Pre-mixed drinks are unlikely to be an aide to navigation as demonstrated by the raft-up attempts of a couple of big motor cruisers near us. We were luckily insufficiently close to fear for our safety. We did however, fear for the safety of a young man who appeared to be reluctant to hang out with his 'olds'. He hopped into the dinghy, literally, as he was wearing a surgical boot, and set off in the tender but the outboard conked out almost immediately. Half hearted instructions were hurled across the water. The 'olds' seemed amused at first. The tide was running out and it was windy. Soon, the tender was drifting in our vicinity and the young chap was in something of a panic. We called out if he could throw us the dinghy painter or a rope? No rope. Could he drop an anchor? No anchor. What about oars? Only a single paddle. He wasn't very athletic looking and the leg in the boot was clearly an impediment and should he fall in the water, probably act like a lead boot. By the time he'd drifted towards the last anchored boat, he seemed to have mastered his single canoe paddle and managed to grab onto the boat he'd steered into. The 'olds' reluctantly put down their Beers/Bundy and Coke/Jim Bean and Coke beverages and uncoupled from their raft-up and motored over to collect their son and tender. Another 10 minutes of fun ensued as the the game became one of collecting the tender and son without running into the rescuing boat. A raging tidal stream was having plenty to say with the accuracy of approach.
Broadwater traffic using up ALL the knots from the 40knot limit.
The wake was horrendous!
This entertainment was far superior to any TV series and followed an hour later by a second episode. This time the rescued tender, thought to have been secured, was once again on the loose but this time without a navigator. Powerboat raft up was once again suspended while beverage fueled skipper attempted to retrieve the tender hoping to avoid all the shallow channels and capture it before being sucked out to sea at Jumpinpin. We speculated at the conversation on board. Moonboot Boy possibly not flavour of the month and invectives flying.
Helpful yacht with deeper keel and local knowledge.
Let him pass, we'll follow.
As entertaining as Perry's Hole was, we determined that leaving on the next day's rising tide was essential and Canaipa Passage undoable. We'd need a decent high tide to get through and the timing for those were now dawn and dusk. Our best option was to retreat back to The Broadwater and use the Main Channel. Our only challenge using that route depthwise would be at Jacobs Well. We ought to fit under the powerlines if we hugged the portside pylon; we'd have to take our chances on the boat traffic. The speed limit through The Broadwater is 40knots and wake from passing vessels could cause a keel boat to bounce off the bottom and the weekend best avoided, however tide dictated a Sunday exit or be trapped for days. No choice. No problem
Helpful channel marker at Jacobs Well.
NO possibility to pass at low tide.
The notorious 'S's' at Jacobs Well.
We tiptoed through on a rising tide.
What happens when you don't pay attention.
Under the power lines we go.
Blue Tango motored up behind us
while we were considering anchoring options adjacent to Russell Island.
They yelled out "Follow Us!". So we did.
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