….The extent of sea touring in Queensland, to my knowledge, is an active interest in the Moreton Bay area and Whitsunday Island Group. I know only of ourselves – myself, father and sister – and friends who are actively participating in sea touring in kayaks. I know surf lifesavers have paddled different stretches of the coastline in surf skis. Most likely, there area local groups and individuals who engage in short paddling trips.

In all our 14 years of experience in sea touring, we have extensively paddled in all weathers typical to Queensland (i.e., cyclones, gusty SE-NE winds, to moderate conditions). The Moreton Bay Region is our paddling home ground. The Bay by its landfall is varied, causing tidal rips, built up seas in mid-Bay, waves breaking in estuaries, calmer protected waters in the southern part; these conditions are typical of the type we encounter when paddling the Bay. Also, the north and south coast surf beaches provide experience in working bars and beach breaks. The Bay provides good experience and knowledge of changeable weather and sea conditions. Thus trips around the Bay and near coastlines are training exercises for more ambitious hikes north along the coast of Queensland and south along the NSW coast.
Five types of boats have been used by us in the Bay. The particular use of a boat is governed by the number of miles expected to cover per day, how many in the party, the total expected days sea touring, and the degree of experience and skill of the paddler. The following description of boats is ranked in order from a good general purpose boat for day trips and or for beginners, to gradually progressing to boats of extra carrying capacity of provisions for trip of longer duration.

(1) 14 ft
(2) 15 ft 6”
(3) 18 ft (2 man)
(4) 17 ft 6”
All built in fibreglass/moulded veneer
(5) 22 ft – built in moulded veneer..
      Each design of boat carefully considers its purpose and use in typical waters along the QLD-NSW coast. I consider the purpose and use to be a primary important principle when I design and build sea tourers.

      That is, for the QLD coast hike, a boat with greater carrying capacity of provisions is necessary because of the numerous isolated parts along the coast, whereas for the NSW coast, a boat with a relatively less carrying capacity is adequate since provisions can be more easily assured of, obtained or bought.

      In 1971 and 1977 I completed trips from Brisbane to Rockhaven (Port Alma) and from Brisbane to Notch Point, Mackay, respectively. My father last year paddled with me to Mackay. Each of us designed and built our boats to cater for our particular wants and needs. These boats were designed to have a carrying capacity of 11 gallons of water maximum and maximum 150 pounds of provisions (as opposed to carrying capacity of maximum 4 gallons of water – 150 lb of provisions for those boats which were paddled from Brisbane – Sydney recently). On both trips, June and May were respectively the months in which the trips began. The prevailing conditions are the most favourable at that time of year for a hike north.

      ………….Some problems encountered on long trips are sunburn and fatigue. To overcome sunburn, Ned Kelly type masks, wide brim hats are worn to protect the head and Steptoe type mittens are worn to protect the back of the hands. The seats of the boats are custom made and well padded with closed cell foam. Wherever possible, comfort is built into the bat to save tired\ness……..