Hey matty, even though you have had the trailer serviced recently it might be a good idea to carry a spare set of bearings in case!!!
Hey matty, even though you have had the trailer serviced recently it might be a good idea to carry a spare set of bearings in case!!!
You should do it easy. Remember you're not carrying all that camping gear!
Driving straight through or doing it in two days. Be aware that accomodation in the Gladstone area is scarce.
Check out some of the charter boat company web sites too. They have some good information about boating in the area - just remember to 'adapt' the information to a smaller boat!
Jim
Certainly appears to be quite a spectacular place to stay, boat & fish?Originally Posted by mattyd
LITTLE SKIPPER!
Dam, I just wrote this big post and the Blackberry ate it!
Short version:
Go to Hammo! They welcome little boats and Manta Ray Cafe does a seriously good lunch.
Go to Whitehaven! If you have the range, do it. It really is a lovely spot.
Tackleworld at BP is well worth a stop for gear and advice.
If you want to fish the outer reef, checkout Seafever Sportfishing.
Watchout for wind against tide in the passage. It really whips up the chop.
Try Hayman is for Mackeral and Langford Reef for Trout.
The Bruce hwy is a disgrace. Prepare yourself for frustration!
Watcgout for cyclones and check local advice on Stingers.
You're going to love it, and I bet this trip won't be your last!
fruit salad is the new Bacon
We never made it to butterfly bay, but it was supposed to be pretty nice as well. Definitely watch the wind against tide across the passage. We hired a 40ft motor sailor and had some rough conditions. Hamilton island is a good stop for brownie points too, and a nice pub!
Yep butterfly bay is awesome. What isn't up there though.
We did the Airlie trip this year the big 4 at rocky is a good overnighter nice clean cabins and Room for the boat and no ferels living there to go through your boat at night. The ramps at Airlie leave a bit to be desired only one has a pontoon but bugger all parking the other ones are surrounded by rock but do have parking so single handed launch and retrieve are not possible with a glass boat. Whitehaven should be doable on 80L it only 26 nm from able point but I don't know your boat, you could launch Shute harbour it's 5 nm closer. Best close snorkelling is langfords reef.
Hey Matty,
Before you schell out on that book mentioned in an earlier post, grab a copy from the BCC library... they have 5 and will deliver to your closest library.
Cheers,
Jeremy
Mate just got back from doing the same thing,had a ball weather wasnt the best,dont forget to pack the snorkel and flippers,definately get the magic miles it will show all the good snorkeling areas,and what bouys you can tie up to,take a litte inflatable with you or something you can get to shore with when tied up.take your charts with you to the tackle shop at the bp the fellas there will give you all the info you need.
Mate drive safe that bruce hwy at the moment is a sh.......t show,have a good one.
CHEERS AND BEERS
Good idea on the BCC Library copy of 100 Magic Miles, I work in the city so I'll find out how long I can borrow it for. Sounds like the bible of the Whitsundays!
The inflatable would be a great way of getting to shore, I'm guessing that you can't always safely anchor on the beach at a lot of these places (day trips)?
I've heard from several people that the Bruce Hwy has a lot to be desired...I think that spare wheel & bearings may prove invaluable.
Like I say we don't currently carry a spare for the trailer, any idea where I can buy a 2nd hand one (just to use until you get to your destination / tyre repair place)?
Matt
Check these out http://www.charteryachtsaustralia.com.au/ CYA is a useful and helpful mob. Have been on their boats and when yours gets too cramped and hot at the time of year your going keep them in mind esp their specials in the hot times.
Cheers
Chimo
http://www.charteryachtsaustralia.co...AP-2-large.jpg
http://www.charteryachtsaustralia.co...ling-Guide.php
What could go wrong.......................
Agreed Chimo, if I had a group I reckon one of those magnificent cats would make for an unforgettable holiday experience around the islands. You would need the numbers to afford the $600 - $1300 per night price tag!
But the luxury it would afford would be a trip to remember.... will keep them in mind for another trip.
I might call up a few marinas (Hamilton / Daydream) and find out how much it would cost and what is involved if I want to take my lady for lunch as some earlier posts have suggested. It's $55 each to take the ferry from Airlie to Hamilton, so I'd need to work out if it's cheaper to take our own boat over to Hamo for lunch (taking into account fuel and mooring fee - if applicable).
Matt . Carry pump / compressor and tyre plugs as well. Yes I know the upsides and downsides of using them .Check your jack will actually work on the railer as many don't go high / low enough- block of wood or dig a holeDon't skimp on a spare tyre, put a quality tyre on a rim and also padlock it to the trailer and check you actually have a wheel brace to undo the lugs. .
We used a lot of fuel running against the tide as it rips through so timimg your journey or running close ( not too close) to islands and picking your angles makes a bit of difference.
A cheap 2nd hand 25l tote tank ( or someone here will lend you one) you can plug in is a easy option to give you a bit more range and back up fuel.
Whenever up far North we carried a thermos with hot water and vinegar and a little 12v jug to boil water or camp stove in case we stood on a ray or got done by stingers. A handheld portable radio is cheap insurance as well if you have any battery issues and no one is about.
Carry plenty of water and have a brilliant time as it really is a wonderful spot.
If it blows like hell go down to the marina and slip the crew of one of the big sailing tri or cats half the going rate ( that is all they get after booking commissions) and spend half a day doing speeds you won't believe under sail surrounded by backpackers and snorkelling in protected waters with BBQ -hmmmm.
Matt
As Cormorant hinted, make sure all of you have top quality stinger suits. Swam once without mine on (lazy) and coped a stinger around the neck. Our Chef had plenty of vinegar and hot waters never a problem on a cat but at that time of year they are around. The channel between Hamo and Whitsunday Is can be a bugger if you are going the wrong way against wind and current. Also because of the tides +- 6m and the coral you really don't want to get caught beached / on coral at low tide hence the inflatable is a must as is a good anchor system.
Not to detract from your planned trip with your boat, going out on a charter is an easy way to get a heap of local knowledge from people who really do not want you to stuff up one of the boats they are running for some lucky offsite investor. One of the 32ft monos is a good way to get into it IMHO http://www.charteryachtsaustralia.co...each-House.php
Cheers
Chimo
What could go wrong.......................
Ive done the bareboat yacht charter up there 3 times now. As a kid with my family, for my schoolies week and for my honeymoon. Can not recommend it highly enough. Certainly the way to see the Whitsundays.
My mate has done a week long trip, camping on beaches or sleeping on the boat (CC Hustler bow rider), they used an inflatable to get to the beaches due the extreme tides. He towed from the GC and blew one bearing on a brand new trailer he bought for the trip. (boat was normally kept at runaway bay in the racks and had no trailer at all for it) Taking a spare set is good advice.
I also can highly recommend doing a sailing/snorkelling trip on a fast sailing boat. I did one on Ragamuffin, its so awesome doing 12k-15kts upwind, in a 12kt breeze and slicing through the wind against tide chop (which can get nasty in the main passage as mentioned previously in this thread) in such a large vessel.
My next trip will be chartering a cat sailing boat and taking my Tournament 1800 along as well. Carry some spare fuel on the cat in jerry's or refuel at Hamo. Ive already enquired about doing it with one of the mobs there, and as long as my boat is moored seperately at night ie: cant leave it on a painter tied to the yacht, they dont have a problem with it.
Id say go for it, your plan sounds awesome and as others have said I am very jealous.
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