2016 Seagull Nationals at Nillagen

[Rob Ripley]

Loading Green Bean for the Nationals, AC860 (with a C100 prop) and AD48108 (with a 40+ leg/gearbox and C100 prop)

[Buzzook]

Well, the "semi-annual" Oz Seagull National Gathering has been held, and we achieved a record attendance, with 12 boats, nine of which were powered by Seagulls (the others being a safety boat, whose Evinrude broke down..!!; and a timber sedan cruiser of a member who needed to take it for a run and played 'mother hen' on our return run up the Clyde River from Bateman's Bay on the NSW south coast).

We had a couple of extras drop in on the lunch on Saturday, held at the Mariners Hotel in Batemans Bay, for a total of 22 pax sitting down to lunch.

This is better than the turnout at Goolwa the previous year, and beats into a cocked hat the 4 boats and 12 pax we had at the original 'annual gathering' back in 2013.

We had a Trivia Quiz at the 'formal dinner' on Saturday night - to which one was obliged to wear 'black tie' (any black tie would do), or the polo shirt embroidered with the event details.

We also held a raffle for a nice duffle bag, some coffee mugs and Calendars that I'd organised via Vistaprint, and raised AUS$130 for the Sea Mercy foundation which is currently doing excellent work with its volunteer yachties and doctors doing medical work and general 'post-Winston' recovery work among the outer islands of the Fiji archipelago.

The BBQ on Sunday lunch, held at the boatbuilding workshop of local member Sam (see photo on another post "BBQ" of Seagull landmark left out front so Members could find the place), was well attended and interesting to look at what Sam was restoring, from a Hartley Flareline half-cabin to a couple of ancient (and near terminal) copper-roved clinker workboats.

The Nelligen Big 4 Holiday Park was near new, if not cheap, but provided good quick access to the Clyde River, enabling us to go either up or down, so we did a run in each direction on consecutive days. The first day's run was approx. an hour and a half down river to Batemans Bay, where we tied up at the pontoon of one of the local houseboat hirers, a friend of our local contact, and the second day we went upstream for an hour.

We had only three failures: the gearbox on one members car; the alternator on another, and the aforementioned Evinrude on the safety boat.

No Seagull's 'failed to proceed'..!!

More pics to come....

[THCL500J8]

Glad a good time was had by all, and no seagulls were injured during the fun.
Sorry i missed it but work had to come first. Would have been nice to go back to the "Bay" again.

So where is the next one to be? perhaps somewhere closer for us northerners.

[notav8]

Sounds like a good event. I would love to participate one day.
Cheers

[Oyster 49]

Blimey, where has Buzzook been hiding?

[croweater]

"Blimey, where has Buzzook been hiding?"

He's been active over here 3rd Nationals and they just get better don't know where the next one will be try
not to miss it as its worth the effort it takes to attend. We were on the road five days to get there and return
home and will try to get to the next one.

There must be hundreds of photos taken beautiful location will post some soon.

John

[Rob Ripley]

9 Seagull powered boats after the 10 klm run to Batemans Bay. Most impressed that each participant was quite willing to suffer the salt and Jellfish laden waters, I guess just doing what Seagulls were designed for.

[croweater]

What a good weekend it was based at Nelligen a lovely location on the Clyde River we had perfect weather maybe a little warm for some.
Here's a few photos of the weekends activities.

Getting ready for Saturdays run to Batemans Bay.


Stephen D from SA in his little Featherweight powered dinghy.


Chris T from Qld and passengers from Qld & the ACT


Jim & Bruce forty plus powered dinghy.


Mike & Steve in Firefly Century 100 powered (I think) pretty combination.


Group shot across th front Mark in his 720, Graham & Karen traditional clinker and Sam in his canoe.


John & Jenny in Cindy-J pass Little Island.

[croweater]

A few more shots.


Graham & Karens lovely dingy is first run since restoration.


Batemans Bay Rob stowing gear in Green Bean


Batmans Bay


Batemans Bay
A big thankyou to Sam & Jenny who organised the moorings and the air conditioned bus that took us to the Pub for lunch.


John B in Cindy-J


The finish at Nelligen.


Nelligen finish

[croweater]

Can't stop now he's a few more.

Firefly back at Nelligen


Jim & bruce 40+ powered tender


Saturday Night Steampacket Hotel some of the group

Sunday

My bitza mostly Century 100 (our main Murray trip motor)


Stephen refuelling his 40+ said it suited his dinghy better the Featherweight used on Saturday.


Jim & Bruce 40+


Cindy-J back at Nelligen


Jessica Joyce back at Nelligen another excellent run.

[croweater]

One more batch.


A bbq lunch followed with Presentations at Sam's workshop that was full of wooden boats exeryone knew we were at the right
address when we spotted his 1972 WPC out front.


Sam's latest restoration project built in Tassie in 1936 Naval cadet style clinker, Gaff rigged, powered by a 30's Pilot.


Simplex inboard.


Pilot Inboard


1957-58 SJP.

An excellent Weekend a few that Jenny and I would like to thank.
Greg C for picking the site and rescuing our boat when the Mazda's gearbox cried enough.
Mark W its those little extras you do that made this the best Nationals so far.
Sam & Jenny for Saturdays mooring area then transport to the Hotel and Sunday's breakup lunch.
And everyone that turned up hope we can catch at the next Nationals.

John

[Buzzook]

Finally got around to writing upo the weekend here:

http://www.mediafire.com/download/br1c8 ... _issue.pdf

[THCL500J8]

Thanks Buzz,
For the story. its great to see another edition of "The Gull" I my have to pull my finger out, and get the big dory back in the water, and have a weekend off next march. after all 2017 is only in the next state.

Great story.

[croweater]

Well done Mark, we had better book a site for next year.

Anyone out there that is not a member of the OZ Seagull Owners Group send a PM to Buzzook its a good weekend even if you don't have a dinghy try and come there are always spare seats.

Heard a rumour Rob is planning to cut Green Bean up

John

[Buzzook]

Wot? Again?

If he keeps going at this rate, adding a few feet each year, he'll end up with a long, green 'Queen Mary'...!!!

Queen Bean???