HOW DO I GET THERE?
Plane, Car, Coach or Rail.
BY AIR:
Closest international airports: Cairns (approx. 600 klms) Brisbane (approx. 1,100 klms)
Domestic airports: Proserpine or Hamilton Island * Mackay (2 hours transfer by road)
Proserpine Airport: Transfer approx. 45 minutes. Taxis are available for hire at the airport or WRAY can arrange a Shuttle Service to our private jetty in Shute Harbour for a minimal cost.
Hamilton Island Airport: By prior arrangement your clients boat can be delivered to Hamilton Island for a small charge enabling charterers to commence their holiday without delay. (N.B. For Hamilton Island pick up all monies must be pre paid) Client may transfer to our base at Shute Harbour if they prefer.
Mackay Airport: *Transfer approx. 2 hours. Approx. 150 kls from Shute Harbour. Transfer by Hire car or Whitsunday Transit coach
BY CAR:
Proceed through Airlie Beach to Shute Harbour. At the Shell Garage and car-parking complex take the next road on the left and continue up the hill until you see the Trinity Marine sign. There is no car parking available at the jetty. We do however offer a valet secure car parking service at a small cost.
LATE ARRIVALS
As charterers are required to be safely anchored by 4pm, any arrival after 12 noon may be required to spend the first night anchored in Shute Harbour/ or return with the briefer from Hamilton Island Marina to Shute Harbour, due to briefings taking approximately 2-3 hours.
VESSEL PICKUP AND DELIVERY SERVICE?
If you are arriving or departing from Hamilton Island, we can arrange to deliver or collect
your vessel from there.
HOW MANY DAYS SHOULD WE CHARTER FOR?
Although our minimum charter period is 5 nights, the general response after charter
is “we’ll be back but for a longer period”. So 7 to 10 nights are advisable to enable the holidaymaker to really have time to relax
and experience
the island magic.
WHAT TIME DOES OUR CHARTER COMMENCE AT SHUTE HARBOUR?
You are advised to be at the office in Shute
Harbour by 1130am for completion of paperwork. Group area briefings commence at 12.00. Earlier or later briefings may be
available on
request. Under normal circumstances, you will be able to leave Shute Harbour in time to go to your first overnight anchorage.
WHAT DO WE NEED TO BRING?
The vessels come complete with everything required for a floating holiday. You are advised to bring light
casual clothing and personal effects packed in a flexible bag for stowing. Even on the island resorts the dress code is neat but
casual. A light track
suit may be come in handy at night during the winter months.
HOW DO WE PROVISION OUR BOAT?
Food and beverage are not included in the charter fee so we highly recommend our provisioning
packages due to their top value and high standard of produce. As our base is 10.15 kms from the nearest supermarket centre, shopping
will cause
delays-in your departure.
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE RUN OUT OF FOOD?
Reordering provisions can be organised via the radio on board. We can arrange delivery to
a mutually agreeable location. For longer duration charters, a mid charter turnaround back at our base, for refuelling, fresh linen
etc. is
recommended and re provisioning can be collected.
IS BAREBOATING SAFE?
The Whitsunday region is known as the safest boating playgrounds in the world. It is sheltered from the swells
of
the Pacific by the Great Barrier Reef and the Passage is further protected by the 74 islands of the Whitsundays. The islands offer
many protected
overnight anchorages. We also have two scheduled radio calls per day, at 800am to establish your plans for the day and then at
400pm to
confirm that you are safely anchored for the night. Clients may contact us through out the day by radio. Whitsunday Rent a Yacht have
sea phones on
board for
your convenience!
IS IT SAFE FOR CHILDREN?
Many of our charter groups consist of families with small children as it is a great family holiday for
people of
all ages. However the regulation life jackets do not cater for babies and small children and we recommend that you consider your own
requirements in this regard.
DO I NEED A LICENCE?
No formal qualification or great skills are required to hire a bareboat. If you can drive a car, with
practical common sense you should be able to operate our motor cruiser
SAILING EXPERIENCE DO I NEED?
If you can handle a windsurfer or sailing dinghy you should be able to confidently
sail our yachts as the principals of sailing are the same. With our “easy to follow” briefing techniques and “easy to handle”
rigging on our
vessels, your cruise guide, will “show you the ropes” and give you the confidence to go sailing in practically no time at all.
Whether you’re
chartering a motor cruiser or yacht, the most important ingredient is boat handling common sense.
DO I HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE?
No navigation experience is required due to the proximity of the islands, they are very close
together and easily within sight.
HOW DO YOU PREPARE US FOR THE TRIP?
We begin the charterer’s preparation before they leave home. The “Pre charter prep kit”
consisting of our briefing manual and video is forwarded approximately 60 days prior to charter. On arrival at our offices an “Area
Briefing” is
conducted, followed by an “on board briefing” culminating in a “hands on sail familiarisation” in the harbour to ensure that the
charterers are
totally conversant and comfortable with the handling of the vessel.
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE GET INTO TROUBLE?
Help is only a radio call away. So your first action is to radio our base for advice. Our
experienced staff will talk you through any circumstance. After 19 years experience it is unlikely that we will come across
something that we
can’t handle or has not been experienced previously. Water taxis, helicopters and sea planes are also readily available for
emergencies.
WHAT ABOUT THE WEATHER?
We are situated 400 kms north of the Tropic of Capricorn. The weather is tropical and pleasant virtually
all year round. From May to September the islands are fanned by the SE wade winds whilst the balance of the season have Northerly
winds with
calm periods. The 24 hour temperatures range around 25°C to
30°C in January and
17°C to
23°C in July whilst the sea temperatures
are in the
region of 27°C in January and
22°C in July.
CAN WE VISIT THE ISLAND RESORTS IN THE WHITSUNDAYS?
Charterers are welcome to use the facilities of the island
resorts and to join in the fin. Mooring fees vary and range from approximately $30 overnight per vessel. An updated guide to
facilities and costs
is provided on each vessel.
WHAT ABOUT STINGERS AND SHARKS?
In the history of the company we have not had a shark attack. It is fair to say that precautions
should be taken against the jelly fish stings in season, they breed in the creeks on the mainland and tend to stay on the coast.
