Stunning, we sailed in just after dawn and our first all night sail from Yappoon.
We had stopped in Yappoon for a few extra bottles of water and some chips and dip for our big sail. Both Cary and I were nervous and excited about pulling a big night sail. We left Yappoon at about 11am in bright blue sky and 20kt winds and a beautiful rolling blue sea.
We sailed that day with only our genoa up and found that we traveled faster and smoother this way. We were averaging just over 5kts, the auto helm was doing a great job and the kids were settling into boat life and spreading their toys from bow to stern.
We had a cold dinner, crackers, cheese and fruit and the kids passed out for the night. Up ahead as the sun went down I could see a squal closing in. The waves grew to a rolling 4m and the wind picked up. I called Cary to the deck and we "discussed" our options as we drew ever closer to the dark. The light had left the sky and we were now sailing trough bright stars so the squall was easy to see ahead. I wanted to pull into Freashwater bay, Cary didn't want to try to anchor on a squall in the dark. We decided instead to turn east and head out to sea to where we could see the stars. It got windy at one point we were doing 12kts our average speed picked up to 6kts. Then the squall was behind us.
We were both pretty tired so we only did one hour shifts. It got cold and rained a few times but mostly it was beautiful. There were sparkling phospheresance in the water and no moon to dim the stars. Just us and the salty wind.
I only saw one boat that night. Just before dawn my little boy came out and curled up on my lap and we watched the dawn.
It's OK Hang, he misses some other glaring ones as well phosphorescence not phospheresance so we are still safe to post. I'm starting to think that this trip has never occurred, coz as you know on the net the rule is, no pics then it never happened.
The view looking the other way is pretty stunning, or just another anchorage off a sandy white beach.... But this is special as Middle Percy is basically an ongoing museum of boating travellers. I was last up there in 2010, and met a lady who was cataloging all the memoribilia.
Just a little heads up Katie. Visited Hamilton I 3 years back and the ammenities were very average. Ammenities block is completely rebuilt and better than some bathrooms on dry land. Worth the $105 for a night for recharging and rewatering. Showers are brilliant and the locals very welcoming. Stay away from Able point as the facilities are average and they charge $130 per night. We just returned from 10 days in the Whitsundays and had 2 days of sunny weather, avg wind 25 knts with gusts up to 35. Made for some good sailing, Whitehaven was a no go zone with the 2.5 mtr swells rolling in . Hope it calms down for you guys by the time you get there. Enjoy. Don,t miss sunset on Hammo.
Does work quite well Cisco, although it takes 2 to operate as the furler is on the mast with lines run back to the cockpit. Must keep pressure on both lines while outhauling. Once you,re used to it, piece of cake. Very easy reefing system. Must remember to release and clear brakes properly
Dave, does morningsun refer to the S&S34 Morning Sun?
Hi MorningBird, No, its a custom 9.9m timber boat built in the early '90s based on a Mount Gay 30. I just enjoy Otis Reddings "Dock on the Bay", and the first line is: Sitting in the morning sun.....
When the weather gets warmer I hope to do plenty of that!!
Welcome Home to Cairns Katie and Cary Broken propshaft, Outboard falling off the back, Strong wnds, Calms, Dinghy falling apart etc etc All sounds pretty standard for a long passage but you made it and Im impressed!
In mast furling!!!! That's a fancy bit of kit Ken. Does it all work well.
I watched my neibour for a couple of hours fight trying to get his In mast furling free...it was stuck a quater the way out! Sounded like the mast was going to come down as he put many pounds per inch onto the subject! Scary and how do you sail without battens on a big yacht that's got me stumped .
. Hope it calms down for you guys by the time you get there. Enjoy.
That's a fancy bit of kit Ken.
Does it all work well.
