Classics gather for Moreton Bay Run

Saturday 25 June, the inaugural “Moreton Bay Classic” will get underway, celebrating the enduring appeal of traditional timber cruisers and their craftmanship, style and design.

Wangadir 1940 60ft Watts and Wright

Many of the 30+ vessels entered so far were built by local tradesman using quality local timbers.

The Classic Cruiser circuit will start at Green Island, head towards St Helena, around Peel Island and finish at Horseshoe Bay for a barbecue.

Event organiser, Jacob Oxlade, former Skipper of Lady Brisbane and now at the helm of South Pacific 2, charter vessels that ply the east coast, said the response to the first edition of the “Classic” has exceeded expectations.

“We started off with the idea of seeing who’s faster – Southern Pacific 2 or Mohokoi. Then word got around and we decided it would be a great occasion to get all the timber boats together for a lovely day on the Bay.

“It’s good timing,” he continues, “after Covid and all that rain, we’re back to beautiful winter weather and ready to get out on the water. The forecast is for blue skies, sunshine and light winds – it doesn’t get better than that!”

Jacob is passionate about classic boats. “To me, they’re much nicer to see on the water – there’s something about their shape that you don’t see in a modern day, production boat in fibreglass or aluminium.

Classic timber boat, South Pacific 2

“You can’t replace these pieces of history and what they mean to people. I wear my South Pacific 2 shirt everywhere and people stop me and tell me about their own experiences aboard.”

Vessels involved in the regatta include South Pacific 2, a 72-foot Norman R. Wright-built sailing yacht, 70-foot Mohokoi built by Wayne Tipper, 62-foot Norman R. Wright-built Dolphin 2, 60-foot Wangadir by Watts & Wright, 70-foot Millcraft Odyssey, Allure, Mid Pacific, the original Watts & Wright-built South Pacific 1, and many other unique vessels.

The trophy has been named the Ron Jenyns Cup, after the previous owner of South Pacific 2 who was famous for the number of seasons he cruised up north and in Moreton Bay.

There are 41 spectator craft registered and Jacob is expecting around 225 guests at the beach barbecue at Horseshoe Bay.

“It’s a great opportunity to meet the owners of these beautiful boats, make new friends and enjoy the Bay.

Several of the historic wooden boats are preparing at Rivergate Marina & Shipyard, on the Brisbane River at Murrarie, an easy cruise to Moreton Bay.

Andrew Cannon, General Manager at Rivergate, says the Project Managers and marine professionals on-site are accustomed to working with classic timber craft, in maintenance and major refit works.

“The skilled trades at Rivergate include engineers, fabricators, upholsterers, painters, marine electricians and mechanics, propulsion specialists, riggers, naval architects and shipwrights. Norman R. Wright & Sons are also in the Rivergate precinct and with 113 years of history building timber boats, they are considered icons of the industry.

“It will be a truly impressive sight to see classic cruisers racing across Moreton Bay in the inaugural ‘Race that Stops the Bay’, which we’re sure will become a much-loved annual event that celebrates south-east Queensland’s own Marine Park and boating playground.”

Extending 125km from Caloundra down to the Gold Coast Seaway, Moreton Bay is an aquatic paradise.

It offers a plethora of island adventures on Bribie, North and South Stradbroke and Moreton islands. Teeming with marine life and dive sites such as the Tangalooma wrecks, the area is recognised as one of the best whale-watching spots in the world during their annual migration between June and November.

The Moreton Bay Classic will highlight the wonders of this pristine, protected and picturesque waterway. While the objective of the day is to have fun out on Moreton Bay, more importantly the ‘Bay Crossing Champion’ for 2022 will be crowned.

Entrants were encouraged to make a donation to the Moreton Bay foundation, which aims to protect and enhance the natural environment of Moreton Bay to ensure its conservation for future generations. Rivergate Marina & Shipyard has made a donation which goes towards science-led research and programs that conserve and protect Moreton Bay.

There will be a Calcutta auction for the ‘heavies’ division, overseen by the legendary boat building specialist, Bill Wright who will calculate the handicaps for each vessel in the main fleet.

If you don’t have your own vessel, you’re welcome to join guests aboard Lady Brisbane which will be a competitor in the event.

Booking details here https://www.brisbanecruises.com.au/race-that-stops-the-bay.html