Paluma Creek

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Sun 11 Aug 2019 07:11

Position: 18 23.045 S  146 12.54 E
At anchor Paluma Creek, Hinchinbrook Channel
Wind: S-SE, F2 light air
Sea: calm  Swell: nil
Weather: sunny, warm
Day’s run: 6.7 nm

This afternoon, with the tide rising, we sailed from anchor before a light southerly breeze to make for Paluma Creek, six miles to the north of Haycock Island.   Outside the Channel, the wind is supposedly blowing 25+ knots so our plan is to remain within the shelter of Hinchinbrook Island until at least tomorrow when things are supposed to calm down a bit.

After an hour of sailing peacefully between the mangrove banks of the channel, with Hinchinbrook Island’s precipitous peaks providing a spectacular backdrop to our lunch of toasted sandwiches (thank you Kate), we found ourselves becalmed and drifting.  With a sand bank nearby and only a few miles to Paluma Creek, we furled the jib and motored the remaining distance, coming to anchor in 12 feet of water at 1554.

All is well.