Cruising

The Explorer Association over the years has run many cruises, ranging from Melbourne day river cruises (Yarra and Maribyrnong), overnight cruises at Docklands, weekend cruises on Port Phillip or Westernport, to extended sailing cruises in regional Victoria such as Gippsland Lakes and Mallacoota, and motoring cruises on the River Murray. Members have individually cruised eastern Australian states including the Whitsundays, Myall Lake, Lake Macquarie, and in Tasmania (Derwent River, D'Entrecasteaux Channel, Macquarie Harbour & Gordon River, Lake Pedder). There are many more cruising possibilities in the Port Albert / Port Welshpool / Corner Inlet area, and in the South Australian Lake Alexandrina / Lake Albert / Coorong area.

While the Explorer 16 comfortably sleeps two adults, overnight cruising is made more comfortable by use of a boom tent, which allows gear to be stowed in the cockpit overnight, or children to sleep on air mattresses under the tent, sheltered from any rain. Boom tents range from a basic tarp over the boom, which also doubles as a sunshade on river cruises, to more elaborate custom made tents with battens or flexible poles to increase the useable volume and provide greater protection from rain.

 

Cooking can be done in the cabin or cockpit using methylated spirit or gas canister stoves, taking care to ensure adequate ventilation. Larger bottled gas stoves can be used in the cockpit or ashore, with suitable wind screens. Collapsible deck chairs and portable tables make for greater comfort when cooking and dining in the cockpit or ashore. Enjoyable meals can be cooked and eaten aboard, or preferably in company ashore around the camp fire, where camp ovens turn out veritable feasts on extended cruises, including roasts and damper. Fire safety is paramount and fires are only lit in accordance with fire regulations, with combustible material cleared and a fire bucket at hand. Wood supplies are carried on board for short cruises, and only fallen timber is burnt; no standing timber. All campfires are thoroughly extinguished with water before breaking camp, the campfire site tidied and any non-burnable waste or litter removed for responsible disposal. Leave minimal trace for others who follow.

 

The Association encourages responsible disposal of human waste. Portable toilets are carried aboard and emptied at designated sanitary disposal stations, but self composting toilets are now available at many cruising ground campsites. If cruising through remote bushland, a shovel is taken to bury waste well away from the shore or waterways. Solar showers can warm in the sun during the day, or be filled from a heated billy, allowing a quick wash. Preferably showering and disposal of dish washup water should occur away from the shore or waterways, to minimise soap and detergent pollution. 

Storage space is somewhat limited aboard an Explorer 16 due to the foam filled buoyancy tanks, so packing efficiently is a necessity, using plastic storage boxes that can be stored on the berths during the day, and in the cockpit overnight. Drinking and cooking water is carried in multiple water containers distributed around the boat. On longer cruises, spare fuel is carried in fuel containers under the cockpit seats or lashed to the pulpit, never in the cabin. Refueling of outboard tanks is done ashore, never aboard, and fire safety is paramount with no smoking, close attention to any onboard fuel leaks, and fire extinguishers and safety blankets readily on hand.

Solar cells and outboard alternators help maintain charge on a battery that powers LED lighting as well as the radio and  other electronics used while cruising. USB charging points maintain mobile phone and other hand held electronics.

The shallow draft of the Explorer 16 with the swing keel raised allows it to be backed close to the shore, and a boarding plank tied to the transom step often allows easy transfer ashore without wet feet. Sometimes it is possible to nose bow-in to a river bank for easy access. The absence of an inbuilt keel also allows the Explorer 16 to dry out comfortably on tidal flats, when overnighting in cruising grounds with large tidal range such as Westernport. Just make sure that the next high tide will float you off!

Cruising in an Explorer 16 opens up recreational opportunities complementary to day sailing and racing, and has proven very popular with families with young children and even pets. It encourages relaxed motoring and sailing, exploring the backwaters and tidal reaches often inaccessible to larger trailer sailers or yachts. 

 

Planning a cruise around a suitable weather forecast will promote greater enjoyment and the likelihood of enthusiastic participation in future cruises by partners and children alike. Conservative plans for distance travelled, conservative sailing, and frequent stops for shore breaks and walks, increase the general enjoyment of the whole outdoor experience and will maintain interest. Involve them with crewing and supervised helming when conditions suit and they are comfortable, and in the camp and meal preparation, and it will be an enjoyable experience for all.  Wildlife observation, photography, sketching and painting, contemplative reading, quiet chatter with friends, shared meals and happy hour drinks, laughter and music around the campfire, watching spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Slow down, relax and enjoy. All part of the Explorer 16 cruising experience.