Hamilton Island to Sydney on Bardoo

Sign at Percy Yacht Club captures my sentiments 

I joined Dave and Linda Ashenden for a second time on Bardoo this time from 20th November to 23rd December, starting  at Hamilton Island and ending at Sydney - around 1300 nautical miles.

Bardoo, 52 ft wooden Sparkman and Stevens designed ketch

We sailed south from Hamilton Island Marina keen to get out of the cyclone belt as soon as possible. Unfortunately conditions made snorkeling and diving at spots such as North West Island unsuitable, the wind was always blowing the wrong way. So we kept on going south but did achieve the customary visit to Percy Island. 

Pam, Dave and Linda at Percy Island

We left the traditional name plaque screwed up to the ceiling. I reckon it will be there for decades.

 

Then we planned to sail to the east of Fraser Island to Mooloolaba but yet again faced strong southerlies so that became a most unattractive prospect. Instead we headed into Platypus Bay intending to sail down the Great Sandy Strait on the inside of Fraser Island. The strong southerlies kept on blowing so we took refuge at Bunderberg many kilometres up the Burnett River for a few days. Eventually we headed back out into Platypus Bay and south to Kingfisher Island Resort. The southerly was still blowing and we had such an uncomfortable night that we left at dawn without going ashore at the resort. The early start enabled us to navigate the Great Sandy Strait at high tide in daylight. Despite the wind on our nose making for uncomfortable conditions we didn't touch the bottom once. However we had to retreat into Garry's Anchorage for a couple of nights, tucked away from the never ending southerly wind which was gusting around 40 knots. Finally the wind dropped enough for us to brave the "mad mile" at Wide Bay Bar and head out to sea. Bardoo took the rough conditions in her stride.

By now we were well behind schedule so we abandoned the planned stop at Mooloolaba and sailed on to Southport and after a brief stop kept going to Iluka where John Woods joined the crew. During the 48 hour trip from Iluka to Port Stevens we experienced everything, strong headwinds, strong following winds and patches of dead calm. It kept the crew on their toes with continual sail changes and sadly we had to give in and motor the last few miles. I was on night watch when Bardoo surged down the face of a wave at 12.6 knots - Dave and Linda reckons that set a record. I was simultaneously thrilled and terrified not daring to adjust the sails or change course even one degree.

John Woods, Ancient Mariner from the Big River Sailing Club joined the crew from Iluka to Port Stevens

By the time we reached Port Stevens we were back on schedule and had time to spend several days exploring the Hawkesbury River and around Danger Island, such a different experience to being out at sea - both equally enjoyable in very different ways.

Flotillas of these put me of my morning swims

Anchored near Danger Island 

We reached Sydney on schedule on 21st December and I enjoyed a couple of days anchored off Rose Bay between a couple of super yachts (but neither nearly as "super" as Bardoo even if they were bigger and one had a heliport). One can't complain about happy hour in the cockpit watching party boats festooned with Christmas decorations parade up and down the harbour.

Well said Mark Twain, thank you Dave and Linda for making it possible for me to throw off my bow lines.