Start Loc: Townsville (19o 15.17'S, 146o 49.44'E)
Narrative: After lunch on Sunday, we moved the one nautical mile into Breakwater Marina (28 minutes engine time). After stopping at the fuel dock to show our rego and insurance, we moved into our berth. We spent that afternoon relaxing on the Strand and the kids played at the water park. Monday was spent shopping and stowing groceries, and then this morning we took the kids to Reef HQ. They both have vague recollections of their time living in Townsville.
We left the marina after lunch today at 12:55pm, and set sail for the north side of Magnetic Island. As we came out into Cleveland Bay, the winds were NE at 15-20kts. We sailed on a close reach with one reef in the main and the head sail furled to 110%, which had us making 6.5kts through the water. It was great sailing for the first 45 minutes or so, and then the wind died to about 5kts so we dropped sail and motored the rest of the way. We rounded West Point and went across the top of Magnetic Island to Horseshoe Bay, where we anchored at 3:25pm.
The kids finished their school work while I set up some fishing lines and went ashore for a quick look around. Through the afternoon, we landed two more small sharks (one on squid and one on a prawn) and let them both go.
I made a phone call on Thursday about getting my hands on a few paper charts to cover some gaps as we continue north. I called again a few times yesterday and today, but with no luck. I got a return call this evening confirming they have some charts for me, so we will take the time tomorrow to head back to Townsville to pick them up. Tomorrow night will be spent either here again or further north, depending on weather.
End Loc: Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island (19o 06.64'S, 146o 51.62'E)
Distance run: 15nm (cumulative: 1347nm)
Engine hours: 2 hr, 09 min (cumulative: 164 hr 38 min)