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.