Wanting to sail south

SS,
I am sorry to hear it mate, you've done the hard part and come so far and there is so much more to Nth Qld!
Suggestion: Can you guys away from the boat for a day or two? Sometimes it helps me to switch off, change to a different environment, and your brain will beaver away by itself and work it our for you.
If you hop back on and still feel the same, call it quits. But I'd hate to see you head back just yet.

Give Cisco a holler for a beer and some advice, or PM Jode5 or any of the Nth Qlders and ask for some routing ideas?

Dunno what we can do to help, but if we can mate, just yell. Your welcome to crash on the boat in Brissy if you just need some space away from your little darling (boat that is!).
Cheers,
SB

Thanks for the tips . I love the idea of leaving boat a few days. Mrs disagrees. (Theres a change)
Still not sure. Agnes waters. You mean 1770?
Looks to be navigable only at high tide. Which atm is 11am or pm .

SS, yeah, 1770/Agnes Waters the sea side some shelter in the SE'r. The channel in has a min depth around 1.8 so should not pose a problem, usual do it on an incoming tide or on the ebb. Is a great spot thou facilities are basic.
Is a long day from Bundy to Pancake.
In Gladstone, contact the sailing club if only staying overnight (is a short walk up to town where the marina is a long trek).

Not now mate. Keep going until the wind turns. If you've got it in you, make a big overnight push to Hammucky Is or Great Keppel, or even miss them and go straight to Rosslyn Bay, stay in the marina there (it really is very nice and quiet and can stock up in Yeppon) and do a day trip over to the Keppels. That way you can skip all the tidal issues you are facing at 1770 and Pancake Ck (which are over rated anyway). From Rosslyn, go to Pearl Bay (longish day hop) for a few days then Middle Percy. Those two places on their own should reinvigorate your dreams.

NOW THIS IS MY OPINION ONLY.

The Allen Lucus book if that is what you are using is great for information and to use as a general tool for planing. If you are discounting anchorages because he says they are prone to swell, then stop. In this regard I found the book to be rather negative. You will go nowhere if you choose destinations based on only good reports of this guide.... some of our best nights where at places rubbished by Alan (on more then a few occasions -but overall it was a useful publication).

Lastly, don't feel bad by wanting to get off the boat for a few days. I arrived in Broome today. We haven't been off the boat since May (although we have stayed in a few marinas). After spending nearly a month in the Kimberleys, dealing with 12m tides and at times 10kt currents, the missus and kids decided we were getting off for a few days. And I must admit I didn't put up a fight. Refresh, then make a decision. Don't sell yourself short.

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Sectorsteve said..

Toph said..
Not now mate. Keep going until the wind turns. If you've got it in you, make a big overnight push to Hammucky Is or Great Keppel, or even miss them and go straight to Rosslyn Bay, stay in the marina there (it really is very nice and quiet and can stick up in Yeppon) and do a day trip over to the Keppels. That way you can skip all the tidal issues you are facing at 1770 and Pancake Ck (which are over rated anyway). From Rosslyn, go to Pearl Bay (longish day hop) for a few days then Middle Percy. Those two places on their own should reinvigorate your dreams.

NOW THIS IS MY OPINION ONLY.

The Allen Lucus book if that is what you are using is great for information and to use as a general tool for planing. If you are discounting anchorages because he says they are prone to swell, then stop. In this regard I found the book to be rather negative. You will go nowhere if you choose destinations based on only good reports of this guide.... some of our best nights where at places rubbished by Alan (on more then a few occasions -but overall it was a useful publication).

Lastly, don't feel bad by wanting to get off the boat for a few days. I arrived in Broome today. We haven't been off the boat since May (although we have stayed in a few marinas). After spending nearly a month in the Kimberleys, dealing with 12m tides and at times 10kt currents, the missus and kids decided we were getting off for a few days. And I must admit I didn't put up a fight. Refresh, then make a decision. Don't sell yourself short.

problem is my mrs and i cant seem to have a rational problem solving conversation.

Are we married to the same person? If so who is this with me right now? So confused...

My missus had no idea 4 months ago. Now she would pick a fight with Christopher Columbus.

And don't get me started on the boys (8 and 10) who know everything about everything (granted they have been incredible with what they have picked up from absolute zero experience. It just means that we now have 4 chiefs in our tribe).

Steve,
Couple of options for you if this helps.
I've got an inflatable, outboard and electric pump, if you like I can ship it up to wherever you are if you cover the freight cost. Just drop it off at Manly on your way back through.
Might make a difference if you can get on or off the boat easily?
Or if you come back through this way, stop in, pick it up and go swanning about Moreton bay for a while before you head back south, just drop it off before you depart south mate.
For that matter, if you do come through Moreton Bay, anchor up somewhere and we'll pick you up and take you for a sail, sometimes it's nice to kick back and not have to worry about the local nuances.

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Sectorsteve said..
The trips really been about the amazing people weve met.

Well if that's all you take away from this trip, then you are still in front. You've got to do what's right for you n the missus.

Hi Steve

I noticed in a previous post you said you can't go into Queensland marinas and i am just wondering what is your reason for that

It also sounds like there is a fair bit of tension on the boat between you and your wife

Do you think that heading south is going to improve the relationship of make it worse

Regards Don

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Donk107 said..
Hi Steve

I noticed in a previous post you said you can't go into Queensland marinas and i am just wondering what is your reason for that

It also sounds like there is a fair bit of tension on the boat between you and your wife

Do you think that heading south is going to improve the relationship of make it worse

Regards Don

Hi Don.
Need fully comp insurance to go to qld marinas. .
Yeah prob make it worse.
We'll see

Hi Steve

We did a similar first time cruising trip in 2010 before starting a family.
Same area, same destination as you were planning on and two of us with a small dog in a slow 28 ft boat. Living in an area the size of a small bathroom with anyone for an extended period is going to take its toll. Combine that with nerves, the unknown and some challenging tidal waters and you have the ideal scenario for conflict which really detracts from the trip.

A number of experienced cruisers have told you that you are just getting to the good part, I'll add my single 2010 experience to that without any doubt. Listen to us.

You have some things to sort out:
Get off the boat for a while and get some solo time- perhaps hire a car and drive North to check out the areas you will be passing through, helps with the unknowns.
Get a decent outboard \ tender sorted out - vital if you are avoiding Marinas. If it is insurance stopping you going into Marinas - why not get better insurance for a while ? We had great fun and camaraderie with fellow cruisers in Marinas along way.
All the above will cost you probably $1-2k.

Can you not leave your boat on a swing mooring in Bundaberg for a bit while you think things out?

So mate, have a cry, have another one and then get yourself together and at least push on to the Keppels, where you can quite happily while away a month having awesome adventures. If you choose not to continue from there then so be it. As someone who is faced with heading into their mundane job for another mind numbing week tomorrow morning - I really hope you don't change your plans too soon. Opportunities like the one you have now don't come along too often - no matter how hard you work.

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Donk107 said..

Sectorsteve said..

Donk107 said..
Hi Steve

I noticed in a previous post you said you can't go into Queensland marinas and i am just wondering what is your reason for that

It also sounds like there is a fair bit of tension on the boat between you and your wife

Do you think that heading south is going to improve the relationship of make it worse

Regards Don

Hi Don.
Need fully comp insurance to go to qld marinas. .
Yeah prob make it worse.
We'll see

Hi Steve

I wonder if anyone who is only staying for a couple of days in a marina ever gets asked to show their insurance documents

Regards Don

Yes, you do need to show insurance papers. We have had to show them at most marinas. Steve from what I have read, I would not even consider going cruising the way you are. In my opinion going cruising is ment to be enjoyable for both you and the wife. It is not ment to be survival by not having the basic necessities like Dingy and motor or ability to go into a marina. Being able to go into a marina have a lot of a advantages apart from a good nights sleep when you are sick of being tossed around at night. EG. Fuel, water, provisioning, even socialising with other yachties. Yes all this can be done by rowing your dingy ashore but it is a pain in the but.
i don't go into muddy, shallow creeks and ****ty spots. For example, I sail from Brisbane to Garry's Anchorage overnight there, then Bundaberg and then Pancake creek. In my option Pancake in the second Anchorage is the first good spot to stop after leaving Brisbane. Why would you want to stop at 1770 to sit outside being rolled round so you can cross a shallow bar to anchor in a shallow tidal creek with nothing to do.
After Pancake go directly to Gladstone then up the Narrows. After that head for Keppel.
What I am saying is make the trip enjoyable, you don't need to go into every sandfly infested creek.
Plenty of people will disagree with me as there are people who love poking around in all the little spots, but you can be sure they will have a dingy and motor.
One other thing my old farther always said 'If you can not sail at 5.5kn, start the motor and motor sail' .He sailed a Cav 32 up the Reef and back many times. This is very good advice as you do not want to be floating round going nowhere for hours on end. Cruising is ment to be enjoyable and floating round going nowhere is not enjoyable. In my boat if I can not sail at 7kn, I will hoist the iron sail.
As others have said, getting off the boat for a couple of days is very good advice. For example we got off the boat in Townsville the other day, hired a car and drove to Mission Beach for two nights, went White water rafting on the Tully river and had a lovely dinner out.
Insurance is not that expensive for the benefits it provides when cruising. Remember you can cancel it when you get home and you will receive a refund for the unused period.

Although i agree, i dont want to pay 50 bucks at least to go to a marina (that you need insurance for and all the crap that goes with that))so i can shop for food. You can tie up to fuel wharfs without insurance. Only done it once. Provisioning has never been an issue.
We are also reasonably young and fit and can row, fill water tanks via jerries etc without issue. Marinas make people lazy. I went into tin can bay marina to get fuel. All i could hear were televisions.
We also travel as fast as possible. Usually for us average speed of 5 knots. Ive used the motor alot.
Im probably just doing this trip with the wrong person.
When solo i bloody love it.

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Sectorsteve said..
Although i agree, i dont want to pay 50 bucks at least to go to a marina (that you need insurance for and all the crap that goes with that))so i can shop for food. You can tie up to fuel wharfs without insurance. Only done it once. Provisioning has never been an issue.
We are also reasonably young and fit and can row, fill water tanks via jerries etc without issue. Marinas make people lazy. I went into tin can bay marina to get fuel. All i could hear were televisions.
We also travel as fast as possible. Usually for us average speed of 5 knots. Ive used the motor alot.
Im probably just doing this trip with the wrong person.
When solo i bloody love it.

From what you say i think you need to sort out your relationship with your wife before making any rash decisions over what to do with the boat or where to head for

Regards Don

If you want to piss off and reset and recalibrate mate, Cisco is a champ of a bloke, he is sitting in Bundy, ask him for advice and assistance in on a mooring. If you ask nicely :) he could maybe keep an eye on the TopHat for you.
That could give you some breathing space. You could then piss off, organise some insurance and sort out a dinghy (offer still stands bud, it's pretty hard to kill my the inflatable and what's essentially a tiny little 9.9 2 stroke.)

One thing I realised quite quickly when I started cruising that for me was a real eye opener, is leaving your boat somewhere for a week/two weeks and coming back to it is pretty normal. I've lost count of how many times I've done it now, and when I first started out it didn't even enter my head as an option! I saw it as bad planning or that I was somehow welching out, I've realised now just to go with it, kids, work, weather, even being tired and having a gutful will screw with your plans, it's just part of the gig of cruising.

Jode is right btw, I once had two days of 30+ knots on the nose, before giving up and pulling into Mooloolaba marina for one night. I tied up, met a couple of cruisers on the finger, had a bourbon or two and just crashed for the one night. It made all the difference, from me collapsing through mental and physical exhaustion and making stupid mistakes to grinning happily and feeling on top of the world again.

However, no pressure intended! It is your call and yours alone.
I think you can gather we've all been there and felt like you do now. We just want to see you get the return from the effort you've put in, that's all. I enjoy getting off the boat for a bit now, one good shower, a hot meal (that you don't have to prepare!) and even a night off the boat can transform your outlook.

Give us a yell when you do come back through, and we'll have that beer. Get somewhere before me, you can laugh at my **** attempts at anchoring single handed :)