Noumea to Mackay

Noumea to Mackay

Friday, 8 September 2017, 1600Hrs

Down tools, Marina needs booking into but customs and quarantine are done with us so we can finally venture ashore.

Thursday, 7 September 2017, 2130 Hrs

21 06.7S, 149 13.5E, Mackay Marina

1200Hrs

21 25S, 150 00E, 48nm to Mackay but who’s counting. Note the time change to AEST, I think that makes it time change no. 28 since January. Not sure if customs will clear us tonight or not but either way hope to be heading off as soon as they do for the last leg to Shute Harbour, Not quite as glamerous amongst the mangroves as HI Marina is but thats where Sunsail would like us to hand over “Wind Sprite” Shite Harbour it is!

Wednesday, 6 September 2017, 1300Hrs

22 14S, 152 11E, 180Nm still to go to Mackay, We only managed 90Nm made good to our destination with the angle the wind would allow us so around 25 Nm further travelled, painfully slow unfortunately.

Tuesday, 5 September 2017, 1300Hrs

22 42S, 153 41E, Around 260Nm to Mackay, hope to be able to make it during busiess hours on Thursday. The wind came in from the North last night right on the weathermans schedule which allowed use to make good speed under sail and give a good boost to the average. Its now gone a bit more westerly and expected to drop right out again, hopefully soon so we can point in the right direction. Next update when within reach of regular phone service.

Monday, 4 September 2017, 1300Hrs

22 24S, 156 04E, Under 400Nm to Mackay so around 450Nm to HI

Sunday, 3 September 2017, 1430Hrs

Engine on, sailing game over but don’t expect we can travel faster under engine, that never happens.

1300Hr

22 17S, 158 06E, about 550 Nm to go, thats to Hamilton Island. Slow going but at least today the wind has swung more east, albiet light. The current is also against us at the moment. We were unable to make a course far enough South for Bundaberg and now the distance to there is 50nm further than the mainland to the West. Anyway that means some dissapointed crew, sorry to Andrew and Dodo who were excited to join us there and appologies to Phil who wanted to get off there however its going to be just as quick to clear customs etc at Mackay.

Thanks again Duane for your update, it seems you were not on the farm this weekend? Its fortunate in a way that we did stop at Noumea for fuel (duty free as well) because we certainly didnt have enough to make Bundaberg based on your update. Currently we are making the most of the remaining wind in order to have sufficient for the last few days under engine. Hopefully the next update will be via regular internet.

Friday, 1 September 2017, 1300Hrs

22 36S, 161 45E, Still 535 slow and painful Nm to Bundaberg, wind S to SSW at 15-20Kts and I’m told thats until Sunday lunchtime. Was hoping to at least have good averages for the final ocean leg but its not to be.

Thursday, 31 August 2017, 1300 hrs

22 50S, 163 54E, Just on 640Nm to Bundaberg. Been hanging around in the engine compartment since 7am. I didn’t think my fuel consumption calculations or the fuel tanks under stated size. Turns out there was a blockage in the fuel filter causing the engine to cut out. Despite filter changes and bleeding crap from the fuel tank some must have still been in the system somewhere. Anyway last spare filter installed, fixed and running well now. Whilst rumaging around in the spares I found a block Doug bought for us before leaving Greece, happens to be the exact spec’s for the fatgued one that failed on the main Halyard. Next job.

Thanks for your updates again Duane. Sorry but we are already below 22 S as Noumea is also further South than that. Will continue pretty much Westerly but need to keep the hard fought Southing in the bank.

Tuesday, 29 August 2017, 1600 Hrs

Leaving Noumea, unable to find a suitable replacement block for the main Halyard so we will be using one or two reefs and have jury rigged a shackle until it can be replaced corectly. A few other small jobs as well as the critical fuel, gas and water.