After the Storyteller episode we decide it was really a sailboat we wanted. We just wouldn’t be comfortable relying solely on engine power. So we started searching the internet for sailing catamarans and there was one locally at the BoatWorks, a bit big but could do the job. We booked an inspection with the broker and viewed the boat several times before putting in an offer of $750k (on the market for $795k. It was accepted, organised a surveyor and pulled it out of the water. All went well, owner agreed to do some work identified by the surveyor, money changed hands and we become the proud owner of DISCOVERY a 50ft Prout 50SW Sailing Catamaran on 10th June 2020.
Spent the next week getting jobs done identified in the survey. Pumped out and cleaned both water storage tanks, anchor winch switch replaced, gas strutt replaced and a few other jobs to become familiar with the boat.
19th June Friday. Peter and Michelle Franklin came aboard for shakedown cruise. Coffee at the Galley Restaurant , then prepared to leave Boatworks dock. Assisted by neighbour on Beluga to leave dock. Unfortunately Helm not centred so aft pushed out to neighbouring boat while spring rope not released. Kissed the port aft sugar scoop and broke of small part of gelcoat. Put a dampner on our departure but lesson learned. Motored up channel past Sanctuary Cove to main channel. Bedroom anchorage overnight. Tide current quite strong and first night jitters over anchor. Used Anchor alarm on phone for reassurance. Frequent pesky showers.
Saturday. Squally showers and cold. Anchor hooked around itself, required “encouragement” with a hammer. Proceeded to get well and truly soaked. Continued past Jacobs Well where we saw the power lines to Russell Island looming up on the chart saying 20 metres clearance. We are 23 metres !!! Rang Kelvin the Broker who said no problem , stay close to the pylon. All ok. Able to put Screecher up for first time once past Peel island and had a lovely sail in light winds 8-10kn to Tangalooma. Anchored in clean water at last and fine weather. Still strong current in anchorage just south of the wrecks and a little lumpy during the night but so much better on a cat.
Sunday. Beautiful morning. Took the dingy down for a tootle around the wrecks then walked beach to watch the vehicle barge land. Lovely fine day. Michelle and Greg in for a swim off the boat holding onto the Jesus line due to current. Set off for Bribie passage after lunch. Great sail with the main and genoa for first time. Very calm bay then anchored of Bribie bowls club. Leigh , Irene and Peter C on board for sundowner drinks at 5pm. Gorgeous calm evening, followed by fish and chips after Peter F and Greg dingyed ashore. Getting the hang of dingy stowage and use. New Gas cylinder attached.
Monday.Calm night in Bribie passage. Amelia and Charlotte aboard today while I went with Leigh to do some washing , coffee and conversation on his 67th birthday. Back for an afternoon walk , said farewell to Amelia and Charlotte who should be back in New Zealand by the time we get back to Brisbane. Covid keeping them in Australia much longer than expected. Quiet night ready for Mooloolaba tomorrow. Anxious about docking in a Marina.
Tuesday. Brisk sailing along Bribie/Caloundra coast. Screecher out iniatially then gusting to 17 kn. Pulled in Screecher, up with Main and Genoa. To Point Cartwright then into Moolooaba harbour, called marina for possible assistance. They sent the gardener. Filled water tanks, cleaned boat. Greg off to service station for extra gas bottle. Lovely hot showers then walked to town for dinner. First place booked out due to covid restrictions of 20 patrons only. Ended up in great Italian Restaurant for nice dinner then Coles for top up groceries.
Wednesday. Departed Mooloolaba at 6am setting Screecher and Main. Wind dying on and off. Screecher up and down 3 times but good education . Mostly motoring 55 miles visited by dolphins. Double Island Point very welcome and 16 Cats in behind sand spit. We were comfortable tucked in out side. Decided to stay another night in the calm clear waters.
Thursday. Across to surf beach then up to lighthouse climb. Lots of Midyim berries along the way. Good 8k walk all up. Tray bake sausages for dinner then watched movie.
Friday. Up anchor at 8am ,very light breeze , tried Screecher but not filling. Followed approx. 10 other boats to Wide Bay Bar 13nm north in very calm conditions 1 hr before high tide and tucked into Pelican Bay behind Inskip Point . Walked to camp ground on beach and back to dinghy. Tricky shallow entrance(600mm of water under the keel) but very calm anchorage.
Saturday. Greg fishing waiting for rising tide to leave inskip point. Crossed into main channel, popped the genoa for a lovely sail up to Garrys Anchorage where there were plenty already anchored. Anchored close to south channel, but still pretty blustery so moved further to north end of anchorage. Wind dropped to very still night.
Sun. Once again waiting for rising tide , so walked 4 kms return to Garry’s lake which had no track off main road. Peter bush bashed. Michelle and I walked back to the beach. More trees since our last visit 33yrs ago. After lunch continued along to South white cliffs for protection as winds up to 23 knts. Anchored as shallow as possible. Boisterous but once again calming down after nightfall for a quiet night. Played Scategories.
Mon. After 4 hrs under genoa and motor to Urangan Harbour. 4 loads of washing. Shopping centre with Trevor. Out to Indian restaurant where Karen joined us. Lovely evening then great still night in marina. Still nervous docking but wind behind us made it smooth.
Tues. Gently undocked and around to fuel dock. Gentle breeze. Filled tank , took 218 litres. Another good undocking then headed out. Put up genoa and main for a great sail north to the top of Fraser. Anchored off beautiful western Fraser white sand beach and clear water. Walked ashore seeing large groups of stingrays along the shallows. Peter took some great photos of ray families. Lovely moussaka ala Michelle for dinner. Used RO plant and made water for first time no probs.
2020 Wandering Aimlessly 