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An extended but leisurely cruise north of Moreton Bay, aiming to meet up with the Brisbane-to-Gladstone race fleet and join in the celebrations at Gladstone. Departing Moreton Bay on the 1st April, a week before the race fleet gives us plenty of time to hop from anchorage to anchorage. The exact itinerary will depend on the weather but is planed to take in Double Island Point, Kingfisher Bay, Hervey Bay and Lady Musgrave islands, returning to Moreton Bay by the weekend following Easter. This will be a great introductory-level cruise for those who wish to explore beyond Moreton Bay while remaining with the security of a "Cruise in Company"
The main driving factors in planning a cruise such as this is to get to places like the Wide Bay Bar and Boonlye Point (shallowest part of Great Sandy Straits) at the optimal time for passage. We also need to make the distances sufficiently short to be comfortably achievable by the slower cruising boats. With those things in mind, here is the proposed programme:
Thursday 30th March - Leave Brisbane - Get to Mooloolaba for overnight 55 NM Mooloolaba High Tide 16:03
Friday 31st March - Early start (High Tide 04:30) for long sail to and across Wide Bay Bar 61NM WBB High 17:13 Overnight at Pelican Bay or Tin Can Bay or Garrys
Saturday 1st April - Through the Great Sandy Straits (Boonlye Point H 1251) to overnight at Urangan / Moon Point / Big Woody approx 40NM
Sunday 2nd April Bundaberg 43NM
Monday 3, Tuesday 4, Wed 5 43 NM from Bundaberg to Lady Musgrave Island - Lady Musgrave High Mon 3rd 19:07
Thursday 6th April - Pancake Creek 38NM
Friday 7th April and Saturday 8th Gladstone 36NM
Sunday 9th April - Pancake Creek or 1770 - 38 or 43NM
Monday 10th April - Bundaberg 60NM
Tuesday 11th April - Kingfisher 53NM
Wednesday 12th April - Tin Can Bay 35NM
Thursday 13th and Friday 14th - Double Island Point 20NM
Saturday 15th Mooloolaba - 45NM
Sunday 16th April - Home 55NM
It goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) that this is entirely dependent on weather conditions, and just because this programme is written down doesnt mean it is the best, or safest, or most appropriate programme. Every individual skipper must decide for themselves whether to participate or continue to participate in this cruise, and should decide for themselves the best time for bar crossings and the best anchorages for their boats. Some vessels may choose to depart earlier or later, and return earlier or later. It is up to you. Every skipper is responsible for ensuring that their vessel, equipment and crew is suitable for the planned journey. I would suggest the Australian Sailing Special Regulations for Sailing Boats - Category 3 events - would be an appropriate yardtick against which to compare.
Files for download
Gladstone 2023 v2
MYCQ - Gladstone B2GEIG 23 A5 Flyers PR
