Hi all, just wondering who has what cruising plans over the holiday season. I'm based in Bundaberg & will either head to 1770 / Lady Musgrave or Platypus Bay & Sandy Straits.

Hi Savannah, I am also based in Bundaberg. My yacht Second Wind is currently anchored in the Burnett Heads basin. She is a Lotus 9.2. Sent you a PM.

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cisco said..
Hi Savannah, I am also based in Bundaberg. My yacht Second Wind is currently anchored in the Burnett Heads basin. She is a Lotus 9.2. Sent you a PM.

Hi Cisco, I have a Hunter 36 moored at the Port Marina. I look forward to catching up one day.

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Savannah said..

cisco said..
Hi Savannah, I am also based in Bundaberg. My yacht Second Wind is currently anchored in the Burnett Heads basin. She is a Lotus 9.2. Sent you a PM.

Hi Cisco, I have a Hunter 36 moored at the Port Marina. I look forward to catching up one day.

Hi Savannah
how long have you owned the Hunter 36 ? What's she like to sail? could you post us a interior pic and some info on what she's like to live aboard?

Hi Southace,

I've had her 2.5yrs now but she is 7yrs old & there are a couple of minor things starting to show

She has a 1.95m Keel and can sail comfortably at 25 - 30 deg AWA.

I've occasionally had an issue with the Furling main but that's from it not being put away taught enough more than anything.

I don't have any Solar or Wind generators as yet so rely on running the engine to charge the batteries but usage is pretty good, I tend to run for around 2 hrs after an 8hr sail but can easily get 12hrs at anchor.

Haven't done any extended cruising on her but she is pretty spacious & there is plenty of room for 2 - 4 people.

Hi Guys,
Looking also at getting away for a few weeks just after Christmas.
I will be sailing out of Tin can bay on my Duncanson 26' offshore.
If conditions permit, Heading up to Lady Musgrave (and back).
Hope to see yous out there.
Cheers !

I am thinking a gathering of Seabreezers at Rooney Point could be big fun as long as we do not get a S/W blow.

Definitly could be a plan Cisco

Cisco,
Good idea.
How about a preliminary date, something we can organize around ?

Might not fit with everybody but I was thinking of being at Rooney Point for Christmas, ie Eve, Day and Boxing Day.

I will have to get my rear into gear and do some electrical work (no nav lights at present) before going.

would be more interesting for that time of year
Great Keppel Island

shelter for any wind direction, nice walks on North and Gr. Keppels

I would consider the Keppels as well. I would like to visit XXXX Island. What is it Cow, Pig or Pumpkin Island??

well, Pumpkin is XXXX now and private, don't believe they like you there,
both passages around Pumpkin are ok

Islands....OK to anchor and visit....
from North to South

Pleasant, Coorobooree, N.Keppel,
Miall , Middle , G. Keppel, Humpy / I like Humpy /

outside harbour Statue Bay, for shopping can arrange lift to town

Pelican, Wedge, Divided, Hummocky.

if SE wind swings to NE or N, than
anchor on Humpy and move to Long Beach..G.K.I.

N.K.I. and Humpy camping incl. toilets.
fresh water & fuel Rosslyn Bay.
fuel Rosslyn Bay pontoon or 100m petrol station much cheaper.

you need extra few days to cover something from my list, or
more visits...

anchor holds well, drawback, don't expect calm and sheltered nights
can be bumpy. Leekes Bay GKI is probably the best.

Keppel Bay is certainly on my list. Am trying to work out what days we are childless this year so I can make plans

Keppel Bay would be a great spot, I haven't been to keppel for 20 years.
It's a fair..154NM from Rooney point.
That is a serious challenge for me & my 26 footer, I'm not a very experienced sailor.
Mmmm.. Better hope for favorable winds.

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Chookfoot said..
Keppel Bay would be a great spot, I haven't been to keppel for 20 years.
It's a fair..154NM from Rooney point.
That is a serious challenge for me & my 26 footer, I'm not a very experienced sailor.
Mmmm.. Better hope for favorable winds.

G'day Chook.
If it happens you'd be best overnighting at Lady Musgrave, then Wistari Reef, or come into Bundaberg & travel in company. I'd probably spend a day at Pancake to break the trip up. Long days but from what I recall of GKI it's well worth the trip.

Thanks Savannah.
Ha ha. My plans for a little cruise up to Hervey bay is turning into an epic voyage.
I got as far as Rooney this time last year, got belted by a storm in the middle of the night.
My crew decided they had enough and wanted to retreat.
So I haven't been to Lady Musgrave yet.
I remember fishing off Hummocky in 1988 and seeing a little yacht in the bay there.
I decided that it would be a nice place to spend some time.
It will depend on if I have a crew or not... AND of course the weather.
Where's "Pancake" ?

Cheers !

All understandable, like you I am learning all the time & have a very inexperienced & trusting crew lol.

Basically you can do long but comfortable day sails & spend the night in some lovely anchorages. Pancake Creek is 60 miles, (just north of 1770) then another 70nm to GKI from there.

We haven't been north of 1770 as yet as we usually have to return for work or family &my crew like to have at least 1 day at anchor between sailings.

By consensus this is sounding like a Keppels trip. I have always thought the Keppels were a better cruising grounds than the Whitsundays so at this stage I will say I am in subject to yacht preparedness and timing. Also a major challenge for us is getting the dog baby sat.

What is the general consensus on dates??

Keppels or Wide Bay sailing is tiny compare to W.
Don't forget dingy with outboard,
Drop anchor on NKI and take dingy to discover the other two islands
less than mile away.
Weather is key factor.

Dates that suit me..
If the wind is favorable I can make NKI by 26th December. That allows 4 days to get from Tin can bay, a bit of a squeeze.
Boat is pretty much ready to go other than fitting a jib furler, probably a worthwhile thing for single handed sailing.
Cheers !

Totally weather dependant for me, If wind from the Sth then we'll head north, if from the north we'll head Sth East.

In saying that I'd look to be there on or around Dec 28.

Yep.. the later the better for me. 28th is much easier.
I will definitely be sailing up that way (Hervey bay) at that time because of work shutdown.
Unless the weather is really sh1t.. like cyclones etc.
When it gets closer to the dates, we can fine tune our expectations.
Cheers !

Had a look at xmas weather prediction from Accuweather today. NNW to start the holidays & SE to finish so at this time our tentative plans are;

DEC 28 - Burnett Heads - Burrum Heads
Dec 29 Burrum Heads
Dec 30 Burrum Heads - Scarness
Dec 31 Scarness
Jan 1 Scarness - Wathumba Creek, (Lagoon Anchorage)
Jan 2 Wathumba Creek
Jan 3 Wathumba Creek - Burnett Heads

So we'll see how that pans out.

There may be some challenges with draft at Burrum and Wathumba.

Yeah I need the tide to get in & out at Burrum but will be good those days. Wathumba we'll anchor outside & explore by dinghy.

I have Kingfisher Bay as a backup to Scarness as I'm not sure what it will be like in light Northerlies

Good to see you have a plan Savannah.
If you end up going down the southern end of the bay, I will probably catch up.
Without being cynical, what is the chances of the weather being that predictable ?
I have never had any luck with weather forecasts.

Yes I know Chook.

I subscribed to Accuweather as it gives you a 45 day forecast. It will be interesting to see the accuracy. But I still use BOM to firm or change any plans as required.

I'm probably leaning more to Kingfisher Bay for NYE now as Scarness is wide open to Northerlies.

That was Kingfisher Bay at low tide.. Chenopod is the wee little sloop out there.
November last year.
Me and Pedro had 3 rum&cokes each at the pool.... $75 Ha ha !
Beginning to get a bit excited.
Cheers !

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Chookfoot said..
That was Kingfisher Bay at low tide.. Chenopod is the wee little sloop out there.
November last year.
Me and Pedro had 3 rum&cokes each at the pool.... $75 Ha ha !
Beginning to get a bit excited.
Cheers !

Only a couple of weeks to go :-)
I REALLY need this holiday.