Leg 72 - Burnett River to Pancake Creek

Another long sail commencing at stupid o'clock. We departed before dawn and somehow managed to avoid some idiotic racing sailors on a delivery to Hamilton Island who, although departing just ahead of us, decided to turn into wind to hoist their sails inside the navigation channel without their navigation lights on! In the darkest hour, just before dawn, we were lucky to spot them stationary and lying across the defined channel right in front of us, only because they shone torches onto their sails to assess them. Dopes!

Once underway we were soon galloping along in following seas and a brisk SW breeze which was colder again than the Southerly the day before. Spectacular windchill had us searching out our balaclavas to augment our second successive day of thermal layering. Really, this has to stop!

The Bloke looking like a Somali pirate

Sadly, although we passed it along the way, a stopover at the historic town of 1770 was inadvisable for a keeled vessel. Even catamaran owners are inclined to think twice. Aye.. there be dangerous shoals!

Progress was good with an average speed for the day at 7knots, even if we struggled to stave off the cold. We were at anchor in Anchorage B in the stunning Pancake Creek well before dark. Arriving on a full tide meant we didn't need to make a temporary stop at Anchorage A, which from the comfort of the deeper anchorage, gives the appearance of yachts anchoring out to sea!

A lovely spot to spend a few days. Plenty of company too.