A dark, ominous looking, line squall cloud came through from the east next morning. However,
Teria was very snug in Pioneer Bay as winds gusted up over 25 knots..(it would have been more in open waters.) Some minor rain came with it and normally the pop-top would need to be down in these conditions to keep the cabin dry. The rains only fell heavily from the squall further south (Townsville) and mostly missed the Islands.
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| Squall line cloud passing over |
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| Squall line cloud |
I tried a new use for the bimini canvas. The poptop was raised with the bimini frames still on top. The canvas was pulled over the front of it to act as a rain-wind dodger. The cockpit cushions were added to the sides to add further protection when the boat yawed from side to side.
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| Raised cabin pop-top with bimini and seat swabs as spray dodger. |
This worked fairly well and kept the cabin headroom at maximum height during the passing squall.
Before departure the pop-top was lowered and the bimini raised to full height.
The wind was ok to sail out engine-free. Always a nice way to leave a bay silently. Fortunately the days weather was better, much "cooler" (for summer 29C) , overcast with light to moderate NNE winds.
Headed south along the lee coast, the wind lasted awhile then became unreliable due to the hills blocking wind so motor sailed at low throttle when needed .
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| Hazard Bay ahead |
Spotted a ketch rigged yacht leave Hazard Bay and turn south ahead of me. Crept past the bay, which has an exclusive resort and some coral heads that could surprise a boat.
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| Yanks Jetty |
Further south motor-sailed past Yanks Jetty. It's a favoured landing spot due to the all tide floating pontoon jetty and a National Park camp ground. It's for self-sufficient campers, (no water supply) A ferry may go there from Lucinda. It's a sheltered spot, good to tie up for a day trip and there were a few power boats alongside.
I didn't have that much time left so while the winds were good, decided to keep cruising to see as much of the Palm Islands group as possible.
My first video posted in blog! (and not a link to u-tube) It's basic, uncut, unedited, the winds roaring in the camera mic..
Once clear of Orpheus the wind picked up to sail across Juno Bay at a fair clip. In cruising the coral coast it is noted as a yacht anchorage and there was one yacht anchored there about a mile or two to windward. The second yacht to be spotted on the trip. Juno is at the north end of Fantome (Eumilli) Island
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| Juno Bay - Fantome Island |
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| Fantome Island and SW Islands |
Once clear of the southern end of Phantom, hardened up onto the wind close hauled..but it was too light so motor sailed. Only a few petrol horses makes the boat point 20 degrees higher and go at 5 knot hull speed.
Teria went into Challenger Bay, the south east end Greater Palm Island was on the bow, it has a yacht anchorage bay noted in cruising the coral coast. .
Challenger Bay is mostly enclosed the the North, East and South by Islands owned by aboriginal people. Fantome (Eumilli), Curacao (Noogoo), Greater Palm and a small SE island group (Esk, Brisk, Falcon, Eclipse, Fly, Havannah ). The waters are nicely protected from the weather . Palm Island is cloaked with trees, mostly rainforest and the community is in it's lee.
About midday decided to start the return trip. Put
Teria about and headed northwards, close hauled on starboard tack.
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