Curlew Island and Strong Winds

Monday 19^th June 2017

It was a bit of a rolly night at Hunter Island, and everyone was ready to leave at the agreed time of 7am. Anchors were up quickly and we motored our way out of the shoal system that exists on the northern approach to the Duke Islands. We didn’t even think about putting up a sail, until we had cleared Boomerang Shoal.

Once through, the breeze was below 10 knots so we continued motoring. It remained that way for most of the short trip (32 nm) to Curlew Island, and in the latter half we could carry a headsail, but were still motor sailing. 

Kite Runner behind us as we motor out of the Duke Islands

Kite Runner put up their main and Code zero and did manage to get an hour or two of sailing in.

Sloppy Seas as the tidal movement NE competes with the SE Breeze

The seas were very sloppy and there was a very strong cross current requiring about a 20 degree alteration to our course to keep us on track. 

I was not greatly interested in working up on the foredeck to get the main up in these conditions and hope to get my electric drill repaired in Mackay, or buy another one.

We turned the corner into the Northern anchorage at Curlew to see 3 catamarans were already here and another two arrived after us. The forecast for tomorrow is pretty ordinary, so I expect we will all be here for the day tomorrow.

Kite Runner anchored nearby

Phil and Wendy came over for sundowners and we agreed we would stay at anchor tomorrow and let the strong southerly blow through, and sail to Mackay on Wednesday.

Not a Bad View over Sundowners

Tuesday 20^th June 2017

As forecast the southerly arrived in the early morning, and lasted till around 2 pm when things started to settle back to 15 to 20 knots, and later 10-15 knots.

It was a bumpy old morning as the wind had livened up the swell, but we were safely anchored behind Curlew, and just had to put up with a bit of rolling.

No one had left the anchorage nor did anyone arrive. I suspect everyone just looked for a cosy anchorage and decided to wait.

It was a good day for relaxing and reading.

Once things had settled a bit in the afternoon, we put the dinghy in the water and went for a visit over to Kite Runner, and then for a walk on the beach. We abandoned the beach walk as there were breaking waves on the beach and there was no way of getting in, and more importantly getting back out again, with out getting very wet.

A Few people gave it a go a

Back on Mica, we put the dinghy up on the deck and got ready for tomorrows sail to Mackay.