Not all smooth sailing......

Well,  we had our sleep-in this morning and rose at 0730hrs. After a quick breakfast we set off from Bums Bay and began to negotiate the maze of islands and channels that make up the Broadwater.  It was an amazing contrast to the last few days of high speed ocean passages. 

We were travelling at 6 knots using the Queensland Transport Beacon to Beacon "street" directory so that we knew which way to turn and which channel to take.

Sometimes we had to choose from up to five different channels, only one of which would take us on our way to Moreton Bay. Oh, and by the way, there were no sign posts, just navigation markers.

At a closing speed of nearly 30 knots you don't want to hit one of these!
Image by Navman

After a couple of hours we were out on Moreton Bay and making our way in increasing wind and chop across to Tangalooma, on the western side of Moreton Island.

Once there we made our way north up the main shipping channel which runs along the island.

About half way along we met a big container ship coming head on to us at 18 knots. It was an awesome site. Fortunately the new AIS device was able to show us the exact direction and speed for the vessel so we were able to safely avoid it.



At around 1500hrs we left the shelter of Moreton Island, heading to sea via the North East Channel. For the next hour or so it was like we were in a washing machine. Whilst it was certainly uncomfortable, Endless Summer was as sure-footed as a cat, and didn't at any stage feel unsafe.

Finally we were out of the shallow passage and into the ocean. We turned north and set a way point for Pont Cartwright (Mooloolaba). The  silhouettes of the Glass House Mountains stood out eerily in the last of the afternoon light and we were once again happy to be out on the ocean.

With the sea now on our beam, it was an easier time for all, and we arrived outside Mooloolaba just after 1800hrs.    The sky by now was pitch black, with a light wind and a confused sea state across the bar. Captain Bligh guided us expertly across the Mooloola River bar, and in no time at all we were safe and sound in the calm of the river.

By the way if you would like to follow our progress during the day, you can see reports on Skipr.net. This very clever app allows me to report the position of Endless Summer using an iPhone app. The web site is at http://skipr.net/where-is/boat-pages/?boatid=894

You can even see our approximate track as per the following screen shot.

Dinner tonight was a spicy meatball dish with a home made vegetable sauce. A fine drop of red wine complemented the dish perfectly.

I am finishing up now because we have to be up at 0430hrs tomorrow (that's in less than 6 hours - ouch).

Till tomorrow,

Navman