Port Stephens Ramps

[The Mutt]

Anyone know if it's safe enough to leave car and trailer at Soldiers Point Port Stephens, or at any other ramp in the area, we have launched previously from Violet Hill without any major issues, looking at trying somewhere else this time. Looks like life has stabilized enough for us to get away for a couple of weeks on 'Imagine'

FYI there has been a few problems in recent years at Mooney Mooney bridge ramp, cars have had all the windows smash in from ferals.

Glenn

[bartmac]

Don't know about the ramps at Pt Stephens BUT wouldn't leave my vehicle at Mooney Mooney...we sailed the Hawkesbury in January and organised a private ramp and vehicle storage...always a concern where to leave the car & trailer

[The Mutt]

The only person I've talked with that has had problems at Mooney Mooney ramp left his 3 month old BMW saloon with empty trailer there so that he could take his mates on an overnight fishing trip, came back to find every window of the BMW smashed, the trailer untouched and nothing stolen, I've talked to dozens of other boaties that have had no trouble, some think it is one of the safer places to leave the car/trailer as the backpacker, campervan and motorhome crowd seem to scare away most vandals.

As for Port Stephens, we might launch at Soldiers Point, insurance for vehicle and trailer is paid up, wheel locks are on the trailer, the tow coupling has it's own lock, 95% tint on the Rangies rear windows (stop prying eyes seeing the trailer's spare tyre and a few tools in the rear and our "not everybody is out to get our stuff" attitude is engaged ... looks like we might be able to get away for a week or two in October, three times before when we tried getting away the Mother in law was rushed to hospital, fourth time lucky!!!!!

Fair WInds
Glenn

[denisesjoy]

Just be careful if you launch in Port Stephens and intend to motor on up to the Myalls.......the bridge is LOWER than your mast on a very high tide!!!........Experience talking here
Lemon Tree Passage is a good ramp and I haven't had security problems there.....nothing wrong with Soldiers Point either

[The Mutt]

Just be careful if you launch in Port Stephens and intend to motor on up to the Myalls.......the bridge is LOWER than your mast on a very high tide!!!........Experience talking here
Lemon Tree Passage is a good ramp and I haven't had security problems there.....nothing wrong with Soldiers Point either

I haven't looked at the charts yet for clearance, I hope your pride was the worst thing damaged by the bridge,, Imagine has a Rotavector and wind indicator on top of the mast adding about 10 inches to the height.

We have used Soldiers Point with our previous boat as well as Violet Hill without problems, I thought I would ask in-case things had changed.

At the moment due to an extremely sick Mother-In-Law we will be putting Imagine on a dock at WyeePoint Marina for 3 Months so my wife can see her Mum every couple of days, even if we don't get to go sailing we will save a lot of $$$, it's costing us over $200 for 2 nights every weekend at the moment, the marina will cost us a bit over $300 a month.

Fair Winds
Glenn

[bartmac]

From experience relying on books/guides/charts etc for powerline/bridge clearences is not good practice....been caught out a couple of times now....mind you the signage at the actual structures seem to be accurate!!!

[raycarlson]

whats a feral dog doing smashing windows?? or is there some other wild creature running around down under??

[Crikey]

Dogs come in many forms.

[The Mutt]

I have a few friends that work security, they call people that cause trouble 'ferals'
Glenn