Great to see our german friends (from central Australia) out on the boat, nice breeze, MPS flying and kids on the foredeck (all foredecks should be populated with teenagers). OK the breeze was very light but at 25C the winter temperature was not very german! Anchor for lunch at St Helena Island, everyone ashore (skipper had to stay and look after the boat) and a gentle reach back. :)

Not much adventuring at present, plenty of Bay sailing with guests and family friends. Good for showing off the new Bimini and main cover. Winter in Queensland is certainly pretty close to perfect sailing weather (day: 18-24C, moderate winds, no afternoon storms). Also plenty to see, picture is on a reciprocal reach to local STS "South Passage". Adieu.

Definately worth the visit, nice sail down the inlet with mangroves and islets on either side, some pilotage needed into Snapper Creek - possibly easier at low tide when dries on both sides and channel is obvious. Some anchorages to the north near the yacht club. Marina is friendly, clean, secure and excellent showers/heads etc. Nice restaurant adjacent. Beware marina entrance - we touched sand 50meters from entrance well inside the final green channel marker!

Buying a boat in someone else's home port is not without challenges and some inevitable paranoia; what if I dont trust the surveyor? What if I get ripped of by tradies? Of course this didnt happen - excellent survey (good ones turn into wonderful maintainence programs) and the cost of pre-delivery work was exactly what I would expect at home. The BIG advantage is there is an excuse for the delivery-shake down cruise.
The forward party, Stuart and David had 2 pre-departure days with my credit card at the local chandler. The owner of said establishment should have met me at the airport with a limosine! Still with some new sheets, chain, 2nd anchor, newly built spinnaker pole and assorted safety gear we headed off at 1600 bound for Coofs harbour.
First evening 10-15kt in the face and the usual Stockton Bight swell. 7am a wind shift to the south, light but enough to carry the MPS. Into Coffs Harbour around midnight. Not the most obvious entrance at night, with a blue light on Korffs Islet NOT a lead into the harbour. Still very snug once in. Off 0730 the following morning. Excellent S-SE at 15-20kt, carried MPS or main and poled out genoa - a very stable rig. David at helm for the days best speed 12.7kt helped by a following sea. Everything fine until strong southerly change 0100 day 4, very impressive 40kt winds, 2 reefs main, no headsail and engine refusing to play until reversed the impeller plate (!) and off we went. Seems the outside of the plate was smoother than the 'right' side, once it was airtight off we went. Little further adventure, through the Gold Coast seaway, pilotage through the islands to Moreton Bay and tied up at RQYS at 1230 on day 4. A very enjoyable time had by all and thanks to Stuart, Mark, Ian and David.

Given we are two working parents with three (rapidly growing) teenagers, dog, cat and mortgage this blog will not be the ocean crossing epic of some sailblog colleagues. Nevertheless we do get out into the oggen in a local Queensland way - we'll blog our mini vogages for those interested in Queensland. Coming up our recent Hervey Bay-Tin Can Bay trip including thoughts about the Wide Bay Bar!
cheers,
Brett.