After 3 months in Brisbane area we have finally thrown the dock lines off and headed out to sea. We sailed the 10 miles out to the anchorage on the West side of Morton Island. The wind was on our nose for a bit as we motored around the bottom of one of the small islands of Manly and then we had a good sail to the anchorage in 25 knot East to SE winds.
We were a bit disorganized today as we were not used to sailing again. I forgot to put the flag back on the wind vane so we hand steered and I put it back on after we arrived in the anchorage. There was a few other items we had to sort out as well.
Next morning we were up at 6AM to sail the 40 miles North to Mooloolaba. The forecast was for 15 to 20 knots SE to E winds, perfect. Getting out of Morton bay was a bit tough as we sailed the main channel around sand banks and had to keep adjusting sails for the different wind angles and also a number of squalls came through so we had to reef for a bit and then motor a bit as the wind would disappear for a mile or so. But after we left Morton bay the sailing was super and we could relax. In Morton bay I had to call up a small cruise ship as I though he was on a collision coarse with us in the narrow channels. We talked on the VHF and agreed to pass to port so no problem.
We had a brief battle with steep seas and headwind for a mile at end of main channel where it turns East to head out to sea. Waves crashed heavily over boat as we bashed out and then all was fine. A big oil tanker came down the channel and met us right at the corner where the channel turned giving us some concern and he called us up on the VHF radio to make sure we were going to pass to port. Had great sailing the rest of the way to Mooloolaba, enjoyed.
We arrived in Mooloolaba at about 5PM just after low tide and I was a bit concerned about entering the channel at low tide with the big swell that was still running after the gale that had blown the previous days before we left. As you turn and line up to enter the harbour you become sideways to the incoming swell and a large steep one came and I thought it might break at the shallow entrance, but it just swept under us safely and then we were in. We motored over to the anchorage and dropped the hook tired out ofter the long day. Need to get back in shape for sailing.
INFO
The Morton Bay anchorage we used is at 27 17.563S 153 23.741E in 45ft. We could of got closer but things did not match up with the chart plotter, and it was windy. We were there in 25 knot SE winds and anchorage was fairly comfortable a bit of chop but no swell. Did not go ashore, may be dinghy problems with big tidal flats?
We entered Mooloolaba at low tide ok. I called VMR on 16 and they said should be ok to enter but to line up the leading lights 3/4 of a mile out in bay before entering that way you are out of the steeper swells .
There was more room in anchorage this time. Dropped anchor in 9 ft an low tide. 26 41.337S 153 07.248E. You are allowed max 10 days to anchor if travelling the coast.
We walked to the coast guard office later and got the Wide Bay bar waypoints and also asked about the Mooloolaba entrance. Apparently the swells do break right across the entrance at times and they could roll a small boat. They do not give bar warnings like the US west coast. I suspect during any gale it might be iffy entering and would want high tide. 3.5 meters is the depth near entrance. Lucas guide says it is an all weather entrance, but if swells break across entrance it could be wild.
Mooloolaba. There is a small dock for dinghy beside small boat launching ramps. One at far end by bridge and one by coast guard station. Or can pull in up on the beach nearest to anchorage. There is garabge and watertaps there and a washroom. There is malls about 20 min walk in either direction and a couple of marine stores. Also lots of great walks down coast either way along open ocean, also along canals. Lots of surfing can be done and we watched the surf boats playing on the weekends.
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