Boating in and around Sydney...
Discussion
Well we've started another 6 months boating season here in Sydney. And the last week was school holidays so good to get out to some great locations.
Enjoy some pictures....
Starting with the Classic Shot on the Harbour:
Then off to Watsons Bay for Lunch:
This weekend we went up to Wisemans Ferry for a bit of waterskiing/wakeboarding. Of course you have to avoid the local hazards when walking back to your boat:
And it all kicked off with some Jetsking on Pittwater.
Here's were we put in at Iluka Beach, a little hidden gem that only locals near Palm Beach seem to know about:
Then over to Patonga, which was deserted:
But not without seeing some Humpback Whales off Lion Island first:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAf5xP4LHes&fea...
Enjoy some pictures....
Starting with the Classic Shot on the Harbour:
Then off to Watsons Bay for Lunch:
This weekend we went up to Wisemans Ferry for a bit of waterskiing/wakeboarding. Of course you have to avoid the local hazards when walking back to your boat:
And it all kicked off with some Jetsking on Pittwater.
Here's were we put in at Iluka Beach, a little hidden gem that only locals near Palm Beach seem to know about:
Then over to Patonga, which was deserted:
But not without seeing some Humpback Whales off Lion Island first:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAf5xP4LHes&fea...
I've been toying with the idea of getting a small ski boat here in Perth for a while. However, my only experience of boating is a ski boat that I rented a coupl eof times on a lake in Arizona. I had a great time and would love to get something similar here.
However, I'm not really sure where to get started.
There is a boating / yacht club based just down the road from us but they seem a bit aloof and very "boaty" if you get what I mean? You cant join if you dont have a boat either.
I could go out and buy a boat, stock it in the water and head out to sea, but I'm nervous about all the things I dont know - Wizzing around a lake in the US is easy, there is nothing to hit!
Here its a bit different - I could run into a rock, sink the boat and get eaten by a shark.
So how do I go about learning the basics if I cant join a boat club (because I dont have a boat).
However, I'm not really sure where to get started.
There is a boating / yacht club based just down the road from us but they seem a bit aloof and very "boaty" if you get what I mean? You cant join if you dont have a boat either.
I could go out and buy a boat, stock it in the water and head out to sea, but I'm nervous about all the things I dont know - Wizzing around a lake in the US is easy, there is nothing to hit!
Here its a bit different - I could run into a rock, sink the boat and get eaten by a shark.
So how do I go about learning the basics if I cant join a boat club (because I dont have a boat).
200BHP -- get in touch with these guys:
http://www.abcboating.com
And do their one day practical boating course & license. You'll need to study beforehand though to get the license. Anyhow they teach you the basics, my wife and I did it even though I've had my license since I was 13 (never too old for a refresher) and it was excellent.
I don't know what kind of boating you want to do but wouldn't recommend a ski boat unless you want to use in lakes and rivers only.
Do you have a family/kids?
What activities do you want to do eg fishing, wakeboarding, sight seeing, diving etc..
What kind of waterways will you use it on ie inland, offshore or both?
And finally what's the budget?
All these factors decide what boat is best for you. But one things for sure, Australia has some of the best boating in the world so I'd recommend getting into it.
http://www.abcboating.com
And do their one day practical boating course & license. You'll need to study beforehand though to get the license. Anyhow they teach you the basics, my wife and I did it even though I've had my license since I was 13 (never too old for a refresher) and it was excellent.
I don't know what kind of boating you want to do but wouldn't recommend a ski boat unless you want to use in lakes and rivers only.
Do you have a family/kids?
What activities do you want to do eg fishing, wakeboarding, sight seeing, diving etc..
What kind of waterways will you use it on ie inland, offshore or both?
And finally what's the budget?
All these factors decide what boat is best for you. But one things for sure, Australia has some of the best boating in the world so I'd recommend getting into it.
Thanks for the feedback, Rob.
To be honest I only said "ski boat" because that's what we rented on a lake in the States. Over here we'd be looking for a similar sized boat to that, probably something slightly smaller than your own. Budget would be 20-30k.
We'd like to use it for going out for a long day, maybe take a trip up the coast to a quiet beach, spot some dolphins etc. To be honest I'd also like something in which I can really upen up the throttle and get a sense of speed - After all it's difficult to do that on the roads around Perth.
It needs to be something where two people can comfortably spend the day, I guess that means it needs a toilet space of some kind - something I haddnt considered until now and something a ski boat wouldnt have.
I would imagine we'd use it solely on/in the sea but only for going up and down the coast or over to some of the islands - certainally never out of sight of the mainland.
To be honest I only said "ski boat" because that's what we rented on a lake in the States. Over here we'd be looking for a similar sized boat to that, probably something slightly smaller than your own. Budget would be 20-30k.
We'd like to use it for going out for a long day, maybe take a trip up the coast to a quiet beach, spot some dolphins etc. To be honest I'd also like something in which I can really upen up the throttle and get a sense of speed - After all it's difficult to do that on the roads around Perth.
It needs to be something where two people can comfortably spend the day, I guess that means it needs a toilet space of some kind - something I haddnt considered until now and something a ski boat wouldnt have.
I would imagine we'd use it solely on/in the sea but only for going up and down the coast or over to some of the islands - certainally never out of sight of the mainland.
robm3 said:
200BHP -- get in touch with these guys:
http://www.abcboating.com
And do their one day practical boating course & license. You'll need to study beforehand though to get the license. Anyhow they teach you the basics, my wife and I did it even though I've had my license since I was 13 (never too old for a refresher) and it was excellent.
I don't know what kind of boating you want to do but wouldn't recommend a ski boat unless you want to use in lakes and rivers only.
Do you have a family/kids?
What activities do you want to do eg fishing, wakeboarding, sight seeing, diving etc..
What kind of waterways will you use it on ie inland, offshore or both?
And finally what's the budget?
All these factors decide what boat is best for you. But one things for sure, Australia has some of the best boating in the world so I'd recommend getting into it.
http://www.abcboating.com
And do their one day practical boating course & license. You'll need to study beforehand though to get the license. Anyhow they teach you the basics, my wife and I did it even though I've had my license since I was 13 (never too old for a refresher) and it was excellent.
I don't know what kind of boating you want to do but wouldn't recommend a ski boat unless you want to use in lakes and rivers only.
Do you have a family/kids?
What activities do you want to do eg fishing, wakeboarding, sight seeing, diving etc..
What kind of waterways will you use it on ie inland, offshore or both?
And finally what's the budget?
All these factors decide what boat is best for you. But one things for sure, Australia has some of the best boating in the world so I'd recommend getting into it.
200bhp said:
Thanks for the feedback, Rob.
To be honest I only said "ski boat" because that's what we rented on a lake in the States. Over here we'd be looking for a similar sized boat to that, probably something slightly smaller than your own. Budget would be 20-30k.
We'd like to use it for going out for a long day, maybe take a trip up the coast to a quiet beach, spot some dolphins etc. To be honest I'd also like something in which I can really upen up the throttle and get a sense of speed - After all it's difficult to do that on the roads around Perth.
It needs to be something where two people can comfortably spend the day, I guess that means it needs a toilet space of some kind - something I haddnt considered until now and something a ski boat wouldnt have.
I would imagine we'd use it solely on/in the sea but only for going up and down the coast or over to some of the islands - certainally never out of sight of the mainland.
From what you've said I'd suggest a Sea Ray Sundeck 220 or Four Winns H 240 (or 230 as same boat), however you'll struggle to find one for 30k. Also at around 3 - 3.5 tonnes you need a decent tow vehicle fitted with brake controller. If you can skip the toilet then there's a whole host of decent boats between 19 to 22ft in that price bracket mainly from USA eg Four Winns, Bayliners etc...To be honest I only said "ski boat" because that's what we rented on a lake in the States. Over here we'd be looking for a similar sized boat to that, probably something slightly smaller than your own. Budget would be 20-30k.
We'd like to use it for going out for a long day, maybe take a trip up the coast to a quiet beach, spot some dolphins etc. To be honest I'd also like something in which I can really upen up the throttle and get a sense of speed - After all it's difficult to do that on the roads around Perth.
It needs to be something where two people can comfortably spend the day, I guess that means it needs a toilet space of some kind - something I haddnt considered until now and something a ski boat wouldnt have.
I would imagine we'd use it solely on/in the sea but only for going up and down the coast or over to some of the islands - certainally never out of sight of the mainland.
About the offshore bit....Please be careful doing this, you need the right gear as per the law for a reason eg EPIRB, type 1 jackets, radio etc. but main bit of advice is get accurate weather forecasts and never head out if in doubt. Getting caught offshore in big swells or winds in any small boat (under 25ft) is not fun! And these USA boats don't always have v hulls deep enough for 2m plus swells. Plenty of offshore fishing tinnies can but I don't think that's what you're after.
Having said that on a jetski big offshore swells are brillant, I do tow ins with a surfer mate of mine, should get a GoPro I think to show it
Thanks for the info again rob. That is exactly the kind of thing I'm wary of not knowing before heading out and buying.
I'll have to persuade the wife that she'd be fine peeing in a bucket and throwing it overboard!
How far out from the coast does one need to be to be classed as offshore?
I'll have to persuade the wife that she'd be fine peeing in a bucket and throwing it overboard!
How far out from the coast does one need to be to be classed as offshore?
200bhp said:
How far out from the coast does one need to be to be classed as offshore?
Well you can always drop the rear ladder and have wifey wife stand on it waist (waste?) deep, works for us...Open water= basically offshore. This can actually be 'behind' the coastline like a river mouth even eg here in Sydney Open Water is mouth of the Pittwater and in between Sydney Headlands (many people don't realize this but coming out of Middle Harbour into Sydney Harbour is technically crossing Open Water, never policed though).
For you it's as soon as you leave Freemantle Harbour.
I just picked up a 18.5ft bowrider which I have 6 people in pretty comfy for getting about etc with just a 4.3 V6 Mercruiser inboard, very nice CD player with mp3 and usb. Plenty of storage. The engine had all the manifolds and risers replaced as well as the sacrificial anodes very recently. Its a slightly older boat but very well made by Monterey and powerful enough to pull skiers etc whilst being light enough to tow pretty easily.
Its going in for a probably superfluous service on Tuesday to check everything out but so far so good. With trailer in perfect nick and everything ready to go it cost $16.5k...so there are bargains to be had.
The size is ok for chop on the harbour, some pretty big swells on the harbour but we are ok if you drive it sensibly. Its best on calm waters but as you don't stay out in the chop apart from when you are going somewhere else its fine.
Unless you are spending mega bucks forget a toilet. Tehre is a fair amount to research and you must get a qualified person to check out the boat for you if you do not know what you are looking at and are buying second hand.
As the OP shows us there are loads of places to go if you have it on a trailer, I did Ku-Ring-Gai national park to Palm Beach lst weekend, great fun!
OP - What's the engine in that? V8?
Its going in for a probably superfluous service on Tuesday to check everything out but so far so good. With trailer in perfect nick and everything ready to go it cost $16.5k...so there are bargains to be had.
The size is ok for chop on the harbour, some pretty big swells on the harbour but we are ok if you drive it sensibly. Its best on calm waters but as you don't stay out in the chop apart from when you are going somewhere else its fine.
Unless you are spending mega bucks forget a toilet. Tehre is a fair amount to research and you must get a qualified person to check out the boat for you if you do not know what you are looking at and are buying second hand.
As the OP shows us there are loads of places to go if you have it on a trailer, I did Ku-Ring-Gai national park to Palm Beach lst weekend, great fun!
OP - What's the engine in that? V8?
Hi Rob,
Those pics look great! We arrived in Sydney about 5 months ago and are just becoming settled enough to consider a boat for the summer. Funnily enough, something just like that would seem to be what I'm after (or is it the images?!)
At some point I was going to do some research, but the time's not yet right to buy it.
However, with the pictures you've posted I think I'm after something the size you have. "Us" consists of myself, wife and toddler.. and with a bunch of visitors booked in over the summer, about 6 seats is probably wise. The odd day trip (going over to a restaurant sounds fab) and possibly a bit of waterskiing is about all we'd do with it.
Can you give me an indication of how much one of "those things" (bit of a broad term there!) would be to buy and to run? I'm in Mosman and I know the moorings around there are impossible to get hold of, so what does one do with it when not in use? Would I seek out a local marina? Would I tow it and store it (have a Cayenne that can tow 3.5tons, so that's not an issue) at a place that's set up for that?
Lots of ridiculous questions, but I haven't really started a boat search yet - it's "on my list"!
ta
Ben
Those pics look great! We arrived in Sydney about 5 months ago and are just becoming settled enough to consider a boat for the summer. Funnily enough, something just like that would seem to be what I'm after (or is it the images?!)
At some point I was going to do some research, but the time's not yet right to buy it.However, with the pictures you've posted I think I'm after something the size you have. "Us" consists of myself, wife and toddler.. and with a bunch of visitors booked in over the summer, about 6 seats is probably wise. The odd day trip (going over to a restaurant sounds fab) and possibly a bit of waterskiing is about all we'd do with it.
Can you give me an indication of how much one of "those things" (bit of a broad term there!) would be to buy and to run? I'm in Mosman and I know the moorings around there are impossible to get hold of, so what does one do with it when not in use? Would I seek out a local marina? Would I tow it and store it (have a Cayenne that can tow 3.5tons, so that's not an issue) at a place that's set up for that?
Lots of ridiculous questions, but I haven't really started a boat search yet - it's "on my list"!
ta
Ben
Ben.
Not sure what it's like over on your side but here on the West Coast, you see a lot of houses with two driveways - One leading to the garage and the other simply to keep the trailer/boat on.
Rob.
Do you need permission or a permit of any kind before launching the boat on a lake or river? (I appreciate that this is likely to differ from state-to-state)
Not sure what it's like over on your side but here on the West Coast, you see a lot of houses with two driveways - One leading to the garage and the other simply to keep the trailer/boat on.
Rob.
Do you need permission or a permit of any kind before launching the boat on a lake or river? (I appreciate that this is likely to differ from state-to-state)
200bhp said:
Ben.
Not sure what it's like over on your side but here on the West Coast, you see a lot of houses with two driveways - One leading to the garage and the other simply to keep the trailer/boat on.
The house we're renting has a garage and drive, but the agreement says we're only allowed to keep cars on/in it.Not sure what it's like over on your side but here on the West Coast, you see a lot of houses with two driveways - One leading to the garage and the other simply to keep the trailer/boat on.
For Sydney there are a few options...
If you live in Rose Bay you can get a permit for on street parking for a trailer boat, if you don't then there is some horrendous waiting list for a govt mooring or you can pay about $450 a month for one privately, still a waiting list mostly.
We have just joined Rozelle Bay's Sydney Boat House, which for a about $295 a month will store our boat on trailer, put it in the water for us, take it out, wash it off, flush the engine and ut it back on the trailer with covers etc all inclusively. They have an office down there with toilets and coffee machine etc. This is on the harbour, very close to Baileys marine fuel, just the other side of Anzac bridge. I timed it from the petrol station at Rushcutters bay near where I live, to the marina and it was 8 minutes via the Cross City Tunnel. 24 hour secured access and they are currently looking to build a dry stacking shed. Its pretty new.
The minimum sized boat you can get away with is probably about the same as ours, 18.5 ft. You could comfortably tow bigger with your car, you could look at boats up to about 23ft I would think. I would look at Bowriders and what they call Cuddy cabins which is a speed boat with a cabin in the bow. Bowriders are good as they have a nice seating area up front for cruising. If ou are going to have kids on it and do a lot of harbour trips then something with high gunnels and a deep hull would be most comfortable.
What would your budget be? We went budget second hand and managed $16.5k. For something pretty handy or newer you are looking 25k up to 30k really. Check boatsales.com.au. Its probably the most expensive time to buy, beginning of the summer as well, having said that discounts are available because there is not tonnes of money for buying boats about.
Outboard engines are supposedly better for newbies but I like the style of inboards, you want atleast a 4.3l V6, probably more if going for a bigger boat, V8 etc....ignore anything with the 3.0l Mercruiser. Its gutless.
Ping me a message if you want more info for the Sydney area, I have literally just gone through the whole process including getting a licence which you need... (do it at Middle Harbour Yacht Club, easy, nice, done in a day inc practical, $235, hand it in at Maritime office for licence, 3 years = $145.
I did no prior study and passed...not sure if thats a good thing!)
I have been here a year and I refused to get into debt for a car so soon so this has been an extra way to get my kicks and is highly recommended.
If you live in Rose Bay you can get a permit for on street parking for a trailer boat, if you don't then there is some horrendous waiting list for a govt mooring or you can pay about $450 a month for one privately, still a waiting list mostly.
We have just joined Rozelle Bay's Sydney Boat House, which for a about $295 a month will store our boat on trailer, put it in the water for us, take it out, wash it off, flush the engine and ut it back on the trailer with covers etc all inclusively. They have an office down there with toilets and coffee machine etc. This is on the harbour, very close to Baileys marine fuel, just the other side of Anzac bridge. I timed it from the petrol station at Rushcutters bay near where I live, to the marina and it was 8 minutes via the Cross City Tunnel. 24 hour secured access and they are currently looking to build a dry stacking shed. Its pretty new.
The minimum sized boat you can get away with is probably about the same as ours, 18.5 ft. You could comfortably tow bigger with your car, you could look at boats up to about 23ft I would think. I would look at Bowriders and what they call Cuddy cabins which is a speed boat with a cabin in the bow. Bowriders are good as they have a nice seating area up front for cruising. If ou are going to have kids on it and do a lot of harbour trips then something with high gunnels and a deep hull would be most comfortable.
What would your budget be? We went budget second hand and managed $16.5k. For something pretty handy or newer you are looking 25k up to 30k really. Check boatsales.com.au. Its probably the most expensive time to buy, beginning of the summer as well, having said that discounts are available because there is not tonnes of money for buying boats about.
Outboard engines are supposedly better for newbies but I like the style of inboards, you want atleast a 4.3l V6, probably more if going for a bigger boat, V8 etc....ignore anything with the 3.0l Mercruiser. Its gutless.
Ping me a message if you want more info for the Sydney area, I have literally just gone through the whole process including getting a licence which you need... (do it at Middle Harbour Yacht Club, easy, nice, done in a day inc practical, $235, hand it in at Maritime office for licence, 3 years = $145.
I did no prior study and passed...not sure if thats a good thing!)
I have been here a year and I refused to get into debt for a car so soon so this has been an extra way to get my kicks and is highly recommended.
Those pics bring back memories, & could almost make me jealous. They don't as I believe I had the best of Sydney.
In the late 60s early 70s I lived on my 40FT yacht in places like Balmain, Cammeray, Newport & Roseville. A marina berth was about 8 pounds, [$16], & no permits tickets etc were required. A couple of those marinas had phone connections, in those days before mobiles.
Yes I had the best of it, but the magic of Sydney's waterways has not changed. Hope you all have a ball, & safe boating to you.
In the late 60s early 70s I lived on my 40FT yacht in places like Balmain, Cammeray, Newport & Roseville. A marina berth was about 8 pounds, [$16], & no permits tickets etc were required. A couple of those marinas had phone connections, in those days before mobiles.
Yes I had the best of it, but the magic of Sydney's waterways has not changed. Hope you all have a ball, & safe boating to you.
Hi TAS
Thanks - that's really helpful.
On street parking - not an option round our way as the council don't like it.
Rozelle Bay's Boat house - Didn't know they did that - sounds ideal, but not so sure about the location. Just had a Google and it says 20 minutes from us, which is doable, but would be extremely handy for something this side of the bridge (or rather Military Road!). We're in post code 2088 and looking for similar there, maybe there's something around the Spit? Think I'll make some calls tomorrow.
Boats - Bowriders & Cubby Cabins, up to 23ft - got it.
Budget - not sure really. The missus very fussy about car interiors and loves the Cayenne, so it'd have to have a similar level of leather / finish / niceness to get her into the idea - ie. not a shaky, rusting, unreliable, uncomfortable, shed. I guess the numbers are around 20 - 30, we could push that up, but don't know if it's right for us yet. A big consideration would be residuals. Like our cars, we acknowledge it exists but don't want to buy something that no-one else would want and we could never shift (ie. if boating wasn't working for us, or we wanted something different).
Outboard / Inboard - haven't got to that consideration yet
Licence in a day place - Cheers.
Many thanks
Ben
Thanks - that's really helpful.
On street parking - not an option round our way as the council don't like it.
Rozelle Bay's Boat house - Didn't know they did that - sounds ideal, but not so sure about the location. Just had a Google and it says 20 minutes from us, which is doable, but would be extremely handy for something this side of the bridge (or rather Military Road!). We're in post code 2088 and looking for similar there, maybe there's something around the Spit? Think I'll make some calls tomorrow.
Boats - Bowriders & Cubby Cabins, up to 23ft - got it.
Budget - not sure really. The missus very fussy about car interiors and loves the Cayenne, so it'd have to have a similar level of leather / finish / niceness to get her into the idea - ie. not a shaky, rusting, unreliable, uncomfortable, shed. I guess the numbers are around 20 - 30, we could push that up, but don't know if it's right for us yet. A big consideration would be residuals. Like our cars, we acknowledge it exists but don't want to buy something that no-one else would want and we could never shift (ie. if boating wasn't working for us, or we wanted something different).
Outboard / Inboard - haven't got to that consideration yet
Licence in a day place - Cheers.
Many thanks
Ben
Edited by 
on Thursday 11th October 10:19
on Thursday 11th October 10:19thehawk said:
Lived in Melbourne for 4 years and really haven't settled that well, have been considering a move to Sydney. Those photos have pretty much confirmed it.
Moved to Sydney 5 years ago...transferred with work to Melbourne 3 years ago. Gave up work 2 months ago to return to Sydney. There is no comparison as a Brit. Lived in New York, Hong Kong, London, Seattle, Melbourne, Limerick... there is no city I've ever been to that offers as much as Sydney. Melburnians have a total chip on their shoulder re Sydney. "But its so much more European than Sydney" I kept hearing.... it's European like Birmingham is European, it's not Rome. said: Had a look around boatsales.com.au and am now confused. Think I need to get the missus and go to a dealer to see some of these physically to get an idea of the size that's suit us.
btw, stamp duty payable on boats as well? This country can certainly tax!
No Stamp Duty on a boat but there is on the trailer? (TBC) For an example on rego these are our costs my co-owner mate just sent me...its due this month...this is for our newly bought 2nd hand boat.btw, stamp duty payable on boats as well? This country can certainly tax!
BOAT - Transfer fee $28, rego approx. $117 – total $145
TRAILER - $30 transfer fee + 3% stamp duty (robbing gits) + approx. $150 for rego
Yep, go and see a dealer, Middle Harbour has Sydney Powerboat Centre which is a Four Winn dealer, they are pretty plush boats. They also have a used lot up in Mona Vale. Mark is the Sales Manager there, nice guy, we did not buy from him in the end but he was helpful.
Don't know about places to keep it round you. Loads of mooring spots but waiting lists are your issue.
Good luck!
PS Your username comes up as a swear word when I quote you...amusing!
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