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.

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