Sunshine Coast to Gold Coast sailing

[sunshinecoasting]

Maybe mac26mpaul or others may be able to answer my question.

In the coming months I want to organise a few days off to sail from the SC (Caloundra) to the GC and back, using primarily sheltered waters such as Moreton Bay and perhaps Pumicestone Passage. I know the passage is very shallow in parts and would require motoring most of it. I just think this would be a great exercise for a novice offering a variety of sailing challenges not to mention a multitude of islands and interesting sights along the way.

has anyone done this stretch and can share their experience?

Cheers, Dennis.

[Mac26Mpaul]

Hey Dennis,

I havn't been past Moreton but you will want at least a coupla weeks for such a trip. I dont know about up your way, but you will certainly be able to sail from the bay to the Gold Coast unless a South Easterly when coming down the main channel, at which time you should give up and motor.

If you dont have the Beacon to Beacon yet,, go buy it, its all you need.

Good stops including St Helena Island, Tangalooma and BIg Sand Hills (not in a Westerly though), Horseshoe Bay Peel Island is a real nice anchorage. Blakeslys anchorage is nice enough. You need to decide on the Canaipa passage or Main channel once you get to the bottom end of the bay. Canaipa passage is a little more interesting but lots of bends and only really good for motoring in the Mac. Main Channel is faster but pretty boring (no good for sailing in a Southerly)

You can stock up on Fuel at Horizon shores or Ruddy Maas and there is a small supermarket at Jacobs Well if you need food.

Very nice stops then are Jumpinpin and/or The bedroom. Not far South is Tipplers passage which is a nice calm place for a night or two. From there, a straight run down the Channel into Southport. Plenty of decent places to anchor in the Southport Broadwater. Bums Bay (Marine Stadium) near seaworld,,, or even right out of the front of the Seaworld carpark there is a nice little sheltered spot behind a tiny island. The hole behind Wavebreak Island is a nice spot to anchor. If you want convenience for shopping, public transport etc, A fantastic place to anchor is at the Broadwater parklands right next to the enclosed swimming area. (On google Earth, see the swimming area with the big person shaped swimming platform - Anchor either side of this swimming area). In the Google Earth photo, the parklands havnt been developed yet, but its all a kind of a kids play area now (very busy on weekends) and easy access to the shopping centre. A good thing about anchoring here is it is a real steep beach so you can back the Mac in and step on and off. However I have twice had children dig up my stern anchor there. If you're taking a dinghy thats not a problem.

If you want to lower you're mast, you cant turn it into a Canal cruise and go into Surfers, or down to the Casino in Broadbeach if you really want..

I dont know if you vist Trailersailer place. Theres some very helpful people there and you will find some useful info. You will cop the odd childish comment based on the fact that you own a Mac, but I dont let that get to me too much. Back when I had my Careel, I was deffinately Jeolous of Mac owners too so I know where they are coming from Just Search for Moreton Bay cruising or similar. Heres some stuff to get you started.


http://www.trailersailerplace.com.au/ph ... lls#p80109
http://www.trailersailerplace.com.au/ph ... oma#p86433

Having said all that, I dont recommend such a trip for a while. You need to get the bugs ironed out and get used to the boat and how it reacts to wind, waves etc. There are usually some mess ups and bad days when you are getting used to a new sailboat. Its better to be close to home when things start going wrong.

Stick close to home for a bit and tackle that trip later...

[Mac26Mpaul]

Just realized I wasted my time typing all that - I'd already written the same speil in one of the links I gave you

[Fresh Breeze]

Hi Dennis,

It has been a few years since we have motored through the Pumicestone Passage, the channel can be very narrow and shallow in parts around Coochin Creek.There are a couple of good sandy camp stops along the shores some with toilets at Mission Point & Poverty Point on Bribie Island. Good flats for yabbing. But really I would ask local fishers if your would get through.
The Great Sandys might be more suitable for a couple of days sailing, with over 120ks of protected waters, but can still have a few challenges.
We might even see you on the water in the near future

Cheers

[sunshinecoasting]

Just realized I wasted my time typing all that - I'd already written the same speil in one of the links I gave you

Thanks Paul, that was all good info and I have taken notes. In all honesty I doubt I would tackle such a trip until at least Christmas holidays, so 9 months practice hopefully will see me capable. And I am sure you are right about it taking more than just a long weekend. Yes I already have beacon to beacon and think it is a wonderful book, too bad it is only for the south east waters, what a great book if you could buy versions for the whole of Aus.

Cheers, Dennis.

[sunshinecoasting]

Hi Dennis,

It has been a few years since we have motored through the Pumicestone Passage, the channel can be very narrow and shallow in parts around Coochin Creek.There are a couple of good sandy camp stops along the shores some with toilets at Mission Point & Poverty Point on Bribie Island. Good flats for yabbing. But really I would ask local fishers if your would get through.
The Great Sandys might be more suitable for a couple of days sailing, with over 120ks of protected waters, but can still have a few challenges.
We might even see you on the water in the near future

Cheers

Thanks for the info, I definitely want to do some sailing up there and may consider it for the next long weekend after Easter, not sure when that is though. I will let you know when we do and maybe we can meet on the water somewhere. Can you recommend somewhere to leave my car and trailer around the HB area? I wont be sailing up there anytime soon, just too far for a long weekend.

Cheers, Dennis.

[Mac26Mpaul]

Yeah, Beacon To Beacon is a fantastic resource. I just wish they had depth contours in it like proper charts. Also wish they gave ya a better waterproof cover with it as that hopeless thing that comes with it falls apart in no time...

[Fresh Breeze]

Hi Dennis,

The best ramp in Hervey Bay would be at the Urangan Boat Harbour, there is two, four lane ramps with a pontoon to tie up and is accessible on both tides. Also the parking is quite safe for there is a water police station at the ramp. Further down the straits at Maaroom is another good ramp with lighted pontoon but one draw back its only accessible at high tide, it dries right out at low tide. Parking is ok or you can use the caravan park for a fee. Then Tin Can Bay ramp at Snapper Creek has a three lane ramp best launching on top of the high tide for there is a bit of a side on currant and the pontoon is to the side of the ramp or you could use the marina's ramp for a fee but again it's only accessible at high tide for our type of boats. You have to ring and book to use this ramp. Both of these ramp have quite a big drop off. In school holidays Tin Can Bay Snapper Creek ramp can be quite busy due to the dolphin feeding in the mornings and the visitors can get in the way on the ramp and park in the boaties parks which can be a bit annoying. Parking here we have had no problems for far.
I hope this has been helpful.
How is the getting to know your ? The fun is buying things for it.
See you on the water soon.

Cheers from fellow MAC'a K & C

[Mac26Mpaul]

"The fun is buying things for it."



A wise man once told me that when you buy a boat, you're budget should include an extra 10 percent of the purchase price which will be spent on presents you will immediately buy for her.

[sunshinecoasting]

Oops I didn't factor in that 10% Just spent the whole weekend cleaning and re-rigging her so couldn't shop anyway. I hate cleaning other peoples toilets..... but she is sparkling now. Happy just to have her here at the moment, she is ready for her first sail and if this coming weekend weather is good (bugger off Cyclone Tim) I will get her wet. Even if we don't get out of the river due to weather then at least I will have had the launch - rig - motor - retrieve experience.

Thanks for the info about wide bay Fresh, I have made notes on that info too.

Happy sailing, Dennis.

[Fresh Breeze]

I definitely want to do some sailing up there and may consider it for the next long weekend after Easter, not sure when that is though.

Hi Dennis, I just look up the next long week end after Easter is the 4-6th May Labour Day week end. Now that week end is the Bay to Bay Trailer Sailer Race, starting on Saturday at Tin Can Bay Yacht Club and finishing at Hervey Bay Sailing Club on Sunday. There will be trailer sailers every where, and trailer parking will be a premium, with cars and trailer's parking all along the esplanade. Last year they had over 80 entries.
We might be in the water this week end, it all depends on the weather, looking at it very closely.

Cheers
K & C

[sunshinecoasting]

Hi Fresh. I guess Wide Bay is a no go for May then. The last thing I want is to be swamped by a squadron of racing boats. I think I will reserve that weekend for some Moreton Island sailing. Thanks for the heads up. Weather forecast this weekend is still looking very promising according to Willyweather.

Cheers, Dennis.