19:06:541S 146:51:525E From cruising to proper sailing.

Shaya Moya
Don & Susan Smyth
Sun 3 Aug 2014 03:37
The fruits of Toms labour provides with two delicious meals. Hope there is more of that soon. No luck since but not through lack of trying
The cruising part of our trip has been very relaxing, and has provided us with everything from stunning remote locations to very touristy beaches where we were gone from our anchorage nice and early. 
The fun part was seeing it all but we needed provisions so we took a temporary berth for a few hours at Hamilton Marina. It is quaint but a bit too touristy with lots of foreigners around. We found what we need and headed out to the Great Barrier Reef.
 
Shaya Moya at Hamilton Marina
 
On our way to Hook Reef we spotted four Humpback Whales. Massive and majestic.
 
We anchored next to the reef and spent two beautiful calm days exploring, snorkeling and viewing the excellent coral bommies around us. A vast variety of fish from tiny 30mm long right up to Grouper and one Reef Shark. Very special to spend the extra time here before packing up what is now referred to as Uncle Toms Cabin.
 
 
On our second morning we woke up to a proverbial millpond but this was the lull before some pretty strong wind on what would my fiirst over night sail. We left early after a quick snorkel with the wind building from the south east and we set the sails and quickly took advantage of the conditions for our 24 hour journey. The wind strengthened to F7 gusting to F8 and soon running at 10 knots boat speed. It did not feel like we were making such good headway because at 35 tons Shaya Moya is solid and comfortable. I came through the adventure with less sleep but exhilerated. Don and I doubled up during the night. We arrived 21 hours and 192 miles later at Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island for a stop before another 50 nautical miles tomorrow. 
Lawrences of Autralia looking for the wind.
 
 The Australian Royal Navy looked after us as well.