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DIY Catamaran from Bribie Island to Cleveland

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Created by gibbo000001 3 months ago, 15 Sep 2025
gibbo000001
73 posts
15 Sep 2025 4:40PM
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As the title suggests. I'm looking at getting two paddleboards together and putting something decent between them to sit on and sail from Bribie Island to Cleveland. Make a makeshift sail with some pvp pipe.

Would it be possible to travel that distance in a whole day in a decent northerly?

Is this a practical goal? is this allowed without a boat licence?

thanks in advance.

garymalmgren
1343 posts
15 Sep 2025 7:24PM
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No problem, Peel island is in the middle and if you get stranded just call rescue . They will be oh so happy to come out and help.

This is my experience from when I was younger and adventurous (read stupid)
Ken and I thought it would be a great fun to sail our 14 foot Windrush over to Rottnest island.
That is 12 miles (19 kilo) off shore of Perth.
The Fremantle Doctor is a westerly that would (theoretically ) bring us home.
Off we went.
Left Freo nice and early.
Got to Rotto, had a couple of beers at the pub and a pie and headed off home.
The wind did NOT appear. so we drifted northward.
We waved frantically at the cruisers who were heading home from Rotto and they happily waved back.
No paddles. No food. NO WATER.
It was hot and we were wearing wet suits!!!!!
Drifted up to City Beach.
Dragged the boat up into the dunes and wandered around looking for a phone booth.
A friend eventually found us around 12 PM.
Went to work the next day and that night drove up to pick up the cat.
Moral is , "You cannot rely on the Wind".

Gary

PS. Post photos.

gibbo000001
73 posts
15 Sep 2025 8:06PM
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Select to expand quote
garymalmgren said..
No problem, Peel island is in the middle and if you get stranded just call rescue . They will be oh so happy to come out and help.

This is my experience from when I was younger and adventurous (read stupid)
Ken and I thought it would be a great fun to sail our 14 foot Windrush over to Rottnest island.
That is 12 miles (19 kilo) off shore of Perth.
The Fremantle Doctor is a westerly that would (theoretically ) bring us home.
Off we went.
Left Freo nice and early.
Got to Rotto, had a couple of beers at the pub and a pie and headed off home.
The wind did NOT appear. so we drifted northward.
We waved frantically at the cruisers who were heading home from Rotto and they happily waved back.
No paddles. No food. NO WATER.
It was hot and we were wearing wet suits!!!!!
Drifted up to City Beach.
Dragged the boat up into the dunes and wandered around looking for a phone booth.
A friend eventually found us around 12 PM.
Went to work the next day and that night drove up to pick up the cat.
Moral is , "You cannot rely on the Wind".

Gary

PS. Post photos.


So you're saying sticking to the river systems is best. what's the go with sharks and catamarans. Like the hobie cats and that where the sailors are dangling off the side. Do sharks ever attack or are the boats too big and don't bother?

shaggybaxter
QLD, 2634 posts
16 Sep 2025 5:45AM
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Bribie to Cleveland is about 25nm, so at 2 kn you're up for 12 odd hours. Make sure you launch on the ebb tide. Any Northerly won't last long and prevailing winds are SE, so tuck in behind Mud and Green for a break.
Do take an EPIRB, or at least ring Shorncliffe VMR before you head off. Take something hi-vis that floats, give us a sporting chance to come find you. I've participated in searches in the bay, it's 1,300 square miles and really, really hard to find a head.
Sharks are a part of the Bay. Why even ask?
As Gary said, post photos!

Perry500
NSW, 66 posts
22 Sep 2025 8:00PM
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Why don't you use a shower curtain for a sail also

gibbo000001
73 posts
23 Sep 2025 4:26AM
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Select to expand quote
shaggybaxter said..
Bribie to Cleveland is about 25nm, so at 2 kn you're up for 12 odd hours. Make sure you launch on the ebb tide. Any Northerly won't last long and prevailing winds are SE, so tuck in behind Mud and Green for a break.
Do take an EPIRB, or at least ring Shorncliffe VMR before you head off. Take something hi-vis that floats, give us a sporting chance to come find you. I've participated in searches in the bay, it's 1,300 square miles and really, really hard to find a head.
Sharks are a part of the Bay. Why even ask?
As Gary said, post photos!


Thanks yeah wasn't aware of the practicalities of it. Sticking to smaller runs now. Cheers



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