Start Loc: Brampton Island (20o 47.99'S, 149o 15.74'E)
Narrative: We have read that the Brampton Island Resort do not welcome visitors off boats, so we tried to call them on the VHF to see if there was a shop where we could buy some bread and milk. Getting no answer, we went ashore, pulled the dinghy up on the beach and walked into the resort area. It was deserted and looking run down. Our first impression was that it had gone the same way as the resort at Great Keppel. We only saw one bloke and we walked straight passed him, so if he was supposed to be caretaker/security he wasn't doing a good job. Some of the foreshore was washed away almost up to one set of bungalows, and the last date on the water sports board was 20 something January 2011. We surmised that maybe it had been evacuated and then damaged by Cyclone Yasi. It is easy to imagine them waiting for an insurance payout to fix it up and open again! We checked on the internet when we got back to the boat, and on the homepage it states that the resort is closed from 24th January for redevelopment. That being the case, there has not been much redevelopment done in the last seven months!
We had lunch back on the boat, then raised the anchor and left Brampton at 1:35pm. The winds were SE at 15kts and we sailed basically west on a broad reach at about 5.5kts boat speed. We also had a knot of favourable tide. Seas were roughly 1m and swell was about 0.5m. As we came up the west side of Ingot and Goldsmith Islands, we had three knots of tide with us. All in all it was a very pleasant sail and we arrived at our anchorage on the west side of Goldsmith Island at 3:45pm. The bottom is shale and drops off quite steeply, so it took us three attempts to get the anchor to hold.
The Smith Islands are actually the Sir James Smith Group and are "smith" themed. The group includes larger islands such as Goldsmith, Tinsmith, Locksmith, Silversmith, Ladysmith, Blacksmith and Anchorsmith Islands. The lessor islands are similarly themed with Hammer, Anvil, Bellows, Farrier, Ingot and Solder Islands, supported by Coppersmith and Forge Rocks.
End Loc: Goldsmith Island (20o 41.04'S, 149o 08.44'E)
Distance run: 12 nm (cumulative: 800nm)
Engine hours: 3 hr, 48 min (cumulative: 87 hr 05 min)
Wednesday 31 August 2011
Tuesday 30 August 2011
30th August, 2011
Start Loc: Refuge Bay, Scawfell Island (20o 51.65'S, 149o 35.89'E)
Narrative: We stayed in Refuge Bay yesterday. The trough moved off so the wind changed back to its usual S/SE, and we moved from the east to the western side of the bay to increase the shelter from the wind. We ran the engine for 1 hr 57 min for the move, to charge batteries and to heat water.
Today's plan was to head for Brampton and Carlisle Islands. Similar to St Bees and Keswick they are close together, although the passage between them is not navigable. At low tide, you can walk between the two islands on a sandbank.
We raised anchor at 8:55am and set sail. The wind was from just south of east at 20kts, so we ran west with no head sail and one reef in the main at 5.5 to 6kts. We also had about a knot of favourable tide. Seas and swell gave us waves of abut 2m.
About one mile west of Scawfell we saw whales ahead. It turned out to be a humpback and her calf, who was playing and jumping. We again got some photos and video, and continued on our way. About 4nm west of Scawfell we were joined by a small pod of dolphins. For the next 40 minutes or so they played alongside and at the bow, putting on a display of their agility and jumping abilities.
There was a fair bit of tidal disturbance as we came around the west tip of Brampton Island. We had a look at the area near the jetty on Brampton Island, but opted for the Mayport Bay, a little further north off Carlisle Island. After the kids had a swim and we had a bit of rain, we decided the swell was too great and we would be more protected back near the Brampton Island jetty, so we motored back and anchored there for the night.
The plan for the next couple of days is to continue north to look at the Smith Islands, Thomas Island and then Lindeman Island.
End Loc: Brampton Island (20o 47.99'S, 149o 15.74'E)
Distance run: 25 nm (cumulative: 788nm)
Engine hours: 3 hr, 00 min (cumulative: 83 hr 17 min)
Narrative: We stayed in Refuge Bay yesterday. The trough moved off so the wind changed back to its usual S/SE, and we moved from the east to the western side of the bay to increase the shelter from the wind. We ran the engine for 1 hr 57 min for the move, to charge batteries and to heat water.
Today's plan was to head for Brampton and Carlisle Islands. Similar to St Bees and Keswick they are close together, although the passage between them is not navigable. At low tide, you can walk between the two islands on a sandbank.
We raised anchor at 8:55am and set sail. The wind was from just south of east at 20kts, so we ran west with no head sail and one reef in the main at 5.5 to 6kts. We also had about a knot of favourable tide. Seas and swell gave us waves of abut 2m.
About one mile west of Scawfell we saw whales ahead. It turned out to be a humpback and her calf, who was playing and jumping. We again got some photos and video, and continued on our way. About 4nm west of Scawfell we were joined by a small pod of dolphins. For the next 40 minutes or so they played alongside and at the bow, putting on a display of their agility and jumping abilities.
There was a fair bit of tidal disturbance as we came around the west tip of Brampton Island. We had a look at the area near the jetty on Brampton Island, but opted for the Mayport Bay, a little further north off Carlisle Island. After the kids had a swim and we had a bit of rain, we decided the swell was too great and we would be more protected back near the Brampton Island jetty, so we motored back and anchored there for the night.
The plan for the next couple of days is to continue north to look at the Smith Islands, Thomas Island and then Lindeman Island.
End Loc: Brampton Island (20o 47.99'S, 149o 15.74'E)
Distance run: 25 nm (cumulative: 788nm)
Engine hours: 3 hr, 00 min (cumulative: 83 hr 17 min)
Sunday 28 August 2011
28th August, 2011
Start Loc: Keswick Island (20o 54.78'S, 149o 25.08'E)
Narrative: We spent yesterday off Keswick Island, and ran the engine for 23 minutes for hot water.
We decided that today we would move to Scawfell Island (about 10nm NE) and anchor in Refuge Bay. While the forecast was for SE to NE winds and Refuge Bay is exposed to NE weather, the forecast was also for 5 to 10kts, so we decided to chance it. We set off at 2:05pm in winds less than 5kts, so we motored the whole way with no sails up. Given the weather, the solar panels have not produced much over the last couple of days, so we needed to put some charge in the batteries anyway. With the lack of wind, the water was so smooth Heather was able to take a photo of her reflection in the water at the bow of the boat.
When we were about 2.5nm ENE of St Bees Island, Heather spotted a whale about half a mile off our starboard bow moving north. We maintained our course and ended up about 100m west of what turned out to be an adult humpback and her calf. We paralleled them for a while and got some reasonable photos and video footage, before letting them get ahead and continuing on our way.
As we came into Refuge Bay to anchor, we were amazed at the number of turtles we saw in a short amount of time. We were securely anchored by 4:30pm in plenty of water off the fringing reef, with the anchor in sand.
End Loc: Refuge Bay, Scawfell Island (20o 51.65'S, 149o 35.89'E)
Distance run: 13 nm (cumulative: 763nm)
Engine hours: 2 hr, 47 min (cumulative: 78 hr 20 min)
Narrative: We spent yesterday off Keswick Island, and ran the engine for 23 minutes for hot water.
We decided that today we would move to Scawfell Island (about 10nm NE) and anchor in Refuge Bay. While the forecast was for SE to NE winds and Refuge Bay is exposed to NE weather, the forecast was also for 5 to 10kts, so we decided to chance it. We set off at 2:05pm in winds less than 5kts, so we motored the whole way with no sails up. Given the weather, the solar panels have not produced much over the last couple of days, so we needed to put some charge in the batteries anyway. With the lack of wind, the water was so smooth Heather was able to take a photo of her reflection in the water at the bow of the boat.
When we were about 2.5nm ENE of St Bees Island, Heather spotted a whale about half a mile off our starboard bow moving north. We maintained our course and ended up about 100m west of what turned out to be an adult humpback and her calf. We paralleled them for a while and got some reasonable photos and video footage, before letting them get ahead and continuing on our way.
As we came into Refuge Bay to anchor, we were amazed at the number of turtles we saw in a short amount of time. We were securely anchored by 4:30pm in plenty of water off the fringing reef, with the anchor in sand.
End Loc: Refuge Bay, Scawfell Island (20o 51.65'S, 149o 35.89'E)
Distance run: 13 nm (cumulative: 763nm)
Engine hours: 2 hr, 47 min (cumulative: 78 hr 20 min)
Friday 26 August 2011
26th August, 2011
Start Loc: Mackay Marina (21o 06.84'S, 149o 13.52'E)
Narrative: After four days doing a little bit of maintenance, restocking, and sitting out some strong winds, we headed off from the marina berth just after 11:00am and headed around to the fuel berth.
Refuelled: 81.95L at 157.0c/L = $128.66
Economy since 28 Jul: 81.95L for 38 hr 09 min = 2.15L/hr
Economy overall: 151.76L for 73 hr 43 min = 2.06L/hr
After refueling and final preparations we departed Mackay Outer Harbour at 11:50am, hoisted sail and set course for Keswick and St Bees Islands. The islands are about 15nm NE of Mackay and are close together, forming Egremont Passage between them, about half a mile wide.
The winds were SE at 15-20kts. We sailed NE on a beam reach with a reef in the main and reduced head sail. This pushed us at 6.0 to 6.5kts boat speed, with the favourable ebbing tide giving us an additional 1.0 to 1.5kts over the ground. The light but constant rain gave us cause to break out the wet weather gear again, and reduced visibility to about 3nm.
The plan was to anchor at the north end of Homestead Bay on the west side of St Bees Island. As we entered Egremont Passage, it looked like there would be less swell a little further up the passage tucked in close to Keswick Island. This proved to be the case and we had a calm anchorage just north of the new marina facility being developed on Keswick Island. The fringing coral is close, and the water is clear. The weather is overcast with the occasional shower, which is what we will have for the next few days.
End Loc: Keswick Island (20o 54.78'S, 149o 25.08'E)
Distance run: 18 nm (cumulative: 750nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 27 min (cumulative: 75 hr 10 min)
Narrative: After four days doing a little bit of maintenance, restocking, and sitting out some strong winds, we headed off from the marina berth just after 11:00am and headed around to the fuel berth.
Refuelled: 81.95L at 157.0c/L = $128.66
Economy since 28 Jul: 81.95L for 38 hr 09 min = 2.15L/hr
Economy overall: 151.76L for 73 hr 43 min = 2.06L/hr
After refueling and final preparations we departed Mackay Outer Harbour at 11:50am, hoisted sail and set course for Keswick and St Bees Islands. The islands are about 15nm NE of Mackay and are close together, forming Egremont Passage between them, about half a mile wide.
The winds were SE at 15-20kts. We sailed NE on a beam reach with a reef in the main and reduced head sail. This pushed us at 6.0 to 6.5kts boat speed, with the favourable ebbing tide giving us an additional 1.0 to 1.5kts over the ground. The light but constant rain gave us cause to break out the wet weather gear again, and reduced visibility to about 3nm.
The plan was to anchor at the north end of Homestead Bay on the west side of St Bees Island. As we entered Egremont Passage, it looked like there would be less swell a little further up the passage tucked in close to Keswick Island. This proved to be the case and we had a calm anchorage just north of the new marina facility being developed on Keswick Island. The fringing coral is close, and the water is clear. The weather is overcast with the occasional shower, which is what we will have for the next few days.
End Loc: Keswick Island (20o 54.78'S, 149o 25.08'E)
Distance run: 18 nm (cumulative: 750nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 27 min (cumulative: 75 hr 10 min)
Monday 22 August 2011
22nd August, 2011
Start Loc: Middle Island (West Bay), Percy Islands (21o 39.14'S, 150o 14.67'E)
Narrative: We spent yesterday at anchor at Middle Percy. The wind remained SE at about 15kts. That continued to bring a swell with it that curls around into West Bay and makes it not the most comfortable anchorage, but by no means unbearable. We ran the engine for 24 minutes.
This morning I got up and listened to the 6:30am weather forecast from VMR Thirsty Sound on the VHF. A low trough over the South Coral Sea is moving slowly west and causing some winds. The plan for today was to sail about 25nm east to Curlew Island where there is good shelter from SE winds, and then sail the 40nm or so into Mackay. We raised the anchor at 7:50am and set sail. The forecast was accurate with winds from the south at 25-30kts. From the outset we were sailing with both reefs in the main and greatly reduced head sail, but with good winds on a beam reach we were doing 6.5kts through the water. The seas were 2-3m from the south and there was a swell of about a metre from the south east, so it was a bit rough but nothing to worry about.
After three hours we were approaching Curlew Island. Having made good time (we were averaging 7kts over the ground) coupled with my suspicion that despite the same forecast the weather would be worse tomorrow (while we had a strong wind warning current, Double Island Point to Point Danger were under a gale warning), we decided to alter course and head straight for Mackay.
Around lunch time we logged a new speed record for the boat (while we have had her anyway), with 9.3kts through the water and 11.0kts over the ground. Admittedly we were surfing down the face of a good wave at the time. I think it will be a while before we beat that one ...
By 2:00pm the wind had swung to a sou-easterly and dropped to 20-25kts. We were running with both reefs in the main still, but a little more head sail. We sat fairly consistently at 6-6.5kts boat speed, with tidal assistance giving us 7-7.5kts over the ground. Our heading of 295 degrees took us clear of the restricted shipping areas at Hay Point, but we sailed through the middle of all the ships waiting at anchor to go in for loading. We then passed Round Top and Flat Top Islands, skirted Dangerous Reef, and sailed into Mackay Outer Harbour at 5:28pm, just before sunset. Once inside, we lowered the main and motored to the marina. Having finally found our allocated berth, we were secure by 6:00pm.
On the way back from our showers after dinner, the wind had strengthened and it was starting to rain. We don't regret the decision to push through to Mackay in one day!
We will spend tomorrow getting the boat cleaned up inside and out, and sorting ourselves out. There is a bit of running around we need to do, and after 15 days out we need to do a good resupply (power and water were fine with the aft tank still about 2/3 full). We expect to spend a few days here before heading north into the Whitsundays.
End Loc: Mackay Marina (21o 06.84'S, 149o 13.52'E)
Distance run: 69 nm (cumulative: 732nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 07 min (cumulative: 73 hr 43 min)
Narrative: We spent yesterday at anchor at Middle Percy. The wind remained SE at about 15kts. That continued to bring a swell with it that curls around into West Bay and makes it not the most comfortable anchorage, but by no means unbearable. We ran the engine for 24 minutes.
This morning I got up and listened to the 6:30am weather forecast from VMR Thirsty Sound on the VHF. A low trough over the South Coral Sea is moving slowly west and causing some winds. The plan for today was to sail about 25nm east to Curlew Island where there is good shelter from SE winds, and then sail the 40nm or so into Mackay. We raised the anchor at 7:50am and set sail. The forecast was accurate with winds from the south at 25-30kts. From the outset we were sailing with both reefs in the main and greatly reduced head sail, but with good winds on a beam reach we were doing 6.5kts through the water. The seas were 2-3m from the south and there was a swell of about a metre from the south east, so it was a bit rough but nothing to worry about.
After three hours we were approaching Curlew Island. Having made good time (we were averaging 7kts over the ground) coupled with my suspicion that despite the same forecast the weather would be worse tomorrow (while we had a strong wind warning current, Double Island Point to Point Danger were under a gale warning), we decided to alter course and head straight for Mackay.
Around lunch time we logged a new speed record for the boat (while we have had her anyway), with 9.3kts through the water and 11.0kts over the ground. Admittedly we were surfing down the face of a good wave at the time. I think it will be a while before we beat that one ...
By 2:00pm the wind had swung to a sou-easterly and dropped to 20-25kts. We were running with both reefs in the main still, but a little more head sail. We sat fairly consistently at 6-6.5kts boat speed, with tidal assistance giving us 7-7.5kts over the ground. Our heading of 295 degrees took us clear of the restricted shipping areas at Hay Point, but we sailed through the middle of all the ships waiting at anchor to go in for loading. We then passed Round Top and Flat Top Islands, skirted Dangerous Reef, and sailed into Mackay Outer Harbour at 5:28pm, just before sunset. Once inside, we lowered the main and motored to the marina. Having finally found our allocated berth, we were secure by 6:00pm.
On the way back from our showers after dinner, the wind had strengthened and it was starting to rain. We don't regret the decision to push through to Mackay in one day!
We will spend tomorrow getting the boat cleaned up inside and out, and sorting ourselves out. There is a bit of running around we need to do, and after 15 days out we need to do a good resupply (power and water were fine with the aft tank still about 2/3 full). We expect to spend a few days here before heading north into the Whitsundays.
End Loc: Mackay Marina (21o 06.84'S, 149o 13.52'E)
Distance run: 69 nm (cumulative: 732nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 07 min (cumulative: 73 hr 43 min)
Sunday 21 August 2011
20th August, 2011
Start Loc: Marble Island, Duke Islands (21o 58.39'S, 150o 10.49'E)
Narrative: When we anchored in the bay on the north face of Marble Island last night, I confirmed we still had 2.2m of tide to go out before the next low tide of 2.3m at 7:12pm. 2.2m of tide to go out plus our draught of 1.7m meant I had to anchor in at least 3.9m of water to stay off the bottom. I normally add about half a metre of clearance, hence choosing to anchor in 4.5m. What I didn’t check was the next low tide which was at 7:29am this morning of 2.0m. I’m not sure why I didn’t check on this occasion – I normally look at the heights of all the low tides for the time we expect to be anchored in that spot. Anyway, all it meant was that the 0.6m of clearance that I had under the keel at the first low was reduced to 0.3m at this morning’s low. Not a drama - unless we swung over the rocky bottomed patch to our east and there was a rock sticking up more than 30cm. But we didn’t, so all good.
After a calm night, we lifted anchor spot on 10:00am and set sail for the Percy Islands, centred about 18nm NNE. We factored in the tidal cross current of about 2kts and set our course for 10 degrees east of where we wanted to go. The winds were from the SE at 10 to 15kts and we sailed nicely under full sail at 5 to 6kts. The seas and swell occasionally combined to produce a wave of about 2m, which being on our starboard quarter gave us a good roll every now and again, but otherwise it was comfortable sailing.
After changing our heading east to sail along the north side of South Island to our intended anchorage in the north east corner, we changed our minds and decided to go direct to West Bay on Middle Percy. The wind had now dropped to less than 10kts, still from the SE, so we lowered the main and ran basically NW under head sail only (otherwise the main would rob the head sail of all wind). With the wind at 8kts true and 5kts apparent, there wasn’t enough to keep even a reduced head sail full, so we furled it totally and motored up the west side of Middle Percy and into West Bay.
After accounting for the lowest of the next few low tides, we anchored at 2:30pm (basically on high tide) in 5m of water just off the northern end of the beach. The weather is still clear and sunny, max temp about 27 degrees, and the water is almost 21 degrees.
End Loc: Middle Island (West Bay), Percy Islands (21o 39.14'S, 150o 14.67'E)
Distance run: 25 nm (cumulative: 663nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 26 min (cumulative: 72 hr 12 min)
Narrative: When we anchored in the bay on the north face of Marble Island last night, I confirmed we still had 2.2m of tide to go out before the next low tide of 2.3m at 7:12pm. 2.2m of tide to go out plus our draught of 1.7m meant I had to anchor in at least 3.9m of water to stay off the bottom. I normally add about half a metre of clearance, hence choosing to anchor in 4.5m. What I didn’t check was the next low tide which was at 7:29am this morning of 2.0m. I’m not sure why I didn’t check on this occasion – I normally look at the heights of all the low tides for the time we expect to be anchored in that spot. Anyway, all it meant was that the 0.6m of clearance that I had under the keel at the first low was reduced to 0.3m at this morning’s low. Not a drama - unless we swung over the rocky bottomed patch to our east and there was a rock sticking up more than 30cm. But we didn’t, so all good.
After a calm night, we lifted anchor spot on 10:00am and set sail for the Percy Islands, centred about 18nm NNE. We factored in the tidal cross current of about 2kts and set our course for 10 degrees east of where we wanted to go. The winds were from the SE at 10 to 15kts and we sailed nicely under full sail at 5 to 6kts. The seas and swell occasionally combined to produce a wave of about 2m, which being on our starboard quarter gave us a good roll every now and again, but otherwise it was comfortable sailing.
After changing our heading east to sail along the north side of South Island to our intended anchorage in the north east corner, we changed our minds and decided to go direct to West Bay on Middle Percy. The wind had now dropped to less than 10kts, still from the SE, so we lowered the main and ran basically NW under head sail only (otherwise the main would rob the head sail of all wind). With the wind at 8kts true and 5kts apparent, there wasn’t enough to keep even a reduced head sail full, so we furled it totally and motored up the west side of Middle Percy and into West Bay.
After accounting for the lowest of the next few low tides, we anchored at 2:30pm (basically on high tide) in 5m of water just off the northern end of the beach. The weather is still clear and sunny, max temp about 27 degrees, and the water is almost 21 degrees.
End Loc: Middle Island (West Bay), Percy Islands (21o 39.14'S, 150o 14.67'E)
Distance run: 25 nm (cumulative: 663nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 26 min (cumulative: 72 hr 12 min)
Saturday 20 August 2011
19th August, 2011
Start Loc: Hunter Island, Duke Islands (21o 58.53'S, 150o 08.37'E)
Narrative: Yesterday was spent at anchor at Hunter Island. The kids did their school work; we fished, swam and played on the beach. The weather has been glorious. We ran the engine for 35 minutes and changed from the fore to the aft water tank after 12 days.
We left Hunter Island at 2:15pm to make our way around to the north east corner of Marble Island, which will be our stepping off point for the trip up to the Percy Islands tomorrow. The winds were SE at 5kts, so we motored the whole way. After rounding the south end of Hunter Island we had a 3kt favourable current up through the Lola-Mantes Passage. We then motored east across the north end of Marble Island to the anchorage, dropped anchor in 4.5m of water at 2:55pm with still 2.2m of tide to go out. We also put out a stern anchor to hold us bow in to the small swell.
We will sail tomorrow to the Percy Islands, and plan to spend tomorrow night at South Percy Island. We will then move to Middle Percy Island leave our plaque on the A-frame, and stay a couple of nights. We will then sail to Mackay, probably over two days.
End Loc: Marble Island, Duke Islands (21o 58.39'S, 150o 10.49'E)
Distance run: 4 nm (cumulative: 638nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 13 min (cumulative: 70 hr 46 min)
Narrative: Yesterday was spent at anchor at Hunter Island. The kids did their school work; we fished, swam and played on the beach. The weather has been glorious. We ran the engine for 35 minutes and changed from the fore to the aft water tank after 12 days.
We left Hunter Island at 2:15pm to make our way around to the north east corner of Marble Island, which will be our stepping off point for the trip up to the Percy Islands tomorrow. The winds were SE at 5kts, so we motored the whole way. After rounding the south end of Hunter Island we had a 3kt favourable current up through the Lola-Mantes Passage. We then motored east across the north end of Marble Island to the anchorage, dropped anchor in 4.5m of water at 2:55pm with still 2.2m of tide to go out. We also put out a stern anchor to hold us bow in to the small swell.
We will sail tomorrow to the Percy Islands, and plan to spend tomorrow night at South Percy Island. We will then move to Middle Percy Island leave our plaque on the A-frame, and stay a couple of nights. We will then sail to Mackay, probably over two days.
End Loc: Marble Island, Duke Islands (21o 58.39'S, 150o 10.49'E)
Distance run: 4 nm (cumulative: 638nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 13 min (cumulative: 70 hr 46 min)
Thursday 18 August 2011
17th August, 2011
Start Loc: Thirsty Sound (22o 08.63'S, 149o 59.76'E)
Narrative: Heather got up at 5:00am and took anchor watch through the slack tide, checking bearings and depth to make sure we weren’t dragging. We left our anchorage at 9:15am and motored against the incoming tide back to the township of Plum Tree (22o 08.10'S, 150o 01.77'E) where we picked up a swing mooring just off the boat ramp. After picking up and stowing our resupplies we had lunch, before departing at 1:20pm for the Duke Islands. High tide was at 12:15pm, so we had a favourable tide for the sail to the Duke Islands.
Outside the sound we had an ENE breeze of 10-15kts, so we were close hauled on a starboard tack as we sailed on our NNE heading. It was a good sail up to the group of islands, but we had to drop sail for the last 1.5nm and motor into wind to our anchorage on the west side of Hunter Island. There was one cat (FaPeteSake) in the anchorage already, but plenty of room and we were securely anchored by 3:30pm. We managed to get mobile reception ashore, so we should be able to update the blog tomorrow. I am also expecting an email from Nick and Sam from Lucey Blue with some hot tips on the Percy Islands. They went straight to the Percies after we caught up with them at Island Head Creek.
From observations so far, the Duke Islands tides are pretty similar timings and range to Thirsty Sound.
At this stage we will spend tomorrow here as well, and then maybe move to Marble Island, depending on what the winds do. We will then leave the Duke Islands and head up to the Percy Islands.
End Loc: Hunter Island, Duke Islands (21o 58.53'S, 150o 08.37'E)
Distance run: 15 nm (cumulative: 634nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 42 min (cumulative: 68 hr 58 min)
Narrative: Heather got up at 5:00am and took anchor watch through the slack tide, checking bearings and depth to make sure we weren’t dragging. We left our anchorage at 9:15am and motored against the incoming tide back to the township of Plum Tree (22o 08.10'S, 150o 01.77'E) where we picked up a swing mooring just off the boat ramp. After picking up and stowing our resupplies we had lunch, before departing at 1:20pm for the Duke Islands. High tide was at 12:15pm, so we had a favourable tide for the sail to the Duke Islands.
Outside the sound we had an ENE breeze of 10-15kts, so we were close hauled on a starboard tack as we sailed on our NNE heading. It was a good sail up to the group of islands, but we had to drop sail for the last 1.5nm and motor into wind to our anchorage on the west side of Hunter Island. There was one cat (FaPeteSake) in the anchorage already, but plenty of room and we were securely anchored by 3:30pm. We managed to get mobile reception ashore, so we should be able to update the blog tomorrow. I am also expecting an email from Nick and Sam from Lucey Blue with some hot tips on the Percy Islands. They went straight to the Percies after we caught up with them at Island Head Creek.
From observations so far, the Duke Islands tides are pretty similar timings and range to Thirsty Sound.
At this stage we will spend tomorrow here as well, and then maybe move to Marble Island, depending on what the winds do. We will then leave the Duke Islands and head up to the Percy Islands.
End Loc: Hunter Island, Duke Islands (21o 58.53'S, 150o 08.37'E)
Distance run: 15 nm (cumulative: 634nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 42 min (cumulative: 68 hr 58 min)
Wednesday 17 August 2011
16th August, 2011
Start Loc: Lingham Island (22o 13.57'S, 150o 15.60'E)
Narrative: We did roll a bit last night, but it settled down somewhat after high tide and wasn’t too bad for the second half of the night. We had 15m of anchor chain out, having anchored in just over 3m of water shortly after low tide. At high tide (about 10:45pm last night) we were in around 8m of water, but still with only 15m of chain out. Due to our proximity to the shore on the ebbing tide I was reluctant to have any more than 15m of chain out as we approached low tide again. The tidal current ran at up to a little over 2kts so I sat on anchor watch over the high tide, checking bearings to two parts of the island to ensure we did not drag anchor. As well as having the anchor alarm set, I got up several times throughout the ebbing and slack tide to check the bearings. In the end, we had no dramas. From observations through the night I have decided the Lingham Island tides are about 65 minutes prior to Mackay and if not the same tide heights, certainly the same tidal range.
The four of us went ashore after breakfast and had a walk on the beach (and the kids played in the water). Cameron decided it was one of the nicest beaches yet. After lunch, we raised anchor and set off at 1:00pm for Thirsty Sound. There was a gentle ESE breeze at about 8kts, so we motor sailed on our WNW bearing (290 degrees magnetic) for the first hour or so. By this time the winds had picked up and we had 14kts from the east. With our heading unchanged and the wind on our starboard quarter, we sailed at a comfortable 5kts.
As we approached Thirsty Sound on the ebbing tide, there was a tidal current of about 1.5kts coming out of the sound from the west and meeting the seas and swell from the east, so the waves stood up and were steep, and it became a little choppy. We dropped sail and motored past the township of Plum Tree, making our way cautiously into the sound. With an hour to go before low tide, we did not want to get stuck. We anchored at 4:45pm in 2.5m of water (10m of anchor chain), a couple of miles up from Plum Tree where we had no seas or swell (I had promised Heather a calm anchorage).
We had slack tide at 5:37pm with 2.2m of water (50cm under the keel), and we kept a close eye as the boat swung around for the incoming tide. With the anchor still secure we had dinner. High tide at 11:50pm was due to give us 6.8m of water, so at 8:30pm (roughly half way through the flood tide) with a tidal current of 3.5kts, I let out an additional 10m of anchor chain, took bearings to two obvious land features either side of us, and set the anchor alarm. After a couple of hours sleep, I got up again at 11:45 pm to sit watch for 90 minutes or so through the change of tide (and to update the ship’s log for the day). Heather will take the watch through the slack tide at 6:00am.
We will raise anchor halfway through the flood tide at about 9:00am and head back to Plum Tree with a bit more water than when we came in. We will anchor off from the boat ramp and take the dinghy ashore to pick up our supplies. By the time we pack everything away we will be departing Thirsty Sound around the 12:15pm high tide, and we will be able to ride the outgoing tide the 10nm or so north east to our planned anchorage of Hunter Island in the Duke Islands. The forecast winds are SE to NE. SE would be great, but NE will be a problem, so will wait and see.
End Loc: Thirsty Sound (22o 08.63'S, 149o 59.76'E)
Distance run: 17 nm (cumulative: 619nm)
Engine hours: 2 hr, 16 min (cumulative: 67 hr 16 min)
Narrative: We did roll a bit last night, but it settled down somewhat after high tide and wasn’t too bad for the second half of the night. We had 15m of anchor chain out, having anchored in just over 3m of water shortly after low tide. At high tide (about 10:45pm last night) we were in around 8m of water, but still with only 15m of chain out. Due to our proximity to the shore on the ebbing tide I was reluctant to have any more than 15m of chain out as we approached low tide again. The tidal current ran at up to a little over 2kts so I sat on anchor watch over the high tide, checking bearings to two parts of the island to ensure we did not drag anchor. As well as having the anchor alarm set, I got up several times throughout the ebbing and slack tide to check the bearings. In the end, we had no dramas. From observations through the night I have decided the Lingham Island tides are about 65 minutes prior to Mackay and if not the same tide heights, certainly the same tidal range.
The four of us went ashore after breakfast and had a walk on the beach (and the kids played in the water). Cameron decided it was one of the nicest beaches yet. After lunch, we raised anchor and set off at 1:00pm for Thirsty Sound. There was a gentle ESE breeze at about 8kts, so we motor sailed on our WNW bearing (290 degrees magnetic) for the first hour or so. By this time the winds had picked up and we had 14kts from the east. With our heading unchanged and the wind on our starboard quarter, we sailed at a comfortable 5kts.
As we approached Thirsty Sound on the ebbing tide, there was a tidal current of about 1.5kts coming out of the sound from the west and meeting the seas and swell from the east, so the waves stood up and were steep, and it became a little choppy. We dropped sail and motored past the township of Plum Tree, making our way cautiously into the sound. With an hour to go before low tide, we did not want to get stuck. We anchored at 4:45pm in 2.5m of water (10m of anchor chain), a couple of miles up from Plum Tree where we had no seas or swell (I had promised Heather a calm anchorage).
We had slack tide at 5:37pm with 2.2m of water (50cm under the keel), and we kept a close eye as the boat swung around for the incoming tide. With the anchor still secure we had dinner. High tide at 11:50pm was due to give us 6.8m of water, so at 8:30pm (roughly half way through the flood tide) with a tidal current of 3.5kts, I let out an additional 10m of anchor chain, took bearings to two obvious land features either side of us, and set the anchor alarm. After a couple of hours sleep, I got up again at 11:45 pm to sit watch for 90 minutes or so through the change of tide (and to update the ship’s log for the day). Heather will take the watch through the slack tide at 6:00am.
We will raise anchor halfway through the flood tide at about 9:00am and head back to Plum Tree with a bit more water than when we came in. We will anchor off from the boat ramp and take the dinghy ashore to pick up our supplies. By the time we pack everything away we will be departing Thirsty Sound around the 12:15pm high tide, and we will be able to ride the outgoing tide the 10nm or so north east to our planned anchorage of Hunter Island in the Duke Islands. The forecast winds are SE to NE. SE would be great, but NE will be a problem, so will wait and see.
End Loc: Thirsty Sound (22o 08.63'S, 149o 59.76'E)
Distance run: 17 nm (cumulative: 619nm)
Engine hours: 2 hr, 16 min (cumulative: 67 hr 16 min)
Tuesday 16 August 2011
15th August, 2011
Start Loc: Cape Townshend (22o 12.88'S, 150o 28.14'E)
Narrative: After a lazy start to the day, including bacon and eggs for breakfast, the kids and I went ashore. I think they realised they had it pretty good when I pointed out that their mates had been in class for an hour as we were getting ready to go to the beach!
While we were ashore, Heather sorted the pantry. Having been out for a little over a week (and having not put as much thought into our last shop as we should have) we are starting to run out of fresh food and only have five more main meals including the packet/tinned stuff. Given we are looking at another eight days or so before we get to Mackay, we need to restock some stuff. Hence, after lunch, Heather radioed (VHF channel 81) the Plum Tree Store at Thirsty Sound (run by Maree and Bevan) and put in an order. They do a run to Rockhampton for supplies on Tuesdays and Fridays, so we have arranged to pick up our stuff first thing Wednesday morning.
Having sorted the provisions, we decided to move closer to Thirsty Sound and see if we could pick up mobile and internet reception. We departed Cape Townshend at 2:10pm for Collins Island in the Cannibal Group. The wind was an easterly at about 18kts, so having motored clear of Cape Island and a couple of shoals, we turned west and ran under 110% genoa at 5kts. The first couple of miles were great, but as we came west of the Ripple Islands to cross North Channel, we encountered a tidal set and drift of north at about 3kts. This meant two things for us. Firstly with seas of about 1.5m heading west on the easterly wind, a swell of about 1.5m coming from the north, and a tide going north at 3kts, it all got a bit rough. Secondly, after allowing for the tidal set and drift, the course to steer to maintain the course made good of where I wanted to go, varied by about 20 degrees – a lot more than encountered on Moreton Bay.
As we got near the anchorage on the north side of Collins Island, we realised that it didn’t have the protection we would have liked from the seas and swell. Instead we decided to give the west side of Lingham Island a go, coming in to anchor a little after 5:00pm. We tried dropping a stern anchor as we came in but the bow anchor then didn’t take hold first go, so the angles ended up all wrong. We decided that securing the main anchor at the bow first, then backing up to place a stern anchor is the best way to go. An alternative is to get the main anchor set and then use the dinghy to drop the stern anchor. Either way, we have decided we will stick with doing the main anchor first in future. Anyway, the wind has dropped and the tide and swell have changed, so we will be rolling around a bit again tonight.
We will head for Thirsty Sound when the tide is right tomorrow and spend the night anchored there. First thing Wednesday morning we will move up to Plum Tree, take the dinghy to the shop to get our provisions, and then set sail for the Duke Islands.
End Loc: Lingham Island (22o 13.57'S, 150o 15.60'E)
Distance run: 17 nm (cumulative: 602nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 34 min (cumulative: 65 hr 00 min)
Narrative: After a lazy start to the day, including bacon and eggs for breakfast, the kids and I went ashore. I think they realised they had it pretty good when I pointed out that their mates had been in class for an hour as we were getting ready to go to the beach!
While we were ashore, Heather sorted the pantry. Having been out for a little over a week (and having not put as much thought into our last shop as we should have) we are starting to run out of fresh food and only have five more main meals including the packet/tinned stuff. Given we are looking at another eight days or so before we get to Mackay, we need to restock some stuff. Hence, after lunch, Heather radioed (VHF channel 81) the Plum Tree Store at Thirsty Sound (run by Maree and Bevan) and put in an order. They do a run to Rockhampton for supplies on Tuesdays and Fridays, so we have arranged to pick up our stuff first thing Wednesday morning.
Having sorted the provisions, we decided to move closer to Thirsty Sound and see if we could pick up mobile and internet reception. We departed Cape Townshend at 2:10pm for Collins Island in the Cannibal Group. The wind was an easterly at about 18kts, so having motored clear of Cape Island and a couple of shoals, we turned west and ran under 110% genoa at 5kts. The first couple of miles were great, but as we came west of the Ripple Islands to cross North Channel, we encountered a tidal set and drift of north at about 3kts. This meant two things for us. Firstly with seas of about 1.5m heading west on the easterly wind, a swell of about 1.5m coming from the north, and a tide going north at 3kts, it all got a bit rough. Secondly, after allowing for the tidal set and drift, the course to steer to maintain the course made good of where I wanted to go, varied by about 20 degrees – a lot more than encountered on Moreton Bay.
As we got near the anchorage on the north side of Collins Island, we realised that it didn’t have the protection we would have liked from the seas and swell. Instead we decided to give the west side of Lingham Island a go, coming in to anchor a little after 5:00pm. We tried dropping a stern anchor as we came in but the bow anchor then didn’t take hold first go, so the angles ended up all wrong. We decided that securing the main anchor at the bow first, then backing up to place a stern anchor is the best way to go. An alternative is to get the main anchor set and then use the dinghy to drop the stern anchor. Either way, we have decided we will stick with doing the main anchor first in future. Anyway, the wind has dropped and the tide and swell have changed, so we will be rolling around a bit again tonight.
We will head for Thirsty Sound when the tide is right tomorrow and spend the night anchored there. First thing Wednesday morning we will move up to Plum Tree, take the dinghy to the shop to get our provisions, and then set sail for the Duke Islands.
End Loc: Lingham Island (22o 13.57'S, 150o 15.60'E)
Distance run: 17 nm (cumulative: 602nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 34 min (cumulative: 65 hr 00 min)
Monday 15 August 2011
14th August, 2011
Start Loc: Island Head Creek (22o 25.29'S, 150o 39.08'E)
Narrative: Yesterday we remained anchored at Island Head Creek as we had some time to kill. We were waiting for the tide to come off springs a bit before going into Shoalwater Bay. We didn’t run the engine at all yesterday, so no hours added to the metre.
We sailed today from Island head Creek into Shoalwater Bay. We had to get the tides right; high tide at Island Head Creek was at 10:05am (3.9m) and I wanted at least a half tide to get out with plenty of water, and high tide just inside Shoalwater Bay (Marquis Island) was at 10:20am (5.7m) and I wanted to get through Strong Tide Passage before high tide. So I got up at 6:00am, had breakfast, made a brew for Heather and me, and woke Heather up. We were under way just after 7:00am. It took us just over an hour to motor the 6nm out of the creek and then we turned north-west for the head of Strong Tide Passage (which runs between the mainland and Townshend Island into Shoalwater Bay). We had a SE wind at about 15kts, so we ran under full head sail at about 4kts, but with about 2kts favourable tide.
It was about 9:20am when we entered the passage, so it was near the end of the flood tide. At the peak of a spring flood tide, this passage can flow at up to 6kts, but we only had about 1.5kts with us. There were isolated showers around, and the leading edge of one got us as we came to the end of the passage, but it was not even really enough to wash all the salt off the sails.
We sailed past Marquis Island and up Canoe Passage where we dropped anchor at about 12:20pm and had lunch. This was our planned anchorage for the night. It was fairly calm but still exposed to the wind, so we decided to move around to Cape Townshend on the north-west corner of Townshend Island. During lunch, a NOTMAR came over the VHF telling us that as of 0001h there was a danger area in place over Strong Tide Passage. I assume the RAAF have some bombing runs planned and we sailed straight through the danger area. The RAAF I know are always late, so they probably won’t start bombing for a couple of days. It was the first we have heard of the NOTMAR over the radio. I assume when we get telephone/internet access again we will get the NOTMAR as they are automatically emailed to us.
We pushed off after lunch, back down Canoe Passage. We then ran wing on wing north-west past the bottom of Leicester Island, doing 5.5kts through the water in 18kts breeze. With the 4kt tidal assistance, we were doing an amazing 9.5kts over ground. We weaved our way through the small islands and rock obstructions up the west coast of Leicester Island, and then motored east into wind for the last 2nm to Cape Townshend. We dropped anchor at 3:40pm. It was a good sailing day – good (albeit variable) conditions, mainly running and broad reach, plenty of sail changes – good fun.
We will stay here for a bit tomorrow morning, and then may move across to Collins Island in the Cannibal Group. Either way, the plan is to spend Tuesday night in Thirsty Sound having got some provisions from the Plum Tree Store, and then head north-east to the Duke Islands on Wednesday morning. It will then be on to the Percy Islands (in particular Middle Percy) before heading for Mackay.
End Loc: Cape Townshend (22o 12.88'S, 150o 28.14'E)
Distance run: 48 nm (cumulative: 585nm)
Engine hours: 2 hr, 48 min (cumulative: 63 hr 26 min)
Narrative: Yesterday we remained anchored at Island Head Creek as we had some time to kill. We were waiting for the tide to come off springs a bit before going into Shoalwater Bay. We didn’t run the engine at all yesterday, so no hours added to the metre.
We sailed today from Island head Creek into Shoalwater Bay. We had to get the tides right; high tide at Island Head Creek was at 10:05am (3.9m) and I wanted at least a half tide to get out with plenty of water, and high tide just inside Shoalwater Bay (Marquis Island) was at 10:20am (5.7m) and I wanted to get through Strong Tide Passage before high tide. So I got up at 6:00am, had breakfast, made a brew for Heather and me, and woke Heather up. We were under way just after 7:00am. It took us just over an hour to motor the 6nm out of the creek and then we turned north-west for the head of Strong Tide Passage (which runs between the mainland and Townshend Island into Shoalwater Bay). We had a SE wind at about 15kts, so we ran under full head sail at about 4kts, but with about 2kts favourable tide.
It was about 9:20am when we entered the passage, so it was near the end of the flood tide. At the peak of a spring flood tide, this passage can flow at up to 6kts, but we only had about 1.5kts with us. There were isolated showers around, and the leading edge of one got us as we came to the end of the passage, but it was not even really enough to wash all the salt off the sails.
We sailed past Marquis Island and up Canoe Passage where we dropped anchor at about 12:20pm and had lunch. This was our planned anchorage for the night. It was fairly calm but still exposed to the wind, so we decided to move around to Cape Townshend on the north-west corner of Townshend Island. During lunch, a NOTMAR came over the VHF telling us that as of 0001h there was a danger area in place over Strong Tide Passage. I assume the RAAF have some bombing runs planned and we sailed straight through the danger area. The RAAF I know are always late, so they probably won’t start bombing for a couple of days. It was the first we have heard of the NOTMAR over the radio. I assume when we get telephone/internet access again we will get the NOTMAR as they are automatically emailed to us.
We pushed off after lunch, back down Canoe Passage. We then ran wing on wing north-west past the bottom of Leicester Island, doing 5.5kts through the water in 18kts breeze. With the 4kt tidal assistance, we were doing an amazing 9.5kts over ground. We weaved our way through the small islands and rock obstructions up the west coast of Leicester Island, and then motored east into wind for the last 2nm to Cape Townshend. We dropped anchor at 3:40pm. It was a good sailing day – good (albeit variable) conditions, mainly running and broad reach, plenty of sail changes – good fun.
We will stay here for a bit tomorrow morning, and then may move across to Collins Island in the Cannibal Group. Either way, the plan is to spend Tuesday night in Thirsty Sound having got some provisions from the Plum Tree Store, and then head north-east to the Duke Islands on Wednesday morning. It will then be on to the Percy Islands (in particular Middle Percy) before heading for Mackay.
End Loc: Cape Townshend (22o 12.88'S, 150o 28.14'E)
Distance run: 48 nm (cumulative: 585nm)
Engine hours: 2 hr, 48 min (cumulative: 63 hr 26 min)
Saturday 13 August 2011
12th August, 2011
Start Loc: Island Head Creek (22o 22.85'S, 150o 38.53'E)
Narrative: As forecast, the low ridge causing the northerly winds weakened and moved east overnight and the high system that replaced it has brought back the S/SE winds that prevail at this time of year. What that meant for us is that the wind was now blowing straight up Island Head Creek and bringing a bit of chop with it. So we decided to move further up the creek to a more protected anchorage.
We raised the anchor at 10:15am and started motoring south. After a high tide of 3.9m at 8:40am, we had plenty of water on the ebbing tide giving us good depth. Other than moving in to anchor, the lowest sounding was 7.0m, so we will be able to comfortably leave the creek on a half tide. We were securely anchored again by 11:20am and enjoyed the calm waters of a good all weather anchorage.
End Loc: Island Head Creek (22o 25.29'S, 150o 39.08'E)
Distance run: 4 nm (cumulative: 537nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 15 min (cumulative: 60 hr 38 min)
Narrative: As forecast, the low ridge causing the northerly winds weakened and moved east overnight and the high system that replaced it has brought back the S/SE winds that prevail at this time of year. What that meant for us is that the wind was now blowing straight up Island Head Creek and bringing a bit of chop with it. So we decided to move further up the creek to a more protected anchorage.
We raised the anchor at 10:15am and started motoring south. After a high tide of 3.9m at 8:40am, we had plenty of water on the ebbing tide giving us good depth. Other than moving in to anchor, the lowest sounding was 7.0m, so we will be able to comfortably leave the creek on a half tide. We were securely anchored again by 11:20am and enjoyed the calm waters of a good all weather anchorage.
End Loc: Island Head Creek (22o 25.29'S, 150o 39.08'E)
Distance run: 4 nm (cumulative: 537nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 15 min (cumulative: 60 hr 38 min)
Friday 12 August 2011
11th August, 2011
Start Loc: Delcomyn Bay (22o 26.59’ S, 150o 45.37’ E)
Narrative: Delcomyn Bay has a low area of land protecting it from the north, so while we were not sheltered from the wind we didn’t have swell or seas and it was a secure anchorage. That said, I was up a few times during the night to do an anchor check and make sure we were not dragging. Heather did the same, but was more concerned so she stayed awake and didn’t get much sleep.
The wind was still howling through the rigging as I got up at dawn. I had a brew and spent some time planning for the days to come. We got the latest forecast (winds N/NW 15-20kts, increasing 20-25kts at times) off VMR Thirsty Sound (as we had no mobile coverage) and decided to continue our bash north to a more protected anchorage. We were underway by 9:50am, pulled out of the bay and set a course NW for Island Head.
We were almost dead into the NW wind, which blowing a fairly consistent 20kts, but a little more on occasion. We had a glance at the Pearl Bay anchorage as we went past, and put it on our list of places to visit on the way back south. After clearing all the rocks to the north of Pearl Bay, we came off the wind to port and put out 110% head sail to assist the motor. That put us at almost 45 degrees to the 1.7m seas on top of the 1.5m swell, so after about 10 minutes we decided we were better of motoring and furled the head sail away.
We passed between Black Rock and the mainland with still 20m of water under us, and then navigated our way into Island Head Creek with about an hour to go before low tide. The bar at the head of the creek was pretty rough due to the northerly swell against the ebbing tide. There are close to 30 boats sheltering in the creek, and we anchored just inside the second arm at 12:45pm.
End Loc: Island Head Creek (22o 22.85'S, 150o 38.53'E)
Distance run: 12 nm (cumulative: 533nm)
Engine hours: 3 hr, 01 min (cumulative: 59 hr 23 min)
Narrative: Delcomyn Bay has a low area of land protecting it from the north, so while we were not sheltered from the wind we didn’t have swell or seas and it was a secure anchorage. That said, I was up a few times during the night to do an anchor check and make sure we were not dragging. Heather did the same, but was more concerned so she stayed awake and didn’t get much sleep.
The wind was still howling through the rigging as I got up at dawn. I had a brew and spent some time planning for the days to come. We got the latest forecast (winds N/NW 15-20kts, increasing 20-25kts at times) off VMR Thirsty Sound (as we had no mobile coverage) and decided to continue our bash north to a more protected anchorage. We were underway by 9:50am, pulled out of the bay and set a course NW for Island Head.
We were almost dead into the NW wind, which blowing a fairly consistent 20kts, but a little more on occasion. We had a glance at the Pearl Bay anchorage as we went past, and put it on our list of places to visit on the way back south. After clearing all the rocks to the north of Pearl Bay, we came off the wind to port and put out 110% head sail to assist the motor. That put us at almost 45 degrees to the 1.7m seas on top of the 1.5m swell, so after about 10 minutes we decided we were better of motoring and furled the head sail away.
We passed between Black Rock and the mainland with still 20m of water under us, and then navigated our way into Island Head Creek with about an hour to go before low tide. The bar at the head of the creek was pretty rough due to the northerly swell against the ebbing tide. There are close to 30 boats sheltering in the creek, and we anchored just inside the second arm at 12:45pm.
End Loc: Island Head Creek (22o 22.85'S, 150o 38.53'E)
Distance run: 12 nm (cumulative: 533nm)
Engine hours: 3 hr, 01 min (cumulative: 59 hr 23 min)
Thursday 11 August 2011
10th August, 2011
Start Loc: Port Clinton (22o 32.87’ S, 150o 45.53’ E)
Narrative: After a calm night, we decided we would continue our trek, despite the forecast of continued northerlies. There wasn’t enough breeze to put ripples on the water as we raised the anchor at 11:40am and motored north on our way out of Port Clinton. That all changed as we neared the mouth and realised that outside our anchorage there was a northerly blowing at 15kts. That confirmed that Pearl Bay would not be an enticing spot to spend the night, so we went for the alternate of Delcomyn Bay which is somewhat protected from a northerly. We motored the short distance into wind, and after a couple of attempts we were securely anchored by 12:55pm.
End Loc: Delcomyn Bay (22o 26.59’ S, 150o 45.37’ E)
Distance run: 8 nm (cumulative: 521nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 58 min (cumulative: 56 hr 22 min)
Narrative: After a calm night, we decided we would continue our trek, despite the forecast of continued northerlies. There wasn’t enough breeze to put ripples on the water as we raised the anchor at 11:40am and motored north on our way out of Port Clinton. That all changed as we neared the mouth and realised that outside our anchorage there was a northerly blowing at 15kts. That confirmed that Pearl Bay would not be an enticing spot to spend the night, so we went for the alternate of Delcomyn Bay which is somewhat protected from a northerly. We motored the short distance into wind, and after a couple of attempts we were securely anchored by 12:55pm.
End Loc: Delcomyn Bay (22o 26.59’ S, 150o 45.37’ E)
Distance run: 8 nm (cumulative: 521nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 58 min (cumulative: 56 hr 22 min)
Wednesday 10 August 2011
9th August, 2011
Start Loc: Port Clinton (22o 28.49’ S, 150o 44.67’ E)
Narrative: We again spent the morning exploring, relaxing and fishing. Cameron and I each caught another barramundi cod, so they went back. We decided that after lunch we would head south within Port Clinton; but not as far as South Arm opting for the anchorage we were originally going to use last night, south west of Mt Flinders.
We lifted anchor at 1:50pm and in a ESE 10kt breeze, we sailed south under just the head sail at an easy 4.5kts through the water. It was only a short sail and we dropped anchor at 2:40pm. Instead of hoisting it onto the davits we towed the dinghy down. I replaced the 5hp with the 15hp and took Haydee to the beach and Cam and I went fishing again. We tried our luck casting amongst the mangroves, but only got one undersized bream.
The 5hp outboard died this morning. I had a play with it before we came south and I suspect that when we ran the internal tank dry this morning, we sucked up gunk which is now blocking the fuel flow somehow. I will have a better look in the morning and start with cleaning the fuel lines - hopefully I won't have to pull the carby apart.
Tomorrow, probably in the morning, we will head north around the corner to Pearl Bay.
End Loc: Port Clinton (22o 32.87’ S, 150o 45.53’ E)
Distance run: 5nm (cumulative: 513nm)
Engine hours: 0 hr, 50 min (cumulative: 54 hr, 24 min)
Narrative: We again spent the morning exploring, relaxing and fishing. Cameron and I each caught another barramundi cod, so they went back. We decided that after lunch we would head south within Port Clinton; but not as far as South Arm opting for the anchorage we were originally going to use last night, south west of Mt Flinders.
We lifted anchor at 1:50pm and in a ESE 10kt breeze, we sailed south under just the head sail at an easy 4.5kts through the water. It was only a short sail and we dropped anchor at 2:40pm. Instead of hoisting it onto the davits we towed the dinghy down. I replaced the 5hp with the 15hp and took Haydee to the beach and Cam and I went fishing again. We tried our luck casting amongst the mangroves, but only got one undersized bream.
The 5hp outboard died this morning. I had a play with it before we came south and I suspect that when we ran the internal tank dry this morning, we sucked up gunk which is now blocking the fuel flow somehow. I will have a better look in the morning and start with cleaning the fuel lines - hopefully I won't have to pull the carby apart.
Tomorrow, probably in the morning, we will head north around the corner to Pearl Bay.
End Loc: Port Clinton (22o 32.87’ S, 150o 45.53’ E)
Distance run: 5nm (cumulative: 513nm)
Engine hours: 0 hr, 50 min (cumulative: 54 hr, 24 min)
Tuesday 9 August 2011
8th August, 2011
Start Loc: Freshwater Bay (22o 38.88’ S, 150o 47.30’ E)
Narrative: After spending the morning exploring, relaxing and fishing (all I caught was a barramundi cod which are "no take" so it was released) at Freshwater Bay, we left at 1:45pm for the 10nm trip up to Port Clinton. I had originally figured that 10nm would take us 2hrs, but that was several days ago before the forecast for the wind change today. I was happy to leave early afternoon and allow a bit more time for the short trip, as the forecast was again accurate and we had 15kt northerlies. This meant we couldn’t sail directly to where we wanted to go and had to do several legs to make our way north, and cover a much greater distance. We were also slowed somewhat by spending 30 minutes whale watching after spotting two humpbacks and a pod of dolphins about 100m off our port – our first whale sighting for the trip.
Under full head sail but with two reefs in the main, we sailed close hauled and tacked our way north. We made 5-6kts boat speed and had a knot or so if tide with us as well. We were originally planning to anchor under Mt Flinders, but with a northerly blowing we decided to go to the northern part of Port Clinton. We dropped sail just past Perforated Point and motored into a small bay that we have all to ourselves, dropping anchor at 5:10pm. It took us almost 3.5 hours and 20nm sailing, to cover the 10nm – but the whales made it all worthwhile.
We will see how we go tomorrow and what the weather outlook is. We will probably spend tomorrow having a look around and anchor down to South Arm for the night, and then duck up around the corner to Pearl Bay on Wednesday.
End Loc: Port Clinton (22o 28.49’ S, 150o 44.67’ E)
Distance run: 20nm (cumulative: 508nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 20 min (cumulative: 53 hr, 34 min)
Narrative: After spending the morning exploring, relaxing and fishing (all I caught was a barramundi cod which are "no take" so it was released) at Freshwater Bay, we left at 1:45pm for the 10nm trip up to Port Clinton. I had originally figured that 10nm would take us 2hrs, but that was several days ago before the forecast for the wind change today. I was happy to leave early afternoon and allow a bit more time for the short trip, as the forecast was again accurate and we had 15kt northerlies. This meant we couldn’t sail directly to where we wanted to go and had to do several legs to make our way north, and cover a much greater distance. We were also slowed somewhat by spending 30 minutes whale watching after spotting two humpbacks and a pod of dolphins about 100m off our port – our first whale sighting for the trip.
Under full head sail but with two reefs in the main, we sailed close hauled and tacked our way north. We made 5-6kts boat speed and had a knot or so if tide with us as well. We were originally planning to anchor under Mt Flinders, but with a northerly blowing we decided to go to the northern part of Port Clinton. We dropped sail just past Perforated Point and motored into a small bay that we have all to ourselves, dropping anchor at 5:10pm. It took us almost 3.5 hours and 20nm sailing, to cover the 10nm – but the whales made it all worthwhile.
We will see how we go tomorrow and what the weather outlook is. We will probably spend tomorrow having a look around and anchor down to South Arm for the night, and then duck up around the corner to Pearl Bay on Wednesday.
End Loc: Port Clinton (22o 28.49’ S, 150o 44.67’ E)
Distance run: 20nm (cumulative: 508nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 20 min (cumulative: 53 hr, 34 min)
Monday 8 August 2011
7th August, 2011
Start Loc: Rosslyn Bay Marina, Yeppoon (23o 09.67’ S, 150o 47.13’ E)
Narrative: We were in no great rush to get away today. That said, we left an hour after I would have liked. Low tide was at 9:15am and I was keen to be gone by 9:00am to make the most of the incoming tide pushing us north. It took a bit to get everyone going and I did promise bacon and eggs for breakfast, so it 9:56am by the time we pulled out of the berth and headed out of the harbour.
Wild Oats XI was still anchored outside so we went and had a look. (She took line honours and three hours off the race record, but was 20 minutes or so over the 24 hour mark.) I sat just in front of her and hoisted the main – I daresay the only time I will see her from the front while sailing is when she is at anchor!
The wind was pretty light at about 5kts from the E pushing us at a measly 2.5kts, so I replaced the head sail with the spinnaker. The extra sail area gave us an extra knot, but after we were overtaken by a small yacht that was assisted by its motor, I relented, put the spinnaker away and we motor sailed to keep the miles ticking over. After a few hours the true wind speed had picked up to almost 10kts. With an apparent direction from ENE, I was able to give the motor a rest and sail on a beam reach at an acceptable 5kts.
We sailed between Cape Manifold and the unnamed rock just off it, and I was amazed at the tidal disturbance in the area. As we sailed through the gap we had 3kts tidal assistance. Heather could see an obvious line on the water and checked the chart to ensure there weren’t rocks ahead and we had plenty of water. I assured her it was just two currents meeting, but was still amazed myself as we passed through. As we cleared Cape Manifold we dropped to 0.8kt tidal assistance.
We sailed into Freshwater Bay and dropped anchor at 3:50pm. It then took us about 45 minutes to get the anchor to bite and set a stern anchor to hold us bow on to the swell. It was worth the effort and we had had a calm anchorage for the night.
The plan for tomorrow is to head to Port Clinton.
End Loc: Freshwater Bay (22o 38.88’ S, 150o 47.30’ E)
Distance run: 34nm (cumulative: 488nm)
Engine hours: 5 hr, 12 min (cumulative: 52 hr, 14 min)
Narrative: We were in no great rush to get away today. That said, we left an hour after I would have liked. Low tide was at 9:15am and I was keen to be gone by 9:00am to make the most of the incoming tide pushing us north. It took a bit to get everyone going and I did promise bacon and eggs for breakfast, so it 9:56am by the time we pulled out of the berth and headed out of the harbour.
Wild Oats XI was still anchored outside so we went and had a look. (She took line honours and three hours off the race record, but was 20 minutes or so over the 24 hour mark.) I sat just in front of her and hoisted the main – I daresay the only time I will see her from the front while sailing is when she is at anchor!
The wind was pretty light at about 5kts from the E pushing us at a measly 2.5kts, so I replaced the head sail with the spinnaker. The extra sail area gave us an extra knot, but after we were overtaken by a small yacht that was assisted by its motor, I relented, put the spinnaker away and we motor sailed to keep the miles ticking over. After a few hours the true wind speed had picked up to almost 10kts. With an apparent direction from ENE, I was able to give the motor a rest and sail on a beam reach at an acceptable 5kts.
We sailed between Cape Manifold and the unnamed rock just off it, and I was amazed at the tidal disturbance in the area. As we sailed through the gap we had 3kts tidal assistance. Heather could see an obvious line on the water and checked the chart to ensure there weren’t rocks ahead and we had plenty of water. I assured her it was just two currents meeting, but was still amazed myself as we passed through. As we cleared Cape Manifold we dropped to 0.8kt tidal assistance.
We sailed into Freshwater Bay and dropped anchor at 3:50pm. It then took us about 45 minutes to get the anchor to bite and set a stern anchor to hold us bow on to the swell. It was worth the effort and we had had a calm anchorage for the night.
The plan for tomorrow is to head to Port Clinton.
End Loc: Freshwater Bay (22o 38.88’ S, 150o 47.30’ E)
Distance run: 34nm (cumulative: 488nm)
Engine hours: 5 hr, 12 min (cumulative: 52 hr, 14 min)
Saturday 6 August 2011
5th August, 2011
Start Loc: Great Keppel Island (23o 09.72’ S, 150o 57.30’ E)
Narrative: The last two days were spent at Great Keppel. We ran the engine for 41 minutes and 30 minutes on 3rd August and 4th August respectively. The sand provided strong hold, and it was a good anchorage.
The wind this morning was being swirled around by the Island and started holding us beam on to the swell, so were rocking and rolling a fair bit. As such, we cancelled the planned trip to the beach and prepared for the short trip to Rosslyn Bay. We lifted anchor at 9:20am and motored between Miall and Middle Islands, then set an easterly course for the marina.
The 15kt southerly, under full sail on a beam reach, pushed us along at a steady 6.5kts boat speed. With the incoming tide giving us a bit of assistance as well, we made good time across the bay. There were isolated showers, but we missed most of them and it was a great sail, albeit short. We knocked over the 10nm quickly and were securely berthed at Rosslyn Bay just before 11:00am.
We will spend two nights here before continuing north on Sunday. The Brisbane to Keppel Yacht Race started at midday today and a lot of the yachts will get in tomorrow. It will be interesting to see if Wild Oats XI can break the 24 hour mark.
End Loc: Rosslyn Bay Marina, Yeppoon (23o 09.67’ S, 150o 47.13’ E)
Distance run: 10nm (cumulative: 454nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 02 min (cumulative: 47 hr, 02 min)
Narrative: The last two days were spent at Great Keppel. We ran the engine for 41 minutes and 30 minutes on 3rd August and 4th August respectively. The sand provided strong hold, and it was a good anchorage.
The wind this morning was being swirled around by the Island and started holding us beam on to the swell, so were rocking and rolling a fair bit. As such, we cancelled the planned trip to the beach and prepared for the short trip to Rosslyn Bay. We lifted anchor at 9:20am and motored between Miall and Middle Islands, then set an easterly course for the marina.
The 15kt southerly, under full sail on a beam reach, pushed us along at a steady 6.5kts boat speed. With the incoming tide giving us a bit of assistance as well, we made good time across the bay. There were isolated showers, but we missed most of them and it was a great sail, albeit short. We knocked over the 10nm quickly and were securely berthed at Rosslyn Bay just before 11:00am.
We will spend two nights here before continuing north on Sunday. The Brisbane to Keppel Yacht Race started at midday today and a lot of the yachts will get in tomorrow. It will be interesting to see if Wild Oats XI can break the 24 hour mark.
End Loc: Rosslyn Bay Marina, Yeppoon (23o 09.67’ S, 150o 47.13’ E)
Distance run: 10nm (cumulative: 454nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 02 min (cumulative: 47 hr, 02 min)
Wednesday 3 August 2011
2nd August, 2011
Start Loc: Hummocky Island (23o 23.91’ S, 151o 09.34’ E)
Narrative: We shared the anchorage at Hummocky Island with two yachts and a motor boat. The motor boat was there at 4:30 am when I checked the anchor, but gone at 6:30am when I had a brew in the cockpit just after sunrise. Both yachts left over the next 15 minutes while I had my brew. We ended up leaving the anchorage at 9:45am and set a course for Great Keppel Island.
We had SE winds at 10-15kts, and our heading was basically NW, so we ran under just the spinnaker all the way at 5-6kts boat speed. We were also assisted by a 1-2kt current, so our speed over the ground was pretty good the whole way and we made good time. It was beautiful weather again; warm and sunny. We sailed up the eastern side of Great Keppel, dropped the spinnaker and jibed to sail west to our intended anchorage under just some head sail. As we went up the eastern side of Keppel we passed the yacht that left just after 6:30am, so we must have been going basically twice as fast. As we came in to Second Bay to anchor, I did a quick check of the tidal curve I prepared last night so I knew how much tide we had at that time and how much tide was yet to go out (we were on an ebbing tide), and hence what depth of water I needed to anchor in. As we came in, we also noticed the second yacht to leave coming in from the west. All in all it was a good sail to Keppel, and we were anchored by 12:45pm.
We plan to stay here for two full days and head to Rosslyn (Keppel Bay Marina) on Friday. We will restock and wash etc before we push north into the Shoalwater Bay area. The Army exercise Talisman Sabre finished two days ago, so the water is now open again. We look forward to the likes of Pearl Bay, Port Clinton, Island Head Creek, and into Shoalwater Bay itself (basically seeing all the parts of Shoalwater Bay that I never got to see in all my other trips there), before heading up to the Percy Islands. There is a lot we want to see in this stretch, and it could be a couple of weeks before we next make port in Mackay. It is the first stretch where I will really be watching our water usage ...
End Loc: Great Keppel Island (23o 09.72’ S, 150o 57.30’ E)
Distance run: 20nm (cumulative: 444nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 25 min (cumulative: 44 hr, 49 min)
Narrative: We shared the anchorage at Hummocky Island with two yachts and a motor boat. The motor boat was there at 4:30 am when I checked the anchor, but gone at 6:30am when I had a brew in the cockpit just after sunrise. Both yachts left over the next 15 minutes while I had my brew. We ended up leaving the anchorage at 9:45am and set a course for Great Keppel Island.
We had SE winds at 10-15kts, and our heading was basically NW, so we ran under just the spinnaker all the way at 5-6kts boat speed. We were also assisted by a 1-2kt current, so our speed over the ground was pretty good the whole way and we made good time. It was beautiful weather again; warm and sunny. We sailed up the eastern side of Great Keppel, dropped the spinnaker and jibed to sail west to our intended anchorage under just some head sail. As we went up the eastern side of Keppel we passed the yacht that left just after 6:30am, so we must have been going basically twice as fast. As we came in to Second Bay to anchor, I did a quick check of the tidal curve I prepared last night so I knew how much tide we had at that time and how much tide was yet to go out (we were on an ebbing tide), and hence what depth of water I needed to anchor in. As we came in, we also noticed the second yacht to leave coming in from the west. All in all it was a good sail to Keppel, and we were anchored by 12:45pm.
We plan to stay here for two full days and head to Rosslyn (Keppel Bay Marina) on Friday. We will restock and wash etc before we push north into the Shoalwater Bay area. The Army exercise Talisman Sabre finished two days ago, so the water is now open again. We look forward to the likes of Pearl Bay, Port Clinton, Island Head Creek, and into Shoalwater Bay itself (basically seeing all the parts of Shoalwater Bay that I never got to see in all my other trips there), before heading up to the Percy Islands. There is a lot we want to see in this stretch, and it could be a couple of weeks before we next make port in Mackay. It is the first stretch where I will really be watching our water usage ...
End Loc: Great Keppel Island (23o 09.72’ S, 150o 57.30’ E)
Distance run: 20nm (cumulative: 444nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 25 min (cumulative: 44 hr, 49 min)
Tuesday 2 August 2011
1st August, 2011
Start Loc: Cape Capricorn (23o 29.12’ S, 151o 13.87’ E)
Narrative: After climbing to the lighthouse this morning, we left the cove at Cape Capricorn at 12:15pm and set sail for Hummocky Island. Our course was basically NW and the wind was from the SE at12kts, so we ran all the way to the west side of Hummocky at a lazy 4kts under full head sail. The weather was warm and sunny with clear skies. It was only a short hop to Hummocky Island and the kids were doing there school work, so I was in no hurry and quite happy to cruise slowly along. We jibed to sail up the coast of Hummocky and after rounding the NW point of the island, furled the head sail and motored into the bay. We were anchored by 2:50pm. An easy day. Tomorrow we plan to continue to Great Keppel Island, and probably anchor on the north side in Second Bay.
End Loc: Hummocky Island (23o 23.91’ S, 151o 09.34’ E)
Distance run: 9nm (cumulative: 424nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 05 min (cumulative: 43 hr, 24 min)
Narrative: After climbing to the lighthouse this morning, we left the cove at Cape Capricorn at 12:15pm and set sail for Hummocky Island. Our course was basically NW and the wind was from the SE at12kts, so we ran all the way to the west side of Hummocky at a lazy 4kts under full head sail. The weather was warm and sunny with clear skies. It was only a short hop to Hummocky Island and the kids were doing there school work, so I was in no hurry and quite happy to cruise slowly along. We jibed to sail up the coast of Hummocky and after rounding the NW point of the island, furled the head sail and motored into the bay. We were anchored by 2:50pm. An easy day. Tomorrow we plan to continue to Great Keppel Island, and probably anchor on the north side in Second Bay.
End Loc: Hummocky Island (23o 23.91’ S, 151o 09.34’ E)
Distance run: 9nm (cumulative: 424nm)
Engine hours: 1 hr, 05 min (cumulative: 43 hr, 24 min)
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