DIY Ferry to Peel Island

[WalrusLike]

I want to take my neighbors over to Horseshoe Bay for a picnic. There are too many people for one trip so I need to do two or three ferry trips.

I know Manly well but was thinking of using Raby Bay since its closer. The only pontoon I saw down there was the public one in the Marina near the Railway Station.

Can I ask the collective locals:

How close in can I come before going off plane? I was hoping to stay at speed all the way till the last two beacons to reduce trip time. Is that doable and common practice or is the entire channel 6 knots?

Where would I tell them to park their cars? I see a public car park inland 2 blocks. Railway Station on weekend?

Any other suggestions than Raby or Manly? Thanks for any advice.

[Axl]

Id use the public ramp at Cleveland where the VMR are based, plenty of parking and closer to Peel than going into Raby Bay would be.

[WalrusLike]

Thanks mate but I was hoping to use a pontoon to make it easy for them to get in. Also the VMR ramp doesn't seem to have car parks just trailer ones.

[Triple]

About 13km trip from raby bay marina public pontoon to horseshoe (with over a km of 6 knot from the pontoon in the marina) plenty of parking at all the surrounding shops. About 10km from VMR raby bay ramp (car spots at the back of vmr ramp car park) and 10km give or take 1/2 a kay from cleveland ramp with plenty of parking in the ferry carpark. If they are happy to wait while you do the trips (have a beer/wine at hogsbreath?) then the pontoon in raby bay is a great way of keeping them occupied and dry.

[Axl]

I didn't realise you were after a pontoon. I must admit I haven't used the Cleveland ramp in 10 years or more it didnt have a pontoon back then and I dont think it has now.

Victoria point has a pontoon and plenty of parking it may be a little further than Raby Bay to Peel would be (not much) but there is no slowing down needed there till you are at the pontoon.

Just watch it at low tide as it is quite shallow.

[Triple]

Victoria point has a pontoon and plenty of parking it may be a little further than Raby Bay to Peel would be (not much) but there is no slowing down needed there till you are at the pontoon.

Just watch it at low tide as it is quite shallow.

Yep your right, only 10km or so aswell.. If the tides are right then i would use vicky point too.

[theoldlegend]

Can you let me know which ramp you're going to?

Then I can round up few of us and watch you launch.

Don't forget your pink bag.


TOL

[netmaker]

going from cleveland where the barges leave from is both the shortest and the quickest. admittedly there is no pontoon, but there is no pontoon at the horseshoe bay end either. you will need to get your "customers" used to no pontoon at 1 end at least anyway. why not both ends?
ps. good to see you dont want them parking in trailer bays at vmr

[WalrusLike]

Thanks fellas for the good info.

And thanks TOL for the interest in my activities.... So for your viewing pleasure please assemble the motley crew at Labrador ramp where I will be departing on a date to be advised.

I will be resplendent in basic black tastefully accessorized with a pretty pink Supre handbag for my lip gloss and other nautical niceties.

Perhaps you and the crew could warm up the cheer leading with a few assists for other boaties while you wait? I look forward to the court report about a motley crew disturbing the peace and being drunk and disorderly.

[thelump]

Mate it would be much easier from Viccy point. Has a good potoon there and is as close to Peel as the others. How many are you planning to get across there? Remember it is classed as smooth water from viccy point to peel so maximum vessel loads can apply! Have fun. Its a great place for a picnic.

[WalrusLike]

Thanks Lump. Wanting to take mine and two other households. (need a bigger boat!)

I will probably use Viccy point as you say.

Oops I mean.... Labrador.

[Moonlighter]

If you are going from Viccy pt, you might consider Blakesleys anchorage instead of Horseshoe. Less people and just as nice on a high tide.

Cheers

ML

[ericcs]

if you do consider using the cleveland ramp, do so only either side of high tide. i got caught out launching at low tide, with the water only a foot deep, but with bottomless silt under that. i was lucky i was hanging onto the side of the boat

[WalrusLike]

Blakeslys? Dunno that one. Whereabouts is that mate?

Thanks for all this info guys I really appreciate it.

The chart for Vicky point looks scary shallow. Is there enough water at low to get to pontoon? Is the bottom mud or rock?

[Axl]

Blakeslys? Dunno that one. Whereabouts is that mate?

Thanks for all this info guys I really appreciate it.

The chart for Vicky point looks scary shallow. Is there enough water at low to get to pontoon? Is the bottom mud or rock?

Blakleys anchorage is on Straddie straight across from Coochie, but you need to go around the Pelican banks to get there.

PS: The Pelican banks can hold some good Whiting at times.

Yes Walruslike it is very shallow at low you can get to the pontoon but you may need to do a little dredging .

I normally use the ramp wher the ferry pulls in as it is a couple of quick turns then straight out to deep water but there is no pontoon there and you have to be there at 03:00 (on the weekends) to get a park.

The bottom is typicaly mud and sand I havent seen any real rock as such.

Trying to get to that pontoon (at low) one day to go to get some ice as the shop on Coochie had run out was the first time I took any paint of my prop (bugger).