T23, day 1, Tuesday 19/5/26
It was a calm week prior so the Coast Guard ramps' boat trailer parking was almost 99% full (Ross ck, Townsville port). The grass nature strip was being crushed by oversized tyres as well. Perfect power boating weather and this seemed to negate my Mon-Fri work week rule (less crowded). Seems like allot of guys can take a few days off work, are "Fly in and out" (mines/military rosters), or are retired.
Terias launching was timed for late morning in the hope that some fisho's would get back with their dawn catch, head home and free up a spare parking spot. (This did occur after Teria was afloat)
It's notable that about half of the "trailer + tow vehicle" parking bays were occupied by single cars only. Who they are is anyones' guess (Sealink ferry customers perhaps?) seems like the overseers of this carpark are fairly easy going, even though plenty of signage was up saying don't do it. (Tsv Port Authority? not council?) They'd make a fortune if a ticket/fines officer was employed. Even some of the "coast guard only" parking bays were illegally taken. (visited the CG base, the CG volunteer radio crew were also mystified by it all)
I launched Teria "mast down" so as to grab the last, one and only, remaining trailer + car parking bay before someone occupied it.
Then rigged-up Teria afloat at the ramps floating pontoon. Mast raised and sails were set up, between ferry wakes.
My VHF radio wasn't connecting so mobile phoned my CG "trip sheet" in.
Motored out of Port Townsville, it was good weather. A nice 24C, light winds a few fair weather cumulus clouds.
Put the mainsail up but no wind eventuated, motored for over 2 hours at 5.5 knots, south of the Platypus (big ships) channel markers. The tillerpilot steered well and the outboards rectifier was recharging the battery at 2-3 Amp hours , which is more than the tiller pilots 1 ah current draw in calm waters.
This course had us about 2 nm off Magnetic Islands East coast. It was also well clear of the ferries route to Nelly Bay (slow car ferries and fast passenger cats, fairly busy)
Sailed for a few miles off Orchid rocks, (Magnetic Islands', NE Cape) at 3 knots. Nice to have some peace and quiet.
Then motored into Horseshoe Bay (with a spectacular coastline to view) around 4pm. There was a fair fleet of cruising yachts at anchor to pick a way through. Anchored in close to the beach with a few other shoal draft vessels. Made sure she wouldn't bottom out on any low tides ahead (sounder and tide tables)
Reheated pre-cooked Thai food that my wife prepared at home. Aroi mak mak. The galley box with Trangia 25 was set up on the starboard bunk, it also warms the cabin a little with hatches cracked open a bit (the digital carbon-monoxide meter/alarm read zero)
However, sunset was obscured by ominous looking grey clouds..
(Photos etc to be added soon..)
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