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Tuesday 17 January 2012

Boat improvements for 2012

Our trip last year was great and we are keen to go further afield so the list below are things we are planning to add before the next big trip.

1) Watermaker (Spectra Ventura 200TMPC has been ordered). 31 l/hr for a current draw of 10 amps. Automatic back flush every 5 days if not used.
2) Wind Generator (Eclectic Energy D400 has been ordered). Quietest and best power output at low wind speeds (4 amps at 10knots). To supplement solar panels on cloudy days and when sailing at night.
3) HF radio
4) Satellite phone
5) Comprehensive spare parts for pumps, autopilot etc.

That should burn up our budget for this year (and next).

2011 Lizard Island Trip Summary

Best place to visit: Lizard Island
Best beach: Watson's Bay, Lizard
Best snorkelling: Ribbon Reef #5 just pips out Lizard Island
Clearest water: Ribbon Reef #5
Best brush with nature: Ribbon Reef #5, Dolphins north of Thomas Island
Safest anchorage: Still Cid Harbour (Good in all weather and a great walk to the peak)
Best marina: Keppel Bay Marina just ahead of Bluewater Marina in Cairns (Courtesy car at both is great)
Best sail: Spinnaker run from Dunk Is to Fitzroy Island
Worst sail: St Crispins Reef to Yorkey's Knob (25 knots on the nose into a big swell)
Scariest sail: None
Longest sail: 23 hours and 140nm to Fraser Island on day 1, 17 hours and 104nm from Magnetic Island to Bowen
Biggest disappointment: Not getting to more islands in the Bunker Group
Best walk: Cooks Look on Lizard Island
Best fishing: Trolling for mackeral north of Cairns
Friendliest people: Lots but the cruisers at Lizard Island get the nod
Cheapest marina: Dungeness (near Lucinda) $35
Dearest marina: Abel Point Marina $110

Better Late than Never - Lizard Is Trip Stats

Some figures to ponder.........

Total days away - 110 days (nearly 16 weeks)
Total miles travelled - 2380 nm
Days on the move - 57 days
Time on the move - 396 hrs
Sailing time - 60% (more like 75% if you take out the time to get into and out of anchorages)
Motor hours - 111hrs (port), 113hrs (starboard)
Fuel consumption - 1.8 litres per engine per hour
Average speed - 6.0 kn (this includes time dropping and raising the anchor)
Best sailing average - 8.4 kn from Cape Bedford to Lizard for 4 hours with a triple reef
Max Speed - 16.3 kn on the log
Max wind we sailed in - 30 kn (25 of the 57 days we sailed had maximum wind over 20 knots)
Nights in marinas - 16 nights including 5 at Mooloolaba.
Gas refills - 4 (25 days per 3.5 kg bottle for cooking)

Compared to our trip in 2010 in Next Phase we had less time in marinas due to the increased water tanks, fuel consumption and average speeds about the same although a lot more time sailing. We went further north but travelled less miles overall. Less days on the move as we had a few long days to cover the miles.