Heading North for Cairns

We sat out the wet season at the Breakwater Marina in Townsville. Not exactly the most pleasant marina we have stayed in, but the people we met there were very genuine and good people.

During late January we had some good weather and sailed up to Rattlesnake Island with Trish and Lester from Lekimpa. We had a great weekend there. We always looked forward to taking a weekend trip up to Rattlesnake. Great spot for crays and swimming.

The cyclone season is at its end so now we have made the decision to head north and visit Cairns, Port Douglas, Cooktown and Lizard Island. Our original plan was to head around to Darwin and WA, but we have put this of until next year. We left Townsville on the 12th April 2008 to do a little exploring around Cairns. We have set no particular time schedule. Took the yacht into No 7 Creek to have a look around.

Whilst we were anchored at Haycock, the DC-DC charging system failed. This unit charged the 12v batteries from the 24volt batteries. We took a detour to Cardwell to send it off for warranty. In the interim we charged the 12v via the generator. The following day the generator water pump siezed. This came as a bit of a surprise as it was only rebuilt a few months earlier. We headed back into Port Hinchinbrook Marina to send the pump back to Townsville.

Sunrise over Hinchinbrook channel

Whilst we were at the marina in Port Hinchinbrook we made a big commitment. We purchased another 24 volt 165watt solar panel, and converted the original pair of 55watt panels from 24volt to 12 volt and a 30 amp regulator that would handle the three 165watt 24volt panels. With the potential of producing 15amps for the 24volt bank ( plus the wind generator) and 6 amps for the 12volt system I feel that we should have plenty of power on board.

Some pictures from inside No 7 Creek looking towards the Hincinbrook Isalnd range

Sunset over Cardwell taken from Garden Island

An early trip up the Hinchinbrook Channel toward the Port Hinchinbrook Marina.