We awoke to further howling winds and heavy rain. There had been rain falling all night and it continued. The wind was over 30knots steady now and there were now waves entering Macona Inlet making it a bit uncomfortable for an extended stay. All the other bareboat sailing cats had left early leaving us alone. We had breakfast and upped anchor. Daddy was totally soaked from the wind and rain. We motored into the wind out of Macona Inlet and took a detour to avoid the shallow area just north of Cid Harbour. The rain was heavy and the wind strength was growing.
Foam and spray was being blown off the water and the small waves. Protection from Whitsunday Island kept the waves down to wind waves only, but these were over 1m. The wind was howling and visability was heavily reduced. Wind was climbing and despite the protection afforded by Whitsunday Island Cid Harbour in the distance, it remained over 30knots and an occasional gust into the 40's. Wind hit 44.9 knots in one gust when we were half way to Cid Harbour and even with bare poles (no sail up) the yacht heeled by 10 degrees (according to our angle measure at the helm). Wow! We continued and the wind was now in the high 30's and often in the 40's. Then a massive guest came across the sea. The yacht heeled 15 degrees and the wind speed indicator hit 50.1 knots. A huge record. The rigging was screaming and the spray on the face stung. The spray jackets didn't have much effect, Mummy and Daddy were soaked through.
As we approached Cid Harbour the wind gusts reduced in frequency and we watched the wind drop back to 20's then into the 10's. Just before we anchored, Daddy went below and checked the battery charge. We had been running the engine hard, so we should have a good charge; we didn't. In fact no charge was going into the batteries (house and starter battery). Charge had dropped from 78% when we woke up (which is unusually low) to now only 50%. There were no lights on the battery charger, so either the battery charger had failed or the alternator or something worse.
Without electrical charge, we risk not being able to start the engine, lift the anchor (except by hand - aaahhhh) or use any lights or equipment. Daddy and Mummy made a decision, after anchoring less than 5min earlier for the day (and it was intended to be for the night) to head back to Airlie Beach for repairs while there was hope someone would be working (it was Thursday). If they needed a part, hopefully it could be ordered and arrive early the following week at the latest. If we waited anylonger we risked being unable to bring up the anchor, start the engine or get a part for a week.
Back out into the storm we headed with visability as little at 20m at times as a result of the rain and spray. The seas in the passage between North Mole Island, Dunk, Whitsunday and Hook is slightly less protected, and measured 1-1.5m. No doubt they would be far higher where there was no protection from the islands. The wind remained in the high 20's and low 30's until we pulled in closer to Airlie Beach.
We radioed in and were lucky enough to get the same berth for the night. As old hands at tying up now, we had no trouble and were quickly tied up, connected to shore power and water tanks topped off. The shore power board is separate from the one off the engine and the good news was power was now going into the batteries. A call to the marina office and we were able to get some numbers for electricians, and with luck, managed to arrange for them to visit on Friday.
The rest away from the water will help Jasmine's foot heal and the weather is still terrible, with strong winds and rain predicted for Friday, easing on Saturday and fine for Sunday and early the following week.
Jasmine and Nicholas were particularly excited to catch up with our lovely neighbours. Jasmine has become quite attached to their dog; the first time she has every shown any interest in a dog before. Nicholas has also found to boys who are interested in playing similar games as him.
All in all, provided an electrician can come tomorrow and the problem can be fixed, perhaps it isn't all bad.