Whitsundays or Moreton Bay on January

[bearkeley]

Hubby and I have the opportunity to take a 5 nite live aboard course RYA Competent Crew at either location. We are experienced power boaters dreaming of a liveaboard lifestyle but need to take this step first then an ASA catamaran course in the Bahamas if we really enjoy it as much as we think we will. We both have basic sunfish training but not much else.

Any thoughts on which one we should do? Weather shouldn't really matter (we need to learn what good and bad weather sailing is like) but it would be nice to have a more pleasant experience overall, right? :-). We'd prefer a smaller group and pref a 40 ft vs larger boats...anything else to consider? Any specific schools you recommend?


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[Reefmagnet]

Whitsundays blows Moreton Bay out of the water just about hands down...

BUT....

• January is the height of summer. The humidity can be hard to take if not used to it. And it will be humid.
• It's the wet season. It might quite possibly rain non stop. But then again it could be fantastic weather.
• It's cyclone season. Cyclones normally become more of threat a bit later in the season, but January is smack, bang in the middle and always a possibility of one being in the area.
• Trade winds start to wind up. Not uncommon to have 25+ knot wind days (might not be a bad thing!)

If it was just for the tuition, I'd stick with Morton Bay. It is beside Brisbane and a surrounding regions (e.g. Gold Coast). If you want nature, pretty anchorages and lovely scenery and are prepared for the possibility of inclement weather then head for the Whitsundays.

[DtM]

That is a very fair summary.

[Factor]

Dont underestimate moreton bay, sure its not the whitsundays, but its pretty nice and the weather can be a little better than up north.

[2Wind]

Agreed, January in the Whitsunday's will be hot and humid.
Hot on deck all day in the sun.
Humid making sleep in the cabins at night a challenge.
As this is about learning to sail, I'd go with Moreton Bay at that time of the year.
Good accommodation too at RQYS.

[JPA Cate]

I also agree with Reef Magnet's evaluation. However, since you specifically mentioned wanting to learn to handle the boat in heavier weather, maybe give the edge to the Whitsundays. Geographically it is far more varied than Moreton Bay, and as there is good breeze, that will help to keep you cool while you're on the water.

Ann

[RaymondR]

The Whitsundays provides a much more diverse sailing experience than Moreton Bay and pretty where everywhere on the east coast is hot in January. Whitsundays is far prettier view wise also.