Mooloolaba to Gold Coast

Thurs 9 to Fri 10 Sept 2010

Thursday morning up at 0500 again? No just kidding instead a lay in until 0700, more luxury. Anne went to get her SMH paper and then had a haircut while the worker skipper got the boat ready for sea. (Michael is available to cut hair at any time just call him up as long as its a no.4 you are after). Sadly Anne does not think a no.4 is quite her style but Michael thinks it may look good, if not it would at least save some money. Anyway moving right along.

A whale spout if you look closely!

The forecast was good for a trip outside Moreton Island overnight and direct to the Gold coast seaway with 15-20 and then 20-25 knot NE winds. We worked on 5 kts to arrive at the Seaway entrance at 0600 Friday morning. The forecast started off well and with 2 reefs in the main we left at 1230 Thursday with Michael managing to leave the berth without major calamity. Hauling up the mainsail, down the channel we passed a small trimaran stuck against a nav' beacon but were past him before we could do anything and with a motor boat nearby thought he would be OK (hope so or Michael's a ratbag).

On entering the bay the waves were a bit bumpy (wind against tide) but no breakers and we headed out happy to have the 2nd reef in because it was 20kts not 15. Setting course for the top of Moreton Island we unfurled some genoa and were broad reaching at 6-7 knots just what we were not expecting as we needed 5kts to reach the Seaway at 0600. When you get a great sail go with it we believe as they are few and far between. This was the place we had our first decent sail on the way north.

More whale stuff with good eyesight and a magnifying glass.

Whales were seen near a whale watch boat and in our photos you can just make out the blows (with a magnifying glass). The video shows it a lot better and we will bore people with this later. As the sea built and the wind went to 25+ knots with a strong wind warning issued for 30+kts & 3m seas we chickened out on the outside passage and headed down the NE Channel to Peel Island in the dark. Averaging 7 knots with the wind and tide plus utilising the way points from 'Beacon to Beacon' we arrived at our destination and anchored in Horseshoe Bay at 2230 somewhat stuffed. After a chicken sandwich and glass of turps it was sleep time.

Sunrise over Moreton Island at Horshoe Bay

Horseshoe Bay behind us and the ketch from the sunrise photo

Friday at 0500 the alarm went off (false alarm Michael read the tides!), a sleep in until 0630 with another lovely sunrise. There were 10 boats in the anchorage when we left at 0800 sailing with the genoa up at 6-7 knots across the Lake Macquarie like bit of Moreton Bay. Annie was steering in her new gloves and relishing the fresh conditions as we headed for Canaipa Passage with the tide in our favour.

Helming Annie in her new gloves.

RQYS annex Canaipa Point

Passing the RQYS annex at Canaipa Point we trundled on towards Runaway Bay on the flood tide at 6kts. Passing a delightful steel boat that could be a Michael Project (I don't think so!!)

Not a project for Michael

We continued on to what may be called millionaires row on Russel Island with big jetties and big houses. 'Rhum Punch' looked comfy on her mooring as we passed by.

'Rhum Punch' we will have some of that!

The tide is quite high here.

A drowned forest along the passage.

This offending red beacon should be to our starboard side Michael!! Oops!

Michael nearly misses the port beacon being busy photographing the fishing camp while steering, depth 1.6m until back in the channel.

Safely around both red beacons with no mishaps. Phew!!!

Jumpinpin is the change over point for the tides and we got down to 5.3 kts until picking up the ebb tide flowing south and then back up to 6+ kts.

Another near calamity for the eagles nest shot. Phew again!!!

The Queensland Maritime people are wildlife friendly as can be seen by the eagle nest being allowed to stay while another red beacon was installed (Michael nearly runs aground taking this picture, depth 1.5m).

At 1300 we arrived at Runaway Bay, it was raining after being overcast for most of the day, and we were given our former berth of A15 plus as valued customers (we think) the discount price of $30/night. After a shower and tying up the boat early dinner and then zonk ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.