Year 2 -14 May 2025 -Cape Upstart – Upstart Bay – Horseshoe Bay – Magnetic Island off Townsville
We woke early as we wanted to leave early as we had a long way to go – some 70nm or so. I woke just after 6.00am and others were already up. We had a quick cup of tea but upped anchor at 06.40am and headed on our course toward Magnetic Island. There was little wind at this stage and so in gori (the most efficient pitch of the propeller) we were soon doing 7 plus kts. When upping the anchor one of the crew did not watch the anchor chain properly and so it jammed and the fuse was blown. Annoying and unnecessary.
We had some breakfast and then some coffee and by about 10.00am we decided to sail as the wind had built up a bit. We had to sail more on a Northerly course to get out which would mean when we gybed we would be able to sail direct to Magnetic Island. It was a lovely day, sunny and warm and there was little swell. We were able to manage 6 plus kts in 10-14 kts of wind. Occasionally it would rise to 15-16 kts in which case we could make 7 plus kts. We sailed on for a few hours and then we had a potential issue with a tanker which we were on a collision course with. I called up the tanker and said we would gybe and they could maintain their course for which they were grateful. We gybed ( a little earlier than intended) but we were still able to make our course to clear the headlands and to sail direct for Magnetic Island.
We sailed on and I was watching the distance we needed to travel and the desire to get to the bay before dark. Over time the wind began to die a little and it was clear that we would not make it on time if we continued to sail. At about 2.00pm I decided we needed to motor as we needed to speed up. We took down the sails and were now doing 7 plus kts instead of 6. We had been fishing all of this time but although we got a fish on at some point we lost it and did not catch a fish all day. We were probably going too fast when we were motoring.
The afternoon wore on and we had been doing one hour shifts which made things easy. There were a few tankers around and the odd sailing boat otherwise there was little traffic. We got closer and saw the colour of the water change around Cape Cleveland which meant various rivers and creeks had expelled water and it had mixed with the sea water. We continued and had some lunch and tea etc. It was hot and humid and we stayed in the shade and rested or read.
We heard various bits of radio traffic as we neared Townsville and Traffic zones. The light was beginning to fade and we approached Magnetic Island and Horseshoe Bay about 5.15pm. It was getting dark and we came into the bay and were astonished by the number of boats anchored. We found a spot and anchored and had a sundowner on the deck as the sun dipped below the horizon. We had travelled 74.12 nm and it had been a long day. It was a shame the wind was not the strength of the day before. However, we were here safe and sound. The picture of the day is of Horseshoe Bay with the sun going down.
Magnetic Island (Wulguru: Yunbenun) is an island 8 kilometres (5 mi) offshore from the city of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. This 52 km2 (20.1 sq mi) mountainous island in Cleveland Bay has effectively become a suburb of Townsville. The island is accessible from Townsville Breakwater to Nelly Bay Harbour by ferry. There is a large 39.5 km2 (15.3 sq mi) National Park and bird sanctuary and walking tracks can be taken between the populated bays and to a number of tourist destinations such as the World War II forts.
The island is a holiday destination with many hotels and several resorts in operation to cater for all levels of service. The public facilities and infrastructure on the island are managed by the Townsville City Council. The island is part of the electoral district of Townsville in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, and part of the federal seat of Herbert, which is represented by Phillip Thompson. In the 2021 census, Magnetic Island had a population of 2,475 people. The first European accounts of the island come from Captain James Cook who, in 1770, while navigating the Australian coast, called the island Magnetical Island, as a magnetic pull interfering with his vessel's compass appeared to emanate from the island.
Need/Opportunity Year Three
I am in need of one more crew from Cairns to Indonesia. You could join In Townsville at the end of June and sail up to Cairns of join in Cairns on about 14 July. We will then sail to Indonesia on about 17 July and arrive 1,100nm) on about 22-23 July. You can then stay for a bit and then leave when convenient. If interested do email me.
In year three I will be going from Thailand to Sri Lanka, India, Maldives and then on to Chagos, Mauritius, Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK. I am looking for crew from Reunion to Cape Town and from Cape Town to the UK. If of any interest do email me.
The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com