Fatty Knees sail on Ross River

A good weather window was happening so Took Fatty Knees "Jai Dee" out for a sail on Ross River on 14th Feb. It was very sheltered inside the River about 5-10 knots gusting 15 kn from the ENE. Barnicle st ramp was almost deserted with only a handfull of boat-trailers parked there and no one on the ramp.

I short and long tacked to windward heading for the bridge near the river mouth, about 2 km from the ramp. The dinghy tacks flawlessly in very tight spaces, so went in among the near deserted pile moorings and moored yachts on the south bank. But also sailed into the spots with good wind on the north bank.  Some small fishing boats 10-16 foot were anchored and having a go, Barramundi season is on.

The bridge pylons funneled wind from dead ahead, so allot of short tacks in a narrow pass but once free the wind strengthened and Jai Dee continued beating to windward in the smooth waters in the lee of the entrance sand bar.

Once clear of the protective sand bar the wind strengthened to about 15 knots, gusting 20 or so, and 1 foot waves started to buffet the Fatty knees, however she rose over these like a buoyant cork, sending spray peeling over into the cockpit. The Townsville port's southern breakwall was on our lee side, but never felt worried. We reached Trawler harbor, about a further 1 km from the bridge. The protective sand bars deepened and it got rougher and windier, maxing us out. Even a 16 foot fishing boat turned back here. It was as far as Jai Dee could go with its full sail up (a custom reefable rig would be needed to go further safely)

Reached into the New harbor which was flat calm, the entire Townsville trawler fleet moved in here , along with Ross Haven marina after the Port bridge went up. Ross Haven caters to large yachts and motor vessels now days. It is an open often wind-swept location compared to their previous sheltered base in the river.

The run back was fast. I got as low,  and far aft as possible in a recumbent position which kept the weight in the right place at the bottom of the hull. This makes Fatty Knees remarkably stable downwind in a blow. Two guys on racing sea kayaks slowly overhauled me, paddling hard.

The bridges sheltered lee has a nice sand beach, so stopped for a rest. Finally able to get the camera out safely too.

Calm harbor and beach in the Lee of the Port Bridge. The centerboard can be left in while beaching and still clears the boom.

Townsville Port Bridge, heavy traffic bypass across Ross River

Looking upriver to Mt Stuart. 

The Fatty Knees rig was dropped in seconds, the anchor went out and walked along the unlikely beach.

Didn't go too far, the mangroves ahead are good crocodile habitat.

 Put the rig back up and sailed upriver with the wind astern. Anchored in the old trawler pen bay, it's a good rest spot and place to open the snack box and water bottle, calm and mozzie free and the trees ashore act as a wind break.

The old trawler pen bay is at 5th Avenue, South Townsville. Goondi creek a small mangrove tributary opens into this man-made bay. The land to the north of this to 7th Ave is designated for the $25 million Townsville boat park, to be built over the next few years. (Rosshaven Marine and the trawler wharf moved from here). It's mostly for powerboats (and any sail boat that can quickly lower its rig height to less than 6m.)  Looks like there will be plenty of room with peace and quiet around Goondi creek for awhile though.

The good old trawler mooring wharf is empty. It is planned to be modified and used again as part of the  recreational boat park.

Headed back to the ramp, but the sun was setting so just had to keep sailing around in the calm waters - magic. Sailing right up to the ramp is improving, this time was able to round up and stop in a controlled manner. Found a new trick when the boat has drifted exactly into the right (calm) spot the daggerboard can be lowered to the bottom which holds the boat rock still like a parking brake. Gives time to tidy things up get sorted out and have a good look around before stepping out. I always step out on the shallow landward side of the dinghy, a hull-shield between you and a crocodile must be better than nothing and deeper water. Haven't heard any reports of the stealthy beasts being around Ross River but never take un-necessary chances, people are taken from time to time further north.

There was a deep haze to the west and the sun began to redden up, by the time we were on the road it was a large red ball still well above the horizon.