Thomas Island and Airlie Beach

Thursday & Friday 18, 19 August 2011, Thomas Island

We arrived at Thomas to find Peer Pressure here. The boat changed hands recently and Len and Isla helped new owner Rad bring it to Yeppoon. Rad and Chris are taking their time seeing the sights on the way home to Lucinda.

While here, a group of kayakers arrived who had traveled from Mackay over the last 4 days. They set up camp and enjoyed a large cod caught on one of the catamarans and donated to them for dinner.

The highlight of our 2 nights at Thomas was sundowners on the beach with the crews of 4 other boats anchored here. With home ports of Brisbane, Lake Macquarie, Lucinda and London there were many interesting stories and laughs to share.

Saturday, 20 August 2011 Thomas to Cid Harbour

Another great spinnaker run down the Whitsunday Passage in 15 - 20 kn SE winds. We spent Sunday morning here and climbed Whitsunday Peak to enjoy the view. Over to Airlie Beach on Sunday afternoon where we anchored off the VMR and boat ramp.

Shopped Monday morning before we went into the Abel Point Marina for one night. The motors had their 50 hour service and Warren got a few tips so he can do it himself if required.

We spent Tuesday night again at anchor off the VMR so I could get a haircut. The wind is still up so we are also staying here tonight, Wednesday before we head to Glouchester Passage for the Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club Rendezvous.

Nature at its best

Wednesday, 17 August 2011 Blunt Bay to Refuge Bay

Another day with the sun shining and spinnaker up most of the day. With an easterly breeze it was a good angle and we were doing 5-6 knots in 6 - 8 knots of breeze and 8 - 9 knots in 12 - 15 knots of breeze. Our maximum speed of 9.7 knots was good considering the maximum gust we had was 15 knots. The later departure from Brisbane has meant a lot more time with the spinnaker up rather than double reefed in 20+ knots.

Today we had dolphins join us off Mackay (same place as last year) and a whale that crossed our bow and then swam past about 20m off the starboard side.

I saw the dolphins in the distance and they approached at speed and jumped out in unison as they came alongside (I am sure they just wanted to make sure we were watching). We were running under kite at 8 - 9 knots at the time and they had a great time as they surfed the bow then came back and surfed the stern wave.

Thursday, 18 August 2011 Scawfell to Thomas Island


Light NW to start so we motored and heard the sound that all sailors dread - the sound of something falling from the mast and hitting the deck. Of course it falls overboard and try as we might we couldn't see what came undone. The mystery was solved an hour later when as a SW breeze came in, we raised the sails. The jib dropped to the deck and we found the shackle pin missing. The spinnaker halyard was put to use until I could raise Warren up the mast with the electric winch once anchored at Thomas Island (installed for just this purpose). More excitement followed when a baby whale breached about 50m away. Warren had to point up as they crossed in front - the baby continuing to breach as we passed.

A bit later we had a 70 cm mackeral on the line, our first of the trip. Warren said it looks smaller in the photo. Regardless, it tasted great last night.






The breeze had died again so we started the motors just as a large pod of dolphins joined us. The 20+ dolphins included several babies and they entertained us for half an hour before getting bored and moving on.



What a day!

Blunt Bay, North East Island, Percy Group

Monday, 15 August 2011 Island Head Creek to Blunt Bay

Another great spinnaker run all day where we averaged nearly 8 knots for the 54nm to Blunt Bay on North East Island. 2 nights here to ourselves in what is a very picturesque bay. Just after arriving a whale appeared and cruised into the bay for a look around. We saw several others go by and heard them singing at night.

There has been no grazing on this island so the trees remain and these go right down to the pebbly beaches. We kayaked to the one sandy beach and saw fish but none for the table.





A highlight of my time here was completing the jigsaw my sister, Lynne gave me for my last birthday - Michelangelo's Creation of Man in the Sistine Chapel. My family and former work colleagues know I love jigsaws and so I have made a jigsaw mat so I can have some on Phase2 and put it away when I'm not working on it. My next challenge is a mosaic puzzle of the Titanic which may not be quite as relaxing as this one has been.






Overall, a nice anchorage but a bit rolly.

Yeppoon and Shoalwater Bay

Tuesday, 9 August 2011 Yellow Patch to Rosslyn Bay

We left at 0600 from Yellow Patch to ensure we had enough tide and after a brief period with the spinnaker up had to motor sail again when the breeze dropped below 8 knots. We arrived at the marina at lunchtime but were unable to contact them as they had lost all power. Eventually went in and tied up at the end of the finger and waited for power to be restored late in the afternoon.

We booked the courtesy car for the following afternoon as we had to buy a new generator. Our 1kVa Honda wasn't big enough to power the 60A charger on Phase2. We got a 2kVa Honda generator in Yeppoon. Anyone need an as new generator? Works well on the 30A charger in the 1000s! We also did the shopping and bought a few other items in the 2 hours we had the car. This is a great service offered by Keppel Bay Marina.

Warren ran into John from Hadja (Seawind 1160) while here. They are also heading up to the Shag Islet Rendezvous. We ended up staying another night in the marina when a strong N came in on Thursday.

Friday, 12 August, 2011 Rosslyn Bay to Pearl Bay

We set the spinnaker soon after leaving at 0700 and gybed downwind until after Cape Manifold when the breeze got up over 20 knots. We arrived at Pearl Bay at 1610 after 55nm and anchored with 8 other boats in this beautiful bay.

Awoke late the next morning to find everyone had left and we had the bay to ourselves until lunch when the next group started to appear. 10 here on Saturday night which was quite rolly as the swell was more to the east.

Sunday we headed around to Island Head Creek to escape the swell.

Yellow Patch

Saturday, 6 August 2011 Pancake Creek to Cape Capricorn

We left at 0800 in a 10-15 kn south easterly and moderate swell. Spinnaker up again until the breeze increased over 20 knots. After lunch it died below 10 knots and we motor sailed to try to reduce the slatting of the main. Eventually the spinnaker went up again and we anchored off Cape Capricorn at 1520.

We climbed up to the lighthouse on Sunday morning and watched the Keppel race yachts sail by. We motored into Yellow Patch on Sunday afternoon just before high tide using our coordinates from last year which had not changed much.

We are staying here until Tuesday when the marina at Rosslyn Bay has space after the race yachts move on up the coast for Hamilton Island Race Week.

Pancake Creek

Tuesday, 2 August 2011 Kingfisher Bay to Bundaberg

Left at 0700, pushing tide which made for slow going to start. We anchored off the marina at Bundaberg at 1640 after 58 nm alternating between spinnaker and motor sailing with one engine. The breeze was E to SE between 5 and 12 knots. We were surprised to immediately get a call from Dave and Lorna who now own Next Phase. They are in the marina and heading north to Pancake Creek tomorrow also.

Wednesday, 3 August to Saturday, 6 August 2011, Bundaberg to Pancake Creek

We left about 0615 about an hour after Next Phase and the 2 cats they are travelling with. Breeze was S to SE between 12 and 20 knots. We set the spinnaker after clearing the leads and set off after the boats ahead. Initially we gained quickly until Dave and Lorna set their spinnaker and then we kept pace all the way to Pancake Creek. A great days sailing averaging nearly 8 knots.

On Thursday we moved further up the creek as the anchor chain was noisy on the coral and gravel bottom. Warren caught a Giant Trevally off the boat after the move. We emailed a picture to my brother Dave who is a keen fisherman to see if ciguatera poisoning was an issue. After many years of telling TAFE students to be careful of large fish I was very cautious.

Dave posted to his fishing forum and came back that consensus was it was fine to eat. We had a small serve the next evening and it was beautiful. The wonders of technology!

We have been using our Telstra prepaid mobile WiFi and Skype when we have no Optus coverage. This seems to work well and is very cost effective.

We stayed here until Saturday morning enjoying the opportunity to catch up with Dave and Lorna for sundowners and the first real break of the trip.

Warmer weather is calling us.....

Saturday, 30 July to Monday, 1 August, 2011

We got away about 1230 with a big farewell party (Mum, Josh and our friends the Madderns) to wave us off. We sailed through the night and crossed a benign Wide Bay Bar at 0730 then on to anchor at Garry's. Not our best trip as sloppy seas and the wind dead astern most of the time lead to an unpleasant motion. I succumbed to sea sickness but was fine by morning.

We met our friends Lois and Kel who had sailed their yacht Sea Time from Tin Can Bay to join us for the evening.









Today, Monday, we headed to Kingfisher Bay Resort where we went ashore to check out the facilities. There is a bar near the beach that welcomes visitors and has a pool, hot showers and serves lunch and dinner.


Very nice and Warren met one of the locals. We plan to come back here on our return trip.

We are off to Bundaberg tomorrow as Lizard Island beckons.