DIY Ferry to Peel Island

[Argle]

The chart is right - its bloody shallow, mixture of mud/sand with a few good rocks for good measure. If you come in the western side of Coochie its better as far as the channel goes. Just be aware on a nice day on the weekend Vicky point is like flamin pitt st. Boats everywhere and if you dont get there REALLY early you will be forced to park your car and trailer way way way up the road as the trailer parks disappear very quickly.

[thelump]

Heres a thought. Put them on the Straddy Flyer and just pick them up from the little ships club. Nice and close between there and peel and a good boat ride for them! No ramp rage to worry about either once you launch with one load.

[WalrusLike]

Thanks but the flyer costs money and I am trying to give them a freebie.....

I was thinking of launching elsewhere and just picking them up from Vicky. Is there normally enough pontoon free to stop in for a sec to on load passengers?

Also if parking there for boaties is tight is it also tight for cars?

[WalrusLike]

PS... To all those guys thinking... 'just do it anywhere and let them get their bloody feet wet!'....

The reason I am being as considerate as possible for passengers is because I want them to have a good easy time... and they are maybe not normally water folk...

At Horshoe or maybe Blakelys I can put the stern in to shore so they just step down easy into very little water... and there it's clean and sandy.

[Moonlighter]

Hey Walrus

If you haven't got one already, get yourself a copy of the Beacon to Beacon guide.

Handy maps of the Bay etc, and hopefully the current version also has a list of nice anchorages and places for a picnic, that's how we found Blaksleys many years ago when Brownie was producing the b to b.

You'll find heaps of other great spots for the family like the Bedrooms, Slipping Sands, Sandhills, Amity Pt etc etc that are great for a picnic or BBQ.

Your other option if you want better facilities is to join Redlands Boat Club at Cleveland, then you can use the members only pontoon and carpark net to the public ramp at Cleveland. I am pretty sure we have vacancies at the present!

That's what I did!

Cheers

ML

[WalrusLike]

Thanks ML. I have it but it is in the boat.... I should get it out after each trip so I can read it more.

I know those other spots... just not Blakelys.

Yeah maybe I should join Cleveland or MBTC. Thanks again... You are one of the most helpful blokes here.... I hope plenty of good karma comes your way.

[theoldlegend]

Hmmmm. I'm assuming it'll be on a weekend and the weather will have to be good, so it's probable that a lot of other people will also be out and about on the water.

Viccy Point sounds good, but if you go to Viccy Point, there'll probably be a lot of day trippers off to Coochie on the ferry which will add to the number of cars parked there. Then you have to find a trailer spot, which isn't easy on a fine weekend.

Could you launch at the VMR at Raby Bay and collect your passengers at that public pontoon near the Cleveland railway station? There should be plenty of car parking available close by.

It'll also be an exercise in logistics. You might have to get your neighbours to leave home at different times, to shorten the wait for you while you're en route to your destination and return, given that there'll be probably three trips, assuming there'll be eskies etc plus people.

Possibly you could take your family to Horseshoe first, drop them off and return in time to collect your first load of neighbours, and so on.

Good luck with your endeavours. It'll be interesting to see how it all pans out.

TOL

[WalrusLike]

TOL you nailed it.... That is pretty much exactly the plan. Launch elsewhere, get family to Peel, pick up staggered times from railway pontoon or Viccy.

Depends a bit on tides. Seems like a lot of trouble to go to but they are nice folk and it should be a good day. Also it's fun doing anything in a boat so I don't mind the extra trips.

[Triple]

Also, you could ask the question on here the day before you go if anyone is heading to peel from same ramp.. You might just find a fellow friendly ausfisher that might assist and drop them off for you so no extra trips required.