We have decided to try the Wide Bay Bar which is the entrance into the Great Sandy Straights. The original plan was to go around the top of Fraser Island, however it is a very long trip and we can't stay in Wide Bay any longer with everyone so sick.
We have obtained the latest coordinates from Coast Guard Tin Can Bay for the entrance across the bar. The water is as shallow as 3m at the low water, seas are 2m and high water is 1.8m. A worrying proposition.
We headed off from Wide Bay for the bar aiming to arrive 40min before the top of high water to have a slight incoming current and light. With light starting to fade we all put on our lifejackets and started the crossing.
Well well well... what can we say. We were travelling well with good speed and although it was a bit rough, things looked good until, yep... a set of waves arrived. "The sea was angry that day my friends".
Two monster waves arrived, probably 3-4m behind us, worst timing possible, and picked up the yacht. With Daddy holding on firmly and keeping the yacht going straight down the wave, the yacht reached 15.9knots and was surfing down the wave, the second wave was not quite as large, and we caught that one as well, although... it was easier, after all... Daddy was by then experienced with these sorts of monsters!
We made the turn as recommended by the Coast Guard and then weathered the mad mile dash.
As the sun set, we rounded the point and anchored in the entrance to Pelican Bay in 5m of water where it was calm. Wow, what an experience.
What did we learn... perhaps don't do the crossing unless seas are under say 1.7m.
Tomorrow we will attempt the calm but shallow Great Sandy Strait at high tide.
Pelican Bay where we have anchored is absolutely beautiful, a real hidden treasure. Broad waterway and protected. We can see the 4WDs and camp sites on the beach, many of them are lining up to make the crossing to Fraser Island on the barge.
Daddy cooked a hearty curry with sausages, veges and rice. A few episodes of the "Deadliest Catch" (to show how soft we really are compared to them) and off to a well earned rest for everyone. We should all sleep well tonight.