Monday, June 29, 2009

100th Dent to Dunk Sailing Race - Whitsundays, Queensland, Australia












































Crew - Mike, Stoopy, Pagey, Jules, Pete, Me
Course - Start inbetween Hamilton
Island and Dent Island, Whitsundays, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
Course - Finish - Port Hinchenrook after leaving Dunk Island to port.

Thurs 18th June - Crew gather at Hamilton Island Yacht Club for lunch followed by dinner at Mariners Inn restaurant. Biggy!

Frid 1
9th June - Working bee on boat, sail Kel back to mainland. Welcome function at Outrigger Club
for all competitors approx 12 yachts.

Sat 20th June - Race Starts 10.30am, great weather, great forecast. A few over night squalls but nothing too serious.

Sun 21st June - approx 7.30pm the good ship Sandstone finishes race. Pizza at the club then
earlyish night.

Mon 22nd June - working bee on boat fixing a few damaged items, dunny door, main hatch and traveller car.... washing and clean up before "Home made bikini competition" and function. Stoopy our token entrant gains second prize.

Tues 23 June - presentation lunch, Sandstone scores 3rd prize! Rumathon on Sandstone.

Wed 24th June - flew out of Townsville for Sydney for Rugby State of Origin!

Sailing Yeppoon to Hamilton Island





















































24th May 2009 - Mike and I stepped aboard Sandstone in Yeppoon where we had left her the previous month and sailed north bound for Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays, Great Barrier Reef Queensland.

Our first night we dined at the Keppel Bay Marina Restaurant which was sensational as always. We had a nice sleep onboard after a hectic Sanctuary Cove Boat Show.

25th May - Set sail out of Yeppoon bound for Pearl Bay a mainland anchorage which is usually good in all weather. We experience an extremely rolly night with a big swell entering the bay. Thank goodness for our large anchor we fitted a few years ago.

26th May - Departed early and sail about 2 hours into Island Head Creek. After an interesting entrance in tonnes of swell and wind we wound our way up this glorious anchorage and found some comfort in one of the estauries. No swimming unfortunatley as it is crocodile country but we had a pleasnt day onboard relaxing and catching up on work emails etc. Although no internet service we could still sort out our inbox's! We touched the muddy bottom a low tide and had a slight heel over but nothing too dramatic at least we were out of the roll.

27th May - We sailed out of Island Head Creek in far more moderate conditions and spent the day under sail and headed for The Marble Group of Islands, finally anchoring down at Hunter Island. An anchoarge that does not look fantastic on the charters gave us great protection. We blew up the newly purchased inflatable Kayak and gave it a test run. A one man Kayak fit the 2 of us nicely!

28th May - Up anchored and sailed for our favourite destination in this region, Scawfell Island! Experience awesome conditions and didn't want to leave.

29th May - Sailed to Hamilton Island in time for drinks and dinner with our good friends.

30th May - Lunch at Toucan Tango's, sailing afternoon and Dinner at James's place with the Fitzgerald family.

31 May - We delivered the boat back to her mooring at Shute Harbour and ferried back to Hamilton Island in time to celebrate Joey Griggs 40th birthday at Mariners Inn. BIG day!

1 June - Flew to Melbourne good bye paradise!


Saturday, June 27, 2009

Sanctuary Cove Boat Show 2009













21st-24th May 2009, the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show was staged the Gold Coast in South East Queensland in Australia.

Despite the wet windy weather, the Watercrew Team were out and about amongst the exhibitors and had a very successful show.