Continuing on to Southport through the inside route

Thursday October 5^th 2017

Deanbilla Bay at Dunwich turned out to be a very comfortable anchorage which slowly filled up with boats as darkness arrived. The strong easterly breeze that was causing all the discomfort on the way down, steadily dissipated, although we were well protected from it where we anchored.

A good nights sleep was needed, as anchors were up at 5.15am, and we motored off in the semidarkness, heading towards Southport. Our departure time was calculated to have us arrive at Jacobs Well, the shallowest part of the route, at high tide at 9.30am.

Dalwhinnie behind us as we leave Dunwich

There is not a lot of deep water on this route as we wound our way down the East Channel and then across below Lamb Island to the Main Channel. There is a lot more development along this winding path than I would ever have guessed. Lots of little settlements, barges moving goods and cars all around the place, and lots of yachts and power boats on moorings (and a few on the bottom).

There are only 2 areas where we needed to be very cautious passing through, the first one was at Cabbage Tree Point  where there is a public bosat ramp and lots of houses with jetties jutting out into the waterway. You pass very close to the shore just as you psass the boast ramp. Just prior to this we went under power lines which have a safe clearance height of 20.3m, pretty close to our 20.2 m mast height plus VHF antenna.

The Shallow Spot at Cabbage Tree Point

From here on to Jacobs Well , the next shallow spot, the channel is full of moored boats , and in a few cases the course I had plotted, was not possible, but nevertheless we got through without issue.

Jacobs Well Volunteer Marine Rescue

By the time we arrived at the shallow section at Jacobs Well, just east of Dinner Island, we were 15 min before high tide, perfect timing.

In total it took us around 4.5 hours from Dunwich, to exiting the channel to Jacobs well, into the main channel south.

It took almost 2 more hours passing Couran Cove, Sovereign Islands and the entrance to the Coomera River etc, before we finally arrived at Southport Yacht Club marina at just after 11.30am. Our travelling companions on Moonshadow opted to anchor in Bum’s Bay, whilst Dalwhinnie and ourselves continued on to the yacht club. I had forgotten how tough it was to get into the marina berths here in the middle of an outgoing tide, as the river flow runs through the marina. We got in, but it took a few attempts.

Sovereign Islands and the entrance to the Coomera River

I went up and did the usual paperwork, and collected a couple of parcels I had been expecting, one of which is a replacement DC to DC charger, to replace one of the ones I have which is not behaving as it should. I will install it in the morning.

 

Sand Banks are already appearing at half tide just north of Wave Break Island

We are very hungry, with very little time for breakfast along the way, as you can’t afford not have full concentration on the course at all times, so we went to the main Beach Surf Club for lunch.

On returning to Mica, we both had a couple of hours sleep, with the early starts eventually catching up with us.

We had drinks on Dalwhinnie before dinner at the Yacht Club. Now looking forward to a good nights sleep.

It may be the last time we sail with Dalwhinnie until we get back to Sydney, as Brian is flying out tomorrow  to attend a function in Melbourne. His brother Eric has been left in charge until he returns, most likely on Sunday.