Crystal Clear Keppels

Monday, 20 October to Saturday, 25 October 2014
With the wind predicted to ease we headed out on Monday with 2 other yachts into a 20 knot SE and a very confused sea. We started with a reef in the main that we shook out after lunch (although with the confused seas I wasn't taking any chances and eating too much). The wind eventually went to the east and made for a more comfortable and faster sail into Keppel Bay Marina. The wind was back up again Tuesday so we stayed 3 nights in the marina before heading across to North Keppel for 2 nights. Most of the other yachts who left on Thursday headed south while we decided to wait a few more days for the predicted northerlies.

Cabbage Palm groves

The anchorage in Considine Bay, North Keppel was good - clear water, nice beaches and lots of well signed walking tracks. We walked across to Mazie Bay and up to the lookout over Great Keppel.

GKI in the distance

With a good forecast for the next week, we are now at Great Keppel Island. Tomorrow we are planning to head to North West Island and then through the Bunker Group, so no internet for a while.

South to Port Clinton

Saturday, 11 October to Sunday, 19 October, 2014
First off, thank you everyone for your comments about the Phase2 sailing video - very encouraging and I am working on more but they do take a bit of time!

We left Cid Harbour early to take advantage of the incoming tide down Whitsunday Passage. It ran at 2.5 knots at times which gave us a speed over the ground of 10 knots on a nice reach with main and genoa. We were at Goldsmith Island by lunchtime and when choosing where to drop the anchor, TV reception became as important as depth and protection from the wind. (Bathurst 1000 motor race was on Sunday).

Checking TV reception on the Chartplotter

In the end, with a change in the breeze Sunday morning and loss of recption, we sailed the short distance to Western Bay on Brampton Island which had perfect reception and a nice anchorage also.

On Monday we headed further south to Middle Percy Island in a light NE breeze breeze that didn't strengthen until 1700. We got to the anchorage in Whites Bay just on dark after covering 76nm and anchored with 6 other boats. Tuesday on to Island Head Creek where 20 boats were anchored. Attacked by bugs again (Just like 2008) so we moved closer to the mouth for the second night. The breeze was now in the SE so we sailed the short distance to Pearl Bay for a change of scenery. Also here was Avalon Spirit which is the first Vietnamese built Seawind 1160.

With the SE due to increase, on Friday we sailed around to the more protected Port Clinton where we currently sit. Only 5 other boats here waiting for the winds to ease enough for the 40 miles to Rosslyn Bay. We may head out tomorrow as it is predicted to ease for the day. If it is still too windy it will be the end of the week before we can leave. Plenty of time for reading, jigsaws and editing videos. Luckily we have lots of power thanks to the wind generator.

GoPro video of Phase2 Sailing

Saturday, 4 October to Thursday, 9 October 2014
We spent 2 nights at Happy Bay on Long Island so Warren had good TV reception for the NRL Grand Final. It was good to see the resort was quite busy no doubt due to the school holidays. We enjoyed a walk around the northern headland of the bay and also to Palm Bay resort.

Late on Monday afternoon, we decided to move to Funnel Bay as the wind had increased and with a big tide, boats were going in all directions. We were booked into the marina for Tuesday to get ready for the trip south. Unfortunately, we had to stay another night when Warren discovered a leak in the water pump of the port engine that need to be repaired.

I spent the last week putting together a video of Phase2 sailing - no doubt inspired by Josh's recent visit. I have used a GoPro template again (which Josh thinks is cheating) but it certainly makes it easier. Let me know what you think.

Whitsunday Wanderings

Monday 22, September to Friday, 3 October 2014
We spent 4 nights at Bona Bay where we caught up with RQ and Tasmanian friends.

Big flathead from Bona Bay

On Wednesday, we headed back to Airlie Beach via a night at Olden Island which turned out to be a surprisingly good anchorage in the easterly breeze.

On Friday, Josh and Jo arrived at Hamilton and we motored around to Whitehaven Beach for their first night with us. A morning walk on the beach was followed by a quick trip to Windy Bay for a snorkel and lunch.

We then headed to Betty's Beach to climb to the lookout for the iconic Whitsunday photo of Hill Inlet.

Saturday night was spent in the beautiful Nara Inlet. On Sunday we walked up to the cave with Aboriginal art before heading to Black Island for some more snorkelling.

Sunday afternoon we sailed across to Airlie Beach marina so Josh and Jo could catch their morning flight from Proserpine back to Brissie. With perfect weather we packed a lot into their 3 days with us. Josh and Warren took lots of GoPro footage so keep an eye out for the movie.

Josh's newest toy - a GoPro gyro mount

Since leaving Airlie we have spent our nights at Stonehaven enjoying the sunsets while we snorkelled during the day. Blue Pearl Bay is still a good spot while Maureen's Cove has some good bombies but also a lot of dead coral, no doubt as a consequence of the last cyclone in this area.

We will stay in the Whitsundays until we get some northerlies so we can start to slowly head south.