MAKING WAVES
Sydney boaters are among the beneficiaries of global warming. During a winter that really wasn't, many of us have been letting it all hang out. The bays in upper Middle Harbour have resembled floating dormitories, while Spring Cove has been thronged by day. And there are some new hot spots, with the shoreline upstream of Chinamans Beach popular for those dodging the prevailing westerlies. It's been a boating kaleidoscope, with paddlers and paddleboarders out in force, sailors racing around the cans, fishers tangling with Aussie salmon from the boiling schools around the Heads, and the big end of town out. Book your boat's annual service before the slipways fill up and the mechanics are flat out.
Seal of approval
Boaters aren't the only ones enjoying the balmy weather — two New Zealand fur seals have been soaking up the sun at Cannae Point. Passing boaters were given a wave before the bigger of the two decided to catch up on some sleep atop a sandstone gibber. Seals aren't uncommon in Sydney Harbour, with specimens sometimes roaming west of the Harbour Bridge, but the west-facing beaches around Spring Cove seem to be a favourite spot.
New moorings
Common sense has prevailed and boats won't be banned from anchoring off Manly West or Quarantine beaches due to the supposed damage we inflict on seagrass. Instead, five new seagrass-friendly courtesy moorings will be installed west of Manly Wharf, with a further three at Quarantine to help protect the marine vegetation. The new moorings will be installed before the boating season as a community service to boaters and in response to the concerns raised by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries about prop damage to seagrass. Boaters will be able to tie up to any of the moorings for up to 24 hours.
Maritimo goes OS
With a favourable exchange rate and overseas markets on the move, Australian boat builders finally have something to be chipper about. Luxury-cruiser maker Maritimo is gearing up for a full program of boat shows in Europe and the US. Its award-winning M58 cruising motoryacht will be on display at the prestigious Cannes International Boat Show, while other models will be at the Tampa show, South Lake Union Seattle show, Norwalk exhibition and the Fort Lauderdale event in October. Feedback from the dealers is said to be the best in years.
David.lockwood@bigpond.com
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
A mild winter has kept Sydney Harbour busy — upper Middle Harbour bays have looked like floating dormitories, Spring Cove and new shoreline spots upstream of Chinamans Beach are popular, and you’ll see paddleboarders, sailors racing around the cans and fishers targeting Aussie salmon around the Heads.
Yes. The article notes two New Zealand fur seals soaking up the sun at Cannae Point. Seals do sometimes roam west of the Harbour Bridge, with west-facing beaches around Spring Cove a favourite haul-out spot.
No. Instead of a ban, authorities will install seagrass-friendly courtesy moorings — five west of Manly Wharf and three at Quarantine — so boaters can tie up without damaging marine vegetation.
They’re specially installed moorings intended to protect seagrass from propeller damage. The new moorings will be in place before the boating season and boaters can tie up to any of them for up to 24 hours.
The moorings are a community service responding to concerns from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries about prop damage to seagrass. They aim to protect marine vegetation while keeping boating access open.
Yes. The article advises booking your boat’s annual service before slipways fill up and mechanics become flat out as the boating season ramps up.
Maritimo is gearing up for a full program of boat shows in Europe and the US. Its award-winning M58 cruising motoryacht will be displayed at the Cannes International Boat Show, and other models will appear at Tampa, South Lake Union (Seattle), Norwalk and the Fort Lauderdale event.
The article says a favourable exchange rate and active overseas markets have given Australian boat builders reason to be chipper, with Maritimo already expanding its presence at major international boat shows and dealers reporting strong feedback.
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