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Pitwater General Information

General Info

Pittwater, Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River are popular spots for weekend and week long charters on yachts, sailing catamarans, motor cruisers and houseboats as it is a 40 minute drive from Sydney. You can also hire a sea kayak or take a guided day or overnight tour of Pittwater and Cowan Creek.

Sailing is excellent if not a little fluky in Pittwater and Broken Bay but on the Hawkesbury River and its tributaries the winds are not consistent and the bridges limit access. Yachts are between 24ft (7.3m) and 43ft (13.1m) and motor cruisers 30-36ft (9.1-11m).

Included

Full equipped kitchen, linen, towels, bedding, dinghy with oars.

Extras

Food, fuel for motor cruisers, dinghy motor, skipper for half or full day, late fee, cleaning fee if craft is returned in unreasonable or untidy condition.

Insurance

The boats are comprehensively insured but a security bond is payable on arrival and refundable, less deductions for minor loss and damage within 7 days of completion of charter.

Overseas charterers should arrange travel insurance cover before leaving their home country.

Duration

All boats may be rented for a half day or longer. Renting during the week is cheaper than on weekends. Daily rates are from 9.00am to 4.00 - 4.30pm. Weekend rates are from 4.00pm Friday evening to Sunday 4.00pm.

Experience

Some sailing knowledge required on yachts. No experience required for most houseboats and motor cruisers.

Most motor cruisers do not exceed 10 knots on Pittwater so no licence is required. Motor cruisers which exceed 10 knots require a licence from the NSW Waterways Authority. The multiple choice test and licence takes about 20 - 30 minutes. Bookings should be made the day before. Test centres are at Kent Street in the city, Blacktown, Hornsby, Miranda, Pittwater and Rozelle Bay. A study book is available free from the Waterways Authority

The hirer must be over 21.

Charter Briefing

Prior to taking the yacht you will be given a one hour briefing. If you are then considered to not have sufficient experience you will have the option of hiring a skipper or forfeiting any money paid.

Cruising Area

Charter boats are not allowed to tie up at a wharf but you can pull alongside a floating pontoon.

Yachts are allowed to go from Pittwater to the rail bridge at Brooklyn. Houseboats are not allowed to go from the Hawkesbury River into Pittwater but are allowed to go as far as Wisemans Ferry

Terms

A deposit must be paid to secure the booking. The balance is required 21/30 days prior to boarding.

If cancelled a full refund less booking fee if notice is given no less than 21 days prior to departure. Those received in less than 21/30 days will receive the refund only if the craft is rebooked

Seasons

Low Season - May to mid September
Mid Season - Mid September to December 19 & February to April
High Season - December 20 - January 31, Easter and October long weekend

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