I've been looking at the option to make the passage from Southport to Moreton Bay via the waterways.
I have studied Beacon to Beacon and cruising the Coral Coast but I am after some local knowledge especially regarding max draft and mast height. Main channel has a power line at 20.3 m according to beacon to beacon and that's a bit too tight for my liking.
Keen to hear from any deep keeled yacht who has successfully made the passage and what your draft and mast height were!
Failing that we'll explore in the dinghy and sail along the coast instead!
G'day SV,
What draft and mast height are you? I've been through there several times at with a mast height of 19m without any issues at all. I'll look up my maps for you just to make sure. Its well worth going inside, its a lovely trip.
I sail out of Calypso Bay in small boat with 1.5 m weekly and see some pretty big boats going through . From the cardinal mark at tulleen island through to cabbage tree point you will have no issue if you stick between channel markers. Safest way is as you pass one marker line up next and pass within a boat width or so.
I go up and down regularly with a 2.3m draft and a mast air draft of 85' plus aerials on my Hanse 575.
When passing under the power lines I hug the western power tower and have miles of air space above the mast. ( pass within 5mts of it) there is plenty of water between the western tower and the channel markers either side of the cables.
I usually go through Jacobs Well with at least half tide and on the rising tide
Select to expand quoteshaggybaxter said..
G'day SV,
What draft and mast height are you? I've been through there several times at with a mast height of 19m without any issues at all. I'll look up my maps for you just to make sure. Its well worth going inside, its a lovely trip.
Thanks @shaggybaxter. Her draft is 2.3 m and mast height with antenna etc. 20.5 m.
Select to expand quotelydia said..
Lowest part of the power line is not over the channel.
Thanks @Lydia. That's good to know and great to hear!
Select to expand quoteBananabender said..
I sail out of Calypso Bay in small boat with 1.5 m weekly and see some pretty big boats going through . From the cardinal mark at tulleen island through to cabbage tree point you will have no issue if you stick between channel markers. Safest way is as you pass one marker line up next and pass within a boat width or so.
Thanks @Bananabender. Good advice!
Select to expand quoteJode5 said..
I go up and down regularly with a 2.3m draft and a mast air draft of 85' plus aerials on my Hanse 575.
When passing under the power lines I hug the western power tower and have miles of air space above the mast. ( pass within 5mts of it) there is plenty of water between the western tower and the channel markers either side of the cables.
I usually go through Jacobs Well with at least half tide and on the rising tide
Thank you @Jode5. I'm glad to hear the passage is possible for us! Great advice and will plan to do the same.
Every year when we do the Surf to City, even if its just the delivery, a highlight is marvelling at the floating oddities near Jacobs Well. I'd swear some would tip over when the swell gets over 6 inches, but every year they're still there, some even get more and more junk tacked on above the waterline.
Like watching naval architecture in reverse 
.
Select to expand quoteshaggybaxter said..
Every year when we do the Surf to City, even if its just the delivery, a highlight is marvelling at the floating oddities near Jacobs Well. I'd swear some would tip over when the swell gets over 6 inches, but every year they're still there, some even get more and more junk tacked on above the waterline.
Like watching naval architecture in reverse .
Can't wait to see the sights!!!!
Select to expand quoteshaggybaxter said..
Every year when we do the Surf to City, even if its just the delivery, a highlight is marvelling at the floating oddities near Jacobs Well. I'd swear some would tip over when the swell gets over 6 inches, but every year they're still there, some even get more and more junk tacked on above the waterline.
Like watching naval architecture in reverse .
Hey, you talkin about me ar ya .
Select to expand quoteBananabender said..shaggybaxter said..
Every year when we do the Surf to City, even if its just the delivery, a highlight is marvelling at the floating oddities near Jacobs Well. I'd swear some would tip over when the swell gets over 6 inches, but every year they're still there, some even get more and more junk tacked on above the waterline.
Like watching naval architecture in reverse .
Hey, you talkin about me ar ya .
Na BB, you're boat is beautiful topsides. A good example is there's a caravan looking thingy on a barge down here that every year gets more crap added to it. I'm waiting to see next year if they've added a third floor to it, as you cant possibly fit any more s$%t on the square meterage available.
Select to expand quoteBananabender said..shaggybaxter said..
Every year when we do the Surf to City, even if its just the delivery, a highlight is marvelling at the floating oddities near Jacobs Well. I'd swear some would tip over when the swell gets over 6 inches, but every year they're still there, some even get more and more junk tacked on above the waterline.
Like watching naval architecture in reverse .
Hey, you talkin about me ar ya .
Na BB, your boat is beautiful topsides. A good example is there's a caravan looking thingy on a barge down here that every year gets more crap added to it. I'm waiting to see next year if they've added a third floor to it, as you cant possibly fit any more s$%t on the square meterage available.
Select to expand quoteshaggybaxter said..Bananabender said..shaggybaxter said..
Every year when we do the Surf to City, even if its just the delivery, a highlight is marvelling at the floating oddities near Jacobs Well. I'd swear some would tip over when the swell gets over 6 inches, but every year they're still there, some even get more and more junk tacked on above the waterline.
Like watching naval architecture in reverse .
Hey, you talkin about me ar ya .
Na BB, you're boat is beautiful topsides. A good example is there's a caravan looking thingy on a barge down here that every year gets more crap added to it. I'm waiting to see next year if they've added a third floor to it, as you cant possibly fit any more s$%t on the square meterage available.
Ha , there are some pretty weird concoctions moored down here .There's also some pretty awful drivers of houseboats as well.
Tried hailing one last week manually and on radio to tell them even a houseboat will get stuck where they were heading . Guess what I heard 30 mins later
"VMR Jacobs Well etc. I'm stuck "
Did anyone take you up on that number 1 . It's 70 cms to long on luff but I could get it cut
