A contribution by Bob White and Tim Preuss

MAGGIE     MADNESS

It was October 23 in the spring of 2010 when three intrepid captains, Bob White, Noel Wilson, Tim Preuss and their crew, Jeff Gibbins, Geoffrey Beattie and Jim Cox embarked on their annual seafari  Was it to be North or South this year?  Sea Wizard wanted to go north and Suntan South.  And the consensus was south to Maggie Island for the Melbourne Cup.

First night saw Suntan at Double Island where it was 3 glasses of red just to get to sleep with the boat rocking badly in the swell.  Then it was onto Fitzroy Island with a walk to the lighthouse next day. Then to Russell Island with much rocking and rolling during the night and Suntan’s bow nearly being ripped out.

It was mostly motor sailing to Steven’s Island and then to Dunk.  No guessing that motor sailing suited Sea Wizard and with her more powerful engine was usually the first to drop anchor.  Dunk Island proved an unforgettable experience at the resort where they charged $300 plus for a meal for 6 (only one course) which was only barely edible.  Let’s get out of here!!!

The sailing through Hinchinbrook with its calm water and majestic rainforest clad mountains was impressive to say the least with no crabs though and anchorages at Scraggy Point and Haycock Island.

Onto Orpheus Island in Little Pioneer Bay on the moorings proved to be a very secure anchorage with a brilliant backdrop of rainforest and the sunset was even better – all washed down with beer and red wine as became the custom.

We all arrived at Horseshoe Bay on Maggie Island a day before the Melbourne Cup and it was a shave and a good bath and best gear on for the big event.

We took the bus to Picnic Bay and were all feeling quite superior all dressed up and Noel with his new pair of designer stubby shorts with wallet in back pocket.  The day became blur of beautiful scenery, cold beer and red wine, a fashion parade, clapping, more cold beer, horse talk and placing the bets, more cold beer and losses almost all around, more cold beer and then back on the bus to Horseshoe Bay.

We all fell down from the bus and noticed the captain of Suntan slapping his shorts very vigorously and at first thought it was a marshfly attack.  The captain’s expression soon turned to that of an 8 year old boy who had just lost his new red fire truck after Santa had dropped it down the chimney.  Noel had lost his wallet which contained $500 and all his cards and ID.  At that moment there was more than just a wallet coming out of his stubby shorts.  Quick thinking Jeff hailed a taxi and it was, “Follow that bus.”  Sea Wizards captain, Bob went for the bolt cutters to cut Suntans tender free which was chained and locked to a tree as the keys were in the wallet.

Phew!!!  The wallet was found on the floor of the bus and Noel’s expression changed to that of a cat that had just licked up the cream and we all celebrated with beer and more red wine. Of course no one could find their boats when we returned to our respective vessels as we had failed to turn on the lights – go to bed!!!

The return trip from Orpheus to Dunk saw 50 miles of competitive sailing with Sea Wizard being forced to shut down her engine (very embarrassing).  AnnSea took line honors with Suntan and the Wizard at least an hour behind. Tim has kindly advised me that I can detach my M.P.S. from the bow spit and pole it out and that there is something I can rig called a topper and a kicker. A visit to Whitworths for some deck hardware will be in order when I return. A very good walk around the island was enjoyed by all, as was the view from the top facing west.

Mourilyan Harbour produced crabs, grunter and prawns, which Jeff and Noel cooked to perfection with three different sauces, all consumed on Sea Wizard, washed down with more cold beer and red wine, as we were becoming a little dehydrated  with all the exertion of fishing and crabbing. 

It must be said Geoff complained bitterly when Noel insisted they check the crab pots after the meal aboard the Wizard in the dead of night, with just a little torch with flat batteries which was the norm on Suntan, a motor with no reverse and not much freeboard and hungry crocs all around. The captains of Suntan and AnnSea have vowed to get their excrement together with the battery input department next trip.

This is getting a little lengthy but wait, there’s more.  We decided on a fishing expedition to Gibbons Reef to catch a coral trout. The day was overcast with poor visibility.  Suntan, which is very good at pushing bommies out of the way, was zigzagging in and out of the invisible outcrops. But AnnSea and the Wizard nearly needed nappies for their captains. Get out of here!!! The Wizard suffered a couple of accidental jibes during this leg which snapped the preventers and Suntan reported a battle steering in the heavy swell. AnnSea thought it was a breeze but being so far ahead didn’t encounter the same conditions.

We also need to mention the incident at Fitroy when Jim stepped down into the Zodiac, which Tim had just relocated. Jim needed a bath anyway but was not too impressed with Tim’s impulsiveness. Maybe it was just the swell which caused the incident.

Fitzroy to Port proved magnificent motor sailing with wing-o-wing, poles out, blue skies and calm seas. Another great seafari in the summer of 2010.  Who’s coming north to Magra Island in 2011?