Based in Geelong. My boat has a draft of about 2.1m. New to cruising port Phillip and planning a few trips, either short handed or solo or with the wife and toddler. can't find the information I'm looking for so thought I'd try here:
- the two free moorings at Williamstown. Are they accessible with a draft of 2.1m. Navionics shows soundings of just 1.1m near by. Seems strange to have free public moorings in such shallow water.
- also what's the depth in Portarlington to access the free pile berths? Navionics shows 1-2m.
Any other tips for places to sail to for an overnight are welcome.
The moorings at Williamstown, have always been busy with permanent, basket case boats when I have stopped by.
The Ferguson street pier have been great with very little notice of time limits and colour coded berths policed.
Lime burners bay moorings are great and protected but may be to shallow for you.
The Melbourne city marina is a great destination during the week , best value for money in Aus.
caveat.. Last cruised 2019.
+1 for the city marina. Also consider any of the major yacht clubs that offer overnight berths (Hobsons, Royals, Brighton, Sandringham, Blairgowrie, QCYC). Also Martha Cove, Queenscliff Harbour, Portarlington etc. And there's the anchoring out options depending on winds - off the southern shores of Corio Bay in southerlies, or the northern end in northerlies (with a great close-up view of the jets taking off from Avalon!)
And as is compulsory for all Victorian yachties, you must buy a copy of the Cruising Yacht Association of Victoria's wonderful "Cruising Victoria" book: www.cyav.com.au/cruising_victoria
Cheers, Graeme
Select to expand quotewongaga said..
+1 for the city marina. Also consider any of the major yacht clubs that offer overnight berths (Hobsons, Royals, Brighton, Sandringham, Blairgowrie, QCYC). Also Martha Cove, Queenscliff Harbour, Portarlington etc. And there's the anchoring out options depending on winds - off the southern shores of Corio Bay in southerlies, or the northern end in northerlies (with a great close-up view of the jets taking off from Avalon!)
And as is compulsory for all Victorian yachties, you must buy a copy of the Cruising Yacht Association of Victoria's wonderful "Cruising Victoria" book: www.cyav.com.au/cruising_victoria
Cheers, Graeme
......and Wyndham Harbour
Portsea pier - great depth & pub, sheltered mooring ground.
Sorrento pier - same plus 3 ParksVic moorings - rarely used.
Blairgowrie YS pier - no o'nite but close to shops, room to anchor.
Rye pier - very deep, close to pub/shops, but works ongoing (maybe currently closed).
I would like to find somewhere in Williamstown, so I could visit the grandkids there.
If there is a swell running at Port Phillip Heads then Portsea Pier can have a surge that is problematic when tying up to the pier. In light to moderate southerlies, between Portsea Pier and Quarantine station can be a nice place to anchor for the day.
Same for Sorrento Pier when the dolphin boat comes along side to pick up or drop off it's load of tourists. I sometimes sneak in on the southern side of the pier but always run a line and tie off the pier. If I caught the rubbing strake on the pier as the surge was dropping it would do some damage. Watch the tide race when entering the cut at Queenscliff. It takes some getting used to. Once you are just through and turn to starboard near the Yacht Club jetty you are out of it and ok. A nice little spot to anchor overnight in favourable conditions is along the hillside from Matha Point towards the entrance to Martha Cove Marina. Nice in light Northerly around to east Sou east, there is a little cove about half way down. We often overnight there. When in need of shelter from a Northerly Blairgowrie are supposed to have about half a dozen pens available for emergency. It was one of the stipulations that gave the thumbs up for approval for the Marina. I have noticed they expect boats to tie up to the pier in those circumstances. It's not safe when the northerly increases! If you are ever in need of shelter just go into the Marina anyway and find a spot probably at the end of the pontoon at the T section or put a fender board over and tie up to the pylons on the marina inside of the pier and 'remind the office staff of their obligation to provide shelter in emergency conditions. They will try and charge you $50 or so. I have paid it with a grumble once or twice when I needed to shelter. when it was too rough to get to my mooring!
+100 for the city marina especially if you are with the family, there also used to be a free wharf at docklands. I tied up there quite a few times when I commuted to work by Yacht.
Sandridge beach is another cool anchorage if you dint mind the sounds of the container yard.
