2018 Travels

Date: 12/5/18

Location: Tin Can Bay

25 54'.13 S

153 01'.40 E

Weather: Cold but sunny

Author: Peter & Kylie

We spent the past few days preparing the boat to head north. The batteries were tested and subsequently replaced with new ones. The boat was provisioned for a week or so with no supermarket access. We did a massive clean up, storing everything in its proper place for safety reasons- the boat doesn't stay flat! Plus we made use of Andrew & Rosie's washing machine. Thank you again Rosie for all your help.

So late on Thursday afternoon we made our way North to Deception Bay (still in Moreton Bay) and anchored up in the dark. The kids had their first dinner on the move, albeit leftovers.

At 3.30am we pulled up the anchor and began the motor out of the narrow, shallow straits exiting Moreton Bay. We hugged the Bribie Island shore avoiding the shipping channel as long as possible as there was a lot of big boat traffic. Mia woke just before sunrise and unfortunately was feeling a little ill. 

The forecast looked good with a strong South-westerly decreasing all day and a relatively flat ocean. We expected to take around 13 hours to reach Wide Bay Bar (the southern edge of Fraser Island). Being a bar entrance we needed to approach on the high tide. The last time we crossed this bar was a rather horrible experience (the boat launching over a wave and dropping 15 feet with a huge crash, 3 times in a row) so we were feeling apprehensive. We hoped the weather conditions were to be far nicer than the past.

And this was just to show you how unlevel the boat was!

Although Mia had a rough start to the trip, as the wind decreased so did the chop and with some drugs and a little distraction she improved as the day went on. Joel took to it like an old hand, running around, swinging, checking ships through the binoculars and showing no fear and enjoying himself thoroughly.

Throughout the day the kids entertained themselves by playing with lego, LOLs, their DS's, a bit of tv time and some snoozing.

The ocean did as was forecast however the wind didn't cooperate dying out around 10am in the morning. This was a great excuse to try out our new code 0/screecher hence forth to be known as "Hedwig"- for those who don't know our spinnaker is called "Big Bird". This was perfect for the less than 10knot breezes if only it was a bit more consistent. We discovered Jura is capable of sailing apparent wind angles. With the gentle breeze from behind and the use of Hedwig, we managed to sail at 7 knots across the bottom feeling 8 knots of apparent wind, feeling the wind at 60 degrees from our bow.

Hedwig saved us from being overtaken by a catamaran that had been ghosting us all day since we pulled up anchor in Deception Bay... We all know that if theres a boat on the horizon, its on!

We got to Wide Bay Bar right on high tide, had a smooth uneventful crossing in the twilight and anchored up in the dark again.

 

The kids did really well for their first offshore sail. Finishing in high spirits after 91 nautical miles.

We have moved through to Tin Can Bay to sit out this very cold southerly brrr.

This is a photo from Brisbane river that somehow missed the blog. What a great spot The Garden Point Boat Harbour was.