Fwd: Tiare Taporo III has rounded Cape York at Lat. 10 degrees 41.4' S Long. 142 degrees 31.4' E

----- Original Message -----
To: "Alastair Whitelaw" <awhitelaw@xtra.co.nz>
Subject: Tiare Taporo III has rounded Cape York at Lat. 10 degrees 41.4' S Long. 142 degrees 31.4' E
Date: 04 Jun 2013 00:51:47 -0000
From: zmq5985

Oh frabjous day - caloo calay - beware the jub-jub bird and the frumious bandersnatch.
Sorry for the misquoted bit of "The Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carrol but the first part seemed absolutely appropriate for we have finally beaten the Coral Coast. But wait, we get ahead of ourselves..............
At first light we started pulling up the anchor at Boydong. All went well at first until there was about 10 metres left to go and then the anchor or chain stuck fast on something on the bottom. We still couldn't see very well but we knew we were fairly close to some coral heads about 20 metres ahead - however, the 20 knot offshore wind was holding us off. We tried the time honoured trick of motoring ahead with fingers crossed and then with a series of bangs and graunching noises the anchor came free. The strain on the chain, shackle and anchoring system is enormous but fortunately nothing broke and we completed the anchor retrieval with great relief.
The course for the first 40 miles was 340 true and we set the double reefed main and small genoa as usual. The wind strength had been forecasted to be down and so it proved. The angle was good too and we started having a good relaxing sail on starboard tack on a broad reach. Speed was between 5 and 6 knots and we were looking forward to it continuing. Alas, as is usual on this coast it did not, and the wind started dropping and going further south - right up our derriere. We couldn't alter course enough to compensate due to reefs in the way and the need to eventually arrive at the southern end of the Adolphous Channel. And we had to keep our speed up so as not to arrive in the dark at the end of 60 miles. So, on with the engine and we motorsailed. Jean kept the home fires burning with offerings of soda water, spaghetti with bacon, and cheese and crackers as the day wore on.
Then, when we were getting towards the southern start of the Adolphous Channel at about 1300 the wind really started piping up over 25 knots (still up our bum) and the tide was still against us. We hadn't realised it would make such a difference off Wyborn Reef but our speed through the water was 6 knots and over the ground 4.5. We knew when the tide should start turning based on Torres Strait tides but it simply didn't and our speed remained down and as well the wind against tide effect was creating a very nasty sea. We rolled abominably (scuppers under) and took some water into the cockpit - however, we persevered. But it seemed to be getting worse as we entered the Adolphous Channel proper and the tide was not obeying the timetable!! So, a hasty last minute decision to abandon the planned stop at Mt. Adolphous Island and instead we steered straight for Cape York itself. Finally into the very welcome lee of Albany Island and then on and around Eborac and York Islands and Cape York itself into an anchorage right in the lee of the cape at 1800 just as the sun was beginning to set. Again many thanks to the chartplotter giving warning of a reef to starboard and a deep boil hole (22 metres) created by the strong tides as they rip through here.
We managed to anchor between the two in just 7 metres on a secure mud bottom with no worries about security for the night. As we speak Cape York lies just a quarter of a mile ahead of our bows. We have finally beaten the Coral Coast - not bad for a couple of 66 year olds on a vintage Gauntlet 1930's designed timber built monohull. The euphoria was great and we celebrated in style with a couple of whiskies, a glass of NZ wine and some dinkum Aussie "Happy Camper" meat stew together with reconstituted dehydrated mashed potato. A long 11 hour day but, although tired we are not exhausted. We are certainly looking forward to some fresh vegies in Seisia 15 miles away where we shall be tomorrow.
So far so good and we are well aware that more challenges lie ahead but we think we have beaten the major one so far.
More fascinating stories to come on www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com
With lots of love
Jim and Jean xoxoxoxox
P.S. It's now 0130 on the 4th. and have just been woken by high winds hitting us on the beam as we are held sideways by the ebbing tide. No sea to speak of but jobbly. We are just very thankful that we left Boydong when we did even though conditions just south of here were very unpleasant. Can't sleep but feeling exhausted. We're just hoping that the Gulf of Carpentaria crossing treats us reasonably kindly because the Coral Coast has been a challenge and a trial. What with high winds and now up here strong tides it's not a holiday camp. We're supposed to make the 15 mile passage to Seisia in a few hours and will have to leave here by 0700 at the latest to have a rising tide with us as we enter Seisia. We'll re-assess the conditions at 6. However, we would be in the lee of the coast all the way. Couldn't get any propagation last night so will try sending this now and then hopefully get some sleep!
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