Just a very quick update from the Whitsunday Islands.  Have been of internet range quite a bit, and when in towns have been busy provisioning and tracking down the odd parts needed so I apologize for not posting a more detailed update, I’ll catch up with photos next time I’m back near the coast maybe in a week or so.  For now I just left Airle Beach heading back out to the beautiful Whitsunday Islands, contemplating a trip out to the Great Barrier Reef only 20 miles past the Island I’m heading for now, I hear the snorkeling and diving is amazing.  It’s been pretty much smooth down wind sailing since Brisbane with a bit of motoring between anchorages around the local islands here where sailing gets tricky with all the mountains around.  Anyway, having a great time and expect more detailed updates on the web site asap. For now, planning to sail further  north in a few days, next update maybe in Townsville or Cairns. -Kirk

Mooloolaba to Sandy Straits

Once again faced with the dilemma of a sail just a tad bit too long to do in one day, combined with tidal restrictions on the entrance,  I decided to Leave Mooloolaba around 3 AM in hopes to make the incoming tide to the Wide Bay Bar just south of Fraser Island to enter the Sandy Strait.  The sail itself was rather uneventful, I even managed to watch two movies underway something I usually don’t do when coastal cruising, but there was just nothing going on so I just popped my head out every 5 minutes as I sailed along wing and wing on a broad reach.  Just inside the bar my good friend Ned from Tanamara was waiting to pilot me in and had plans for me to visit him and his wife Heike at their property about 45 minutes from Tin Can Bay. Read the rest of this entry