Keppel Bay Marina (Rosslyn Bay) to Pearl Bay anchorage

After an up expected extended stay in the Marina due to a strong wind warning, we finally duck out of the Bay and headed to Pearl Bay which had a reputation as the nicest anchorage in the area. The day started calmly enough with the winds lighter in the morning however by the afternoon both the winds and swell had increased to the point where conditions were uncomfortable until we reached the anchorage.

Arriving at Pearl Bay (wb)

The anchorage was a little underwhelming mostly due to the weather. I'm sure it would be a more picturesque place in sunshine and fair winds. As it was it was a swelly overnight anchorage and we were happy to depart in the early morning.

Leaving Pearl Bay after sunrise (wb)

View of Pearl Bay after exiting the Bay early morning

Pictorial Update - Pancake Creek Bay

This anchorage was an unexpected pleasure....true to Johnston ("man who attracts snakes") form, Scott and I went for a short walk on the headland rocks only to be greeted on the way back by a relieved Will letting us know that someone was airlifted out of the same headland area the day before from a suspected death adder bite!

Finally catching fish 

Keppel Bay Marina, Rosslyn Bay (near Yeppoon)

Left the lovely Pancake Creek Bay early in dubious weather (ie. strong SE wind warning), to continue making progress towards the Whitsundays. The 20/25 knot winds did not eventuate but things got lively towards the end of the day. Glad to finally get into the marina.

Refueled, rewatered and reprovisioned (this boat won't ever go hungry). Will head off again early to head to Percy Islands.

Pictorial Update - Day in the Life of Samaya skipper and crew

Skipper after an overnight passage - not happy chap

Multitasking on watch

Back seat navigating

On watch

Catching up

On lookout

Are we there yet?

Blogging

Exhausted - not so Dangerous Cargo

He's at it again

Dolphin  watching

Anchorage north Moon Island to Pancake Creek Bay

A midnight start to make some milage across Hervey Bay past Bundaberg and then into a beautiful anchorage called Pancake Creek Bay. The highlight of this passage was seeing a nearby whale breaching about 3 time - absolutely spectacular!

Today was a rest day to wait out a strong wind situation that is currently along the Queensland coast. At the moment it shows no signs of abating. We're in a lovely Bay so touch base with land on the beach for a while, finally caught some fish for bait (ask the Skipper and crew about proscuitto and curried bread sometime!) and caught up reading and emails.

Pictorial Update - Sunset Wide Bay Harbour near Tin Can Bay

Tin Can Bay through the Great Sandy Strait

We decided to forgo another ocean passage and go through the Great Sandy Strait behind Fraser Island? It's a challenging passage for a keeled boat (especially with our 2m draft) because of he shallow nature of the channel and having to pay close attention to the port and starboard markers.

It was a great day, loads of varied scenery with the highlights being towards Hervey Bay. Only a small bottom touch through a shallow but generally we timed it pretty well with the tide. Turtles were also sighted in the channel.

Another spectacular sunset near Moon Point(Fraser island).A few hours sleep before heading off at midnight to make the distance to the next anchorage at Pancake Creek Bay.

Nautical term for the day

Abaft

Abaft – Toward the stern, relative to some object ("abaft the fore hatch").

Courtesy of the crew who is a mine of useful information!

Mooloolaba to Tin Can Bay (south Fraser Island)

A bit behind in my blog posts already mainly because I wanted to upload photos at the same time with each post. This has proved challenging because of Internet connection and computer time. So I've decided pics will have to follow on separate posts from time to time so I can stay up to date.

We left Mooloolaba early to head to southern end of Fraser Island. A peaceful and uneventful cruise up towards Wide Bay Bar,passing the picturesque coast around Noosa and Double Island Point. The bar was lively with a reasonable amount of water and understandably called "the Mad Mile." The lead lines for entry were very difficult to see in the afternoon light - almost impossible in fact until you we on top of them. While crossing we could see dozens of 4WDs screaming up and down the beaches. The car ferry from the mainland crosses to and from Fraser Island at Wide Harbour as we entered.

We anchored just south of Wide Bay Harbour on the way to Tin Can Bay. Skipper and crew fished unsuccessfully. The day ended with drinks and roast beef fillet. This is the life!

Obscure nautical terms

In case you're wondering how the crew passes their time during the passages - here's some useful information picked along the way......
1 Scott (1.83m) = fathom
15 fathoms = shackle
600 ft = cable
10 cables = nautical mile
Shackle = 90ft
6.75 shackle = cable

Fascinating....yes?

Coffs Harbour to Mooloolaba

Three and half days and two nights at sea. No wind so we have been motor sailing or motoring.
A bit of a slog with 2kts of East Aust current slowing us down to 3kts off Stradbroke Is
when we had been averaging 5kts. Surprisingly free of wildlife on this leg - not even birds.
Very tired after the 24hour watches.
Pulled into Mooloolaba Wharf Marina to refuel, shower and sleep properly. Facilities for refueling was not great so the boys had to lug gerry cans to the petrol station and back to the boat. Happy days. Full nights sleep and a beer!
Off to Tin Can Bay, south of Fraser Island where we'll start to take it easier and enjoy the view.
Typed on my iPhone so excuse any typos etc

Coffs Harbour clearing

The weather is finally clearing after 2 days of torrential rain.

Coffs Harbour - blue sky in the distance

Caught up with friends on Saturday for lunch and were bunkered down in the yacht on Sunday doing last minute jobs, including some navigation preparation for the next passage. Now weather is permitting we'll be able to get out and top up food, do laundry etc.

samaya at Coffs Harbour marina

Having worked out that a dud engine battery caused our engine issues a couple of days ago, the battery will be replaced today as well.

Pictorial update - Broughton Islands to Coffs Harbour

A bloggers life on the high seas

Sunset of South Brother peak (on our way to passing Port Macquarie)

Sunset of South Brother peak (on our way to passing Port Macquarie)

Sunset of South Brother peak (on our way to passing Port Macquarie)

Broughton Islands to Coffs Harbour

Our biggest challenge so far is this leg which was our first night sail 2 handed. Left Broughton Island early with the winds dropping from 10knots to under 5knots so we motored with a headsail most the way. The highlight of the first afternoon was a pod of bottle nosed dolphins that swam several times along side the bow of the boat. They were so close and the water so clear that we had the best view. Can't have enough dolphin photos or dolphin videos. The rest of the afternoon the sea around the yacht was full of dolphins.

The evening and night was mostly fairly uneventful, which is a good thing. We were motoring at 7kts until we hit the Eastern Australian current which knocked the speed back to 4 kts and the seas were just slopping around. We took 2 - 3 hours watches each which became harder as the night wore on. It was terrific to see the sun come up at 5.30 am.

The morning was beautiful, so to order to conserve fuel and enjoy the morning, we pulled out a sail and coasted towards Coffs. You would then think it would be an easy doodle into Coffs harbour, no bar, no drama - no chance! On restarting the engine to enter the Harbour and head to a marina berth (yep you guessed it), after 20 odd hours of motoring the motor wouldn't start. Coupled with this we lost power to the anchor winch and had no confidence in the manual override. Happy days!

After calling Marine Rescue assistance, we then sailed into the harbour on headsail and were then towed by some brave volunteers in a power boat into the marina berth. Good grief, what a way to arrive. 

I was amazed by the generosity of people who helped us out, not only the guys who towed us to the berth (not easy at all), but another yacht heading south into the Harbour offered to help and people on the marina were there to help secure the boat. A lovely retired electrical engineered helped diagnose the problem and the local Volvo diesel mechanic also checked the engine out. With all this help, we now have a grasp on the issues and yes, we will be continuing north on schedule weather permitting. 

Swansea to Broughton Island (off Port Stephens)

Early start to get out of the *%#@?!! Swansea channel on the high tide, before peak hour to catch a bridge opening to get out of the %*&#%$!! bar.

Towards Swansea at sunrise

All safe and easily done - skipper on high alert for depth going to zero (it happens).

It was a freezing cold morning followed by a lively day sail to Esmeralda Cove off Broughton Islands (National Park).

Granny checks weather - as long as you have an internet connection and you don't Skype who cares what you look like!

Dolphin sighting along the way (always good) and some interesting sailing done to avoid the fisherman's pots/crab nets. Brougton Island is mostly frequented by fisherman and there are huts on the island and private moorings used at certain times of the year.

Esmeralda Cove - fishermans huts

Day 1 - Wangi Wangi mooring

As usual things don't go quite as planned and we ended up leaving our mooring a little later than we wanted at 3pm. Motored to a Maritime mooring off Wangi Wangi near the RSL in preparation for an early departure through the channel at 6am. All going well we should be out at sea at 7.30am tomorrow morning.

Tonight is calmer than this afternoon's westerlies and we were treated to a sunset over the Eraring power station. Early dinner and early night.....

Looking a little tired I think

Two more days to go!

Two more days before we head out. Still packing and provisioning (endless!) but almost there. I have to remember we're not actually heading into the wilderness for months, just offshore for a couple of weeks at a time. There will be shops!

First planned stop is Broughton Island one hours sailing north of Port Stephen. A short day sail just to get into the swing of things. A beautiful place for the first stop.

Broughton Islands

Esmeralda Cove

Esmeralda Cove - anchorage spot

5 more sleeps to go...

Five more days before we head out of lake Macquarie, into the Swansea channel and out across the bar, weather permitting.

Swansea channel and bar

Daily weather checks from now on - fingers crossed!

Packing and provisioning

In the last few weeks, we've spent time getting those last minute jobs done (with some help from friends), collecting stuff we need to take away and generally packing. Which lead to....a big mess in the house!

Mostly food - useful

Maps - also useful

Entertainment believe it or not!

The good news is that most of this is on-board and we still have room. Just packing clothes and will complete provisioning late this week, ready for departure next week :)