Airlie Beach

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Tue 16 Jul 2019 07:49

Position: 20 15.67 S  148 42.89 E
At anchor Airlie Beach
Wind: SE;  F2, gentle breeze
Sea: slight   Swell: nil
Weather: sunny, mild
Day’s run: 17 nm

Today’s mission was simple, to fill our all but empty water tanks and get in suficient supplies to get us to Townsville. To this end at 0655 we weighed anchor, set sail, reached across windy Whitsunday Passage under reefed main and part-furled jib, sailed past North Molle Island, close hauled past Pioneer Point and into Pioneer Bay, then handed sail, started the engine and motored into Coral Sea Marina.  Here we had to loiter, drifting and motoring in circles while we waited for a spot on the public pontoon. We tied up alongside just before noon, broke out the hoses and watered ship. Once the water tanks were brimming full, I left Kate on shore to do some shopping while I took Sylph out to anchor.

I ended up anchoring just to the east of the marina where a small rocky beach allowed access ashore by dinghy. Once we were all secure, I met Kate ashore for a few refreshments. So, today’s mission accomplished.

Tomorrow we will head for Townsville where we expect to arrive on Thursday.

All is well.