CYGNET 20 HUNTER RIVER RAID - STOCKTON TO MORPETH 13 & 14 JULY 2019

My Hunter River interest had been dormant for as long as I can remember until I did my first raid down the Hawkesbury.  Now I am fascinated by every river, and rivers in general, and the more I hear about other people’s knowledge and interest of rivers further intrigues me.  They are such a rich source of adventure, history and beauty, as well how we Europeans settled this vast country.

The next river I thought best to raid was our local Hunter River which after doing some research and talking to other locals extends approximately 300km!   Can you believe it?  I had no idea.  It starts from the Barrington Tops and is dammed at Lake Glenbawn then travels through Aberdeen, Muswellbrook, Singleton, Maitland, Morpeth, Raymond Terrace, Hexham, Stockton then Newcastle!  This was going to take more than a long weekend to explore! 

My idea was to raid sail/oar from Stockton to Morpeth as the first leg of raiding the Hunter which is a distance of 25nm.  We had started to explore the river at Muswellbrook after my son had a soccer game there.  It was difficult to check out the river as it was little more than a stream set far away with vegetation covered in lantana and vines.  The river banks were high though for when it floods occasionally.

There is no way I can raid the Cygnet up to Muswellbrook but maybe Singleton?  No one seems to know so we’ll just have to explore for ourselves.  We checked out the river driving back home at Muswellbrook, Singleton, Maitland, Morpeth which was great because this added to the intrigue and anticipation as well we all had a mission to accomplish.

We set the date Saturday, 13th and Sunday, 14th July as this was mid school holidays and no soccer game!  Leading up to the weekend strong winds were forecast and there was a tragedy off Stockton whereby a catamaran had flipped and 3 people lost their lives.  A sobering thought to the dangers we take for granted!

Being local was easy to organise and only a 30 minute drive from the factory.  I’ll get the boat ready, me and Will Hardcastle will drive the Cygnet to Stockton, and Corinne would drop off the kids with food supplies 10.00am.  We launched Cygnet and had everything loaded by 10.30am, however, the wind was gusting 30+ knots and no one was out.  I couldn’t even get James, my 2IC to come out of his house to see us off, and he only lived around the corner!  Are they still going was the message we received.

Of course!  Just another test for our mighty Cygnet as well more practise for crew in strong winds!  We reversed off the wharf because I did not want to get blown onto the boat ramp.  An exciting start to our Hunter River Raid.

Sailing NW seemed strange because you cannot do this trip in a large yacht due to bridges and depth restrictions.  Great! Exploring new waterways seemed surreal going where you have never considered before. 

We had timed our trip starting at low tide to take advantage of the current.  Sailing for 75 minutes with a reefed main until we run aground!  Lifting the centreboard and rudder to get out of the mud left us being blown onto a lee shore in 30+ knots! (No problems in flat water).   A bit exciting so we dropped the sail and used our trusty 4 hp outboard to steer us head into the wind and back into deep water. 

We let the keel down to 1m depth to give us steerage, we motored for the next 1.5 hours to Hexham Bridge with the wind directly on the nose.  No problems with the tide gave us an extra push!  Coming up to Hexham Bridge was the first chance to test our gaff rig lowering. 

It went like clockwork, so easy we did not even slow down and up went the rig and sails for the next 1.5 hours until we reached Raymond Terrace.  Sailing was very satisfying doing this leg as we had to beat into the wind until we could make it around the river bend then reaching conditions until Raymond Terrace.   We decided to make a 30 minute pitt stop at Raymond Terrace whereby I could fill up my 5 lt fuel container, ice cream, toilet break and ale at the local pub across the road.  Very enjoyable!

We motored for the next 30 minutes until we had to drop the mast at our next bridge. From here we sailed for 30 minutes then motored 1.25 hours to Morpeth. 

We achieved what we set out in very strong conditions 30-35 knots but fine, sunny conditions so it was still pleasurable.  That night we enjoyed a 3 course dinner at the local Woodfire Pizza Restaurant with a few more ales.  We were all very pleased with our efforts and felt a sense of accomplishment.

Morpeth is such a lovely, little historical village with such character.  Its claim to fame is Arnott’s Biscuits original bakery 1847 and bustling river port in colonial times.  The night was still not over as the kids organised movies until 10.30pm.  Is there anything you cannot do on a Cygnet?

Next morning breakfast, coffee and toilet break.  Kids still asleep and we set sail 9.00 am. Winds were still gusting 20 knots even though weather report forecast maximum 17 knots.  In fact, Sunday was as strong as Saturday 30+ knots in the end.

We sailed all the way from Morpeth to Stockton dropping the mast twice and used the outgoing tide to propel us even faster.  Coming up to the first bridge dropping the mast was now slick like.  A well drilled pit crew, and back up sailing within minutes – so much fun!

This was a very different raid from our first Hawkesbury Raid as we did not get a chance to row due to strong wind conditions, however, just as satisfying feeling of adventure.

Our next raid will start at Morpeth and travel up the Hunter River may be to Singleton? Who knows? That is the adventure of it!

David Bradburn

Managing Director

Bluewater Cruising Yachts