Boat Spa 2018

We are not particularly fond of the trip through the ‘swamps’ between Moreton Bay and The Gold Coast waterways. This is probably coloured by memories of high anxiety the first trip through 2 years ago, so finding ourselves around Southport a month before our scheduled Boatworks haul-out date gave the following options:- (1) hang around the Gold Coast waterways for a month, (2) return to Moreton Bay for a month, or (3) ask the Boatworks if they could haul us out early. Lucky, lucky, lucky us; they were able to bring forward our lift. Mentally though, we weren’t quite ready. No matter: needs must!


We had a couple of ‘big’ items on our ‘to do’ list and a couple of things that emerged. Luckily we’d opted for 1 week on the hard stand to be followed by 3 days in a wet berth. In the 2 previous years we’d taken a 5 day deal - get hauled out Wednesday, have Sat/Sun free with a splash back on Monday. A bit too manic!

Although our booking time was in the afternoon, the lifting crew were ready for us early. By the time I’d gathered the items we’d need over the next 2 hours e.g. paperwork etc... we were already in the sling and airborne. No time for nail biting. The Bloke must be getting accustomed to it.

We were up in a flash

Peering at your boat’s underside is quite interesting. How effective was the anti-fouling paint? What’s the prop and rudder looking like?Are those Through-hull openings (skin fittings) still viable?

  That green stuff on the gel coat will be a thing of the past once we extend the waterline

Land travel in the travel lift. 

We probably kept the tracker on .... ooops we're not really on the tiles.

We were actually surprised how good the bottom looked. Notable exceptions were the 4 square areas where the support pads had been during the previous hard stand visit. Zofia gets suspended for 30 minutes in the slings prior to being returned to the water (splashed) to allow for some anti-fouling paint to be applied where the support pads were. Always a rush and never a good cover. Worse still, it was pouring with rain last year making the last minute daubs less effective. What was very evident was that the prop-speed on the propeller had not done a good job and was the result of a poor job last year. We would ensure a better operator this year.

Two issues here.

Poor application of the Prop-speed anti-fouling paint plus the anode was Sikaflex'd reducing it's sacrificial properties and allowing some pitting in the metal. Grrrr!

A few other nicks and areas of flaky anti-fouling paint were quickly identified. The Bloke marched directly to find Levi (our go-to guy at Ocean Degree Boat Services 0411 722 542) to arrange expert attention and source the anti-fouling paint. We were part of a rally last year and didn't use him. We should have! Then we headed to The Galley cafe for coffee and to draw breath and plan the monster project ahead.

   

Dunwich Treats

One of the best aspects of being anchored off Myora (great in a SE'ly) or in Deanbilla Bay (when the wind swings N) is access to the township of Dunwich on North Stradbroke Island. It’s a sleepy little historic town with Goldilocks properties:- just enough amenities. Most visitors arrive on North Stradbroke Island by passenger ferry or the vehicle barge from Redland Bay and head out to Point Lookout or Amity Point and get absorbed into the various styles of accommodation and landscape to admire ocean views, roos, koalas, eagles, turtles, dugongs etc. On our first visit we anchored off Myora and took the dinghy in tying up at the public wharf with the idea of finding the bakery/general store. The first person we met to ask if they could direct us,  happened to be the local baker. He was meeting a couple of gas fitters off the ferry who were to repair his ovens. “Hop in the ute” he said “the boys will drive you up”.  SWEET, how's that for good luck!

 

View from the main drag

The Bloke was inspired once again to conduct a Sausage Roll tasting. Sadly, although the pasty was very flaky and pleasant, the filling lacked flavour. Ah well, at least he was giving it a go and the view lovely.

There’s a bottle shop, a newsagent, a fish and chip shop, dedicated post office, supermarket and butcher. We were not going to starve or go thirsty which was reassuring. In fact the butcher was a really good find and very ‘old school’ with a traditional cheerful butcher pulling on a cord from behind the counter to pull the door open for customers. With lots of lovely cuts, interesting small goods, marinated chicken etc, all cryo-vac packed, we were won over immediately.


The Island Fruit Barn/Coffee Shop became a favourite for its great coffee, sourdough bread and fruit bread available, in addition to quality fruit and veggies. Their sausage rolls were not too bad either. Although nowhere near top 10, it hasn't deterred the Bloke from successive sampling!



The ‘Incredible Shop’ is nearby the Fruit Barn and amply stocked camping/hardware store, and is only open a few days per week. If this were near Spearwood, south of Fremantle, there would be a queue of people outside wishing to upgrade their concrete swans and lions!

Buddah’s, Gnomes, Darth Vaders, mermaids, the 'Bundy Bear', plump ladies in bright bathers/swimmer/cozzies/togs - this yard had the lot!

We’ve come to love this part of Morton Bay even if the signs suggest some unexpected hazards.

When the Weather Gods Say NO!

Our vague plans to reconnect with Jim and Jeannie, the crew of SV Onora in the Pittwater after returning from our Perth Xmas proved to be unachievable. Daily south to south easterly wind forecasts in the 20-30kt range presented themselves week on week for coastal waters all along the SE Queensland coast. Tantalizingly, there were plenty of northerlies south of the border beyond Cape Byron - the problem being getting that far! Gentlemen sail downwind. Our poor friends in Mooloolaba a mere day-sail to our north, were unable to get out across the river bar for a month to go in any direction due to swell conditions. First Tropical Cyclone Linda was having an impact soon followed by TC Iris being a proper nuisance. Her influence dominated forecasts between March 23 and April 13! What to do? A: Get better acquainted with Moreton Bay.

Having spent well over 2 weeks in the Scarborough Marina reinstating the boat and fitting the new solar panels. We were really keen to get out and about and trial the new equipment which included a tri-cut radial genoa.

 

Leaving Scarborough and Redcliffe behind

 

The crew of SV Tauranga, Richard and Marianne, are Queenslanders and were virtually raised on the waters of Moreton Bay and consequently know all the bays and anchorages. Their suggestion for these strong SE conditions (up to 30kts) was Myora at North Stradbroke Island. So off we set. I’d like to say set sail but it was largely into a headwind. We did pull out the new sail though, mostly to have a look at it. We’ve realized it’s actually noticeably larger than our old genoa. By about 6sqm in fact!

 

There's an extra knot in this new sail for sure!

Moreton Bay.

The Blue dot is at Myora. Note all the sandy channels - Navigation alert!

Myora has proved to be a lovely anchorage with a very pleasant outlook. The lights from the Port of Brisbane and the higher tower buildings in the city itself, create interest on a night horizon. The shore beyond the fringing mangroves is steep and wooded. You don’t have the sense of being only a 5 minute dinghy ride from ‘civilization’ which is around in the next bay. We learned to anchor inside of a cardinal marker and another post as these identify the part of the anchorage unaffected by the current. We’ve discovered a small hump in the sea bed that creates this quieter basin. The boats that anchor further out swing to the current. Inside the basin, boats lay to the wind which is far more comfortable. You just need to know that the sudden shoaling is only for a few metres before the water is once again deeper.

 

The morning shot shows the kinds of clouds the island was holding at bay.

Myora is also known as Myora Springs and the natural freshwater spring near the shore (concealed by the mangroves) is no doubt responsible for the creation of this lovely little basin with excellent holding. Tide changes reveal sand islands used by some folks as a place to exercise their dogs or to wade about and even take chairs and drinks! There is plenty of interesting wildlife - a koala above the springs, dolphins, turtles, dugongs and eagles. It’s not Pittwater and the Bloke won’t be able to share birthday celebrations with Jim but this isn’t half bad at all!

Eagles have taken a liking to this port channel marker and their nest is almost obscuring the light.

It seems they are not in the least disturbed by the red strobe light at night.