1042 hPa High in the West!

Friday, 9 September 2011 - Cairns to Low Isles

We got away about 1130 in a very light NE breeze. We motorsailed the 30 nm to the Low Isles and anchored well in as a strong SE change was expected during the night. The anchorage was good although there was some swell at high tide when the reef was covered.

With a strong wind warning forecast, we spent Saturday here and watched the tourists come in for a snorkel and sunbake before heading off back to Port Douglas. We went for a walk around the island, (about 20 minutes!), watched the bat fish and had a lazy day.

Sunday, 11 September 2011 - Low Isles to Cape Bedford

The wind was still up although the strong wind warning was cancelled, so we headed off early when the wind was predicted to be lighter. The weather men had it right again and we set the spinnaker in about 15 knots of breeze. By 1100 the breeze was gusting up over 20 knots so we dropped the kite after recording 16.3 knots at one stage. By 1400 we had put in the second reef as we had a steady 20 knots with gusts up to 27.

We decided to bypass Hope Island and continue on to Cape Bedford - a distance of 80 miles. The anchorage at Hope Islands is more exposed than Bedford which proved to be very comfortable as we had gone in as close as possible. A strong wind warning was forecast for Monday and with the big high, it did not look like improving over the next few days.

Monday, 12 September 2011 - Cape Bedford to Lizard Island

25 - 30 knots was forecast so we headed off with a triple reef and our jib for the 38 nm to Lizard Island. We had decided to proceed as the seas are much less than would normally be expected further south due to the proximity of the reef.

It was an uneventful sail, dodging cargo ships off Cape Flattery and averaging 8.4 knots for the trip. I took some video in the cabin as it was eerily quiet here as we beam reached along at 10, 11 knots.

We arrived at Lizard at 1100 and anchored in close to the beach with 20 other boats.

North to Cairns

Monday, 5 September 2011 - Horseshoe Bay to Dunk Island

Forecast today is for the wind to drop to 20 - 25 knots so we headed out at 0630 in about 15 knots to see what conditions were like. We had decided if conditions were good we would go to Dunk Island, if not we would bail out at Orpheus Island. By 1100 the wind had not increased so we raised the spinnaker when we were in the lee of Havanna Island. We carried it until dark in a steady 15 knots with occasional higher gusts.

We were anchored at Dunk Island by 1920 after 90 nm. The resort was badly damaged by Cyclone Yasi and is apparently for sale.

Our excitement for the day was seeing what we think was Migaloo, the white whale, off Hinchinbrook. While not too close we saw numerous tail slaps and breeches and could not see any dark colour on the whale. The whale came a long way out of the water to slap its tail - very spectacular. No photos unfortunately.

Tuesday, 6 September 2011 - Dunk Island to Fitzroy Island

New territory today as we set the spinnaker again in perfect 10 - 15 knot SE conditions. By 1100 the breeze was up to 15 - 20 knots and we were making good time in the slight seas. By lunch the wind was a steady 20 knots with gusts up to 26 recorded. At 1330, we decided it was time to pull down the kite after we recorded our fastest speed in Phase2 to date of 14.3 knots. While not as exciting, we still averaged 8 knots for the 63 nm to Fitzroy Island and were anchored by 1500.

Our early arrival gave us time to go ashore and explore some of the island. There is a nice resort here and it is popular with day trippers as well. While here the Mayan Queen IV anchored nearby. The 300 foot megayacht is owned by the second richest man in Mexico. It looks amazing but we get the same view from Phase2.

Wednesday, 7 September 2011 - Fitzroy Island to Cairns

A short 20 nm trip today to Bluewater marina at Trinity Beach. We stopped and refuelled at Half Moon Bay marina coming in as there is no fuel at Bluewater. While here we saw Attitude, Alan and Michelle's new catamaran which is joining the Louisiades Rally next week.

Bluewater marina is fairly new, amenities are basic however there is a courtesy car (3 hours for $5) which makes here pretty attractive. The marina is up the creek a bit and we had only 1.1m (our draft) at low tide as we entered. Lots of crocs apparently!

We planned originally to be here 3 nights but after meeting the group from Half Moon Bay that are going to Lizard, we have decided to leave today, Friday as the weather is forecast to deteriorate tomorrow. Hopefully we will be away before lunch. About 25 nm to Low Isles.

We plan to be at Lizard for a couple of weeks at least and as we are not sure if we will get internet coverage there the blog may be silent for a while.

North to Magnetic Island

Tuesday, 30 August 2011 - Bona Bay to Upstart Bay

An easterly breeze between 5 and 15 knots had us sailing under spinnaker for most of the day. This is always fun and more so when Warren is catching fish! 1 mackeral and 2 large Queenfish (1 released) by 0830 so we pulled in the lures as we have enough fillets for weeks.

Cloud sitting over Cape Upstart was thick and we sighted a whale between us and the Cape as we passed. 54 nm in the day.









Wednesday, 31 August 2011 - Upstart Bay to Horseshoe Bay

Off at 0630 again in a 10 - 15 kn SE so spinnaker up again. We are certainly getting our money's worth from this sail. As the morning progressed, the wind veered to the east and freshened to over 20 knots and we decided it was time to pull the kite down. We are getting a bit of practice at this manoeuvre and have found that you need to run very square to make sure the kite collapses before easing the sheet once the breeze is up.

Our max log speed of the day of 12.8 knots came with poled out jib in the big seas as we rounded Cape Cleveland. Warren wants to tighten the steering cables as there is a bit more slack than he would like.

We anchored in Horseshoe Bay at 1700 after covering over 75 nm and averaging 7.5kn for the day.

Thursday, 1 September to Sunday, 4 September 2011 - Magnetic Island

Strong winds have extended our stay here but there are lots of places to go and new friends to make.

We caught the bus to Nelly Bay to look around and see the fleet for Magnetic Island race week. Some large yachts with expensive sails mixing it with trailerable yachts including several Ross 780s (our last TS).

Lots of interesting sights including a rock wallaby that seems to live on the rock wall of the marina.

Shag Islet CYC or Shaggers

Thursday, 25 August to Monday, 29 August 2011

Thursday morning we sailed from Airlie, through the Gloucester Passage to find about 50 yachts anchored off Montes Resort. We went around the corner to anchor with another 30 or so off the Eco Resort.

We went ashore, collected our SICYC blue shirts, burgee and membership cards and started the 4 days of fun meeting other like minded yachties including a few old friends we hadn't expected to see. We were impressed with the effort some people put into decorating their boats.

We had welcome drinks on Thursday, followed by the Redezvous at Shag Islet for Friday lunch. We caught up with Max and Merna from our trailer sailer days, Mark and Sue from Cleveland and John and Gayle from Hadja. We also met a number of interesting locals including Brian and Kay (ex Southbank TAFE).

The sea of blue was entertained by "Macca" who was joined by the "Shagettes" as the afternoon wore on. Saturday saw another party at Montes, including a massive raffle and auction of unclaimed prizes. It had a Jimmy Buffet Parrot head theme so lots of Hawaiian shirts and interesting hats. An amazing $10,000 was raised for Prostate Cancer Research over the weekend.

Sunday we were bussed to the Dingo Beach pub for a spit roast and another chance to catch up with friends - this time in our pirate garb. We really have to invest in better costumes as some people's are amazing. The tide here goes out quite a way so we would not have an opportunity to visit here normally.

All this partying meant we spent a quiet day on Monday at Bona Bay on Gloucester Island before continuing our trip North.