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Jode5 said..
We are finally heading south from Townsville at 6.00am this morning. The weather is about 12kn NE and we are currently motor sailing at just under 10kn. Our original intention was to overnight at Cape Upstart but the weather is so good we are going straight to Gloucester which should have us there by about 6.30pm.
Our current track can be viewed on the website below.
my.yb.tl/jode7/#

Change of plan, wind just went on the nose, so now heading the Cape Upstart for the night and most likely have a few sundowners with the other boats heading south.

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Jode5 said..

Jode5 said..
We are finally heading south from Townsville at 6.00am this morning. The weather is about 12kn NE and we are currently motor sailing at just under 10kn. Our original intention was to overnight at Cape Upstart but the weather is so good we are going straight to Gloucester which should have us there by about 6.30pm.
Our current track can be viewed on the website below.
my.yb.tl/jode7/#

Change of plan, wind just went on the nose, so now heading the Cape Upstart for the night and most likely have a few sundowners with the other boats heading south.

Not far from where I used to work in Ravens wood gold mine
Used to get over 50 c in the pit there then some smart A3es would bring along another drill and blast you with hot air from a drill radiators just be smart I have no idea what the air temp would have been then. Most of them work off there head from there work break .
QLD's work safe is about 20 years behind Western Australia's . It was safer in Tassy 40 years ago good place to visit dont work there

That's a 12 foot square radiator blowing engine heat and radiator heat straight at you

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Jode5 said..

Jode5 said..
We are finally heading south from Townsville at 6.00am this morning. The weather is about 12kn NE and we are currently motor sailing at just under 10kn. Our original intention was to overnight at Cape Upstart but the weather is so good we are going straight to Gloucester which should have us there by about 6.30pm.
Our current track can be viewed on the website below.
my.yb.tl/jode7/#

Change of plan, wind just went on the nose, so now heading the Cape Upstart for the night and most likely have a few sundowners with the other boats heading south.

Nice one !!

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Jode5 said..
Change of plan, wind just went on the nose, so now heading the Cape Upstart for the night and most likely have a few sundowners with the other boats heading south.

Bowling Green to Upstart has a habit of doing that to you. When you said Townsville to Gloucester in a day, even at 10 knots, I was thinking that is a bit optomistic.

Tomorrow you have the fun prospect of getting around Abbott Point. In this area, tides really need to be compensated for.

They can suck you into shore and can cause very confused seas.

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cisco said..

Jode5 said..
Change of plan, wind just went on the nose, so now heading the Cape Upstart for the night and most likely have a few sundowners with the other boats heading south.

Bowling Green to Upstart has a habit of doing that to you. When you said Townsville to Gloucester in a day, even at 10 knots, I was thinking that is a bit optomistic.

Tomorrow you have the fun prospect of getting around Abbott Point. In this area, tides really need to be compensated for.

They can suck you into shore and can cause very confused seas.

Yes, we had the confused seas there on the way up. We have had wind all night, so might be a bit confused in the morning and according to the forecast there's not going to be much wind in the morning. The wind we have now will most likely drop at dawn. It's been a good night here with no roll, just a bit of slapping under the back. Any way I think I might go back to bed.

Bit of fun on the way to Gloucester. We caught a Marlin

Very cool Jode5, jealous!

this wind prediction might pleased you
on your way South

Thinking of sailing north for 3 weeks over Christmas. Just as far as kepple islands. I realize the best time is over winter but in general what are the condition like that time of year? Would it be to hard to get home if its blowing southeasterlys all the time or does it varies a bit, also have to keep an eye on cyclones. Is it worth going if weather is ok?

Anyone up there seen or heard from sector Steve he has been quiet for the last few weeks. Wondering if he is ok with the dramas and head space he appeared to be in.

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sunycoastguy said..
Thinking of sailing north for 3 weeks over Christmas. Just as far as kepple islands. I realize the best time is over winter but in general what are the condition like that time of year? Would it be to hard to get home if its blowing southeasterlys all the time or does it varies a bit, also have to keep an eye on cyclones. Is it worth going if weather is ok?

No problems , you will just have to wait for any Strong South Easters to pass through and you can get back down using lighter south Easters going pancake to Lady Musgrave then to Bundy etc,

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twodogs1969 said..
Anyone up there seen or heard from sector Steve he has been quiet for the last few weeks. Wondering if he is ok with the dramas and head space he appeared to be in.

Look on Facebook for Sailing Kia Kaha. They were in Mooloolaba yesterday Both OK

Left keppels a week ago. In mooloolaba now chilling. Done some big days. 300 in a week. Got 40 knots in the great sandys under a a curled reefed main . Garrys anchorage was whitewater. Anchored just outside it in 30 knots...
Certainly welcoming smaller tides, familar waters and actual all weather anchorages which are few between mooloolaba and keppels.
Came into pancake at night in the northerlies. Running with the wind and tide. Tryna avoid the unlit channel markers and the sand bars. Been some uncomfortable but quick days.
Ill be sticking to southern waters. South coast. Tassie. Nsw coast. Up here aint for me. Ive felt more in control in 5m seas in deep water than in 1.5m waves and 1.5 m deep water!
The tophat is a beauty. No issues. Tough boat. Everything working great. Fallen more in love with kia kaha and greatful to own such a boat.
Havent seen many small boats at all.

I constantly give her love and she responds. Lost 10kg. Its so physical. Lifting the 27 pound anchor sometimes up n down a few times a day. Cleaning sails. Maintenance. Shopping. Rowing. Lifting fibreglass dinghy on n off deck. Always stuff to do to keep a little sail boat going. Its easy. Cheap. Stayed in bundaberg marina one night..quick to judge those marina folk when you're not in something flash. Still. 40 bucks to be alongside was great. Will do it again in main passage.
We've learned resilience. Perseverance. Patience.
Made a great gun pole from bamboo.. love it. Just cleats on ends.

Well, we made our target of Gloucester Passage and a bit beyond to Bowen. We loved it - so many cute islands, creeks and anchorages.

We were pretty pleased to get our 1976 Compass Northerner 28 all that way. We are now getting some great winds as we start south. We are racing (and losing, of course) much bigger and better boats, but it's fun.

Keppel tonight and then on to the Narrows.

Cheers

Bristle

Well, we made our target of Gloucester Passage and a bit beyond to Bowen. We loved it - so many cute islands, creeks and anchorages.

We were pretty pleased to get our 1976 Compass Northerner 28 all that way. We are now getting some great winds as we start south. We are racing (and losing, of course) much bigger and better boats, but it's fun.

Keppel tonight and then on to the Narrows.

Cheers

Bristle

Thats a nice pic steve, the upside down one, were abouts was it

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sunycoastguy said..
Thats a nice pic steve, the upside down one, were abouts was it

Great Kepple just before the old resort I think, you can see Yeppoon on the far shore line.

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nswsailor said..

sunycoastguy said..
Thats a nice pic steve, the upside down one, were abouts was it

Great Kepple just before the old resort I think, you can see Yeppoon on the far shore line.

I'm thinking north Keppell ,

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sunycoastguy said..
Thats a nice pic steve, the upside down one, were abouts was it

Thats the North side of Humpy Island, just to the South of Great Keppel Island

Thanks guys, I'll look for that anchorage if i get up there over Christmas
Looks so nice

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nswsailor said..

sunycoastguy said..
Thats a nice pic steve, the upside down one, were abouts was it

Great Kepple just before the old resort I think, you can see Yeppoon on the far shore line.

Long Beach, Great Keppel Island!!

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dave202 said..

sunycoastguy said..
Thats a nice pic steve, the upside down one, were abouts was it

Thats the North side of Humpy Island, just to the South of Great Keppel Island

yep north humpy. was at long beach there, keppel and was going to go back around to the north of keppel and sailed casually over to there. magic. no one there. ya just got to get outta there as the tide gets low as its reef to the west of that entrance and gets shallow.
Another plus for 1.3 m keel.

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Sectorsteve said..

southace said..

Sectorsteve said..

cisco said..
It is a bit unusual that the warmer climes and general hospitality of Queensland do not satisfy a sailor from southern areas.

Many come back year after year and eventually do not return south.

You have complained about tides and sea conditions in Queensland. Surely these are what a sailor has to contend with no matter where??
I have to ask, are you using your dissatification of your dream sail north as an excuse to return home early when the real reason may be that your business and real estate situation back home is not performing as you expected??

You did put it up on the forum.

I have 5 employees cisco. People on here get upset when someone sets off an epirb. I get upset when i witness blatant bludging which seems to be rife in your region. When did you last go sailing?
In the meantime get off the dole or whatever handout you collect and set up a hotdog stand outside the local courthouse Monday mornings. Sell single ciggs. You'll be loaded. Maybe buy that local marina....whatever you do dont offer me advice. Im not interested. I WILL put that furler on which you state is a waste of time. Next year we'll go to France for 6 months. Its not luck. Some people can do it most cant and choose to work for an hourly rate. Its a mindset.

I think the real problem is people get the wrong impression of Qld. You have to find the goods and take the bads. They don't show the bads in advertising.

Its the same with sailing take the good weather runs and avoid the bads or at least reduce them!

i really don't think your going to find happiness going south Sector with your attitude towards cruising.

Can you see now how important a clean hull is when making passages?

youre right there. taking the good with the bad. its cruising . you got to. cruising to me is enduring a passage to get to a nice anchorage. i heard all the talk "it gets easier, youve done the hard bit etc" then you get up here and the reality is there isnt many all weather anchorages - between mooloolaba and keppels anyway. Thats fine and part of it, we handle it and get by but honestly to me its about chilling somewhere good . i think you really have to use the marinas in some places. its almost essential actually. Anyway. i aint selling my boat in a hurry. amazing girl , hard to replace.

Sandy Straits, Bustard Head, Swan Island in Gladstone Harbor, Pacific Creek.

More keppels. Goldilocks.

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EC31 said..
It has taken me a while, but I have finished my blog for the trip north and back. If you suffer from insomnia, then this may help.
Names have been changed to protect the guilty. And the target market was non sailing friends and family, just in case you find it a bit un-nautical at times.

http://www.tripick.com/kulani

great blog

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DAMA said..

EC31 said..
It has taken me a while, but I have finished my blog for the trip north and back. If you suffer from insomnia, then this may help.
Names have been changed to protect the guilty. And the target market was non sailing friends and family, just in case you find it a bit un-nautical at times.

http://www.tripick.com/kulani

great blog

I'll second that Dama, that was interesting and well written, thanks EC. Nice combination of catering to the non saiilor as well as us yachty types.
EC, gotta love some of those crosses in the vids! My memory of Hammo was this, the closeness of the racing, I reckon we crossed sometimes with a couple of feet of water between the boats, the closest we had was no more than 6 inches from a overly enthusiastic Benny port tacker trying to take out our stern., he'd lost control, scary few moments.
It's fantastic how everyone seems to appear all of a sudden at the turning marks. You have your course all worked out, then 30 other boats appear, multi's, monos, big, small, and all your carefully laid plans go out the window as you try and not get trapped, run over, or spat out the back through wind shadows of the bigger guys.
Thanks for the effort, really entertaining mate (I'm on holidays at the mo, so it was easy to put my feet up, grab a coffee and read/watch the whole thing.) .
And congratulations on the win, that is no small feat right there!

Thanks guys.
There is one moment in the video where Kayami passes very close. In fact we had to duck them, even though we were on starboard. At that stage I didn't realise that they were in our division, so no protest call. Earlier in the video they can be seen rounding up just after passing the gap between North & South Molle. And rounded up continuously trying to stay in front of us, but eventually gave up.
Also a shout out to Ramble Tamble (who is on this forum somewhere) who tried hard to talk to me on the way out to race on the last day. Apologies mate, Seabreeze wasn't on mind at that time. I have spent a bit of time with Old Habits from your division as he heads home to Eden.
Shaggy, shame you missed out this year. Any plans for next year? Anyone else thinking about doing Hammo next year?