Townsville - Bowen

Trawling at sunset

Steve's provisions...

Townsville was a great spot for provisioning - especially with A&C's van available - so we took the opportunity to stock up for the next leg, as well for Steve's upcoming week in the Whitsundays. Coles also offered a 8c/l fuel discount, so we grabbed 4 cans of diesel at the same time. The waterline dropped 6 inches under the weight of consumables, and full water & fuel tanks!

Townsville - Upstart Bay overnight

Departing at 1600 on 11 Oct to catch the tide, we sailed 90nm overnight to reach the protection of Upstart Bay by dawn and beat the forecast Strong Wind warning of SW'ly 30 kts. The expected N'ly didn't materialise (I think they're a myth), but the early evening calms at least allowed a leisurely motor-sail for the first few hours, before the S'ly started building at 2100. By midnight we had 2 reefs in the main, 3 in the Genoa and were beating into Upstart Bay. By 0700 we were anchored and snoring (with anchor-watch) and by 1030 we were dragging in 30+ kts. No sweat - another 30m of rode and she happily snugged in again.

Alexis

By 1400 the wind had calmed, as per the forecast, so we re-positioned to Shark Bay, where we would be more sheltered for the night in the returning SE'ly. Despite the name, everyone then took to the water in glorious sunshine for a spot of hull & waterline cleaning, as well as an overdue prop zinc change. All to work up an appetite for Carole's magnificent cuisine, of course, and another dégustation with the local clean skins!

Upstart Bay - Bowen

Next day saw a long beat to Bowen, with 45nm becoming a monotonous 65, motor-sailing for much of it at 1500 RPM to keep up speed into the chop and reach the marina before sunset. Arriving at the NQCYC's outer berth at mid-flood proved interesting, particularly with the forward drive playing up. Despite adjusting the gear cabling, it wasn't finding forward gear every time and, sure enough, just when it mattered, it didn't as we entered the 'marina' at Bowen.

Marina-mouth berth at Bowen

Quick as you like, the harbour-mouth flood whipped us sideways and the fresh breeze blew us between the lines of berthed & moored boats. Only a lot of luck kept us clear long enough to find forward drive, with just enough space fore & aft to spin her stern to wind and reverse back out again for another try.

Nothing damaged (only pride) we settled in for the night at the bleak, exposed berth, wondering what we were paying the $42 for...!

Frank the fixer

Next morning we were up with the larks to work on the windlass which was now dead on the 'Up'. Frank had already investigated in Townsville and discovered some missing nuts and a loose motor - fixed, ingeniously with a squashed Coke can. Now we discovered another two snags: bad battery connections and a knackered switch in the hand-controller, fixed by swapping the 'Up' for the 'Down'.

Broken switch

Alexis had a good play with the Wind instrument as well, but that remains frozen - a mystery.