Beam wind good...beam sea bad!
'Sarf & West mate, Sarf & West'
Pete Bernfeld
Tue 4 Jun 2013 02:26
Mourilyan Harbour 04/06/13
Anchor up 0710, anchor down 1150
Right, first things first, Dunk Island. Don't arrive at dark or without a good moon. No particular dramas but if you do you'll wind up barely in the lee of the sandspit and have a very unsettled night, 'like wot I did'. I didn't drag an inch (centimetre if you prefer) despite 25kt winds but it wasn't comfortable. In daylight you could get much further inshore but judging by the gyrations of a gin palace that might not be much better. It looked a nice place but with stronger winds on the way I wanted to move on.
I passed Kent Island and it looked like it could be an idyllic anchorage in the right conditions. The anchorage was in the Tradewind lee of the island and there was the picture postcard sandy beach. In the conditions I had, 20-25kt winds and 2 metre seas it was tenable, however worse is to come so I went a further 5nm to Mourilyan. What a little gem!
It's a commercial harbour, completely landlocked but not particularly sheltered from the Trade winds. However, despite a by now nearly 3 metre swell outside it's virtually millpond calm. Just a pity my wind generator doesn't work.
Plans. Tomorrow 'they' are saying up to 3 metre seas and 25-30kts wind. No thanks, had enough of that particularly as like today there will be a bit more east in it (wind and swell). Unless things change either this afternoon or tomorrow morning's 0430 forecast, I reckon I'll stay here for Wednesday and hope to do an overnighter direct to Cairns, arriving Friday. I'll probably miss Wanda who I think were moving on tomorrow and Calypso is headed for Lizard Island. They'll be there until about the 17th so I should have caught up by then! I've got to do a quick stock-up, gas run, water and fuel. I haven't used much fuel but I think I'll top-up and take two 25 litre jerrycans. That should take care of the weekend, or at least Saturday, so by the middle of next week, say the 12/13th I could be in Lizard island as well. Time is marching on but no real pressure yet. Right now there is a strong wind warning in force virtually all the way up to Cape York and there will come a time when I'll just have to grit my teeth and go but right now I think I have a couple of days in hand. Cairns is the halfway mark to Darwin and I have tarried in a couple of places, plus of course I had quite light winds for several legs. Motoring fast is not an option these days alas, although the engine is behaving itself again.
I think I'm getting a handle on the weather (about time!). A couple of reasonable days sailing then a high moves in down south and boots up the tradewinds. If it's all behind you then 25-30 is OK but less is more comfortable.
Hey ho, it's a grand life if you don't weaken!
--
Current cell no (Australia) 0401222175
http://www.peterbernfeld.com
My books now available on Amazon
http://amzn.com/B008NTG6JY
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008NTG6JY
http://amzn.com/B009QA33QIhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009QA33QI
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009QA33QI