Rosslyn Bay to Brampton Island

Friday, 5 August to Wednesday, 10 August 2022

We headed over to the Keppel Bay Marina where we had booked a berth for 3 nights. Normal jobs of re-provisioning, laundry and various boat jobs were inter spaced with bike rides into Yeppoon.  

Yeppoon lagoon

Council here has created great, safe cycling infrastructure and there are consequently lots of people out riding. 

That bump in the distance is where Phase2 is moored

One 35km ride included the Pineapple Rail Trail

We stayed in the marina on Sunday so that we could enjoy the Lions victory over Carlton, then headed off early Monday for Island Head Creek. We set the spinnaker immediately and headed north. As is often the case when sailing up or down the coast the wind was directly behind us which required a few gybes. Unfortunately on one of these we got a massive wrap in the spinnaker. This meant we couldn't use the sock to help get it down and had to drop it on the deck. This is not a difficult maneuver with a few crew but a bit more challenging with just the two of us. Eventually we got it all in the bag and I declared no more spinnaker for the day much to Warren's disappointment. We were anchored by 1530 after 55nm and Warren got in a couple of hours of fishing with lots of fish caught but none he wanted to keep. 

The start of another gorgeous day

Another early start with the aim of getting to Curlew Island, 71nm away. Spinnaker up and with the current with us we made good time until about 1500 when it eased and we motored the rest of the way.  No gybes so I was happy and we saw our first whales of the trip including one which surfaced right next to the boat, luckily going away from us.

Cruised along beside us for a while to check us out

An early start on Wednesday as we headed for Brampton Island, the start of the Whitsundays in our minds. More spinnaker, more whales and more gybes! When the wind got to 20 knots we dropped the spinnaker and goose winged the headsail. Boring said Warren - less stressful I thought.

Now it is time to slow down, sleep in and enjoy some of what these islands have to offer.

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