Gypsy Lover: June 2013

On our way – up early Tuesday morning the 4/6/2013 -- left the marina at 4.30am. New head sail and main with one reef set, 14kns of wind SW doing 5.5kns comfortably. Motor on about half way (could have sailed all the way) wind lighter slowed to 4kns. Having not been to Pancake Creek before wanted to make it in daylight. Anchored at 4.30pm. There were eight yatch’s in the creek. We had a nice comfortable night, Left Pancake at 7am Wednesday morning, by 10am motor running, conditions weren’t good, anchored at Cape Capricorn for the night, one other yacht anchored. Very uncomfortable night, washing machine effect. Up anchored and pushed on to Great Kepple Island a total of 26nm. Anchored at 1.20. motored most of the way, part with no sail. Comfy night. Friday morning decided to book in to Kepple Bay Marina to escape the 30knt wind forecast for Saturday and Sunday, all so to catch up with Bass Voyager a boat from Adelaide. We had a good 2 hour sail from Great Kepple to the marina. We made the most of our time in the marina, Stocking up supplies, washing, and exchanging tips, and stories with Caitlin and Michael of Bass Voyager. The facilities are good at the marina, we booked the courtesy car for the shopping trip in to Yapoon about 10ks from the marina, there is a bus in to town. Monday morning we left the marina and sailed 7nm to North Keppel and anchored in Considine Bay. Left 6.30am, main up on anchor, good conditions, sailed most of the way anchored in Pearl Bay at 3.30pm. Really enjoy this spot, stayed two nights, the beach is divine. Left Pearl Bay 6.30am and motor sailed the entire way to Middle Percy, Rained most of the afternoon, anchored at 4.30pm. Here we met up with a couple of American’s that we seem to have been following, we first saw their boat at Cape Capricorn and again in the marina, North Kepple, Pearl Bay. Thursday was a lovely day on Percy we spent a few hours ashore and had a chat with the american’s nice people, we got to know them better in the evening, as we were all invited to the A frame for a goat curry. There were eleven of us, and we had a great time with all. There is a tree house on the fore shore where a couple live and care for the beach area, the goats run wild on the island. There is also a home stead where a couple live and maintain things, it is quite a walk from the beach area. We got back to the boat about 9pm. We were awaken about 2am the boat was rocking and rolling badly, a westerly was blowing and the tide was against us, not a good place in those conditions. We were up and down for the rest of the night, you could not stay in bed, as you would be thrown to the floor. As soon as it was first light we out of there, followed by the rest of the boats. The sea was rough with waves braking over the bow anoccasionally over the coach house. Sailed with just the head sail. Wind up to 30knts SW. We anchored at Digby Island 21nm from Percy. Spent a comfortable night and motor sailed 44nm to Scawfell Island. Just out of Digby John was adjusting the head sail when it fell to the deck, the rope halyard had chaffed, lucky for us the wind and sea conditions were light and we managed to put it on the spare halyard and feed the sail back in the track. Scawfell Island is the most southern Island of the Whitsunday. We spent 2 comfortable nights and a beautiful sunny day, walked the beach and collected shells. Tuesday we motor sailed 42nm to Shaw Island and anchored at 2pm. Wednesday we had a good sail (up to 7kns) to Long Island and anchored in Happy Bay, to catch up with a couple John met in Bundaberg. Thursday morning went ashore with Terry and Cathy, went for a walk on the island, returned to the boat and motored to Airlie Beach.