Shaggers Rendezvous 2013

Wednesday, 21 August to Sunday, 25 August 2013
After a night in Abell Point marina to do the washing and reprovision, we sailed north through the Gloucester Passage to anchor off the Eco resort for the Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club annual rendezvous.

There were about 100 boats here by the time we arrived including many cruising friends - some of whom we haven't seen for 12 months.

Our AFL flag (thanks to Ben) was bigger than most 

The festivities started Thursday with a meet and greet. The weather was beautiful for the party on Shag Islet on Friday with about 350 people in blue shirts.

No blue shirt - no entry

Saturday afternoon we all headed to Montes when the drums sounded for the Polynesion party. Good entertainment, fireworks and a bonfire were enjoyed by over 400 people.

Final count had 170 boats there on Saturday night, with over 300 people in attendance. Over $40,000 raised for Prostate Cancer research. Great weekend - get there next year if you can!

North to the Whitsundays

Thursday, 15 August 2013 - Middle Percy to Digby Is
A light southwester with more breeze expected the next few days so we sailed across to Digby Island. Lots of whales around and we saw a mother with newborn calf just off the anchorage. We stopped and watched as she pushed the newborn to encourage it to breathe. It took a long time but eventually we saw a tiny blow from the baby. That night as we were going to bed we heard loud whale song and when we came on deck we found a whale breaching inside the anchorage. It was so close we could smell its very fishy breath!! Luckily it seemed to know where the 3 yachts were anchored.

Queenfish caught on the troll at Digby Is

Friday, 16 August 2013 - Digby to Brampton Is
A spinnaker run all day in good sailing conditions. We sailed in company with Carpe Vita and Shimmi all morning until they headed for Scawfell while we decided to carry on to Brampton as the breeze was going more to the east.

Watching the dolphins riding the bow wave

Saturday, 17 August 2013 - Brampton Is to Cid Harbour
We joined a stream of boats reaching towards the Whitsundays in the 10-15 knot northeasterly. The weather since Yeppoon has been very unusual for this time of year. Our powerboat friends had left us behind in what they considered perfect weather while the sailers had to wait for more favourable winds.

It did mean we went to places we haven't visited before and we could hardly complain about another day of blue skis and light breezes. Lucky we didn't have a schedule and did not have to motor too much.

On Sunday, Bernard and Di invited us to watch the start of the first race of Hamilton Island Race Week on board their beautiful powerboat Bombola.

Warren and Bernie

The start was delayed due to lack of wind but they eventually got the yachts away after moving the start line.

Wild Thing powers by

What happened to the south-easterlies!

Tuesday, 6 August to Thursday, 8 August 2013 - Corio Bay 
After a fantastic though full on week with the RQ Keppel Rally, we enjoyed our 3 days at Corio Bay. The occasional fishing dinghy reminded us that we were not alone in the world and we made the most of the calm conditions and relaxed.

Nine Mile Beach

Warren caught a few fish but no crabs big enough to keep and our sole bit of exercise was a walk over the sand dunes and along Nine Mile Beach on the Keppel Bay side.

Friday, 9 August 2013 - Corio Bay to High Peak Is
Finally a day of decent south easters so we sailed 71nm under spinnaker to High Peak Island. The military was still playing war games at Shoalwater Bay and all of the anchorages were closed. High Peak was a good anchorage in the 10-15 knot SE winds and one we had not visited before.

Saturday, 10 August to Wednesday, 14 August - Middle Percy Is
After an hour under spinnaker it was a motorsail the rest of the 31nm to West Bay on Middle Percy Island. We had 3 fantastic days here in light NE winds.

We walked up to the homestead, replaced our well worn flag in the A frame, and made some new friends around the fire each night.

One day 6 whales put on an amazing display inside the anchorage swimming around several of the boats. They seemed to be chasing one whale away - very loud breathing and aggressive turns.

On Tuesday the wind had gone around to the north so we sailed around to Whites Bay on the southern side of the island. We hadn't had a chance to stay here before and we had a nice couple of days here.

Pancake Creek and Keppel Bay

Wednesday, 31 July 2013 - Bundaberg to Pancake Creek

Another beautiful day sailing under spinnaker in a 12-15 knot breeze that started in the SW, then S, SE before finishing in the east.

The pirate party ashore was another good night and with the perfect weather we decided to stay another night and catch up with the fleet at Great Keppel on Friday.

Treasure hunting

We spent Thursday morning hunting for the unfound treasure from the previous night (Warren spurred on by the hope that it might be a bottle of rum) and hiking to the Bustard Head lighthouse.

View south over Jenny Lind Creek

Warren was glad that he had on his big boots and gaiters as he nearly stood on a snake on the way back to the boat.

Friday, 2 August 2013 - Pancake Creek to Great Keppel Island
As we had 66 nm to cover today to get to the beach party on GKI, we had to motorsail most of the day in the light SE winds. Warren caught a large Blue Fin Tuna that he released. We spotted 2 whales close by inside the reef protection buoys off Monkey Beach on the way in.

On Saturday we motored over to the Keppel Bay Marina for the final night party. Unfortunately the light winds meant none of the race boats had yet finished which I think disappointed some of the local ladies looking for the fit young sailors!

The always smiling Dawn and Ian

Congratulations to Ian and Dawn and their team of hard workers for a fun, well organised week and to all the participants who made the trip so special. We met a lot of people we might not have otherwise met and would recommend this cruise to members.

A visit to the shops and boat chores filled in Sunday while we watched the marina fill with race boats glad to finally arrive.

On Monday morning we stayed to see the governor present the trophies to the winning yachts before we headed to North Keppel Island to escape the easterly swell. Nice anchorage although there was a bit of swell when the breeze went to the NE in the late afternoon and evening.

Tueday, 6 August 2013 - North Keppel Island to Corio Bay
With northerlies forecast for the next couple of days we motored the 10 miles to Corio Bay to find shelter. A beautiful spot we haven't visited before. We crossed the bar just before high tide and had 5.2m. We are now anchored behind the headland in 7.6m.