Michaels Idea of the Private Boats at Echuca

[paddlesteamerman1]

Michael has come up with a brilliant idea: Go on a weekend trip with all the private boats from around Echuca... I think it is a great idea if we could organise it... further info on forum GETTING ALL THE BOATS TOGETHER..

Cheers,
James

[michael]

The only problem is half the boat owners have a stick up themselves and don't want to participate in anything. It was good when Etona was going cos everyone would go then. The Port's boats did them aswell before Frank Ryan came along and stuffed it all up.
I was thinkning maybe the Labour day weekend, but thats the Steam Rally weekend, next year its the 2007 trip, so we'll see what happens.
I don't know if the port would let  a steamer go for the weekend, A.A? Sean knows the in's and out's of it's engines!
Emmylou could run a 2night cruise to Barmah to participate.
Ranger, Billy Tea would definentyly go, James Maiden wouldn't need to much persuing, Perricotta and Adventurous, well I don't know there. I won't even mention Hero!
Could leave Friday night- Goulburn Junction.
Saturday- Barmah campfire on the bank or dinner at the pub,
Sunday- cruise back to Echuca (Ranger did Barmah lakes to Echuca in 5hrs).

[thewharfonline]

I'm not a qualified steam engineer though...they require a qualified one to take a port boat out I believe. But if it was going I don't mind operating the A.A's engine. As I'm still small too it's not that cramped for me yet either!

However I dunno if the Port would release a boat yet. I can picture Emmylou going and taking tourists even. Of course the small boats, should we be watching out for James Maiden...big insurance costs maybe, or we could settle anything over a drink!

Maybe if my boat was ready someone could half tow me and I could half paddle her along!

[paddlesteamerman1]

I really dont think the Port would let a boat go anywhere bar their one hour trips, i think it is fairly stringent there!!! And maybe if we can coax a couple of boats to go maybe some will follow suit?? I dont really know, dont know a heap of people on the boats yet! But hopefully there is a prominent boat that goes and the rest do follow suit!! Not sure!!