25th Feb 2021: Welcome to Yamba

Here are a few photos from our first day in Yamba in NSW.

24th Feb 2021: Time to Leave Coffs Harbour

0630hrs: We left the public pontoon and set out for the heads of the harbour and perhaps Iluka/Yamba on the Clarence river, depending on the safety of a bar crossing. Wind was light, 5 to 7kts easterly so we motor sailed in a very confused 2m sea.  The waves caused the rig to flog from the mainsail being pushed around by the wave motion. As a consequence we dropped the main until the wind increased. The current was against us and we made relatively poor time in the light going.

1100hrs: after some rain the wind changed to the northeast and strengthened to 15kts. 

1300hrs: The wind increased to 20 kts. We reefed the jib and eased the main so as not to overpower the rig. around this time we attracted a hitchhiker.  A willy wagtail clasped onto our port shroud for a rest. 

Willy Wagtail Hitchhiker

1500hrs:  Wind increased to 25kts and we decided to drop the main.  We lost a couple of knots of speed, but much more manageable and safe.

Our hitchhiker made himself at home and stayed with us for the whole trip.

1830hrs: We arrived at the the mouth of the Clarence river just before high tide and negotiated the bar with ease.

Yamba bar on a good day

Yamba bar on a bad day

Out and about in Coffs Harbour

 Just a few photos of our wanderings around Coffs.

12 Feb 2021: Southport to Coffs Harbour

0630hrs: Departed Southport headed for Coffs Harbour 150nmi away

 

Slow start with not much wind.  Off Tweed heads the wind increased to 10kts and we shut down the motors.

Just before dark the wind increased to 25kts from the north and we took the mainsail down to run on the jib overnight.   speed dropped down from 12kts to 10kts where it stayed all night.

0100hrs 13Feb: Chart reveals lots of islands and rocks so a fair bit of attention to navigate them in the dark.

0900hrs Feb 13:  Arrived in Coffs Harbour. Twenty seven hours with sleep, not feeling the best.

Slept for half of the day--exhausted.

Southerlies forecast for the next week or so.

11th Feb 2021: Back to Southport and Cutting away the Crabpot Rope

 0630hrs: Motored up to Southport, dropped the anchor.

0900hrs: Dived on the port prop to check for any rope left.  Lots and some of it had melted and stuck to the front and back of the shaft either side of the cutlass bearing--what a mess.

10th Feb 2021 Coomera Trip

 0800hrs: Sailed up the Goldcoast Seaway in a brisk southerly under main alone.

0830hrs: entered the Coomera river and motor sailed against the tide.

1030hrs: Arrived at the Boatworks and called them by phone for instructions.  They said that they do not take contaminated fuel, but recommended I contact Sweep Marine.  I did so and they came and picked up the fuel for a charge of $1.20/litre.

At the same time we refueled from Goldcoast City Marina.

1300hrs: Motored back down the Coomera river, again against the tide.

1500hrs: Running back along South Stradbroke Island and picked up a crab pot line.  We anchored a bit further up with a minor vibration on the port side.

09Feb 2021: Fuel Contamination

 0600hrs: Topped up diesel fuel tanks this morning, but accidentally put 20 litres of unleaded fuel in the port tank.

0800hrs: Researched the impacts of petrol contamination in diesel fuel and decided to drain the port tank.  Filled all of my Jerry cans with the contaminated fuel and attempted to find a Southport company to dispose of the fuel.
the Southport suggested going to Coomera Boatworks as a place to dump fuel and refuel.

Moral of the story:  don't add fuel when you are half awake and mark your jerry cans clearly.

7th January 2021: Strong Wind Warning

 0900hrs: I've made my way back to Dunwich this morning to shelter from the 30kt+ South easterlies forcast.

Suzy left yesterday to fly to Tasmania to be with her Mum and family, Ruthy and the girls left with her to go back to Yeppoon so I am a solo yachtsman again, for at least two weeks anyway.

1100hrs: Arrived at our old anchorage at Dunwich and dropped the pick near the mangroves.  The last bit was very slow with the SE wind rising to 25kts.  The anchor grabbed hard quickly in the mud which is always a good sign of a good holding.  I'm not alone as there are quite a few cats and some mono hulls already here to keep me company.

 

1600hrs: wind has really kicked in and I'm grateful for the protection from wind and waves this anchorage provides--I can feel a good night's sleep coming!!

5th February 2021: South Stradbroke Island to Southport (Suzy Q's Birthday)

 0615hrs: Departed Straddy anchorage towards the bottom of the tide.

1715hrs:  Arrived at Southport and anchored off Australia Fair.

February 4th 2021: Jumpinpin to thd Bottom of South Stradbroke Island

 0800hrs:  Had a great walk around the lagoon at Jumpinpin. Great views from the top of the sand dune.  Sorry no photos.

0900hrs:  Departed Jumpinpin at the bottom of the tide heading for Southport. While there was some assisting tide initially the tide ebbed and then came back from the Gold Coast Seaway at a couple of knots.  We struggled against the tide and then decided to anchor at the bottom of South Stradbroke Island.

 

Truly, some "knobs" with big boats down here flat out close as they pass you with massive wakes.  Even in the anchorages they don't give a "fig".

1200hrs:  Arrived at our anchorage.

 

Early start tomorrow to beat the tide and to celebrate my beautiful wife Suzy's birthday in Southport.