Mackay to Brisbane.

[ABQLD]

Hi, I’m a 12 metre motor cruiser preparing to return from the Whitsundays to Brisbane.
I cruise at roughly 8.5 knots and would really like to avoid a rolly night at the Percy’s by going direct from Mackay to Island Head Creek.
It would be a 14 hour run but I’m guaranteed a good nights sleep so figure it’s worth it.
The route that Navionics provides covers a lot of shallowish banks that combined with the 6 metre tide in that region might make things a little interesting.
Can anyone who’s done this please provide your thoughts and any tips will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[Simi 60]

We stay at South Percy and avoid the roll.

[ABQLD]

Thanks.
I suspect you may have been lucky if you’ve had no roll on any of the Percy’s.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by ABQLD

Thanks.
I suspect you may have been lucky if you’ve had no roll on any of the Percy’s.

I never said that though did I.

And plenty of other islands on that route, I generally don't do the percies in favour of others.

Originally Posted by ABQLD

The route that Navionics provides covers a lot of shallowish banks that combined with the 6 metre tide in that region might make things a little interesting. .

So don't use auto route.
It's been proven dangerous on many occasions

[Tin Tin]

What time of day do you plan arriving?

[ABQLD]

Thanks, much appreciated. ��

[ABQLD]

Originally Posted by Tin Tin

What time of day do you plan arriving?

I’m thinking that I’ll leave Mackay at around 3am-ish which should get me into Island Head Creek with about an hour of light to spare.

[UFO]

There are SO Many anchorages that you have a very big choice


Have a look at:


https://www.zuluwaterways.com




I stopped at middle Percy once and it was OK, but just lucky - Plenty of places to stop closer to the mainland.

[Tin Tin]

Hopefully someone will respond who has been through there recently. My My 2 cents worth is :
1 The chart in the Allen Lucas book "Cruising the Coral coast" shows two ways to enter the creek mouth, and these do not look compatible with the current Navionics chart - so I understand your dilemma.
2. There seem to be no beacons
3. I would want to arrive on a rising tide, the sun may be too low to provide good vision
4. The navionics chart on ipad we have access to, shows cruisers notes for 4 way points to get through the entrance, (zoom in on the little spots as you may already be aware). May be OK may be not.

5. If it was me I would go to Pearl Bay - easy in, no strong current issues for anchoring, and easy out even in the dark.


Have a safe trip!