Return to Karragarra Island
23 January 2015 | Moreton Bay, QLD Australia
Return to Karragarra Island
Moreton Bay
22 January 2015
It was great to have a lazy departure from Southport for Moreton Bay as high tide wasn't until 11. 56 am. It was a very high tide too - 2.69m. No worries says the captain. We followed the beacons into the deepest channel and just before high tide we reached 'the shallows' just before Jacobs Well. The trees and mangroves were half submerged and water skiers took advantage of the large expanses of water.
As we approached the narrowest bit 'the dogs leg', my job was to watch the depth sounder. And would you believe right at the narrowest shallowest bit a racing yacht came directly towards us. The helmsman was also glued to the IPad in the cockpit. 3.3, 3.2, 3.00, ooohhh 2.9..... 2.8 I shouted! We passed the racing yacht with centremetres to spare. 'They probably draw 2.4,' said Bill.
Phew! Glad that was over.... Looking at the radar we were in for some more heavy rain. And down it came filling the dinghy which we were towing. I insisted we stop somewhere sheltered. Karragarra was suggested by friends and we had been there before. There are a few issues anchoring in the channel between Karragarra and Lamb islands namely : wind against tide so Valiam turns and dances all over the place and submarine cables. There are several submarine cables marked on the electronic chart but are in a different positions to the sign on the shore. You aren't allowed to anchor on them for obvious reasons.
There are many boats on moorings here so finding a spot with enough swing room is tricky. We settled on a spot not far from another unoccupied yacht that was anchored. We spent the afternoon on board while it rained outside reading and looking on the Internet.
Several years ago we had considered buying a house at Karragarra. It's so pretty, quiet and affordable. The only problem and it's a big problem are the sandflies and mozzies. They eat you alive at dusk. We were keen to get off the boat and go for a wander. During the afternoon we also had visitors - Sue from the Women who sail Australia group and her partner Peter. They were anchored nearby on their lovely big schooner Argos complete with carved figurehead. We swapped tales of the recent storms. They ran aground near Russell island which was no fun for them waiting for the high tide in storm conditions to get off. I can see why people like catamarans in Moreton Bay!
So we enjoyed a quick walk along the foreshore and past several houses still for sale on Karragarra. It really is a pity about the sandflies as it is so tranquil and lush. That night we went to sleep listening to the curlews. But....at 2am the tide and wind made us move about and when we went to check, the neighboring unoccupied boat was about to plough into us with its bow sprit! Fending off and watching both boats dance around in circles at that time was annoying. So another night of broken sleep. Bill chose to stay on anchor watch. By 6am we were sick of it so we decided to grab a nearby mooring. A blue dept of transport one. It looked ok and we wouldn't be on it long.