Tumby Bay Ski Beach - our new back yard

With power worries hopefully now explained and premium cruising time for this area RIGHT NOW, there is no point staying in the Marina. The Marina was a good place to be yesterday though, when a trough passed over.

The Tumby Bay Ski Club?

The local VMR recommends 2 locations in Tumby Bay. One south of the town jetty and where we are now at the Ski Beach about a nm south of the jetty. Holding is excellent with lots of sandy spots evident in between a mix of weed and sand. We are here in largely southerly conditions following the recent trough with winds in the 10-15 kn range SSE.  The Ski beach is well sheltered by the head of the bay and Tumby Island and the water is nice and still. We anchored off the southern side of the town jetty (the other recommendation) for a while for the Bloke's Sausage Roll hunt but it was a bit rolly today due to slight easterly fetch.

Tumby Bay seems to be missing from the 'Anchoring and Anchorages in South Australia - A guide to cruising anchorages within easy reach of Adelaide'  by James H. Cowell.  This is a shame since it's a logical re-provisioning point if you happen to be having a ripping time at The Sir Joseph Banks Group of islands just 10nm to the east and don't want to track back to Port Lincoln - 20 -25 nm to the SE.

Tumby Bay is a good option in W, SW, S and SE winds.

We suspect that the Ski beach anchorage would be less fun on a week-end or during holidays since that very impressive building (see picture) will probably disgorge all manner of annoying noise and water churning equipment.... just guessing! This is no tin shed but a serious boat ramp and 'club house' complete with spot lights. For now, this is our very own and peaceful back yard and since we are now in possession of some burley and prawn bait, could even be our larder!