Club Whittley Victoria

With boat ownership on the rise, boat owners are increasingly turning to clubs to get the most out of their boats, according to Terry Delaforce, vice president of Club Whittley Victoria.

The club has a long history on the boating scene, originating out of the Victorian Family Motor Cruising Club (VFMCC), which has been around for more than 40 years.

Terry, whose own history with boats stretches back more than 30 years, said the club offered an environment in which everyone looked out for one another when they're on the water.

"We are a very family-oriented club," he says. "We cater for other members as much as we can. Ninety per cent of what we do is all about socialising.

"We've had some terrific trips over the years. The beauty is that we can go anywhere, which is a real advantage of the trailerboat."

The club's origins with the VFMCC means that people with any trailerable cruiser can join, not just Whittley owners.

Terry says the club, officially known as the Victorian Family Motor Cruising Club and Club Whittley Victoria, is an ideal place for new boat owners to learn the sea-going ropes.

"It is a great place for people to learn the kind of things they need to have aboard their boat," he says. "Many people don't realise even the simple things they need when they are out on the water.

"We once had a new member roll up to the club without even any ropes aboard."

The club, which has about 40 members and has been running for 42 years, is hosting the bi-annual regatta for Whittley clubs across the country.

The regatta will see about 70 boats converge on the Gippsland Lakes over the Easter weekend, and Terry says it is a good opportunity for other clubs to see how they cruise.

TrailerBoat joined Club Whittley Victoria during one of the club's recent overnight trips along Lake Eildon.

About 11 craft, including Whittley Cruiser 660s, Cruisemaster 700s and 2300s, met at Jerusalem Creek before travelling line astern at 20kt to Woolshed Inlet where, after anchoring, the social nature of the club came to the fore.

Children and adults took to the water in dinghies and snorkels, while others lounged about on their boats enjoying each other's company. Some opted to throw a line in, while others chose to spend some of the afternoon whipping about the lake on a ski biscuit and knee board.

As Terry's son, Steve, puts it, such club cruises provide a sense of freedom and the opportunity to enjoy different surroundings on a regular basis.

Club Whittley Victoria meets on the first Tuesday of every month.

Its committee is made up of a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, an editor for its club newsletter, and two committee members. Terry said the club was not 'about making money', but a $120 annual fee and $60 joining fee applies.

As for the future of the club, he hopes to see it expand its horizons.

"I would like to try to have at least a yearly cruise somewhere further away," he said. "Somewhere like the Hawkesbury or the Whitsunday Islands would be great."

For information about joining, visit www.whittley.com.au/club_vic/index.htm