My main ramp facility is now the "Townsville Recreational Boating park" (TRBP) ,
I also call it the "Ross River Recreational boat park" (RRRBP), simply its the Ross River ramp. It's an enormous facility costing over $25 million
It provides access to Magnetic Island, off Townsville, North Queensland.
It's pro's are. It has 16 ramp lanes on 4 center-line floating pontoon ramps. Hundreds of tar-sealed marked trailer parking spaces with traffic islands etc. On an average day a bout 5 people use it (1% capacity) on a huge public holiday it might be about 50% capacity. So it's a low stress environment for a TS launching, with plenty of space and time. It's an all-tidal place. There are toilets, street lighting and security cameras. also a separate floating dock with a swing bridge for loading unloading crew and supplies etc. (it's size future proofs it for remainder of the century
![Smile :-)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
) There is a calm anchorage in the River for over-nighting. The other good thing is the River entrance location allows for an upwind starting advantage to set course and sail to Horseshoe bay on Magnetic Island without tacking (takes 2 hours)
It's cons are: Its a " mast down" place to launch, because there is now a lowly clearance bridge (6m, Port of Tsv) half-blocking the river entrance and exit to the sea. Truckies and residents love it, (and the fringe-dwelling yachting fraternity can get stuffed.) The anchoring and mooring area is now for motor-cruisers and converted small cruising trawlers (but a TS can squeeze in, mozzie net and coils required, don't get too close to mangrove forest on river bank) After clearing the bridge I anchor at a convenient sandbar/cay to rig up the mast and sails. The river entrance is often exposed to prevailing E to SE trade winds, which make the port's rockwall a dangerous lee shore. Also out-flowing tide against wind conditions can stand the waves up uncomfortably. These reasons are why almost no TS other than
Teria use it.
(They prefer the Coast guard twin ramps (8 lanes) in Ross creek, it's car park and ramps are often packed, but the entrance to that ramp is the main Shipping port channel 12m deep with breakwalls etc, so its far more amenable exit/entrance, just got to dodge allot more vessels of all sizes too. Another post required)
Here is a recent post from my blog with some photos of the facility
http://teria563.blogspot.com/2020/10/ma ... demic.html
The pontoon pylons are pretty high, that's what the designers hope a cyclones storm surge level won't exceed...
Cheers