southace said..
I did Eden to Airlie beach solo a few years back. From there on I sailed with mates and backpackers/girlfriends and it was great. Marina's aren't for lazy people it's actualy nice to berth up and leave your yacht and not have to worry about it as well as getting a good night sleep(most of the time).

Everyone told me just keep going North it gets better the further you go and they where right!

Maggi island great hanging out for a week or so easy to get supplies on the island.
Palm islands are also good not far from Maggi island.
i gave all those muddy places like bundy etc a wide berth.
once you get to Cairns you can anchor in the inlet and row across to the city. Port Douglass , low islands, Cooktown and lizard island are also nice and relaxing places to hangout.

Northerlys don't last for ever. Go as far north now as you can while you have the chance!

Stop blaming your other half for being stuck in the mud , create and follow your dreams.

Sectorsteve said..
Thank you all so much. I awoke at 3am and before i could think too much set off. North. About 30 nm from 1770. Ive decided to use our outboard if needed on dinghy. Just need some ply to reinforce dinghy stern. Ive done it before at mooring and it workd ok. Will try.
We have ample stores of food throughout all bilges and keel section. 200l water. 73l of fuel. Can go weeks withouta shop.
Been catching tuna too. Still got that dodgy pie in a tin m keen to try!
Im sorry old boy youve stopped there. Its not a good feeling. I had no excuse to stop really.
Amazing what a sleep will do
Cisco let's have a beer in a few weeks if you can.
I really liked bundy. Convenient as in town. Everything you want a short walk away. Used my skateboard for fuel transport a few kms away.
Nice anchorage last night on that bend near the big trees.

Bristolfashion said..
We have just used our tiny (1.65m) fibre glass tender with oars all the way and it's been fine - gives everyone else a laugh when we are both in it. It fits well on the foredeck of the Compass 28. A kind group towed us out to the boat on Peel Island when we'd had a particularly long row in.

Our compromise has been the odd marina - so much easier on resupply etc. We don't have a shower or fridge. We also like getting a good walk.

Our fully comp insurance with Club Marine is only $400. Should be less (?) for a Top Hat.

Cheers

Bristle

Sectorsteve said..




Seriously bro how many times you gonna post that pic!

Donk107 said..



I wonder if anyone who is only staying for a couple of days in a marina ever gets asked to show their insurance documents

southace said..
I did Eden to Airlie beach solo a few years back. From there on I sailed with mates and backpackers/girlfriends and it was great. Marina's aren't for lazy people it's actualy nice to berth up and leave your yacht and not have to worry about it as well as getting a good night sleep(most of the time).

Everyone told me just keep going North it gets better the further you go and they where right!

Maggi island great hanging out for a week or so easy to get supplies on the island.
Palm islands are also good not far from Maggi island.
i gave all those muddy places like bundy etc a wide berth.
once you get to Cairns you can anchor in the inlet and row across to the city. Port Douglass , low islands, Cooktown and lizard island are also nice and relaxing places to hangout.

Northerlys don't last for ever. Go as far north now as you can while you have the chance!

Stop blaming your other half for being stuck in the mud , create and follow your dreams.

Yara said..




Question is, is it the girl, or the view which has the attraction?
I keep wondering whether she did the climb barefoot, or did she just hop out of a car/helicopter? Yes, I am getting old.

slammin said..
Cairns Marlin Marina want $10m in public liability insurance.
It seems pretty reasonable and common sense to have it regardless of the marinas.
Some big toys out there that could easily bankrupt you if it's your fault.

PhoenixStar said..
Huge worry is that your boat might do something without your permission and try to demolish a big new Beneteau or some government infrastructure. $330 will look like very small chips.

QLDCruiser said..
Steve,

Here's my perspective. Firstly, on sailing with your partner: stick with it! I'm very rarely onboard without my wife, and all our cruising is together. Wouldn't have it any other way. Sure there are disagreements - she is much more conservative than I am - but being able to share these wonderful experiences makes up for it all.

Now, I acknowledge some of the points you've made, but there are two big positives about cruising in QLD vs NSW:
Firstly, no worries about ocean swell. Once you're north of Mooloolaba, you're sheltered either by Frazer Island or the outer reef. If you've made it as far as Bundaberg, you've done the hard bit! And secondly, there's no need for night sailing. Everything is a day-sail. Your Bundaberg to Pancake is a big one, but still should be doable if you start early. You can shorten it a bit by stopping overnight at 1770 - if the weather is from the south, you can anchor off the entrance quite comfortably, you don't need to enter the main anchorage (which has problems with both depth at the entrance, and available room once you're inside).

Now a few other comments.

There's no doubt your need to keep out of marinas is limiting. And that combined with a lack of a decent dinghy/outboard is a killer combination. Ideally you need to fix one or both of these - either get the insurance so that you can get into marinas, or get an outboard for your dinghy so you can get to dry land while anchored off. Sorry mate, but doing it the way you are is REALLY roughing it, and does preclude cruising in much of Queensland. North of Bundaberg, the ports where you can anchor off, then row to shore for supplies would be very limited. I can only think of Airlie and maybe Mackay, but others may have a different opinion.

If a big objective is sandy beaches and swimming, the Keppels are your best bet and only two or three days from where you are at Bundaberg. Fantastic clear water, and half a dozen or more beaches - you'll find a sheltered one no matter what wind is blowing. If you're interested in snorkeling, then again the Keppels have amazing coral reefs, and of course the offshore islands (Lady Musgrave to North West) are probably the best snorkeling on the whole Barrier Reef - although a bit challenging to get to.

Yes, the anchorages are very different to NSW. Shallow entrances are only really a problem in 1770 and Yellowpatch - most of the rest of the common anchorages are accessible all tide and are well charted. Lucas is useful, also Patrick's Curtis Coast guide. The big tides take some getting used to - especially in spring tides, they can keep you well offshore. And north of Bundaberg, anchorages are often somewhat exposed and a bit roll-prone (Yellowpatch, where we are right now, is an exception!) You could also find lots of sheltered places around Gladstone. You'll often find yourself in a narrow waterway that has significant tidal flows, and finding the right spot to drop the pick, taking into account depth and swinging room, might take a few tries if there are other boats.

And yes, with all the northerlies this has been a trying year. There are not nearly as many northerly-sheltered anchorages as there are from the south. And of course it's been much more difficult than usual to make headway when going north.

I hope you can find your way to travel a bit further north - you've done the hard bit, and there are some fantastic places not far from you now. We're now heading south, and should be in Gladstone tomorrow - if you see us somewhere (Allons-y), drop in and say hello!

theselkie said..
QBE $350...full comprehensive, not requiring a survey and that covers me to race.

Less than pretty much any piece of equipment you put on a boat.

Personally, I consider insurance a no-brainer.