - and it has shops, restaurants and bars around it, plus a free bus service to take you to the resort with pools and a beach you can use and the fact that it is walking distance to the airport, with direct flights from Sydney, we will not be in a hurry to get back here. The marina arms are open and the amenities are open to all, and probably the shabbiest we have seen. Laundry facilities are open to the public too, I would want to watch over my laundry and as it is located at the back of the shops, not a nice place to wait.
Sanna Westling - SY Rara
Photo of the month
Send your photos to Mike McEvoy to enter into the 2025 Cruising Division Competition. Each Month the best photo received will be published and, in the running, to win a new Mystery Prize at the end of 2025.
Send your best photos (as a JPG / JPEG) - Remember … to be in the running to win the prize you must be in it. Hint …. Give your favourite photo a Title and Place taken. Submit your photos to mmcevoy@bigpond.net.au
Good Shooting …!! Mike.
Cruising Quiz answers
1. Cold front.
2. It stretches, absorbing shocks and reducing snubbing.
3. It backs – ie goes to the left as we face into it.
4. He breeze backs as it increases in strength due to the effect of the Coriolis Force, which is due to the earth’s rotation.
5. The overtaking vessel has to keep clear, which in this case is the sailing vessel (Rule 13 of the Coll Regs).
6. You have right of way but it would be courteous to keep clear.
7. COG is Course Over the Ground.
8. CTW (Course Through the Water) is affected by current and leeway, so may be (probably is) different to COG.
9. Probably blocked air filters meaning not enough air is getting through for full combustion.
10. Starboard tack – this at least give you right of way over other vessels
Opinions expressed in the Compass Rose are those of the contributors, and do not necessarily reflect opinions of either Middle Harbour Yacht Club or the Cruising Division
