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Wednesday 23 June 2010

Seawind Rally - Part 1

Saturday 19 June, Cid Harbour to Airlie Beach
Time to meet the other 19 boats participating in this year's Seawind Whitsundays Rally. Abel Point marina is host and the new facilities are much improved on those we experienced 2 years ago. It is closer to the shops for groceries and we had nice wide berths.

Tonight there was a skippers briefing followed by a meet the fleet party. Some owners have sailed their boats from home (Lake Macquarie, Brisbane, Yeppoon, Sydney) while others are using charter boats (their own or hired).

Sunday 20 June, Airlie Beach to Long Island

SE 20 - 25 knots. Gate start off Airlie than a reach to Pioneer Rocks. It was then on the wind all the way to Happy Bay. Peer Pressure had a great start and sailed well to win the race and earn the honour of wearing the "Viking horns" the first time. Well done, Len, Isla and Lee. We had a good start but went the wrong way and finished in the middle of the fleet.


Hawaiian Cocktail party followed by karaoke at the resort was great fun. The Seaquence crew of Megan and Kelly were a hit with YMCA that had everyone up on the floor and the Dream On crew again showed their unique style.

Monday 21 June, Long Island to Cid Harbour
Strong Wind Warning SE 20 - 30 knots. The forecast forced Seawing organiser Brent to move to plan C for today's sail. A beat to the planned stop at Lindeman was quickly canned, likewise South Molle Island so after a fleet vote it was settled on a quick reach across the channel to the very protected anchorage of Cid Harbour.

This race was started on the beach Le Mans style - the crew has to get out to the boat, off the mooring or anchor and get their sails up as quickly as possible. Tallisker had a great start and lead for most of the race until becalmed behind Cid Island and watched in dismay as Peer Pressure again took line honours and "the horns". Seaquence won the skippers hat for the overall rally leader at that point (helped by Next Phase support during karaoke I might add!)

Tuesday 22 June 2010

South Percy to the Whitsundays

Thursday 17 June, South Percy Island to Scawfell Island
The day didn’t start well with Peer Pressure finding their anchor chain wrapped around a coral bombie. Several anxious moments for Len as he pictured having to take to the chain with his bolt cutters so early in their cruise. They eventually unwound themselves and we all headed off in a very pleasant ESE breeze of 10 to 15 knots. Peer Pressure and Next Phase set spinnakers while One More had a motor ticking over as we needed to make good time to cover the 68 miles to Scawfell before dark. After the excitement of the last few days it was nice to relax.

The breeze died after lunch and we dropped the kite and started the motors. We were then joined by 6 dolphins who delighted us with a display of precision bow riding and acrobatics. Very special as we sat in the bow seats of our Seawind and enjoyed the show. I really think they were pleased to entertain us! So Quinn, we have seen dugongs, turtles, dolphins and whales but happily no sharks or crocs.

The breeze freshened again about half an hour later and the spinnaker was up for a quick finish to the day. The only issue was avoiding a rather large ship en route to Mackay that the AIS picked up on a collision course. A course alteration was required to ensure we passed well astern of it. It was off to join the other 57 ships anchored off Mackay.

We arrived at Refuge Bay on dusk with just enough light to appreciate the pine trees and rocks to the waterline of Scawfell Island so characteristic of the Whitsunday Islands.

Friday 18 June, Scawfell Island to Cid Harbour

Southerly of 10 to 15 knots sees the spinnakers up again for the final leg to the Whitsundays. One More made an early start as they wanted to get to Airlie Beach to meet some family members while we left at 6:30. This is a very beautiful part of the coastline with many islands that we hope to explore on the trip south. Saw a navy patrol boat heading south.

The breeze died again around lunchtime so we motored up the Whitsunday Passage to Cid Harbour. The forecast is that the glassy conditions will not last! We saw several more Seawinds including Hadja (1160) who are also participating in the rally.

Monday 21 June 2010

Yeppoon to South Percy Island

Sunday 13 June, Rosslyn Bay to Port Clinton
Another 6am start in a 10 – 15 knot southerly. We set the spinnaker at 8:15 and this gave us a smoother sail in the confused seas. We dropped it before we gybed to port to head towards Port Clinton where we anchored in the South Arm. We sailed on our anchor for quite a while until the tide changed. Movie night tonight. Warren has been collecting DVDs in anticipation of the trip. The TV with DVD combined uses a bit of power but it does stop us going to bed at 8:30 which is becoming a bit of a habit.

Monday 14 June, Port Clinton to Island Head Creek
There is a strong wind warning current for this region and winds of 20 – 30 knots forecast and 3m seas with a 1.5 to 2m swell. We head off at 6:45 to see what the conditions are like with South Percy as our planned destination. We had discussed with Peer Pressure the possibility of going to Island Head Creek if conditions were as forecast. We had 2 reefs in the main and even with this reduced sail area we were surfing down the swells.


We saw a log speed of 15.7kn (18.2 on the GPS). While exhilarating, discretion dictated we pull in to Island Head Creek before we did any damage. I am sure the boat could handle the trip to the Percys – it is usually the crew that is the problem. The early mark meant Warren could do some fishing and got a bream and rock cod for dinner.

Tuesday 15 June, Island Head Creek
Still a strong wind warning, 20-30 knot south easterlies and now we add rain to the mix. It wasn’t a hard decision to decide to spend the day here. Warren did a few jobs and I started a new book that I can’t put down. With the overcast conditions we have had to run the generator for about an hour and a half yesterday and today. Tomorrow the wind is forecast to ease during the day and we hope to continue our trip to the Percys.

Wednesday 16 June, Island Head Creek to South Percy Island
We leave at 7:10 hoping the conditions are easing as predicted. Wind is a steady 20-25 with gusts up to 30 as forecast. Peer Pressure and One More follow us out and we all settle down for the trip to the Percys. Seas are big and very confused again.


It is hard to get a photo that depicts the size. The wave behind Warren in the first photo is big but doesn't look it in this photo. The second photo gives a better idea of the wave size. The masts of Peer Pressure and One More are visible behind us in this shot. Double reef again and while we make good time it is not as exciting as Monday ……… for most of the trip. One More saw a whale cross their stern close by. So now as well as watching the waves and the wind gusts, we had the added concern of a whale appearing at any time. I am not sure what we could do if we were surfing down a swell when it happened. Luckily the whales seem smart enough to keep out of our way.


As we approached South Percy along its eastern shore we find the seas getting bigger, more on the beam and cresting occasionally. I had one heart in mouth moment when a wave broke on the beam sending water into the cockpit and sending the esky sliding across the saloon. I for one was glad to drop the anchor at South Percy. Looks nice but we don’t go ashore. I am getting to the end of this book!

Saturday 19 June 2010

Bundaberg to Yeppoon

Tuesday 8 June, Bundaberg to Pancake Creek

If we thought the sail yesterday to Bundaberg was good, then today’s was sensational. We motored out of the marina at 6 in a light SW breeze which had built to 10-15 knots from the south by 7. We raised the spinnaker, with Len and Isla close behind and spent the next 7 and a half hours tacking downwind crossing gybes with Peer Pressure in a steady 15 – 20 knots (we weren’t racing of course but Peer Pressure won!).

We averaged 8 knots under the spinnaker with longs runs at 10-11 knots. We anchored in Pancake Creek at 3.30pm in the inner anchorage. I think we were all asleep by 8.30 and were looking forward to a day off on Wednesday.

Wednesday 9 June, Pancake Creek
We had a leisurely start to the day before we gave the fishing a try. Len has never been a fisherman so had a neighbour’s help to put together the gear he needed. Warren gave him a lesson in pumping yabbies and off we all went. We got a couple of whiting and a sweetlip and then went to check on Len who was fishing from his boat (perhaps better described as his line was in the water and Len was on the boat). As we were discussing the vagaries of fishing, I noticed a tug on his line. Len jumped to it and promptly pulled in a good sized tusk fish followed by another even bigger. This success put paid to our plan to walk to the lighthouse on Bustard Head. The track is very overgrown and we decided to leave that for another visit.

Several calls to Optus and we are promised it will all by fixed by Saturday. Didn’t I hear that last week (and the week before!)

Thursday 10 June, Pancake Creek to Cape Capricorn
This was the first real test of the AIS with a lot of ships anchored off Gladstone and a number going in and out. Note all the ships at anchor and Peer Pressure close behind Next Phase.



















The wind was up and down a bit today and we had to motor for the last couple of hours to get to Cape Capricorn about 3pm. We climbed to the lighthouse just in time to see a spectacular sunset. We came across a very shy echidna that did a good impression of a spiky plant as we went past.

My mum told me about the steak and kidney pies in the photo. The brand is Fray Bentos and they come in a tin and don’t need refrigeration. Available at Coles and Woolies and good back up and very tasty. Now I sound like my brother John who, when travelling around Europe after uni, used to send us letters mosting filled with descriptions or drawings of the food he liked.

Friday 11 June, Cape Capricorn to Rosslyn Bay, Yeppoon
Our batteries have been worrying us for the last few days and we decided this morning to sail to Yeppoon to get them checked. We hired a car from the folk at Keppel Bay Marina and made the trip to Rocky. A new battery and $340 later we were back on the boat ready for the next 15 weeks of our trip. Peer Pressure motored into Yellow Patch at high tide with half a meter under the keel after just missing the entrance channel.

Saturday 12 June, Rosslyn Bay
Boat work day – washing, cleaning, shopping. You can’t escape these chores even on a boat. The marina has a courtesy car you can book for 2 hours to get to Yeppoon for shopping. This is the only marina I know that has this and it is a real treat. Peer Pressure arrived by 2 and we hit the shops to stock up on perishables. Octopuss (Seawind 1000) and One More (Seawind 1160) are in the marina as they are also heading north.

More calls to Optus (now they say next Tuesday or Wednesday). I really fail to see how they are staying in business – they haven’t got a clue what is going on.

Monday 7 June 2010

Raby Bay to Bundaberg

We finally got away at 1345 on Friday 4 June. We had a westerley breeze that got up over 25 knots soon after leaving. This gave us an opportunity to practise our reefing as we put in the second reef. Len and Isla were about an hour and a half behind. Breeze dropped out as we exited the bay so we started our motors to get to Mooloolaba by 10pm. Forecast for the Wide Bay Bar was looking a bit iffy (20-25 knots SW and 1.7 to 2.2m swell).

Saturday. We were up at 4.30 and on the way by 5.00. We had a SW 10-15 knots which died as we got to Double Island Point. Len and Isla saw the first whale of the trip here as we motored to Waypoint 1. The crossing was very good - very little wind and about 1.2 m swell. We motored on the Garry's Anchorage where we toasted our good luck with a rum and wine with Len and Isla. Lynne, the rum flask came in very handy.

Sunday. Sailed up to the northern end of the Straits and spent a very quiet night at Big Woody Island.

Monday. Off at 6.00 again for the sail to Bundy in perfect conditions. SW going around to SE, 15- 20 knots and we averaged 7 knots. No whales but 4 other cruisers also sailing north with us.

Optus still hasn't fixed our phone so this post is courtesy of Peer Pressure. I'll add some pics when we have our internet working.

Friday 4 June 2010

4 June - Day 1 - Whitsundays and beyond 2010

Day 1 of our trip and we have already had a change of plans. Actually it's day minus 1 as we had planned to leave tomorrow (Saturday). One of the interesting things about cruising is how much your life is ruled by the weather. At home our only concern is whether we need an umbrella or an extra jacket but weather rarely changes your plans totally. On the water, Huey (the wind God) makes many of our decisions. And today Huey is saying "Today is the day".

We have had a frantic last couple of days getting ready to leave in what looks like the best weather to cross the dreaded Wide Bay Bar tomorrow afternoon. We have been keeping a close watch on the various websites (including the surf at Coolum) and discussing daily with our friends Len and Isla who are making the trip alongside us in their Seawind Peer Pressure.

So we are off today. We are still waiting for Optus to sort out Warren's phone so we may not be able to give another update for a few days.