Inaugural WYC Sail to Shellharbour Marina

Six boats were represented on the first visit to the new Shellharbour Marina. Aphrodite’ was away early at 0900 with Travis and Pete on board, motor sailing to Martin’s and then sailing to Shellharbour in a light east South Easter. John and Maxine, plus Phil and Trish were away by 0930 in ‘Felix’ and enjoyed a motor sail to Martins and sail to the new Marina where both boats tied up to the Public Jetty. Plenty of room and a brand new floating dock with plenty of rubber to the waterline to protect the topsides, and handy cleats. The way into the Marina is a slight dog leg that cancels out the ocean swell, and both breakwalls were lined with walkers and John saluted them with a royal wave. The minimum depth was 4.5 metres at mid-tide.

It took us 2 1/2 hours to arrive. The first arrivals then watched as ‘Origami’, ‘Legaleze', ‘Merlot’ and ‘Big Blue’ with a crew of 8, arrived and moored up. People moved around between boats and had a very social afternoon. We, by far made up the most boats in the marina. A big luxury cruiser and a couple of small yachts, powerboats and the odd jet ski made up the total. It is early days for the marina and no charges. Most of us have had offer letters indicating fees for the minimum 12 metre berth of just under $1000 per month. There is a hard stand area and concrete ramps for a travel lift already constructed but it is not envisaged it will be operational until 2023. All very exciting for WYC members and a perfect day sail down and back, as long aswe leave early and pick the winds!

The trip back was into a 10-12 knot North Easter and the very rough sea had settled a little making the time to home more like 2 hours, and a good sail from Martin’s. No doubt the WYC will have a berth down there for the use of members or is that just wishful thinking! At last we have a racing/cruising destination and not just Islands and WYC marks to sail around. In the old days, we had Port Kembla before this was no longer allowed, so the new Marina will be welcome.

Thanks to Phil Ring for this news contribution.