Finally managed to get out of Keppel Bay where we have had to take care of some personal matters and sit out cyclone Debbie. We got up to 65 knots in the marina the night it crossed the coast.
We are heading back up north to the Whitsundays stopping at Pearl Bay tonight, Middle Percy Island, Scawfell Island, Thomas Island and Airlie Beach.
If internet is available, I'l post some pictures later, bound to catch a fish
Island Head creek was nice and sheltered.
Middle Percy was great. The A frame seems to have got through cyclone Debbie ok, although there is a fair bit of beach erosion, same as Great Keppel Island. There is a new brick BBQ out the back to replace the old open pit.
Scawfell is one of my favourite places to stop, but we started seeing evidence of cyclone Debbie smashing the vegetation.
Currently anchored just off Shaw Island.
Abell Point Marina tomorrow - they are up and running ok.
I did'nt catch any fish!
Here is a sunset picture of another yacht off Middle Percy Island and some videos if you are interested.
I did'nt catch any fish! Now and Zen well the fishes bath water is a little dirty right now
Many thanks for the videos
hey Now@Zen ....what is your wheel steering set up ? looks like it works really well ?
Yeh, it does work well. I can't compare it to other auto pilot controls as this is my first cruising yacht.
I have a Lewmar electric motor drive and shaft straight onto the steering quadrant, so the auto pilot control at the helm can be an emergency steering control if the cables off the wheel should break.
I believe it is a great set up.
hey Now@Zen ....what is your wheel steering set up ? looks like it works really well ?
Yeh, it does work well. I can't compare it to other auto pilot controls as this is my first cruising yacht.
I have a Lewmar electric motor drive and shaft straight onto the steering quadrant, so the auto pilot control at the helm can be an emergency steering control if the cables off the wheel should break.
I believe it is a great set up.
hey Now@Zen ....what is your wheel steering set up ? looks like it works really well ?
Yeh, it does work well. I can't compare it to other auto pilot controls as this is my first cruising yacht.
I have a Lewmar electric motor drive and shaft straight onto the steering quadrant, so the auto pilot control at the helm can be an emergency steering control if the cables off the wheel should break.
I believe it is a great set up.
This is the same set up I have
We have arrived in Airlie Beach after passing some masts poking up out of the water
There was cyclone damage to vegetation as far south as Scawfell Island - it surprised me to see such a wide area affected by it.
A fair bit of stuff floating in the water to avoid on the way up.
Below are a couple of photos.
The first is Daydream Island, the second is Hamilton Island.
Hi Now and Zen
I envy you and keep looking at the for sale advert for your yacht but at the moment my wife says we can not afford it
Regards Don
Sailed around to the port hacking and anchored over night at south west arm, awesome weather although the wind was a touch light.
Sailed back today with a stop at Jibbon for a swim, with better wind on the way home. Was a great little trip and just what was needed to regain a small piece sanity.
Finished our first Gladstone 6am this morning, a few quiet drinks ahead tonight.
A couple of screw ups cost me dearly , that's yacht racing.:(
We sailed from Nara Inlet back to Airlie Beach yesterday in a stiff 25knot SE.
Passing us in the other direction was this ex raceboat full of backpackers having a great time!
Shortly after this, the wind gusted to 40 knots and I reckon there must have been some brown stains appear on the sides judging by how far she heeled over.
Sailed around to the port hacking and anchored over night at south west arm, awesome weather although the wind was a touch light.
Sailed back today with a stop at Jibbon for a swim, with better wind on the way home. Was a great little trip and just what was needed to regain a small piece sanity.
Looking good. Great to see she has come up a treat. Is that your first sail out of the bay?
Your co-owner has invited us out for a sail soon. Jibbon sounds like a great spot. Do they do fish'n'chips like Patonga?
Yeah its about the fourth time we have been out of the bay. And thanks the new rig & recut sails have made a big difference, and all major upgrades are now nearing completion
Yeah I did hear talk from my co-owner of sail with guys, looking forward to it. Unfortunately no fish and chips but more moorings than Patonga.
Cheers
Motored over to Queenscliff and stayed at the marina for a few days the week before Easter and met Datawiz who's yacht was across the pontoon from ours. Had a good chat over a few glasses of wine.
Also the fishing was a bit better than past seasons in southern Port Phillip with plenty of King Goerge Whiting caught and a bonus of a nice sized gummy shark for the trip.
Got an early start from laurieton, (0200) poured rain on us going over the bar was wondering if I'd made the right call, daylight we started making sail, then the day just got better ! A stiff little SW bowled us up the coast! Anchored at trial bay early arvo in the sunshine
Got an early start from laurieton, (0200) poured rain on us going over the bar was wondering if I'd made the right call, daylight we started making sail, then the day just got better ! A stiff little SW bowled us up the coast! Anchored at trial bay early arvo in the sunshine
Good stuff Woko, good to see someone out there having a go!
I spose you know Coffs marina is shut? Well it was two months ago, for quite some time they told me.
There are two public moorings just off the marina entrance, but you can expect a rolly night.
Don't know your plans or history in the area, but Port Mac would've been worth a look at and Yamba and the Clarence River is great. If you are going in there, make sure you take a photo of your yacht in front of Yamba Shores Tavern. Go up the river stopping at Harwood Tavern and MacClean is a nice spot too
I had an e-mail exchange with Coffs Harbour marina last week. They are now open, but with limited capacity. Fuel is available 24 hours via card. Call or e-mail them to check before you get there to to be sure. www.coffsharbourmarina.com.au/
We did port Macquarie on the way south three months ago, will do Coffs then north solitary ther is some moorings out there I've heard, that should be enough rolling then home to the Clarence
Trial bay turned it on this morning, as the fog lifted the sun came out, a lazy breky, 0900 sailed of the anchor with a nice little SW after a couple of hours sailed through a cloud burst that initially had us gybe then tight hauled to stay on corse the water pouring of the sails was spectacular. After it passed the sea was glass then a sloppy roll into Coffs. Anchored between the moorings and the marina wall not to much roll.
Just back from a week down at Wilsons Prom, beautiful weather though not enough wind around. First visit down there, some great spots!
yesterday afternoon got into the Clarence from Coffs the ESE breeze was NE and the sea a bit more than predicted. There is still a fair bit of water coming down the river from the recent rains so there's no overrun on the high tide, we were 40 minutes after the high tide and it had already started to run out, combined with a large easterly swell it made for an interesting bar crossing !
We are now back in our home port after a 104 day shake down cruise that seen us log nearly all the ports and some of the Open roadsteads between port Yamba and port hacking. The aim of the cruise was besides adventure, was to determine whether the boat was suitable for long term coastal cruising ( as everyone can apresiate a gaff rig spray is not everybodys cup of tea )and if so what sort of modifications might be in order. So givin I'm looking to cruise on a budget I've some modifications to make and a cruising kitty to get and next year of to the reef
Sunset at Fame Cove last night.
Spent an awesome 8 days with my kids at Port Stephans, great weather, heaps to see and do. Still plenty left to do for next time!.
My wife picked up the kids yesterday. I'm now waiting for weather to return to Laurieton.
yesterday afternoon got into the Clarence from Coffs the ESE breeze was NE and the sea a bit more than predicted. There is still a fair bit of water coming down the river from the recent rains so there's no overrun on the high tide, we were 40 minutes after the high tide and it had already started to run out, combined with a large easterly swell it made for an interesting bar crossing !
We are now back in our home port after a 104 day shake down cruise that seen us log nearly all the ports and some of the Open roadsteads between port Yamba and port hacking. The aim of the cruise was besides adventure, was to determine whether the boat was suitable for long term coastal cruising ( as everyone can apresiate a gaff rig spray is not everybodys cup of tea )and if so what sort of modifications might be in order. So givin I'm looking to cruise on a budget I've some modifications to make and a cruising kitty to get and next year of to the reef
yesterday afternoon got into the Clarence from Coffs the ESE breeze was NE and the sea a bit more than predicted. There is still a fair bit of water coming down the river from the recent rains so there's no overrun on the high tide, we were 40 minutes after the high tide and it had already started to run out, combined with a large easterly swell it made for an interesting bar crossing !
We are now back in our home port after a 104 day shake down cruise that seen us log nearly all the ports and some of the Open roadsteads between port Yamba and port hacking. The aim of the cruise was besides adventure, was to determine whether the boat was suitable for long term coastal cruising ( as everyone can apresiate a gaff rig spray is not everybodys cup of tea )and if so what sort of modifications might be in order. So givin I'm looking to cruise on a budget I've some modifications to make and a cruising kitty to get and next year of to the reef
Great little adventure! Question did she sail ok without the Mizen up? Just on main sail and heady?
She sails just fine on the main and head sails some times I hank a staysail on the baby stay, the mizzen is useful with the wind on the beam or forward, if the breeze is aft of beam and say better than 10 knots you have to take it down, or she wants to round up.10 knots + wind on the aft quarter main and head sails she goes real good with a light tiller. I've got my eye out for a spinnaker of maybe a 16 fter to use as a mizzen staysail I recon reaching of the wind with such a sail would turn the old girl on
Monday evening at the head of Smith's Creek. Two more boats behind me and another 4 will arrive before dark.
Excellent anchoring technique from the Lake Macquarie Yacht Club visitors saw every one fit without problems.