Visit our Popular Forums

Yachtjuno · 14-11-2015, 17:36

I am reposting this post in a new thread to try and get some more responses.

We are on our way south to Brisbane from Mackay , ETA Bunderburg Sunday 15th Nov at 1300. As the forecast is for strong SE on Monday and Tuesday we would like to go through the Great Sandy Straits if we can rather than outside Fraser Island.

Trouble is that we draw 2.7m. We plan to anchor Sunday night at the top of the river and take the flood tide up and go through the shallows an hour before high water on Monday. High Water at Boonlye Point is 3.1m. We know its tight north of Tooth Island. Do we stick to the channel or have any of the markers moved? Any suggestions? Should we call the Sandy Straits CG to get their take?

We will call Tin Can Bay CG regarding the bar on the way out at the southern end.

Any local advice gratefully received.

stillbuilding · 14-11-2015, 18:24

I draw the same and have been thru several times in loaded trim. No advice from recent times re markers.

Let us know how you go.

Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forums lily hhrn

**StuM** · 14-11-2015, 18:49

I would definitely check with the GSS Coastguard for any last minute information.

If nothing has changed recently, I went through in April this year and the marks and recommended track were spot on with my Navionics charts.

44'cruisingcat · 14-11-2015, 19:50

You shouldn't have any trouble, even with 2.7 m draught, as long as you time your run so that you pass the shallowest bits, Boonlye point and near Stuart island, at around high tide.

The markers were all correct, in the shifty bits they have bouys so they can be kept up to date easily.

Last time we went through on our way north, (a few months ago) we travelled a fair bit before high tide, and the shallowest we saw was 3.6m.

stillbuilding · 14-11-2015, 22:41

Just make sure you don't hit the mud at the highest point of the highest tide in the month. That would ruin the schedule.😃😃😃

Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forums lily hhrn

stillbuilding · 14-11-2015, 22:44

Safe enough of course - just inconvenient. If the SE are only a day or so, maybe just hang out for a rest and use the next NE to go outside.

Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forums lily hhrn

44'cruisingcat · 14-11-2015, 23:09

Going round the outside from Bundaberg is a pretty big detour. You have to go a fair way north to get round breaksea spit.

There's no reason not to go through the straits. It's quite a scenic area.

Mirage Gecko · 15-11-2015, 01:32

Went thru there Thursday 12th Nov about 1 hour before high tide at Boonlye.All markers correct as per Navionics on my IPad.
Although depth not an issue for us I did not see less than 3.5 metres of water in the Sheridan flats area.However remembr seeing less than 3 mt somewhere just south of the northern entrance to Garry's anchorage but I think I was off course at the time passing a Mono.
Chris

Smooth Cruiser · 15-11-2015, 14:25

As everyone says, should be all good, just stay focussed and keep looking at least one mark ahead so you don't stray from the channel. Plenty of nice anchorages as per the guides, Kingfisher resort and the White Cliffs have good depth. So does Garry's but again be very vigilant on your depth and take it slow as by then the tide will likely be starting to ebb.

A great area to spend a few days cruising through. Mozzie nets are handy if the wind drops!

fnoldsalt · 15-11-2015, 14:39

27 32 S 152 56 E is the shallow part. Just north of Boonlye Point. You will need high tide to pass through. Although it may have been dredged. You can check with Qld Maritime notices to mariners. You can also download the charts from there (Free) However they have no depths noted.
Hope this helps

Johnno · 15-11-2015, 18:40

Hi Guys, I've been through the straits some 4 times to date over the past 5 years. Firstly the waypoints for crossing the Wide Bay Bar are inaccurate. Coast Guard Tin Can Bay advised us to stay at least 100 metres to the North of both waypoints. We did this in September and had no trouble crossing the bar is a 20kt SEaster towards the top of an incoming tide, bit slow pushing against the last of the tide with a 1.5 - 2 metre sea running. On our way North in June, we did run aground on the sandbar South of Snout Point (near Red FL 6s) and had to wait out a tide to get free and we draw less than 2 metres. Other than that, we found the passage through the Great Sandy Strait to be hastle free. If deciding to go outside Fraser Island, stay well clear of the overfalls to the North/north East of the island as they throw up really nasty seas.

Hope you enjoy the trip.

Yachtjuno · 16-11-2015, 16:37

Thanks everyone for all your advice. I have decided to wait out the weather in Bundaberg and go outside Fraser island when the SE eases. With my deadline, the combination of the shoals and the bar added too much risk to the trip so i took the view that we would take the long way around.
Thanks again.

downunder · 16-11-2015, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yachtjuno

Thanks everyone for all your advice. I have decided to wait out the weather in Bundaberg and go outside Fraser island when the SE eases. With my deadline, the combination of the shoals and the bar added too much risk to the trip so i took the view that we would take the long way around.
Thanks again.

Longer but quicker.