Through Sheridan Flats in 30 knots +

Thursday 28^th September 2017

Despite 15 knots NW winds overnight, our exposed anchorage was surprisingly comfortable. It lulled us into a false sense of security for what was about to come. The BOM had forecast NNW winds 15-20knots, dropping to 10-15 knots but 1pm.

Our plan was to raise anchors at around 2pm, and take the high tide through the shallowest part of the straights, Sheridan Flats, at about an hour before full tide.

It was blowing 25 knots soon after we awoke,  so we already knew the forecast was dodgy. We decided to go early to get through the straights as the wind was building, so anchors were coming up at 1pm. By now it was gusting to 30+knots and the waves at South White Cliffs significant. As we were pulling our anchor, the was a huge gust, which lifted the dinghy off the foredeck and blew it overboard. Now we are in trouble, the anchor is not yet up, the dingy is floating upside down in the water and being blown into water too shallow for us to chase it with the yacht.

I just went for it to get the anchor up and left it hanging as we went for the dinghy. The wind made it difficult to manouvre Mica, but after a couple of tries, we managed to get Mica between the Dinghy and the shore and in the lee of the now 25 knot breeze. We hooked the dinghy with a boat hook, and I roughly managed to tie it across the stern of the boat, elevated so aonly one pontoon was in the water, as we need to get some power on Mica as we were being blown onto a lee shore.

We got it all under control and motored out of our anchorage, whilst I secured the dingy as best I could in the now 30 knot breeze, and we turned and headed for the shallows. The waves by now are well formed and we are surfing along, with the dodger acting as a sail. Very little engine revs were need ed to be doing 7-8 Knots.

We got through the shallow water intact with a minimum of 0.9m underneath the keels, and headed back into some wild water. Winds were now 30-35 knoys, and we saw one gust above 40 knots. In shallow water like the great sandy straights, that equates to big waves and rough conditions. Our original plan was to anchor at Gary’s Anchorage, but when we motored in the entrance, it looked like a washing machine, so we turned around and headed further South, looking for some protection.

After a discussion with Marine Rescue Tin Can Bay, it became clear that there are no great anchorages for a Northerly wind in the Great Sandy Straights. We will file that one for the future. After checking a number of poor options, we motored up Tin Can Bay Inlet and anchored just past the marina entrance. It is a bit rolly, but there is no white water.

We will study tomorrows forecast with great interest, as we plan to cross Wide Bay Bar on Saturday if the conditions are favourable.

Not many photos today, too rough to focus the camera.