Sailing the Clarence River

For MacGregor/Venture owners in Australia and discussions about country-specific sailing-related topics.
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Glorious
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Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2009 3:06 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Australia, Northern NSW, Clarence River
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Sailing the Clarence River

Post by Glorious »

I sail my 26X on the Clarence river between Yamba, Maclean and Grafton in northern NSW. It's been pretty lonely as far as other Macgregors go so far although the other day I did see another X getting some work done in the Disco marine shop. I will have to keep my eye open for her. I am also getting some cosmetic work done at the moment but intend to make contact with the Grafton Yacht Club at the first opportunity.
Boblee
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Location: Berrigan, Riverina Australia boatless at present

Re: Sailing the Clarence River

Post by Boblee »

G'day Glorious
Had a great time sailing and motoring back and forth from Grafton to Yamba three years ago and there is some great places to camp and see but got caught with ashes when they were burning the sugar cane.
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The Mutt
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Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Springwood, NSW, devinetemptations.com/macgregor26x.htm
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Re: Sailing the Clarence River

Post by The Mutt »

We really like the area but have yet to sail it, is on our list of areas to take the boat when time permits.

Glenn

edit: Glorious, how about some pics and a trip overview for the rest of us to drool over!
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Wizard
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Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2009 6:11 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Grafton NSW, Australia, 2002 Mac 26X, Yamaha 90, "Blown Away",

Re: Sailing the Clarence River

Post by Wizard »

G'day Glorious
It was my :macx: that was in @ Disco. I was getting a service on the O/B ready for the 1 week classic Cruise from Grafton to Yamba and back its an annual event put on by the Clanrence River Yatch Club. We had a great week with boats coming from Bribie Island, Tarree Newcastle & Armidale
I live in Grafton and if your interested we could put both boats in and do a weekend on the mighty clarence

Wizard
:macx:
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Wizard
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Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2009 6:11 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Grafton NSW, Australia, 2002 Mac 26X, Yamaha 90, "Blown Away",

Re: Sailing the Clarence River

Post by Wizard »

Just had a new 90hp Yamaha fitted up and went to Sydney for a week on the harbour for the first trials, NYE fireworks was fantastic the boat performed really great with the new motor not only under power but handled better under sail than it ever did with the 15hp merc big foot the Mac really needs that weight on the blunt end - stops the pointy end diggin in and round up so dam much
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davidbagnall
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Re: Sailing the Clarence River

Post by davidbagnall »

I am Brisbane based but have always wondered about sailing down there... Do you have any advice on where to launch etc from?
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Wizard
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Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2009 6:11 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Grafton NSW, Australia, 2002 Mac 26X, Yamaha 90, "Blown Away",

Re: Sailing the Clarence River

Post by Wizard »

G'day David,
If your wanting to start your trip from Grafton then use the Kirchner St ramp in fact there are 3 ramps and acouple of jetties plus amenites and bar b ques the ramps are wide and safe.
the other option is to start at the coast I suggest Iluka the is a good ramp there.
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Glorious
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Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2009 3:06 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Australia, Northern NSW, Clarence River
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Re: Sailing the Clarence River

Post by Glorious »

Hi Wizard
Sorry for the delay in answering your post. My boat got some damage during the flood and I put it in for some insurance work way before Xmas. Only just got it back in the water yesterday. Took way longer than I thought it would. I was looking forward to the Clasic but it didn't work out. Yes I would like to meet up sometime. I usually leave my boat in the river. It sits on the mud at low tide. I live 4 km north of Ulmarra on the River. I will see if I can get along to the Brushgrove anniversary race on 27 Feb. tel 66445850
Regards Glen
Wizard wrote:G'day Glorious
It was my :macx: that was in @ Disco. I was getting a service on the O/B ready for the 1 week classic Cruise from Grafton to Yamba and back its an annual event put on by the Clanrence River Yatch Club. We had a great week with boats coming from Bribie Island, Tarree Newcastle & Armidale
I live in Grafton and if your interested we could put both boats in and do a weekend on the mighty Clarrence

Wizard
:macx:
Just Do It
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Glorious
Just Enlisted
Posts: 12
Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2009 3:06 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Australia, Northern NSW, Clarence River
Contact:

Re: Sailing the Clarence River

Post by Glorious »

Wizard wrote:Just had a new 90hp Yamaha fitted up and went to Sydney for a week on the harbour for the first trials, NYE fireworks was fantastic the boat performed really great with the new motor not only under power but handled better under sail than it ever did with the 15hp merc big foot the Mac really needs that weight on the blunt end - stops the pointy end diggin in and round up so dam much
I was wondering about that. My 26X came with a 10 year old 50HP Nissan 2stroke on it. I have another pontoon boat with a 4 year old 30HP Tohatsu 4 stroke on it so I swapped the motors. I am starting to regret it now. I was suspecting that there maybe a weight problem on the rear of the boat. It does seem to want to round up a bit too easily. Might have to think of swapping them back again.
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Glorious
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Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2009 3:06 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Australia, Northern NSW, Clarence River
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Re: Sailing the Clarence River

Post by Glorious »

davidbagnall wrote:I am Brisbane based but have always wondered about sailing down there... Do you have any advice on where to launch etc from?
This web page shows all the ramps around Yamba http://www.clarencetourism.com/pdffiles ... _guide.pdf
Highlight the address then Control C to copy then Control V to paste
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Glorious
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Posts: 12
Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2009 3:06 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Australia, Northern NSW, Clarence River
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Re: Sailing the Clarence River

Post by Glorious »

The Mutt wrote:We really like the area but have yet to sail it, is on our list of areas to take the boat when time permits.

Glenn

edit: Glorious, how about some pics and a trip overview for the rest of us to drool over!
The best I can do is if you are a member of facebook then follow the link: http://www.facebook.com/n/?%2Fphoto.php ... G3c0d4aeG9
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Glorious
Just Enlisted
Posts: 12
Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2009 3:06 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Australia, Northern NSW, Clarence River
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Re: Sailing the Clarence River

Post by Glorious »

There are 2 Macs in the Clarence River yacht club already. The club would like to invite other Macs in the area to come and have a sale with us.
Check out our web page http://www.cryc.com.au
Also check out the Facebook group "Clarence River Yacht Club"
bartmac
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Re: Sailing the Clarence River

Post by bartmac »

Sailed the Clarence around Easter and enjoyed ourselves for 5 days.Launching at Iluka only presented one problem.... the ramp at low tide ends with a large drop off ..... possibly 300mm??? so launching is OK but pulling the boat and trailer out is another story.....definitely 4wd needed.And watch for sandbanks
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