Crew positions available. Bring your own giga counter.
Been a while since I've used this blog but it easier to edit and save than the usual social media platforms.
I'm going to take the boat up to the Montebello's between May and October this year. It's going to be a relatively slow cruise up to Exmouth hopefully with the wind from behind.
This is a shakedown cruise getting everything ready to return to the Kimberley in 2025.
However if you want to earn your Salty Sea Dog Tag then you can join me for the trip back down from Exmouth in September when I'm more than likely going to be punching the breeze.
Glen and his kids have already taken the middle school holidays but apart from that you're welcome to join me anytime.
As usual, I can tell you where I'm going to be. I can also tell you when. Unfortunately I can't tell you both...apart from the front bar of the mermaid hotel on the afternoon of the 15th of July.
The rough plan is as follows:
First two weeks in May.
Perth to Geraldton or Dongara. The southerly fronts shouldn't have started for the year. I've travel this section often so have plenty of tracks into safe anchorages if I need to wait some weather out. Probably just do day sails to avoid the Cray pot floats. Spotting them could be your job. On the trampoline with drink in hand?
Depending how the first week or so goes i won't bother stopping at Geraldton and jump to the next leg from Dongara. Good opportunity to take on crew though if someones keen on the Abrolhos.
From mid May to first week of June.
I've been past the Abrolhos islands too many times. Now this year I'm going to actually stop and have a good look. I expect to spend a couple of weeks working my way through them finding good anchorages for on the trip back. Diving and fishing.
Plan to be in Shark bay by the first week in June. This section will include at least one overnight passage getting past the Zupdorf cliffs and into Shark Bay.
I may go straight past Shark bay and Carnarvon unless someone wants to get on or off. I will spend some time here on the way back waiting for a weather window anyway.
After Carnarvon I don't have any saved tracks and will need to make regular stops to get into anchorages. I do have a track to travel behind the reef at Ningaloo that another cruiser gave me but I will need someone up front to spot the bommies to use it safely. Bring polarised sunglasses.
There will most likely be an overnight passage getting around the Cape to Exmouth.
Will need to get into Exmouth to pick up Glen and kids by end of the month.
My only fixed dates.
Island hopping from Exmouth to Dampier. An initial visit to check it all out.
15th July to last week in August.
Going back to Exmouth at a more leisurely pace. Lots of stops and won't be in a hurry to move on if I find a good diving/fishing spot.
September.
Coming back down from Exmouth before October and the southwesterly winds start is the priority.
May be some prolonged stops at jump off points like Red Bluff waiting for weather windows. A fair few early starts and motor sailing. This will be the more challenging part of the trip. Once past the Abrolhos it can just be day sails. Early starts and finishes to get anchored before the sea breeze kicks in.
If you read this far and want to know more you can download a pdf copy of the Fremantle Sailing Clubs free cruising guide at this link
Pages 166 to 221 cover this trip.
Also look at Abrolhos islands
Gosh there just weren't that many dad jokes was there?
Planning must be serious stuff.
