A REDWING 18 DOWN UNDER
by Andrew and Melissa Darnley beachy@norex.com.au
Our first article about our boat Coogee
appeared in this magazine earlier in the year. We thought we would give you an update of
our cruising so far. |
The Redwing 18 design is just the boat for cruising our closest
river here in the most eastern corner of Northern New South Wales, Australia. The Tweed
River rises in the lush rainforest covered ranges of an ancient volcano and winds north
east through rich alluvial flats farmed for sugar cane, to the warm waters of the Pacific
Ocean. |
The lower reaches of the Tweed shelters a small
fishing fleet of timber trawlers and a |
modest number of cruising sailing
boats. As for Duckworks style craft we seem to be the only boat on the water. Smaller
boats in the river are mainly the very popular aluminium fishing skiffs known as
"tinnies" in Australia and high powered fiberglass fishing and ski boats known
by us as "give us a break mate!" |
Coogee floats off her trailer into the
Tweed River. |
The first launching of Coogee was a low key affair. Melissa and
I were aided by just a couple of calm friends. Coogee easily floated off her trailer and
into the launching cove of the river and settled much to our expectations as the stable
platform she is. Our first run was down river at a steady 7 knots, with a slow cruise
around the boat harbour and then back out into the main channel, which being so close to
the ocean, has water so clear and green you could see the white silica sand underneath.
Were we ecstatic! Being January and the height of our summer, wide brim hats were the
order of the day, but the cool sea breeze took the edge off the sub-tropical heat. The sun
can burn the cripes out of you over here! |
Can't wipe the grin off his face!
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The run back up river gave the production boaties a good look
at what sedate and relaxing river cruising is all about. With the tiler in one hand and
the river running under us, we were almost transported back to a time when many people
used this byway to go to town in open timber lapstrake boats for supplies, business or a
day out fishing on a |
river that once teamed with fish. In those days,
before the 1940's, the cane crushing season brought processions of barges filled to
overflowing with hand cut cane,being towed to the mill by a steam powered tug, Droghers
would also run down river to load cream bound for Sydney, onto small steam powered coastal
ships. |
Our next outing with another couple of friends took
us to the middle section of the Tweed River. Cruising along we took in the sugar cane
fields and the view of the valley's hills which are farmed for tropical fruits. We pulled
up in a shady spot with an overhang of rainforest trees for a typical Aussie 'cuppa' (a
mug of tea and a sweet oat biscuit called an Anzac). |
Time for a Cuppa.
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It's wonderful how the simplest things in life so
often give the most pleasure! |
Even the sugar cane fields looked
surreal. |
On the first weekend of June, officially Winter, we decided on
a run on the upper navigable reach of the river. In summer this area would be just too hot
and humid. However, we chose a truly magical Indian summer day and the river looked
like a sheet of glass, reflecting the river banks, cane fields, rainforest and the
valley's central mountain in postcard like scenes. Andrew was so |
spellbound by the reflections that
he nearly ran us aground and Melissa had to take over the helm! Turning to look back at
the wake of the boat gave the impression of rolling waves of liquid glass. This was an
experience you just couldn't get in a high powered boat. It's what classic cruising is all
about. |
Andy gives motor
final test revs before coming to shore to pick up crew. |
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Melissa seems
amazed. Look Ma one hand! |
Regulation issue
straw hats, sunscreen and big smiles. |
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Long suffering
friends. Brian (trans Australia glider pilot) really gets his skills tested at the helm of
Coogee. |
Hey
Andy, a little bit more to Port. |
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Bye Melissa, see
you on the way back! |
I still think my
hat's better than your hat! |
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Melissa takes
the helm. Who's got the big grin now? |
Mt. Warning
reflects in the distance. |
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It doesn't get
much better than this! |
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