Charter in Whitsundays after Debbie

[willpep]

We are looking for a view of the feasibility of chartering in the Whitsundays after Cyclone Debbie during the first week in June. Any local insights or opinions appreciated. Hope all is going well after this recent devastation. - Will

[downunder]

Originally Posted by willpep

We are looking for a view of the feasibility of chartering in the Whitsundays after Cyclone Debbie during the first week in June. Any local insights or opinions appreciated. Hope all is going well after this recent devastation. - Will

By June will be no issues to be concerned by apart from bare trees in some areas. May not be as many vessels available as pre Debbie.

Some of the charter companies be back on deck with some of their vessels for Easter.

Cheers

[JPA Cate]

Or, fly to New Caledonia, charter there. Large charter fleet, no cyclone aftermath, French wines and cheeses, superb, but limited veg and fruit.

Ann

[clownfishsydney]

We intend to be in Whitsundays in late June or early July for a month, so as mentioned, I expect most things to be back to normal, at least as far as we are concerned. Only problem would be if the yacht you have chartered has been damaged or destroyed by the cyclone and they do not have an alternative for you.

[MarkJ]

Chartering at this time in the Whitsundays is the best possible way to help them get back on their feet.

They need your money now like never before.

Often people stay away from devastated areas excavating the disaster.

Go , and I am sure they will be appreciative.

[Mirage Gecko]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Chartering at this time in the Whitsundays is the best possible way to help them get back on their feet.

They need your money now like never before.

Often people stay away from devastated areas excavating the disaster.

Go , and I am sure they will be appreciative.

X2

[RaymondR]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Chartering at this time in the Whitsundays is the best possible way to help them get back on their feet.

They need your money now like never before.

Often people stay away from devastated areas excavating the disaster.

Go , and I am sure they will be appreciative.

How do you "excavate" a disaster, had a fair few in my day and not yet managed to "excavate" one.

(Sorry mate, couldn't help myself)

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by RaymondR

How do you "excavate" a disaster, had a fair few in my day and not yet managed to "excavate" one.

(Sorry mate, couldn't help myself)

😂😂😂

It was meant to be 'exacerbating' a disaster but damn phone spell checkers are ducked.

[FlyTheCoop]

Fuel, water and power is now restored at Abell Point Marina. The Whitsundays is a magic spot and the local businesses need your support now more than ever[emoji106]

[Hickers]

We're heading out to the islands next week, few beaches have had the sand rearranged but all the islands are still there.
Marinas all up and running and Sorrentos reopened last night, happy days!!

[PaulinOz]

Whitsunday Escape is one of the larger charter companies in the area, they look after my vessel as well as 36 others, two days after TC Debbie struck they posted

31/3/17 "5 boats out today, these customers were stuck in accommodation with no water or power but a bareboat is totally self contained with gas hot water and cooker, fresh water in the tanks and toilets that flush!"

This was their Face Book post yesterday.

7/4/17" Woohoo! We are in full swing for the Easter holidays with almost every boat booked out! The water is a beautiful temperature and we're looking forward to some lovely weather as we enter one of the most perfect cruising seasons of the year."

The absolute best way to help this very special region of Australia recover is not to stay away or go to some foreign cruising destination, but head up to the Whitsunday's and spend some money on anything local.

MarkJ hit the nail on the haed "Chartering at this time in the Whitsundays is the best possible way to help them get back on their feet. They need your money now like never before."

The area is full of companies and people totally dedicated to promoting the maximum enjoyment of this awesome cruising area, the only thing they need from you the cruisers, racers or charterers to work their magic, is for you to keep on turning up.

Hill Inlet at the north end of Whitehaven Beach still looks as beautiful as ever! Photo thanks to ranger Meaghan who has been busy fixing up the walking track up there.

[44'cruisingcat]

Hill inlet is our favourite spot. Hope it hasn't been too badly damaged. The photo is encouraging.

[Lukim Yu]

Just like our friends PaulinOz, Our charter boat (in our case a Lagoon 380) does not have a scratch on her. (Very lucky)
Bookings are really strong as this is the perfect time of year. So while the rebuilding occurs on land, just as PauinOz said, a beautiful self contained yacht is just the ticket. Those who venture up there now will no doubt have many of the beautiful anchorages largely to them selves.

[knockabout]

sunsail lost 32 of their 34 boats but are regrouping / use your phone most charter companies will put you on to a vessel that suits you in the time frame you have in mind / we are in mackay marina we are waiting to take advantage of mackay's cruising week special / we have a week cruising without losing marina fees / we had 1 day pre-Debbie / no damage on our boat winds went to 70kts where we were / the power is still not on in this part of the marina yet / it's not really a problem for us it's the first time we have been hooked up to shore power for years / the marina dwellers are spoilt similar to resort living / good luck with your charter adventures

[Lukim Yu]

I think the number was closer to 3 vessels lost Between Whitsunday Rent a Yacht/Sunsail Whitsunday. I'd have to check with Sedron Hooper, General Manager of Whitsunday Rent a Yacht/Sunsail Whitsunday. (Our yacht is managed by them.) When Sedron called me last week I'm sure he said 3 yachts were lost. Still, not a good number.

It would appear that the biggest delay for customers right now is the infrastructure repairs on the mainland. Let's hope all of Airie Breach and the Whitsunday's can get back on their feet as soon as possible.