Thomas Island and Airlie Beach

Thursday & Friday 18, 19 August 2011, Thomas Island

We arrived at Thomas to find Peer Pressure here. The boat changed hands recently and Len and Isla helped new owner Rad bring it to Yeppoon. Rad and Chris are taking their time seeing the sights on the way home to Lucinda.

While here, a group of kayakers arrived who had traveled from Mackay over the last 4 days. They set up camp and enjoyed a large cod caught on one of the catamarans and donated to them for dinner.

The highlight of our 2 nights at Thomas was sundowners on the beach with the crews of 4 other boats anchored here. With home ports of Brisbane, Lake Macquarie, Lucinda and London there were many interesting stories and laughs to share.

Saturday, 20 August 2011 Thomas to Cid Harbour

Another great spinnaker run down the Whitsunday Passage in 15 - 20 kn SE winds. We spent Sunday morning here and climbed Whitsunday Peak to enjoy the view. Over to Airlie Beach on Sunday afternoon where we anchored off the VMR and boat ramp.

Shopped Monday morning before we went into the Abel Point Marina for one night. The motors had their 50 hour service and Warren got a few tips so he can do it himself if required.

We spent Tuesday night again at anchor off the VMR so I could get a haircut. The wind is still up so we are also staying here tonight, Wednesday before we head to Glouchester Passage for the Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club Rendezvous.

Nature at its best

Wednesday, 17 August 2011 Blunt Bay to Refuge Bay

Another day with the sun shining and spinnaker up most of the day. With an easterly breeze it was a good angle and we were doing 5-6 knots in 6 - 8 knots of breeze and 8 - 9 knots in 12 - 15 knots of breeze. Our maximum speed of 9.7 knots was good considering the maximum gust we had was 15 knots. The later departure from Brisbane has meant a lot more time with the spinnaker up rather than double reefed in 20+ knots.

Today we had dolphins join us off Mackay (same place as last year) and a whale that crossed our bow and then swam past about 20m off the starboard side.

I saw the dolphins in the distance and they approached at speed and jumped out in unison as they came alongside (I am sure they just wanted to make sure we were watching). We were running under kite at 8 - 9 knots at the time and they had a great time as they surfed the bow then came back and surfed the stern wave.

Thursday, 18 August 2011 Scawfell to Thomas Island


Light NW to start so we motored and heard the sound that all sailors dread - the sound of something falling from the mast and hitting the deck. Of course it falls overboard and try as we might we couldn't see what came undone. The mystery was solved an hour later when as a SW breeze came in, we raised the sails. The jib dropped to the deck and we found the shackle pin missing. The spinnaker halyard was put to use until I could raise Warren up the mast with the electric winch once anchored at Thomas Island (installed for just this purpose). More excitement followed when a baby whale breached about 50m away. Warren had to point up as they crossed in front - the baby continuing to breach as we passed.

A bit later we had a 70 cm mackeral on the line, our first of the trip. Warren said it looks smaller in the photo. Regardless, it tasted great last night.






The breeze had died again so we started the motors just as a large pod of dolphins joined us. The 20+ dolphins included several babies and they entertained us for half an hour before getting bored and moving on.



What a day!

Blunt Bay, North East Island, Percy Group

Monday, 15 August 2011 Island Head Creek to Blunt Bay

Another great spinnaker run all day where we averaged nearly 8 knots for the 54nm to Blunt Bay on North East Island. 2 nights here to ourselves in what is a very picturesque bay. Just after arriving a whale appeared and cruised into the bay for a look around. We saw several others go by and heard them singing at night.

There has been no grazing on this island so the trees remain and these go right down to the pebbly beaches. We kayaked to the one sandy beach and saw fish but none for the table.





A highlight of my time here was completing the jigsaw my sister, Lynne gave me for my last birthday - Michelangelo's Creation of Man in the Sistine Chapel. My family and former work colleagues know I love jigsaws and so I have made a jigsaw mat so I can have some on Phase2 and put it away when I'm not working on it. My next challenge is a mosaic puzzle of the Titanic which may not be quite as relaxing as this one has been.






Overall, a nice anchorage but a bit rolly.

Yeppoon and Shoalwater Bay

Tuesday, 9 August 2011 Yellow Patch to Rosslyn Bay

We left at 0600 from Yellow Patch to ensure we had enough tide and after a brief period with the spinnaker up had to motor sail again when the breeze dropped below 8 knots. We arrived at the marina at lunchtime but were unable to contact them as they had lost all power. Eventually went in and tied up at the end of the finger and waited for power to be restored late in the afternoon.

We booked the courtesy car for the following afternoon as we had to buy a new generator. Our 1kVa Honda wasn't big enough to power the 60A charger on Phase2. We got a 2kVa Honda generator in Yeppoon. Anyone need an as new generator? Works well on the 30A charger in the 1000s! We also did the shopping and bought a few other items in the 2 hours we had the car. This is a great service offered by Keppel Bay Marina.

Warren ran into John from Hadja (Seawind 1160) while here. They are also heading up to the Shag Islet Rendezvous. We ended up staying another night in the marina when a strong N came in on Thursday.

Friday, 12 August, 2011 Rosslyn Bay to Pearl Bay

We set the spinnaker soon after leaving at 0700 and gybed downwind until after Cape Manifold when the breeze got up over 20 knots. We arrived at Pearl Bay at 1610 after 55nm and anchored with 8 other boats in this beautiful bay.

Awoke late the next morning to find everyone had left and we had the bay to ourselves until lunch when the next group started to appear. 10 here on Saturday night which was quite rolly as the swell was more to the east.

Sunday we headed around to Island Head Creek to escape the swell.

Yellow Patch

Saturday, 6 August 2011 Pancake Creek to Cape Capricorn

We left at 0800 in a 10-15 kn south easterly and moderate swell. Spinnaker up again until the breeze increased over 20 knots. After lunch it died below 10 knots and we motor sailed to try to reduce the slatting of the main. Eventually the spinnaker went up again and we anchored off Cape Capricorn at 1520.

We climbed up to the lighthouse on Sunday morning and watched the Keppel race yachts sail by. We motored into Yellow Patch on Sunday afternoon just before high tide using our coordinates from last year which had not changed much.

We are staying here until Tuesday when the marina at Rosslyn Bay has space after the race yachts move on up the coast for Hamilton Island Race Week.

Pancake Creek

Tuesday, 2 August 2011 Kingfisher Bay to Bundaberg

Left at 0700, pushing tide which made for slow going to start. We anchored off the marina at Bundaberg at 1640 after 58 nm alternating between spinnaker and motor sailing with one engine. The breeze was E to SE between 5 and 12 knots. We were surprised to immediately get a call from Dave and Lorna who now own Next Phase. They are in the marina and heading north to Pancake Creek tomorrow also.

Wednesday, 3 August to Saturday, 6 August 2011, Bundaberg to Pancake Creek

We left about 0615 about an hour after Next Phase and the 2 cats they are travelling with. Breeze was S to SE between 12 and 20 knots. We set the spinnaker after clearing the leads and set off after the boats ahead. Initially we gained quickly until Dave and Lorna set their spinnaker and then we kept pace all the way to Pancake Creek. A great days sailing averaging nearly 8 knots.

On Thursday we moved further up the creek as the anchor chain was noisy on the coral and gravel bottom. Warren caught a Giant Trevally off the boat after the move. We emailed a picture to my brother Dave who is a keen fisherman to see if ciguatera poisoning was an issue. After many years of telling TAFE students to be careful of large fish I was very cautious.

Dave posted to his fishing forum and came back that consensus was it was fine to eat. We had a small serve the next evening and it was beautiful. The wonders of technology!

We have been using our Telstra prepaid mobile WiFi and Skype when we have no Optus coverage. This seems to work well and is very cost effective.

We stayed here until Saturday morning enjoying the opportunity to catch up with Dave and Lorna for sundowners and the first real break of the trip.

Warmer weather is calling us.....

Saturday, 30 July to Monday, 1 August, 2011

We got away about 1230 with a big farewell party (Mum, Josh and our friends the Madderns) to wave us off. We sailed through the night and crossed a benign Wide Bay Bar at 0730 then on to anchor at Garry's. Not our best trip as sloppy seas and the wind dead astern most of the time lead to an unpleasant motion. I succumbed to sea sickness but was fine by morning.

We met our friends Lois and Kel who had sailed their yacht Sea Time from Tin Can Bay to join us for the evening.









Today, Monday, we headed to Kingfisher Bay Resort where we went ashore to check out the facilities. There is a bar near the beach that welcomes visitors and has a pool, hot showers and serves lunch and dinner.


Very nice and Warren met one of the locals. We plan to come back here on our return trip.

We are off to Bundaberg tomorrow as Lizard Island beckons.

Official Christening

Monday, 11 July 2011

With all the wet weather in Sydney, we didn't actually officially christen Phase2. Our son Ben was up from Melbourne last weekend so we took Mum and him out for a day on the bay and asked Mum to perform the honours.

It was a beautiful day off Coochie Mudlo and what champagne wasn't poured on the boat went well with lunch.

We are currently busy doing a lot of jobs in preparation for the trip north to Lizard Island in a couple of weeks. For every job I cross off the list, Warren adds 2 more!

Trip Statistics

Some figures for this trip...........
Please note that the mileage and speeds are a bit low as the log is reading low. We need to calibrate before the next trip.
Total days away - 30 days
Total miles travelled - 541 nm
Motor hours - 38 hrs (port and starboard)
Days home from Pittwater - 11 days
Miles from Pittwater - 435 nm
Motor hours from Pittwater - 16 hrs (port and starboard)
Sailing time - 69% (more like 90% if you take out the time to get into and out of anchorages)
Fuel consumption - ?? yet to fill tanks although seems to be about 2l/hr/engine
Average speed - 5.8 kn (this includes time dropping and raising the anchor)
Best sailing average - 6.7 kn from Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour
Max Speed - 9.7 kn on the log
Max wind we sailed in - 31 kn

Home at Last

Wednesday, 29 June 2011

Well our trip finished the way it started - cold, wet and windy. We left early to make sure we had enough tide up to Canaipa and to be home before the predicted strong winds later in the day. We motored initially through the narrow channels, then raised the main once we were past Canaipa.

We started with 2 reefs due to the strong wind warning, however removed them after the breeze seemed to have settled in around the 10 to 15 knot mark. Of course this was the sign for the wind to increase and we quickly put them back in as the wind increased to 30 knots. The new TyeTec reefing blocks are working well.

It was a quick sail home and Phase2 was soon tied up in her new berth.

We have a list of jobs to be completed before we head north again in a month or so.

Sunny Quensland

Saturday, 25 June to Tuesday, 28 June 2011

We had one night at the Stadium where we caught up with Jenny and John from Corazon and compared notes about the trip north. They are heading up to the Whitsundays and we hope to see them again when we go north.

Sunday we motored up to the Southport Yacht Club's anchorage at Dux. We saw Jireh (SW1160) and Sunbird (SW100) before finding Tranquillity (SW1000XL) here. Alan and Margaret are also planning a trip north about the same time as us. We walked over to the surf and had a BBQ ashore with the Corazon crew on Monday evening.

Today, Tuesday we motored up to Slipping Sands for the last night of our trip. We'll miss being on the boat but not the cold weather. Do they make 12v heaters??

Coffs Harbour to Southport

Friday 24 June 2011

We left early again for the 60nm trip to Yamba. A moderate SW/S breeze had us gybing downwind. After lunch we hoisted the spinnaker as the breeze had softened a little and we carried it to Yamba. The yacht Corazon had left Coffs after us and stayed about 5nm behind all day. They were heading for the Seaway and as we neared Yamba we contemplated also continuing our trip as the conditions were so good.

While the thought of a nice rest at Yamba was tempting, we eventually decided that we should make the most of the conditions and so amended our trip with Marine Rescue Iluka/Yamba and prepared for a night at sea. We dropped the kite on dusk, had some tea and started our watch system of 2 hours on, 2 hours off.

The radar was great to track all the trawlers and the breeze stayed in all night. We put the second reef in and enjoyed perfect sailing conditions. We were doing 5-6 knots over the ground which was perfect timing for a crossing of the Gold Coast Seaway around 0800.

We passed Cape Byron around midnight and logged off with the last NSW Marine Rescue at Point Danger at 0500. They are all linked by computer now which makes logging in as we travelled up the coast very easy. These volunteers do a great job.

We crossed the Seaway at 0800 as planned and then went around to anchor in the Stadium (also known as Bum's Bay). Corazon followed soon after. Scambled eggs for breakfast and then off to bed after covering 160nm (140nm on the log).

Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour

Wednesday 22 June 2011

We left at 0730 with the last of an incoming tide and found the entrance flat due to the westerly (10-15 knots) we had. The breeze stayed in the W or SW all day which made for some good reaches up the coastline. We hugged the coast as much as possible to avoid the current.

By lunchtime as we passed Trial Bay Gaol, we had the second reef in as the breeze was over 20 knots and by 1500 we had gone to the third reef as it hit 30 knots. Even with 3 reefs we were sitting on 8 knots most of the time and enjoying the sail in the slight seas.

We arrived at the Coffs Harbour marina after dark and tied up to our berth on the end of the row after covering 74 nm. The temperature dropped to 2.8 degrees overnight and we were thankful for the flannelette sheets we had bought in Port Macquarie. We decided to spend Thursday in Coffs as the breeze was light from the NE.

We did a few more jobs (there is always something to do) and went for a very interesting walk to the top of Mutton Bird Island. It was hot and sunny and we bought out our shorts for the first time in weeks!

Port Stephens to Port Macquarie

Monday, 20 June 2011

Another front heading this way so we are up early with the plan to go to Forster Tuncurry, a trip of 46nm. The sailing was perfect all day, SW/W wind that averaged 15 knots in the morning and eased a little in the afternoon. It was so good we decided to keep going to Coffs Harbour as the weather reports for tomorrow became steadily worse during the day.

A pod of 3 whales entertained us for an hour as we cruised with them up the coast. They breeched numerous times and amused themselves by slapping their tails and fins. They weren't even deterred when we had to start our motors as the breeze eased about 1600 and went around to the N/NW. As usual my timing of photos was off.

After 8 hours of motoring, we decided Port Macquarie looked a good option so decided to cross the bar just after midnight. There was very little swell and about 10 knots of westerly so we thought conditions ideal. A couple of largish waves as we approached surprised us but we entered the river without issue and took up one of the marina moorings up the river.

We spent today here sitting out the weather and plan to head off again tomorrow if the forecast is suitable for the trip to Coffs.

Pittwater to Port Stephens

Sunday, 19 June 2011

We finally left Pittwater in a moderate south wester and swell of about 3m. The 2 reefs we had put in based on the forecast were quickly removed and we had a good reach all the way to Port Stephens in company with a large monohull Corazon. They decided to push on to Coffs Harbour while we stuck with our plan to go into Port Stephens.

We were surprised to see the 1160 Champagne on Ice appear among the anchored ships off Lake Macquarie.

A great day's sail soured somewhat when it took an hour to set the anchor after an chain alignment issue with the windlass became apparent. We eventually spent a quiet night at Soldiers Point after covering 70 nm back towards home at last.

Storm Jib

Warwick and Ruth from Ulysses asked about the storm jib. Our sail was made by John Penfold at UK Halsey Sydney and we are very happy with it. (John also has made all the sails for our 1160). It clips over the furled jib and it works fine on both the 1000 and 1160. We have used it in 30+ knots a couple of times with 2 reefs in the main and Warren was surprised that the boat still tacked easily and we pointed ok.

We have found it is best to set it all up before you leave as our one attempt to do it on the run was complicated when the furling jib became unfurled when the sheet was removed. We now take much more care when tying the jib up and have had no problems since. It uses the standard jib sheets which makes setting it up easy.

We would recommend one if you are doing a lot of sailing as it certainly saves flogging the standard jib. It is nice to know it is there if you need it!

Pittwater

Wednesday 8 June to Wednesday 15 June 2011
We have been at Pittwater for a week now, and while the weather has not been kind, we have had a chance to visit some great spots and also get a few jobs done on the boat before we head further North.

The windy conditions were also ideal for trying out the storm jib which we kept off Next Phase. It worked well without any modification.

The main is currently with UK Halsey getting a change to the reefing system that was installed. We are using TyeTec blocks on the leech to prevent rope chafe. One of the blocks had a defect and UK is replacing them all with smaller ones which will work better.

Last Friday Lois and Kel caught the train back to Singleton from Brooklyn. This was very convenient and a good spot to stop and get bread, milk etc. We are getting spoiled with the public moorings available in NSW.

We were glad we are currently tied up at Royal Motor Yacht Club as it was very gusty yesterday and last night (40-45 knots). A bit better today and hopefully it will continue to improve. Warren saw a penguin swim past the boat today - I told you it was cold! The main issue for us now is the swell and seas predicted (3-4m swell and 2-3m seas). We'll see what develops over the next few days.

State of origin tonight so Warren's main concern is that we are somewhere with good TV reception.


PS. We spent another 3 nights here at the Basin and enjoyed a walk around Coasters Retreat.

Sydney to Pittwater

Tuesday 7 June 2011
On Monday we provisioned the boat in readiness for the short trip to Pittwater on Tuesday morning. It had been windy (and COLD) for days and there was a small weather window before the next front came through with 30 knot westerlies predicted. We had a good sail to Pittwater, picked up our new Swift RIB and found a mooring at The Basin for the night. It is very comfortable here although it is getting colder!

Sydney

Wednesday 1 June to Monday 6 June 2011
We had test sails on Wednesday and Friday afternoons with David Renouf from Seawind who was very helpful in setting up the boat.

Our friends Lois and Kel joined us Thursday evening and we took Phase2 out by ourselves for the first time on Saturday for lunch at the nearby Hen and Chicken Bay. We visited the spectacular Sydney light festival and Archibald exhibition with them on Sunday.

Our stay was extended to allow some additional electronics to be installed and Seawind time to fix a few issues prior to heading home. We are very happy with the boat and the quick rectification of identified issues.

One thing we discovered when testing the AIS was that you could see our track for the previous 24 hours on the website www.marinetraffic.com (provided the AIS is on at the time you search). While having lunch on Saturday, we got a call from our son Ben to say he saw on this website we had moved the boat!

Handover of Phase2

Monday 30 May, 2011 to Tuesday 31 May 2011
We spent the day with Murray and Chad from Seawind going over Phase2 from stem to stern. Chad is the supervisor of the 1160 production line and knows the boats inside out. We took the opportunity to learn as much as we could from him. As Service Manager, Murray was making sure we covered all aspects on his very comprehensive checklist.

As it poured all day, we did not get our test sail but the rain did allow us extra time going through the boat. Still raining Tuesday so we spent the day moving stuff out of the office and filling the many cupboards and storage areas. Test sail set down for Wednesday.