Introduction to Cruising with the MYCQ
Cruising is a great way to get some use out of your boat and include the whole family without the stresses of racing. You can have fun on the water while socialising with a fantastic group of like-minded people. Our cruise program includes a variety of activities including easy short cruises in the bay over the weekend, longer coastal and off-shore cruises, and even (when circumstances allow) international cruises. There are also off-water activities including social events, first-aid training, radio training etc. Keep an eye on the club calendar for updates.
Our short bay cruises are suitable for the whole family. They are usually held over a weekend (or long weekend) and are held at various locations throughout the bay from Bribie to the Gold Coast. The usual pattern is a VHF radio check-in at 11:10 on Saturday with sundowners on a beach somewhere on Saturday afternoon/evening where there will generally be a theme and activities organised, as well as plenty of time just to relax and enjoy each other's company with a refreshing drink or two and a shared bite to eat. There may or may not be arrangements for dinner, after-dinner drinks, breakfast and/or Sunday morning activities, then return home at your leisure. More details on these cruises are on the club calendar . Just click on the event you are interested in to find out more information and see who is already registered to attend. There will usually be an attached pdf file with all the necessary details of time, location and activities which you can print out.
Our longer cruises are a bit more challenging than the bay cruises but are still generally suitable for the whole family. Past and future destinations include Mooloolaba, Gladstone, Lady Musgrave Island, Lady Elliot Island, the Whitsundays, Lord Howe Island, Ballina, Yamba, Sydney and Tasmania. These are generally along the coast and involve day-hops from anchorage to anchorage, but there may be the occasional overnighter depending on the destination. Full details of these events are on the club calendar, including information that will help you decide whether your vessel and crew are suited to the planned voyage.
While pandemic-induced border restrictions have put a temporary hold on international cruises, we hope to reintroduce them in the future. These may include cruises on your own vessel to neighbouring countries including New Caledonia, Vanuatu, The Loyalty Islands, New Zealand, Cook Islands or the Louisiades. There may also be the opportunity for like-minded members to get together and charter a boat or boats in the Mediterranean, Carribbean, Hawaii, Alaska, Cook Islands or Tahiti for example.
If you are interested in attending any cruising event please get an expression of interest in to the organiser early so appropriate resources for any activities etc. can be prepared. Don't wait for the weather forecast before deciding then jump in at the last minute. This is cruising, not racing, and it is all about fun on the water. If the weather is not conducive to a pleasant fun trip then the event will be cancelled and registered attendees notified accordingly. You can register an interest (and this can be just an expression of interest, not a commitment) by clicking the link on the event in the club calendar or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Club meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month (except January) at 7:30pm at the clubhouse 16 Trafalgar St Manly. We generally get the business side of things out of the way fairly quickly, then there will usually be a guest speaker on a topic of interest to the boating community. We will provide a report on the most recent cruise event as well as a briefing on the next scheduled cruise event. Everybody is welcome at these club meetings and I strongly encourage you to come along and socialise with like-minded people. The bar is open and the meeting is followed by light refreshments. Look for the building with the bright blue roof, next-door to the coast guard. We share the building with Darling Point Sailing Squadron.
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information about any cruise group event, to give feedback (both kinds are valuable) or to offer suggestions for future events.
