Multihull Rendezvous 2013

Monday, 2 September to Sunday 8, September 2013
We knew the perfect weather of the last month could not last and it changed with a vengeance this week. Monday it blew all day but we were all safely tied to the marina at Abell Point.We enjoyed a Welcome function at Sorrento restaurant where we met the crew from Multihull Solutions and some of the other 14 boat crews for the event.

Tuesday we awoke to 30 knot south easterlies and the organisers gave everyone the option of getting a bus to Cape Gloucester Eco Resort if they didn't fancy the sail. We elected to bus as we knew the sail back the next day would be tough and we were in this for the fun. The Pirate party also celebrated the 50th birthday of Alex from Hanuman. Everyone enjoyed the dinner and dancing into the evening.



It was still 30 knots on Wednesday and as we had a lay day, many boats elected to cross the passage to the surprisingly good anchorage in May's Bay just north of Cid Harbour - very protected in these conditions and not nearly as crowded as Cid. We sailed under 3 reefs and our storm jib across the passage and averaged 6 knots in the constant 30 knots with a highest gust of 38 knots recorded. We could hear the yachts coming back from Gloucester lamenting the conditions on the radio and we were glad we had taken the bus option.

30knots + gusts at Cid Harbour

Thursday's destination of Whitehaven was changed to Macona Inlet and then to Cid Harbour for the Prawn and punch party. Beautiful large local prawns and plenty of punch and Bunkers wine made for a great afternoon. We won the wooden spoon in the Blind Man's Dinghy race - sigh.

On Friday morning, we climbed Whitsunday Peak before sailing on to Nara Inlet. The wind had eased to 20-25 knots and after a sail past Mothership for the figurehead competition (party shirts and ABBA) we joined in the trivia competition and beach games. Some boats had gone to a lot of trouble with their costumes for this and other theme events.

View from the top is worth the walk

On Saturday we had our best sail of the week from Nara down to Hamilton Island. We were the only boat to sail with full main and jib in the 20 knot SEers. Dinner and entertainment from Cruise Captain Condor at the Hamilton Island Yacht Club was a great way to finish the week. Multihull Solutions who run this event did a great job in trying conditions and we would recommend it to anyone up here next year in their multihull.

Lickity Split didn't need full sail to race past

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