BOAT SHOWS - Gippsland Lakes Boat Show

BOAT SHOWS - Gippsland Lakes Boat Show

Enjoy and participate in an action-packed boating weekend on the pristine Gippsland Lakes, Australia's largest inland waterway this weekend at the Gippsland Lakes Boat Show. 

Situated in Paynesville, the heart of the Lakes, 17km south of Bairnsdale with direct access to both Lake King and Lake Victoria, the Show will have something for everyone including the annual Boat Muster, yacht and powerboat racing, marine displays, and regional food and wine tasting.

Organisers are aiming the Gippsland Lakes Boat Muster to be the largest gathering of boats in Australia bringing together craft from all over the country to East Gippsland, locals regard as the boating capital of Victoria.

Once a major fishing and farming district, Paynesville is now the centre of thriving water-based tourism in the Eastern corner of Victoria. Its residents claim to have the highest per capita boat ownership in Australia with more 1000 boats registered for a population of less than 3000.

Beginning at 10am, hundreds of vessels ranging from traditional wooden gaffers to state-of-the-art yachts and cruisers will sail McMillan Strait between Raymond Island and Paynesville.

Participants will be issued with a map of the area, which can also be downloaded from www.gippslandports.vic.gov.au

Boats that have registered online will be eligible for a range of prizes, including:
* ZCG Scaler Best Dressed Boat – QLD airfares & accommodation package valued at $1000
* Captain’s Cove Best Dressed Crew - Two night’s accommodation in Captain’s Cove Resort
* Bull’s Cruiser’s Best Themed Boat - $250 of boat fuel

POWERBOAT RACING
This Saturday, powerboat racing returns to the Lakes for the first time in nearly 10 years.

These speed machines can travel up to 90mph (78kts), and according to organisers tend to perform better in a saline environment than they do in freshwater. Supported by the Australian and Victorian powerboat clubs, it is envisaged that this event will kick off a regular program of powerboat racing in this region.
The vantage point will be from the Fort King Boat Ramp. Entry to the viewing area is $7 per person, with Seniors and Under 16s free.

The race schedule includes:
* Riviera Cup — Open Unlimited Boats
* King & Heath Cup — Outboard Unlimited
* Scratch Race — 4.2 to 5.2 Autobarn
* Dwyer's Toyota Sprint — 1.6lt
* Mono Eastwood Sprint — 2lt Outboard
* Mono Cranes Sprint — 1800 Outboard
* Sprint — 25hp Outboard
* 12 Year Old Sprint — Formula Future

VICTORIAN YACHT CHAMPIONSHIPS
The State Trailable Yacht Championships will take place across the weekend with up to 60 boats vying for the title. Yachts will range from Hartley TS16 to high-tech sportsboats with large crews and even larger spinnakers.
The Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club will have up to 10 members competing.
Courses will be sailed in Lake Victoria and there will be windward and downwind legs.

Competitors can sign-up at the Yacht Club on the day to enter. All Skippers must be a member of a Yacht Club and hold a Yachting Australia Silver Card.

The best viewing areas for the race include Paynesville Esplanade, Raymond Island and Newlands Arm.

For more information on the Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club, visit http://www.sailglyc.com

MARINE EXPO
Lovers of all things boating are encouraged to attend the Gippsland Lakes Marine Expo to be held on the Paynesville Motor Cruiser Club lawns across the entire weekend. The event also provides visitors with great viewing points for the Boat Muster.

The expo will include sales of trailerable boats, marine accessories and fishing equipment, along with static and on-water displays of the latest boats, all with a spectacular view of the McMillan Straits. Visitors will also have the opportunity to sample local East Gippsland Produce as part of the Food and Wine Expo.

The Marine Expo run from 9am to 5pm each day. The Paynesville Motor Cruiser Club is located on Slip Bight Marine, Slip Rd, Paynesville.

Marine Expo Exhibitors include:
Transport Safety Victoria
New World Marine
Beacon Boat Sales
East Coast Plastics
Bulls Cruisers & Captains Cove
Boating Industry Association of Victoria
Seawind Cats
Nick Savva Anchor Winches
R Marine Jacksons VIC per Webster Marine
Ashworth Maritime
Paynesville Marine Electronics
King & Heath First National
Fisherman's Hut
Frecheville Heaney Boats
Newlands Arm Boat Shed
Dockside Boat Sales

FOOD AND WINE EXPO
The best of East Gippsland food and wine will be on display for visitors to taste a little of what the region has to offer.

Managed by the East Gippsland TAFE, the event highlights the unique range of products that the East Gippsland food bowl produces. With a temperate climate, products range from olives, cool climate and temperate wines, cheeses, organic vegetables and chocolates.

Exhibitors include:
Narkoojee Winery
Paynesville Pantry
Banksia Fine Foods
Bairnsdale Banquets (coffee)
EG TAFE

The event will run over the weekend on the Paynesville Motor Cruiser Club lawns.

Local wine and food stalls will be located adjacent to the Motor Cruiser Club for the duration of the weekend giving attendees a chance to sample and buy tasty produce from the region. Local restaurants and cafes will also be invited to set up shop to tempt visitors with their signature dish.
For more information, click on www.visitpaynesville.com.au

Photos: Boat Muster on-water action from the 2008 Gippsland Lakes Boat Show.