Fun and learning at the annual Muster
Friday, 25 September 2009
Three months ago, Ross Anderson had never owned a boat bigger than a four-metre tinny. Now he has arrived home on Queensland's Gold Coast in his Maritimo 500 Offshore Convertible, Stones, after a 1,600 nautical mile round voyage to Port Hinchinbrook in north Queensland.
He learned many of his new boating skills during the annual Maritimo Muster, joining 19 other Maritimos on a two-week boating adventure.
“I could never have done such a trip without the support of everyone on the Muster,” said Ross. “They were incredibly helpful at every stage. And, of course, they are all fun people to spend time with. The parties were great!”
From the time they set out from Maritimo headquarters on Queensland’s Gold Coast to finish at Port Hinchinbrook, the fleet covered about two thirds of the Queensland coastline in two weeks of brilliant weather, parties and adventure.
Along the way the 20-strong fleet cruised the islands of the Great Barrier Reef and made overnight stops in marinas, in secluded bays and on islands including Fraser, Shaw, Middle Percy, Magnetic and, of course, Hamilton.
Among the musterers, three generations of the Wagner family from Toowoomba were on their first major voyage. John Wagner bought his first boat – Maritimo 52 Agitator – only a year ago and was joined on the voyage by his father, Henry, and sons Jack and Josh.
“I’ve always loved boating but never actually owned one,” said John. “Now that all our children are in their teens, we thought this would be a good time. It gives us all a common interest and the kids certainly love being on board. It is not uncommon to have six or eight kids on board for a weekend. So a 52-footer was as small as we could possibly go!”
After their first night at Mooloolaba, the second was at pretty Gary’s Anchorage on the western shore of Fraser Island. The fleet then travelled to Gladstone where on arrival the local VMR welcomed all with a barbecue fit for royalty.
The following morning saw a “daisy chain” of Maritimos meander through the “Narrows” and past the Cattle Crossing to Keppel Bay Marina.
A night at Middle Percy Island was another highlight and has become a “must do” stopover on the Musters. Each year a team goes ashore and adds another Muster flag to the collection in the A-frame building on the beach of West Bay on the island.
The fleet arrived at Hamilton Island in the middle of the Whitsundays, taking over almost an entire arm of the marina next to the new Yacht Club.
Brett and Lyn Rourke are Maritimo Muster veterans and Lyn has taken on the unenviable task of recording the event through the lens of her camera.
"I prepare slide shows to run during our various social dinners during the Muster and give everyone a CD of shots at the end of the trip," said Lyn.
Lyn said this year’s Muster was notable for the consideration given to the many women on the voyage.
“There were a number of boats that had only husband and wife on board and it was great hearing the women on the two-way radio and also see them driving the boat,” she said.
Ross Anderson was joined on his first voyage by brother Graeme, father-in-law Klaus and life-long friend Gordon.
Ross’ wife Vera said the run from the Gold Coast to Hamilton Island was a “boys boat”.
Vera joined the crew at Hamilton Island.
“The highlight of the trip for me was the wonderful and informative commentary from Steve McPherson’s Maritimo 60 TheBeachhouse,” she said. “It was also great fun meeting fellow Maritimo owners and seeing the odd turtle!”
Ross expanded his knowledge and skill quickly and decided to bring the boat back to the Gold Coast on a quick run with Graeme and organiser Greg Alward.
“I think I can safely take the boat on my own now,” said Ross. “I love fishing which is why I chose the Offshore Convertible. It has everything I could want for fishing and cruising with my family - a truly convertible boat!”
The highlight of the voyage?
“Calling home when we reaching Hinchinbrook to say ‘We’ve done it!’“.