Brisbane to Gladstone race

[44'cruisingcat]

No records this year, pretty light winds and a fair bit of windward work. The ORMA 60 tri way out in front. Of the 100 foot mono's too.

Tracker here: Multi Hull Yacht Club Queensland - B2G Tracker

[Mirage Gecko]

Went out and watched the start anchored off Redcliffe then went for a sail up to Bribie.Did not see you out there!
While anchored in the exclusion zone my wife walked out of the saloon looked out screamed and nearly had heart attack as Chillpill sailed past about half a metre off our stern much to the delight of Pills crew.
Even though only about 10 knts of wind its a great sight seeing those big bangers up close under sail.
Chris

[44'cruisingcat]

We were a bit further South, heading towards our favourite anchorage at Cat Cay. Saw some of the faster boats go by.

[Mirage Gecko]

Cat Cay ??????

[Factor]

Blue Hole - Southern end of Moreton.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by Mirage Gecko

Cat Cay ??????

Yeah, a bit South of blue holes, north of Kooringal. Real shallow water, dry out at low tide. "Cat's Only"

[2Wind]

I "officially" entered the "Follow the Fleet" Cruise Rally in which I might have been the only entrant. We headed out from RQYS at 08:00, passing Tangalooma at race start time (so we were level with the start but on the eastern bay, opposite the fleet). We got out of Moreton Bay about two hours ahead of the fleet as they had to make their way east in rather light conditions. The Orma sailed past us like we were standing still at around 16:00. The Volvo 70 and 60 were about an hour behind, passing us off Coolum. We kept the majority of the fleet behind us until half way up Fraser Island around dawn, when about half the fleet slowly caught us making better speed in the very light conditions (6-8 kts) against the southern current. By Sandy Cape however, all the fleet other than the leading 4 boats who beat the wind change, concertinaed with all effectively becalmed off Breaksea Spit. Aside from frustration, it was quite magical with a beautiful sunset, dolphins and large fish splashing about whilst the fleet did their best not to drift onto the sand spit with the setting tidal flow. With night fall there was the worry of avoiding running into any one of about 30 boats all drifting aimlessly corralled by the spit, tide and current. After 6 hours of being content just to not go backwards, we took advantage of being in the cruising division, and started the iron sail, making our way to Lady Musgrave instead. Gladstone was going to be too far given the time constraints needing to be home by this morning. Sailed back from Musgrave in 48 hours despite improved but persistent light conditions (we saw nothing over 11kts true the whole 4 days). Took a little break and had a swim just off Little Cove at Noosa Heads last night. We had a great time, but would have preferred some more wind, especially as the 440 really needs 8-10 to get going (10-15 to make good speed) and will not go to windward well in light conditions. Now back to reality....

[Factor]

Sounds like you had more fun than most of the race fleet!

[Ozbullwinkle]

Team Australia has now returned to Sydney Harbour. It came under the Harbour Bridge at 11am on Thursday the 24th of April.

[2Wind]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Yeah, a bit South of blue holes, north of Kooringal. Real shallow water, dry out at low tide. "Cat's Only"

I haven't been into Kooringal in about a decade, but I have heard that the southern entrance has shallowed over the years.
Can you tell me about depths and the entrance to the channel at Reeder's Point?

Thanks.

[44'cruisingcat]

Sorry, no, not really. We always enter from the Blue Holes. But the depths via black's gutter are fine (at high tide).

[2Wind]

Thanks.