We sold our Seawind 1160 'Nimrod' in July 2018. We had a wonderful nine years with her, and many terrific adventures. The blog of her travels is 'Nimrod Catamaran'.
Many of our post-Nimrod plans were disrupted by the Covid pandemic, and, after a certain amount of dithering, in January 2022 we decided to buy a sixth share of a similar Seawind 1160 called 'Antidote'.
She is a sistership of Nimrod's, so very familiar to us. Our first 'time-share' occured in March, after her annual liftout. George was still working as a GP at the time, so our time on board was basically long weekends around Moreton Bay.
Our next gig runs from July 16th to August 12th, out of Cairns and returning to Cairns.
The SE trade winds are pretty consistent and strong up here in North Queensland at this time of year. It is thus easy to travel north, but harder to travel south. We are keen to see something of the Great Barrier Reef, which lies 20 - 50 nautical miles offshore. You can anchor behind one of the many reefs, but if the wind is stronger than about 20 knots, it is not very comfortable, especially at high tide.
So we have decided to sail south in the first part of our cruise, all the more easily to get back to Cairns by the end, when we hand her over to the next syndicate owners.
Cairns to Fitzroy Island
George at Nudey Beach, Fitzroy Island, not far from Cairns.
Fitzroy Island as we sailed past at dawn
Fitzroy Island to Mourilyan Harbour and Dunk Island
A cruising catamaran heading north with their kite up. Near to Mourilyan Harbour.
George on the beach at Dunk Island
Dunk Island to Taylor Reef and back to Hinchinbrook Island
From Dunk Island we sailed out to Taylor Reef and anchored behind this tiny cay.
A catamaran called S/V Anui produces an excellent blog, which is very helpful when planning a trip to the reef.
For us, the weather was indifferent, with storms passing us.
So we decided that discretion was the better part of valour and headed back in to Hinchinbrook Island, one of the jewels of Australia's islands.
Macushla Bay, Hinchinbrook Island
Creeks running through mangrove forest behind Ramsay Bay, Hinchinbrook Island
Ramsay Bay, Hinchinbrook Island
The east coast of Hinchinbrook Island, looking south.
Antidote and another catamaran in Gayundah Creek, off Hinchinbrook Channel at the 'golden hour'.
Gayundah Creek. Gradually building confidence with my Mavic 3 drone.
Sail training vessel 'South Passage' heading down Hinchinbrook Channel.
Replica fifteenth-century caravel 'Notorious'
Melaleuca trees on Goold Island
Chef is happy! Mudcrab for dinner.
Thai crab curry
Heading north again
Brammo Bay, Dunk Island
Antidote from above
Kite runs to Dunk Island, Russell Island and Sudbury Reef
George relaxing on the foredeck as we cruise from Dunk to Russell Island
Two humpback whales also cruising north
Antidote on Sudbury Reef
Sunrise
Sudbury Reef to Milln Reef
Dolphins escorting us to Milln Reef
Plate coral
Snorkelling on Milln Reef
There is some good news about the reef. Everyone’s Favourite Coral Reef Is Thriving, Kinda. A recent report by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), shows that the northern and central Great Barrier Reef have recorded their highest amount of coral cover since AIMS began monitoring 36 years ago.
From Milln Reef back to Fitzroy Island and Cairns
George having a paddle at Fitzroy Island
Trawler setting off for the night shift.
