Cruise report - Clontarf - Sunday, 2nd February 2003.

Dear Air Cushion Vehicle enthusiast,
Despite the weather forecast,
Angus Kerr, Lucas Kerr, Ray Kratzman, Tony Hogben, Peter Frankland, Phillip and Kerri Audsley, Sheree Durham and Steven Odgaard ventured out for a hovercraft cruise and barbecue on Sunday 2nd February at Clontarf.
The bay was at high tide and the waves were crashing over the rock wall with the 30 to 40 knot wind.
The only hovercraft was Angus' Turbo Wedge 240 and he brought it along to show our new-comer Ray Kratzman who had travelled down from Nambour.
Ray knew the sea well as he used to live on the Redcliffe Peninsula. His prediction was that the 1 metre swell will shortly be 2.5 metres as the afternoon approaches.
I brought along some old club newsletters to show Ray and to keep them dry from the sea spray, we had to sit in a car with windows wound up.
Needless to say, nobody launched the hovercraft and we weren't even able to hold a barbecue under the shelter as the winds were too extreme.
Peter, Steven and Sheree had a barbecue back at Phillip and Kerri's home at Ferny Hills to finish off the day.

Next club cruise:-
Wellington Point was nominated for our next day on the bay. Hopefully the weather will be kinder than on our day at Clontarf on Sunday 2nd February.
This launch site can be very crowded in fine weather but there are 3 boat ramps and at low tide the small ramp near the rock groin is often free for use by shallow draft vessels or in our case, zero draft craft.
Meet at Wellington Point at 9:30am for a 10am launch on Sunday 23rd February 2003.
It will be low tide at 8:30am (0.72 metres)
High tide will be at 2-15pm (1.83 metres)
These tide times guarantee a smooth ride for hovercraft.

Next Queensland branch meeting:-
7:30pm - Tuesday, 18th March 2003.
SAAA hall at Archerfield Aerodrome.
Beatty Road Qld 4108.

Regards
Steven Odgaard
QSH secretary