North Channel Curtis Island QLD, Australia

[Warby12]

Hi there, does anyone have any experience of using the "North Channel" between Curtis Island and Facing Island to leave Gladstone in a monohull drawing 1.8 metres?

It would save a lot of time going north and we're having trouble finding people who have done it.

[Jim Cate]

Steve, we've done it a few times with 2.2 m draught. You need to watch the tides, of course, and mind the set in a few places. The CM93 charts that we use seem pretty accurate.

Cheers,

JIm

[Warby12]

Thanks Jim! I spoke to someone here too this morning, it's sounding ok thanks to you and now we can maybe try for Cape Capricorn.

In the marina first time for two years your signature says? Now that's something Do you have a watermaker and machine machine etc?

[JPA Cate]

Hi, Warby,

No watermaker, no washing machine. We contribute to the local economy to do laundry. Water storage is 800 liters, which does us about 11 and a half weeks, most times. Jim was not counting fuel docks, as many of them are in marinas, but not all.

Actually, at springs, we've also gone through the Narrows north of Gladstone, just plan your arrival for near the top of the rising tide.



Ann

[RaymondR]

North Channel not a problem with the big tides they have in Gladstone I draw 1.7 m and have never experienced any problems with either it or the Narrows. The Oaks at the north end of Facing Island is a calmer anchorage in developed SE weather than Cape Capricorn but not the easiest to get into or out of.

[Jacko]

Yep have been through many times but I always play the tides
you will be fine if you do this. I have anchored a few times at "Farmers" where the barge lands its good protected spot if the weather is bad from anything south and good holding. Cheers Jacko

[Warby12]

Thanks everyone! Keen to leave the marina again today. Thanks for the advice on anchorages too.

Cheers Stephen

[knockabout]

the previous replies covered your query pretty well / the channels are marked clearly with leads on tight sections / watch your cross track and work the tide properly / keep an eye out for fast moving small commercial vessels / we draw 5ft and still had to be careful in some places / haven't been down that way since '09 / the sand does move around a bit / cm93 charts on open cpn are fairly accurate / if you are heading north the sand flies have been on the chew when the wind drops

[Warby12]

We're going to go up Graham Creek tomorrow as it's a bit windy at the moment, be interesting to see what impact the LNG plant has had on it

Then we'll try the North entrance and the anchorages in a day or so.

Thanks all Fair sailing!

[RaymondR]

Let us know how you get on.

[Mattyb]

I am heading through there In a few weeks to take my boat north. Be very ken to see your tracks/comments

[Warby12]

We're in Graham Creek now. Have the whole place to ourselves! We are in the inner anchorage which is wider and shallower. We are in about 2.7 meters at low tide. Just drive around in circles until you are happy. The outer anchorage seemed a little deep at 9 meters (high tide) and not wide enough for LOTS of chain.

After a few days dragging up and down the Burnett River at Bundaburg, we are a little weary of deep narrow spots haha

Bugs not too bad either!! The old mosquito coils are working and some fish bitten off my line twice, will be trying the wire leader tomorrow.
Ps. You can hear the LNG plant over the hill but you can't see it

[JPA Cate]

Warby,

Anchoring in rivers with medium to high tide changes is always a bit of a challenge, also rivers that often flood. We had to cut away 70 ft. of chain and an anchor [Manson Supreme] when the chain got caught in something complex (might have been a snag, but unknown).

However, if you've been dragging, you need to consider using more scope, or possibly re-consider your setting procedures. Possibly, even consider a different anchor. We've anchored a number of different places in the Burnett, and never dragged, even through a vigorous thunderstorm...so something isn't maximised.



Ann

Ann

[Warby12]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

Warby,

Anchoring in rivers with medium to high tide changes is always a bit of a challenge, also rivers that often flood. We had to cut away 70 ft. of chain and an anchor [Manson Supreme] when the chain got caught in something complex (might have been a snag, but unknown).

However, if you've been dragging, you need to consider using more scope, or possibly re-consider your setting procedures. Possibly, even consider a different anchor. We've anchored a number of different places in the Burnett, and never dragged, even through a vigorous thunderstorm...so something isn't maximised.



Ann

Ann

Hi Anne,

I'm sorry to hear about you chain and anchor.

Thanks for your thoughts. The trouble was room. We didn't have enough room between other boats to let out more than 40 metres in 10 metre depth. Very strong winds too. We almost dragged onto the shore and in the morning we saw three other boats having to reset their anchors.

A big Rocna is on the cards though

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by Warby12

Hi Anne,

I'm sorry to hear about you chain and anchor.

Thanks for your thoughts. The trouble was room. We didn't have enough room between other boats to let out more than 40 metres in 10 metre depth. Very strong winds too. We almost dragged onto the shore and in the morning we saw three other boats having to reset their anchors.

A big Rocna is on the cards though

That should do you.

Sometimes, when there really isn't enough room, we've taken out a secondary anchor, to limit the boat's moving into the 'wrong' area, by limiting where it can swing to.

Ann