Lizard Island to Flinders Islands
Gaviota
Thu 23 Jun 2016 03:40
14:10.642S 144:13.835E
Thursday,
16th June we left Lizard Island at 6.00am into a bumpy sea and
forecasted South Easterlies of 15-25 knots.
Sailed a lovely broad reach with the 2 genoas and no mainsail at 7-8
knots and pretty comfortable. Our
ambitious plan was to make it to the Flinders Islands 83 miles away so we had
to crack on. First course change and we
went dead downwind so the boom went out on one side (acting as a second pole)
and the spinnaker pole on the other, then with the rope/block and pulley system
in place out came the 2 genoas and away we flew. We reached Cape Melville and made another
course change putting the 2 genoas on the same side. In total we made 5 course changes to avoid
the reefs and managed to keep up an average speed of 7.5 knots which got us to
the Flinders Group, we sailed between Stanley Island and Flinders Island still
with just the 2 genoas up. Anchor down
and a celebratory glass of wine. A good
days sail.
