Prior to this trip i'd taken Jai Dee out on Cleveland Bay several times, each trip confirming the seaworthiness and my confidence in the capabilities These trips saw me within about 1 nm of the Magnetic Island reef flat. In the right conditions it was ok to sail out this far. I always consulted my wind and tides forecasts on Willy weather before departure. In 10-15knots ne the Fatty Knees eats it up. If the forecast was over 15 knots then bay sailing is called off (protected waters river sailing ok upto 20knots)
Created an aft storage locker by fitting a rectangular plastic hatch with a sizeable opening. This was to keep high use items safe and dry and within easy reach. The prior stowage was a watertight bag on the aft thwart and the bow locker.
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| Positioning the hatch before cutting out access hole. |
The first leg out from Palleranda had a 5knot northerly wind. On course for Picnic bay through and area of confused north and east moving waves less than 1 foot. About a mile out the wind stopped awhile and backed to the EnE at 10 knots. The plan changed then so headed south on a close reach across Cleveland bay, with an idea of reaching the duckpond. As the coastal landmarks slipped abeam - Rowes Bay, the strand . JaiDee actually was standing well out offshore further than expected.
so crossed the ferry route off the port of Townsville. The Car ferry went by and tacked and was laying the southern tip of Magnetic Island. The seas were about 1-2 foot so eased sheets to keep speed up and ride over them without bashing about.
After an hour or so realised that Picnic Bay might be possible. The wind strength was ideal and from the right direction which would provide wind power all the way into Picnic Bay (if it is more northerly then a huge wind shadow occurs behind the Island..this had stymied me on previous attempts)
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| Magnetic Island to windward |
About a mile out smooth waters with good breeze was happening, perfect for tacking up hard on the wind. Luckily the incoming tide didn't cause any adverse current here. Had to tack outside the Picnic Bay reef and up to a windward navigation beacon pole to find safe water with the daggerboard and fixed rudder down.
near the reef a green turtle popped up about 5m ahead, it was easy to see her whole shell and flippers in the clear waters.
Once inside Picnic Bay it was a nice run down to the wharf area. It was a Monday so only one 30 foot yacht was visiting the anchorage. The green mountains, palm trees and clean sands beaconed.
Final approach in the lee of the wharf to the boat ramp beach was under sweep oar with half board down. It felt good to finally reach the beach. I guess the good feeling is inversely proportional to how hard it was getting there! I take my hat off to the kayakers and swimmers who have also crossed the straight under their own power, dealing with the waves, winds, tides and currents on the way.
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| picnic bay jetty |
Had a yarn to a local who just happened to be into clinker dinghy's too. She just won a 10 foot wooden clinker dinghy in a raffle! It was built in Tasmania at a boat building school and was being shipped up north. Picnic Bay would certainly be a fantastic place to sail such a fine dinghy
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| Picnic bay boat ramp beach |
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| Preparing to depart |
At first the Island made for smooth waters, so it was time to open the lunch box and thermos.
Running downwind is always a good way to return home. The waves are with you, it's far quieter and no sprays flying. However the boats still slipping along effortlessly at several knots due to much less drag with the board up.
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| An easy broad reach into the sunset back to Cape Palleranda |
After this the confused waves zone began but it was easier to ride through it downwind than going upwind.
The landmark for the ramp is a low saddle between two small hills to the left of the cape's big hill.
Soon it was dark, a new moon night, only starlight and city glow to see by. Fortunately, there are plenty of guiding lights to steer by to find the ramp on a dark night. First, a fixed red light sits atop of the radar dome on the Cape. Then a hazard buoy white flashing light is seen about a mile out. The ramp floodlights are to the left of this, not to be confused with much brighter beach floodlights for the stinger net area further to the left of the ramp.
Re navigation lights on a new moon night - the all round white stern light was blindingly bright which destroyed my night vision completely. So had to turn it off in order to see enough. (the forward green/red nav light was ok) Sometimes i used my red LED headlamp /and or LED (white torch) to see inside the boat. What the stern light needed was a cover to block light on it's forward side (which was done on return home, it will only be seen from astern)
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| Palleranda ramp |
The approximate trip total distance sailed was 13 nautical miles (or 24 km) . Going over the Island upwind was 9 nm (17 km) sailed and the final leg was 4nm (7 km) sailed.
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| Map of the trip |
The new aft hatch/ stowage locker worked well. A big relief as it was a virtually irreversible experiment. It was easy to open or dog down quickly. Gear that used to be up in the forward compartment with a 6" slow-action screw in inspection port was now stowed aft where it was much more easily accessible. Weight distribution was improved, the bow was much lighter so the boat rode the waves better and stayed drier. The dinghy is also more stable when accessing gear. (before when trying to get something out forward, body weight really made the hull nose-heavy/wet/less stable ).
As the compartments are also buoyancy tanks for capsize, I only open the hatches one at a time in good conditions close inshore, they stay shut in strong winds or when further out. Full reserve buoyancy is needed to right the boat and be able bail it out.
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