Cat Impi

It was lovely to meet Brent and Anna from Cat Impi, who have inspired us again to keep exploring far and wide.

Part 2: Measuring the Genoa

This was a bit easier, just involved pulling the measuring tape to the top of the furler to measure the luff, then back to the clew to measure the leech. 

With little wind it was not difficult to unfurl the genoa and measure the foot.

New Sails Part 1: removing the old mainsail.

Charles from Doyle Sails made it look easy to remove the old mainsail.  After untying and removing the battens, then our dodgy lashing that was holding the whole thing together, the sail just needed a bit of persuading to come off the mast.

Luckily, Brian of Cockatoo came along to help with the flaking and rolling.

Loaded into the dinghy using the halyard, it was surprisingly heavy.

Not sure we would have managed all that without some colourful words!

Tiger Blues and Common Crows on Curlew Island

Hundreds of butterflies, mostly Tiger Blues and Common Crows, are flying around the bay each day, and as sunset came, being the only boat in the bay they seemed to be attracted to our anchor lights. 

At first they only hung around the cockpit, but glow from our screens in the lounge brought some inside.  We rounded most up and sent them back outside by closing the doors and hatches.

By morning light the cockpit was twitching with butterflies awakening to set off again and they all flew away to the island.

Marble, Hunter and Curlew Islands

As usual it was lumpy heading out of Island Head Creek, but we soon cruised north again on the genoa, although a few storms threatened, but mostly just wind bullets, no rain.  Marble Island seemed an easy tack and is referred in Noel Patrick’s Curtis Coast book as a good anchorage in SE winds.  We found it too rolly so moved around to Hunter Island, which was blissfully smooth and quiet.  These Duke Islands were all bought by a pastoral company to run cattle and now look overgrazed, so there is little other wildlife and visitors are not encouraged ashore.

At first light, with the lucky gold bomber lure out, we set sail for Curlew Island, but the mackerel were not interested today.  

We know why it’s called Curlew Island, as the Bush Stone-Curlews begin their harmonies just before dawn, and they are loud across the water from their beach roosts. 

So far we have this island to ourselves, no other boats about, just bliss!

By the way, how did these Easter Island figures get to Curlew Island???

Great Keppel Island to Pearl Bay

The forecasts all seemed ideal for sailing north, downwind, so we set sail from GKI to Pearl Bay (~50 nm). 

Seas were bigger than we expected as we cleared North Keppel and Pumpkin Islands, bearing in mind the VMR adage “seas may be larger and winds 40% more than forecast”, and cruising along at 8 knots, a sudden squall ripped the mainsail along lower batten below the 2^nd reef point then vertically, held only by the leech.

Peter, in life jacket and clipped on the jack line, was able to reef down and continue sailing, but the squalls continued and we limped into Port Clinton, anchoring just as another big squall came through, drenching crew and cockpit.  Luckily we were able to capture enough rainfall to do all our washing as we relaxed for a few days in Port Clinton, joined by a pair of sea-eagles and a pair of pelicans (though it’s hard to tell with pelicans).

More boat (“bring out another thousand”) maintenance as we track down a friendly sail maker and another boost to the Australian economy, although 6 months ahead of our schedule!

New Trampolines for Heatwave

After several recommendations from other yachties, we contacted Gordon Myers of Multihull Trampolines https://www.multihulltramps.com.au/, as we were heading up to Bundaberg.  

The odd shapes of our trampolines meant it was easier for him to come and measure them up on his template, rather than follow our attempts at measurements and photos, before making them.  Fortunately he was able to make them while we were still in the marina, fit them and show us how to tweak them later on, after they have settled in.

It was a good choice to go with grey Spectra and the silver edges blend beautifully with our aluminium bow sprit and centre bar.  We are very pleased with the look and feel, next week will be the blue water test as we are hoping for a screecher run to Pancake Creek or the Keppels.

Thanks Gordon!