From Southport, Gold Coast to Rockhampton
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 5:51 pmI have just completed in Windchaser the 300 odd nm from the Southport Marina to Rockhampton on the muddy Fitzroy River. Over the next week or two I hope to be posting up some of my experiences and pics. It will probably be of most interest to those folk who are wondering about buying a Top Hat as cruising boats as my perspective is that of a novice sailor and newbie Top Hat owner.
Summary:
Mark II model with portapotti under v-berth and hanging cupboard beside table.
18 hp Tohatsu 2 stroke in well.
Basically in sound condition but plenty of work to be done on her yet.
Sailed/motored from
Southport to Dunwich 34 nm
Dunwich to Scarborough 28 nm
Scarborough to Mooloolaba 39 nm
Mooloolaba to Double Island Point 51 nm
Double Island Point over Wide Bay Bar to Gary's Anchorage 27 nm
Gary's Anchorage to Urangan 40 nm
Urangan to Round Hill Creek at the town of 1770 51 nm
1770 to Gladstone 47 nm
Gladstone to Egg Island (mouth of Fitzroy River near Mud Island) 38 nm
Egg Island to Rockhampton 25 nm
Total of 380 nm, 704 km
Conditions ranged from flat calm waterways behind large islands to up-to 2 m wind-against tide washing machine stuff to 3 m rising swells on bar with some breaking. Total time living on board was one month.
My one sentence overview of the Top Hat was that I had seriously underestimated its potential for cruising and I was very happy with its capabilities.
Summary:
Mark II model with portapotti under v-berth and hanging cupboard beside table.
18 hp Tohatsu 2 stroke in well.
Basically in sound condition but plenty of work to be done on her yet.
Sailed/motored from
Southport to Dunwich 34 nm
Dunwich to Scarborough 28 nm
Scarborough to Mooloolaba 39 nm
Mooloolaba to Double Island Point 51 nm
Double Island Point over Wide Bay Bar to Gary's Anchorage 27 nm
Gary's Anchorage to Urangan 40 nm
Urangan to Round Hill Creek at the town of 1770 51 nm
1770 to Gladstone 47 nm
Gladstone to Egg Island (mouth of Fitzroy River near Mud Island) 38 nm
Egg Island to Rockhampton 25 nm
Total of 380 nm, 704 km
Conditions ranged from flat calm waterways behind large islands to up-to 2 m wind-against tide washing machine stuff to 3 m rising swells on bar with some breaking. Total time living on board was one month.
My one sentence overview of the Top Hat was that I had seriously underestimated its potential for cruising and I was very happy with its capabilities.