Finally managed to get out of Keppel Bay where we have had to take care of some personal matters and sit out cyclone Debbie. We got up to 65 knots in the marina the night it crossed the coast.
We are heading back up north to the Whitsundays stopping at Pearl Bay tonight, Middle Percy Island, Scawfell Island, Thomas Island and Airlie Beach.
If internet is available, I'l post some pictures later, bound to catch a fish

I did'nt catch any fish! Now and Zen well the fishes bath water is a little dirty right now
Many thanks for the videos

SandS said..
hey Now@Zen ....what is your wheel steering set up ? looks like it works really well ?

Yeh, it does work well. I can't compare it to other auto pilot controls as this is my first cruising yacht.
I have a Lewmar electric motor drive and shaft straight onto the steering quadrant, so the auto pilot control at the helm can be an emergency steering control if the cables off the wheel should break.
I believe it is a great set up.

thanks Now&Zen looks the goods !

We have arrived in Airlie Beach after passing some masts poking up out of the water
There was cyclone damage to vegetation as far south as Scawfell Island - it surprised me to see such a wide area affected by it.
A fair bit of stuff floating in the water to avoid on the way up.
Below are a couple of photos.
The first is Daydream Island, the second is Hamilton Island.

Sailed around to the port hacking and anchored over night at south west arm, awesome weather although the wind was a touch light.

Sailed back today with a stop at Jibbon for a swim, with better wind on the way home. Was a great little trip and just what was needed to regain a small piece sanity.

We sailed from Nara Inlet back to Airlie Beach yesterday in a stiff 25knot SE.
Passing us in the other direction was this ex raceboat full of backpackers having a great time!
Shortly after this, the wind gusted to 40 knots and I reckon there must have been some brown stains appear on the sides judging by how far she heeled over.

Yeah its about the fourth time we have been out of the bay. And thanks the new rig & recut sails have made a big difference, and all major upgrades are now nearing completion

Yeah I did hear talk from my co-owner of sail with guys, looking forward to it. Unfortunately no fish and chips but more moorings than Patonga.

Cheers

Got an early start from laurieton, (0200) poured rain on us going over the bar was wondering if I'd made the right call, daylight we started making sail, then the day just got better ! A stiff little SW bowled us up the coast! Anchored at trial bay early arvo in the sunshine

I had an e-mail exchange with Coffs Harbour marina last week. They are now open, but with limited capacity. Fuel is available 24 hours via card. Call or e-mail them to check before you get there to to be sure. www.coffsharbourmarina.com.au/

Trial bay turned it on this morning, as the fog lifted the sun came out, a lazy breky, 0900 sailed of the anchor with a nice little SW after a couple of hours sailed through a cloud burst that initially had us gybe then tight hauled to stay on corse the water pouring of the sails was spectacular. After it passed the sea was glass then a sloppy roll into Coffs. Anchored between the moorings and the marina wall not to much roll.

yesterday afternoon got into the Clarence from Coffs the ESE breeze was NE and the sea a bit more than predicted. There is still a fair bit of water coming down the river from the recent rains so there's no overrun on the high tide, we were 40 minutes after the high tide and it had already started to run out, combined with a large easterly swell it made for an interesting bar crossing !
We are now back in our home port after a 104 day shake down cruise that seen us log nearly all the ports and some of the Open roadsteads between port Yamba and port hacking. The aim of the cruise was besides adventure, was to determine whether the boat was suitable for long term coastal cruising ( as everyone can apresiate a gaff rig spray is not everybodys cup of tea )and if so what sort of modifications might be in order. So givin I'm looking to cruise on a budget I've some modifications to make and a cruising kitty to get and next year of to the reef

woko said..
yesterday afternoon got into the Clarence from Coffs the ESE breeze was NE and the sea a bit more than predicted. There is still a fair bit of water coming down the river from the recent rains so there's no overrun on the high tide, we were 40 minutes after the high tide and it had already started to run out, combined with a large easterly swell it made for an interesting bar crossing !
We are now back in our home port after a 104 day shake down cruise that seen us log nearly all the ports and some of the Open roadsteads between port Yamba and port hacking. The aim of the cruise was besides adventure, was to determine whether the boat was suitable for long term coastal cruising ( as everyone can apresiate a gaff rig spray is not everybodys cup of tea )and if so what sort of modifications might be in order. So givin I'm looking to cruise on a budget I've some modifications to make and a cruising kitty to get and next year of to the reef

woko said..
yesterday afternoon got into the Clarence from Coffs the ESE breeze was NE and the sea a bit more than predicted. There is still a fair bit of water coming down the river from the recent rains so there's no overrun on the high tide, we were 40 minutes after the high tide and it had already started to run out, combined with a large easterly swell it made for an interesting bar crossing !
We are now back in our home port after a 104 day shake down cruise that seen us log nearly all the ports and some of the Open roadsteads between port Yamba and port hacking. The aim of the cruise was besides adventure, was to determine whether the boat was suitable for long term coastal cruising ( as everyone can apresiate a gaff rig spray is not everybodys cup of tea )and if so what sort of modifications might be in order. So givin I'm looking to cruise on a budget I've some modifications to make and a cruising kitty to get and next year of to the reef

Great little adventure! Question did she sail ok without the Mizen up? Just on main sail and heady?

I used a kite from a 18foot skiff on my last yacht worked a treat goose winged!

Scurrying past Bundaberg at sunset , on the way to Sandy Straits tonight.
G'day Cisco!