Airlie Return Mackay, Solo

Wind had been around for what seemed like and may of been weeks. A window was appearing in the forecast and Friday was the day. Unable to find company for a ride, I saddled up in preparation of a big one should conditions allow. The feature image is Happy Bay, Long Island.

Used 2 images for the map of route to be legible.

After a delay I got away at sunrise, prefer to be on the water before. Sunrise on the water is different and special. Conditions were welcoming and decided to make the attempt at Airlie.

Used what Seadoo call the Speed Limiter Mode at 50kph. Its like a Cruise Control once set throttle will slow down to idle but wont go past set speed. More comfortable for finger on throttle, you can trigger past the speed and it stays on the setting put in. Trim set at its second highest position.

Stopped after 80ks for breakfast off from Lindemann Island and put the 10 litre jerry in the main tank rather than carry it on the back. I also had a 20ltr jerry onboard that wasn’t used.

Not a lot of photos taken on the northern leg of the trip as most of it was at distance from land. Not that I wanted to dilly dally about on getting to Airlie being my first attempt.

At the start heading for Sth Molle Island out the back. In turn Dent, Hamilton, Whitsundays over the back, Pentacost with the peak, Lindeman Group, Anchor Islands of the Smith Group, Mainland, Long and Pine Island.

As the photos show the conditions throughout this area were superb.

The GoPro was on its first outing and not confidant of its anchoring so I attached a lanyard. Mount attachment that I used was only the dummy that come in the packaging, double sided taped to the ski and hung there great.

Airlie, I made it now to see how I get on with fueling at the dock. Trip meter reading 121.8ks at 0930. I had encountered a light northerly after Daydream just before Pioneer Pt, the only disruption to a flat track up.

As I arrived the dock Marina staff were about and I asked about fueling ? No problem just duck in behind that cat was the response with advise if needed. In conversation eye brows raised at my trip. How long did that take, how many klms, how much fuel, what speed ? Time was 3.5 hrs to cover 122ks using 40ltrs fuel at 50kph. Very happy with the consumption.

Now to get back to Mackay Harbour, I had no preset plan for the return except I intended some variation.

Crossing to Daydream I considered darting around to Whitehaven. I chided myself at being too ambitious and decided against. So settled with the eastern side of Daydream for a start and see after that.

After Daydream I did consider going into Shut Harbour. Have some confusion at present about the 6knot speed limit or more so its boundary. Didn’t want spend time sorting it on this trip. So inside of Long Island I new of some bays but not visited.

Anchor Islands are a part of Smith Group that lay off to the NW of the central body like Goldsmith and Co.

Hammer Island has this landmark that may well be how it was named. Cant help thinking how long ago a chunk of it parted with the upper section or if at all ?

Coming out of the passage at the bottom of Ladysmith that is on the south end of Blacksmith. The water went from smooth to chopped confused slop but only for 500M or so then flat again. My conclusion is that the currents around the islands and passage were colliding ? There is a significant depth change in the vicinity of 15M > 48M in under a 1k ?

South of the Smith Group conditions started to deteriorate. Not bad as it was a light northerly, I was going with it. Didn’t back off with the speed only altered the trim down as I went. Am feeling more comfortable with more keel in the water the further it chops up. Not sure with this as yet still learning but sticking with what I feel better with for now. Arrived back at the Harbour safe, sound and satisfied with my adventure. The ski went like a dream I have been so lucky with her reliability.

Will be continuing with the blogs on future trips with a possible upgrade so videos can be loaded and viewed ?

Thanks for reading George