17TH Nov Saturday

A days sail from Mooloolabar across Morton bay saw us arrive in Tangalooma on Morton Island and a very picturesque spot with an unusual reef protection of sunken trawlers and tankers to form the shelter. Spent a very calm night in this anchorage with crystal clear waters and hundreds of star fish dotting the sandy bottom. Next morning we meandered our way south through a myriad of lateral marks and channels to a place called Dunwich which was one of the first settlements in QL D (then still NSW). We visited the cemetery of great historical interest and of more interest was the Small Ships Club where one could have a wee dram and lunch while sitting in the palm and flower filled gardens overlooking the expansive bay. A great find and enjoyed the day ON LAND.

Took off the next morning to head south to the formidable Canaipa Passage and the timing of tides and passages was critical as two sections got down to 0.9 meters so they had to be crossed just prior to high tide. Spoke to a friend sailor who was a day ahead and he said crossing the Southport bar he had buried the bow a few times and the 10 to 15 knot winds which were forecast ended up howling from the South East at 20knts and he spent a very uncomfortable 5 hours punching into it and sounded exhausted when he rang us as he is sailing his 42ft Catalina back to Sydney single handed……I think his last comment was……”.bloody boats, shan’t come up here again.” ( This was his third trip north and I think will be his last)

So we motored for four hours following the port and starboard markers and staying out of the way of all the plastic boats which threatened to mow us down or sink us with their wash as they speed by….batsards.All was well till we got to the Jumpin Pin Bar and you turn right to go down this wide water way with no marks. Following Lucas book straight down the centre and next there is no water under us and which direction to go…. Go left and right and then look around and no other boats where we were but all were over anchored along the beach which rang a few bells, so gingerly zig zagged our way across to what was the new channel and decided we’d had enough and would anchor for the day with the other hundred boats who were all out for the weekend…….Pitt st boat alley. At least we were safe and still floating. So much for not having a wine with lunch…..after the bum clenching a good Chardonnay with lunch was much needed, unfortunately the stream of cruisers passing within a couple of meters sending out tidal waves and wash straight into our chardonnay was very unsporting. Went ashore in the afternoon for a wander and approached a likely looking local couple to find out where the hell we go from here as both the GPS and Lucas was wrong and the sands had shifted since both were published. He laughed and said “ yea mate does that”, jist go down to that here port marker and turn right to the East cardinal and youse should be okay.

4th to 12th Sandy Strait to Tin Can Bay
Spent several days in Gary’s Anchorage trying to avoid the rain seeping down the back of our necks. Had a memorable Melbourne cup lunch while it rained like a pissing cow. I won the best hat competition because there were just the two of us and Pam didn’t wear a hat.
Spent the time here trying to catch mudcrabs which was wonderfully successful in that we got six. Unfortunately they were only the size of a butch prawn.
Down to our last bottle of charddy we fled to Tin Can Bay. A delightful spot which will be hard to leave. We are equidistant from The TCB Yacht club and the Sleepy Lagoon Hotel.
The Sandy Strait was more of a navigational challenge than we remember from previous experience and we now await the abating of the wind and swell so we can get across the
Wide Bay Bar and make all speed for southern waters. Him

More Bum clenching….. hopefully they will be rather smaller by the time we return to Sydney. Nearly made myself sick worrying about going over the Wide Bay Bar as spent some time at the Coast Guard Station and the stories they told of the terror and death wreaked by boats crossing when they shouldn’t and flipping them over backwards with the poor trawlerman trapped in the wheel house and drowned was enough to want to get on a plane and fly home. The night before we crossed we sailed up to Inskip Point with 15 other boats all waiting their chance to battle the Bar. The wind was still howling from the South East which was not a good sign and the seas still sloppy as we took to our rock and rolly bunks. Fortunately 5am the next morning awoke to mild conditions and the sound of many anchors being raised and engines warmed as the flotilla readied themselves for the onslaught. With stomach churning and bum clenched so tight that I’m surprised it hasn’t disappeared we took off. The Crossing was not as bad as I thought but very lumpy and confused seas and would not have likde it any rougher. Goodbye Wide Bay Bar, and good riddance. Days sail to Mooloolaba was quite good and the seas weren’t too bad so made it to the marina by 4pm and safe anchorage to catch up with friends and a fun night.