Hamilton Island to Sydney
“Antipodes Australis” Beneteau Oceanis 58ft
Commenced October 18, 2015
Thursday, 29 October 2015, 1100 Hrs
32 00 S, 152 54 E, Around 12 Nm South of Crowdy Head. Under engine and making good progress towards Sydney with a current ETA of early Friday. Apart from a bit of mainsail it looks unlikely we will be sailing unassisted for the rest of the duration as light easterlies are fore cast to continue for the duration. All is well.
Wednesday 28 October 2015-10-29
Leave Coffs Harbour, Managed to make it ashore for a short period for a few supplies and a catch up with Mike and Monique who recently moved here from Sydney. Also it was great to catch up with Richard who grew up one street away from me in Yagoona. I can’t believe it’s been so many years. Anyway it’s good to be underway on our last leg of this trip.
Tuesday, 27 October 2015, 0530 Hrs
30 15 S, 153 08 E, Anchored in Coffs Harbour outer Harbour. Wild night of storms ashore. We had lots of wind and rain for around an hour and a half and heaps of lightning but all went calm for the motor into port. Now for a wait for the conditions to ease before heading off again. Hopefully we will be able to get ashore for a top up of provisions and a break beforehand.
Monday, 26 October 2015, 1000 Hrs
28 08 S, 153 37 E, Nearing point Danger, Tweed Heads. Left Southport at 0700 Hrs Sydney time (note time change) Forecast weather is for a southerly front to move in from early Tuesday morning by which time we hope to be safely tied up in Coffs Harbour. After this front moves through we expect to continue on for the final leg to Sydney. Welcome aboard to Liz and glad to have Phil back on board for the final leg home.
Sunday, 25 October 2015, 1030 Hrs
Tied up at Southport Yacht Club. Thank you for the interim crew, Tracy, Jose and Erin. Well done thanks very much for being available at such short notice was great to have you all on board.
Saturday, 24 October 2015, 1645 Hrs
Leaving Mooloolaba, Welcome aboard to Tracy, Erin and Jose. Thanks for coming along to help get the boat to Southport where we will be met by the crew who will be doing the Sydney leg. The SE winds have eased and turned more to the east so expecting to motor most of the way down the coast.
Friday, 23 October 2015, 0900 Hrs
Tied up in Mooloolaba, sorry for the late update. Ended up catching quite a bit of current down off Fraser Island giving us great speed in Northerly winds. Was expecting to have to wait for the tide to rise before entering the Harbour however the early arrival allowed us to enter just after the wind turned to a strong South Easterly. Unfortunately John has to leave us early due to some issues at home but would like to thank him for a great first half of this trip, hopefully he will be able to join me again soon..
Thursday, 22 October 2015, 1630 Hrs
24 48 S, 153 18 E, Approaching Waddy Point, Fraser island. Good following winds but just a little behind our planned time. Will be arriving in Mooloolaba tomorrow as a South Easterly blow arrives. It shows as being short lived so will be able to start moving again on Saturday to pick up crew in Southport.
Wednesday, 21 October 2015, 1030 Hrs
22 41 S 150 56 E, Under sail finally as the SE winds have eased and we can now make a more southerly course. Will post this when reception arrives. Currently plan to make it either through to Southport or may need to make it Mooloolaba as a short lasting front moves through. I have had a last minute crew drop out so f you can meet us in say Southport / Mooloolaba let me know ASAP. Note reception could delay my response but leave a message anyway
Tuesday, 20 October 2015, 0700 Hrs
21 19 S, 149 37 E, Around 30 Nm SE of Mackay. Travelled quite slowly for the first 24 Hrs with strong SE winds hindering our progress. Fortunately the wind has now dropped down to 15 Kts and the forecast shows it should stay there and hopefully go a little more east, expecting the pace to increase significantly through the day. Next update will depend on regular internet availability.
Monday, 19 October 2015, 0745 Hrs
Underway from Hamilton Island. Forecast is showing the current winds should start dropping off a bit today and more tomorrow particularly the further south we travel. Currently slowly making our way South under engine whilst we wait for the improved conditions promised. All is well, stayed an extra night as the conditions did not seem to abate yesterday.
Sunday, 18 October 2015, 1600 Hrs
Hamilton Island Marina, The wind has finally dropped right off after having
it blow through here at around 25-30 Kts today. All ready now to leave after
spending the day re-familiarising myself and crew with the boat. Now planning
to leave at first light to slowly make our way South for better forecast wind
speed and direction over the coming days. Welcome aboard John Jones! Great to
finally have you on board, its a long time now since being flatmates back in
Canberra in the Eighties!
OOps spoke too soon as the wind is back again
John very impressed with the ice maker
Notes on Communication: – Please feel free to send SMS messages via your email
direct to the satellite phone on board. Simply click the “free” link shown on
the top of this page or type the address as 881631430767@msg.iridium.com
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