Cairns - Townsville

Cairns - Townsville

OK, after only 6 weeks in Cairns, it was time to move on if we're going to reach Brisbane by Xmas.

Positioning to the Whitsundays for Steve's hols in October, the next leg was from Cairns-Townsville via the Hinchinbrook Channel and the Palm Islands.

We usually sail with friends & family, but can often use a spare hand or two to assist on positioning legs. No particular sailing experience necessary, just keen, friendly, comfortable on a boat, and willing to learn. So we were very happy to welcome 3 volunteers aboard in Cairns - particluarly when 3 friends had just dropped out!

Demi-poisson

Alexis & Carole (Fr) were in Cairns already, as part of their year long tour of Oz; Frank (De) was just about to fly in from Frankfurt. And all were ready to set off on 30 Sep for a sail down the coast! They had heard of our plans through SailingNetworks.com and then got in touch through this blog. Smart cookies!

Big-eyed Tuna

A&C kindly shopped for provisions while we waited for Frank to arrive (via Frankfurt, Seoul & Brisbane), and we eventually slipped at dusk from Marlin Marina for an overnight (motor-) sail to the Hinchinbrook Channel. Enjoying perfect conditions, and a full moon, the lines were out at dawn and Alexis quickly landed the first fish: a Spanish Mackerel. Well half of one - a shark obviously couldn't resist and had the other half for breakfast as we reeled her in!

Half & half

 Not to worry. Shortly after, Jim landed a juicey Big-eyed Tuna and the rods were stowed. Enough meat for now, especially as we were still feasting on a huge Coles pre-roasted chicken from Cairns!

We anchored the second night in the mouth of the Gayundah Creek, along with a couple of local boats and enjoyed our fish feast. Quickly on the next morning, though - with a forecast of SE'ly 25-30 kts, we wanted to make some miles!

Anchor aweigh...

Popping out the bottom end of the Hinchinbrook Channel (5 ft under the keel at high tide), we had our traditional 2 reefs in the main, but the breeze (gusty in the channel) was moderating, not piping up, so out came the reefs and we renewed our beat southwards. Anchoring overnight at Great Palm Island, the gale returned, but by then we were snug in Casement Bay and the bar was open!


Townsville tuna

Next morning we did the reverse: popped our head out from Great Palm Is with one reef, immediately realised the error, and ducked under Havannah Island to secure the second.

Then ensued a punishing 10-hour beat to Townsville against the ESE'ly F6-7 (as advertised), first routing around the air-ground range at Rattlesnake Island, then south of Magnetic Island via the West Channel. By 1800 on 3 Oct, we were alongside at Townsville Yacht Club marina, and felt we had earned our dinner.

The beat to Townsville...

Fish, of course!

A short break here, and the plan is to continue on towards Bowen, Airlie & the Whitsundays from 11-15 Oct. First though, we need to get that second fridge fixed for storage of more fish, and the bottles of Aussie beer & vin blanc that are needed to go with it!