Left Airle Beach on the 7th, then anchored at Shaw, Lindeman, Brampton Is, then docked at MacKay Marina for a couple nights, then anchored at Curlew, Marble Is., Delcomyn Bay, Great Keppel Is, South Curtis Island, then last week when leaving Curtis the winds were a lot stronger then the forecast and from the direction I wanted to go, so detoured to Gladstone Marina to wait for better conditions and to find out why the radar quit working. Now radar fix and the wx improving so will be doing an overnighter for Bundaburg on Tue.

Party over. Cruising season has come to an end. Will start heading south from the Whitsundays area toward Brisbane/Scarborough today for cyclone season. About 500nm. Since I'm not in a hurry, might take a month.

Stop for the best beach ever.

Well that didn't take very long. The nice weather will be over with tonight, high winds with rain. So not to get caught out in the middle of nowhere in that mess, will be sailing back to the Whitsunday group and look for a place to ride out the bad stuff. Got to dive yesterday, what a disappointment.

Now anchored inside Hook Reef, next Bait and Harvey Reefs. Will be here until the weather gets bad or I run out of provisions. It finally feels like summer. Air 85, water 75. No wind No waves No problems.

Now anchored off Border Island. Been hopping around the Withsunday Islands for the past week. Cid Harbor, Stonehaven, Butterfly Bay, Nara Passage and Macona Inlet, Hook Island. Will be heading for the Bait and Harvey Reefs for some diving/snorkeling at the GBR.

Now in Nara Passage, Hook Island. Been on a mooring off of Airlie Beach for about a month, Got new visa till March. Think I fix the chart slow redrawn. Was a Navionics file problem on the chip. Nav. Tech Support is also working with B&G to find out why the radar and fwd scan sonar mess with the charts?

How can something smaller then your finger nail cause so many headaches? After several weeks of trouble shooting B&G stuff it was this little chart chip from Navionics that was the problem. Hope I can get them to pay for my new one.

Anchored Cid Harbor or Sawmill bay. Just depend on what chart you looking at. The MFd test this time was unplug everything from the back of it to make sure nothing like radar, autopilot, depth, speed, wind, wifi, bluetooth, etc was interfering. And same results. Take the chip out and MFd return to normal. Think I found the problem.

On the way to Shaw Is., switched chart chip with Phil, now his MFd is slower. I got his chip and mind is normal.

A little stop at Goldsmith.

That damn #3 Multi function Display is at it again, navionics charts taking anywhere from 30-60sec to redraw, sometimes not at all. And I don't have cell phone coverage to call tech support.

After a week in the marina had a nice sail to Carlisle Is. for a few days. Only problem a couple of miles from the marina the fricking new Chart Plotter started doing the same thing as the last one, won't redraw charts fast enough if at all. So more trouble shooting.


This is beginning to pissed me off.

Curlew was nice but rolly and the winds was good for a nice slow sail to Purdhoe Is. So on Sunday late morning off we go. The book did say this anchorage was only to be used in settled weather, but by the time we got there the winds where coming from the SE instead of the NE like the forecast said. So a motor sail to Mackay Marina with a 2100 arrival. Now that B&G chart plotter decided to bite the dust, after tying up to the dock pwr off. Oh I needed to update my logbook and need info from CP, well the damn thing wont power up. Think I made it here just in time.

On Wed, left Island Head Creek for Hunter Is. Spent one night, really rolly. Next morning to Curlew Is. Arrive to a nice calm acorage. Night time it became one of the most rolly places I've been in. Just cause the winds was in the 20's. This place is a national park, only foot prints on the beach was ours. Only had one local boat in the anchorage with us, the rest of them heading north must have known about the swells finding their way here. B&G new chart plotter is now in Mackay, so hope to be there Mon.-Tue. to pick it up and hope it works.

on Sun from Keppler I motored to Port Clinton then motored to Island Head Creek to wait out the blow thats expected today. Since we are way up the creek, not alotta wave action, just the sound of the wind in the rigging. Temperature dropping, might have something to do with a cold front. My 3rd Chart Plotter from B&G has been shipped to Mackay. the second one don't display charts, go figure.????

Sailed most of the way to Great Keppler Island. Light winds until the sea breeze kicked in. Spent a couple nights. Visit the resort for lunch. I must be in the tropics now, seen several naturally growing coconut trees, now if I can find a mango tree with fruit I'll be happy. This place is almost as rolly as the last. So will be moving on shortly further north looking for warmer waters. Also got a hot date with the B&G tech. in Mackay is the main reason for moving everyday.

Next 40nm day hop carried me across the Tropic of Capricorn. I'm officially in the tropics, but the temps are still in the 20's/70's and colder at night. Anchored of a placed called Cape Capricorn for the night. It's way to rolly to stay any longer then necessary. Need to move north for warmer weather as soon as the sunrise.

Picked up a mooring at the entrance to Pancake Creek after a good sail from Lady Musgrave Island. Undetermine how long we will stay here, hopefully only the night. Need to move north for warmer weather. Still in the 60's to low 70's.

Stayed almost a week at Lady M. with Silhouette, Tregoning and Bare Foot (the Americans). Had up to 2 dozen boats there at one time. After the bad weather went, so did the boats.

Anchored inside the atoll of Lady Musgrave Is. at the southern reaches of the Great Barrier Reef. 12 hour sail for 50nm mostly at night meant taking it easy and enjoy the ride. Been awhile since I've done a night sail was okay until the winds picked up to over 20, glad I alaready had the reef in the main, 'cause I would hate to do that in the rain. 100% clouds, look like rain on the way, might be stuck on the boat for awhile.

Anchored at the mouth of the Bundaburg river getting ready to sail to Lady Musgrave Is. at the souther reaches of the Great Barrier Reef. Trying to arrive at high tide means a midnight departure. Sure hope the water is warm.

Anchored of the Kingfish Resort Fraser Island for a few days. Took a land tour to visit the rainforest on a sand dune. Will be headed to Bundy soon.

Departing Scarsborough Marine in the morning. Bundy in a few days.

Finish with all major projects. Almost. Now the waiting game starts, waiting on that almost perfect weather window to sail to New Caledonia and Vanuatu.

Irie II lost the race to Bundy. She decided to stay out sailing and wait for the line of boats wanting a marina berth and the check-in procedure to go away. Plus gave me a little time to clean-up, take a shower, etc.

Well this is a first in a long time, I'm actually purposely sailing slow to be somewhere. A sailboat going slow - that's an oxymoron for you. Like my power boater Anthony always say - Sailing is the only mode of transportation invented by man that if you left in the morning by evening you can still see the place you left from. Even with the time change I gotta wait for the officials to get to work so I can call them on the radio and get permission to enter the harbor and then go thru the check-in procedure.

One of the best 8 day passage I've made. Only got a little rain, winds never over 25, mostly under 10. When I had to use the engine it was at low rpms. Hope the passage back to New Cal and Vanuatu is this easy.

90nm to north of Fraser Is. then another 50 to the marina in Bundeburg. So Arrival on Thursday morning, Nov. 1st Will have to remember to reset my clocks since I'm in a new time zone. So far so good, the only thing broke is that damn Cap Horn wind vane autopilot - AGAIN! It' outta here.

What a difference a day make. what a difference a few hours make. After motoring and a little bit of sailing the winds went from 2kts to 20kts in an hour. Just like the gribs and the weather man said it would. That trough that had been predicted last week showed up on schedule. I had been going slower then normal hoping it would pass before I got close, but it's a big long one so I caught the edge, just a little rain before those winds hit. Me and little brother Sailing south of it hoping to avoid the heavy rains. So for so good. It should be pass before we get to the entrance in 300nm or a little over 2 dys at this speed.

AWOB - havent found any leaks yet.

Wind died about 0200, motor on. Nice calm seas, almost fun. Hoping for some wind so I can turn off that noise. 333nm to go.

AWOB. Been motoring since 2100 last night. still not a sign of any wind. Barometer rising up 2 in the last 4 hrs. 1010 now. Hope that mean wind come soon mon. But of course it's predicted to come from the direction I want to go. Not complaining.

AWOB. After a hour of fixing/rigging that old POS whisker pole and getting it set I got to sail downwind for 3 of the last 24hrs. Then what little wind their was switch to the way I want to go. So motor for most of the day and all night long. With Sunrise came windrise, a whole 6kts. Of course it's from the direction I want to go, but Woopee, all sails out, doing almost 4kts. Gribs wx fcst say I only have 18hrs of this before it start backing to the south and then to the east. So maybe some tacking in my future. Hopefully no more burning dead dinosaurs.

Only 500nm to go. ETA 1st of Nov.

I had planned on not using the engine unless necessary. The wind died and the boat layed beam to the swells, making for the most uncomfortable ride. So it was necessary to turn that noise on to keep the stern into those waves so I can have my morning cup of coffee. 586nm to Bundy and 3 days of this. Oh well maybe the seas will also die, then it will be dead calm. Not complaining, would rather have 3 knots of wind then 40.

AWOB, Just like the gribs said "winds are diminishing", Tomorrow might not be any, so enjoying while I can.

Off to a good start, strong winds and high seas in the 2 meter range. Making good speed for the first day or two. After that forecast is for very light winds for a few days. After that ??????

All checked out leaving in the morning for Bundy, Oz.

Made it to Noumea, New Caldonia around 1500. Started the check-in process today and hope to finish in the morning. In a marina for the first time since leaving NZ 5 months ago. Feel strange, boats everywhere. Big city lights. Big ships. Back to city life again. Almost can't wait to leave and go visit the out islands and reefs next week. That's if I get the engine mounts adjusted/repaired soon. Not to mention all the other boat projects needed, but they can wait, gotta have fun first.

All Good. Trying to make the pass first thing in the morning. If can maintain speed.

Winds still light all day/night. Motor on just before sunset. Still on schedule, since have to hear that noisy engine might as well make some speed, so we might be there Monday morning instead.

going slow, light winds, but at least got a favorable current. Motor might be coming on soon.

Fcst now for very light winds. Checking out today. Will leave Fri/Sat. Next stop Noumea.

On the Mooring in Port Vila waiting on the perfect wx window to sail to Noumea New Caledonia. Hoping before the end of the month.

Luganville, Esprito Santo, Vanuatu

Port Stanley, Malakula, Vanuatu.

Leaving Ambrym

New Island - Epi. Anchored Lamen Bay.

Moved to Epi Island, Vanuatu. Here for a few days with no internet. WooPee!

New anchorage Dillon's Bay, Erromango, Vanuatu.

Motorsailed from Port Vila to Port Resolution. Here to go look down the creator of an active volcano.

Hope nobody's worried, I've been sleeping for 2 days. Arrived in Port Vila, at local midnight Sunday. Although this wasn't the most comfortable trip it was the fastest. I average 6.2kts boat speed for a boat that will only do 7kts. Spent Monday doing check-in dance. Went back to the boat to take a nap and woke up 12 hrs. later. Almost caught up on sleep.

Survived another night. These high winds are kicking butt, but Irie II act like she's enjoying it. Should be arriving Port Vila just after sundown. Will be breaking one of my rules about entering at night because I don't want another night of this shit. Good news - only one layer of cloths. Temp finally high 70's.

Big waves, kicking butt. Boat rolled yesterday evening with boom hitting water and me flying across the cabin. No damage. So change direction so they are not coming off the beam, instead now aft the beam on starboard quarter. Now headed to Port Villa to check in, ETA Monday morning. Port Resolution just don't look good to me in this type of weather. The good news - I may be able to shed these winter cloths soon.

awob, A first for me, I actually seen both ends of a rainbow up close. Must have been at least 20 meters from the boat. Didn't see the pot of gold - must have been 2 miles down. had a few rain squalls doing the night, but no high winds wwith them. Getting warmer but not enough for shorts and t-shirts - maybe tomorrow.

David and Patricia and Mike - thanks for what you all do. Us lurkers appreciate it.

switch to windvane autopilot since elec. was running hot.

350nm to go.

D-shackle on traveler broke, replace with soft shackle. Ran into a couple of squalls doing the night. Winds over 30 but didn't last long.

640nm to go.

switch to windvane autopilot since elec. was running hot.

350nm to go.

switch to windvane autopilot since elec. was running hot.

350nm to go.

Well it may not be the perfect weather for a passage north, but it's good enough for me. Will be leaving NZ saturday morning for Tanna, Vanuatu. I should be able to make those 1000 miles in less then 10days.

Everything irie, Al

test

At anchor in Urquharts Bay after sea trials, then back to the marina and wait on the next weather window to Vanauatu.

Everything Irie, Al

Working on the list of things to do before departure. Depature Date was Mon. 28th, but long range weather forecast don't look great, so may wait on the next wx window.

960nm to go. 0nm travel. Rumb line 960nm.

Everything Irie, except for the butterflies. Al

After 9 days at sea, Irie II delivered poor little Al safely to Marsen Cove Marina, YESTERDAY, where Customs and Bio-security was waiting to help themselves to all the extra food stuffs that was stored just in case it took a month to get here. Only thing broke was that freeking windvane bolt, and since the boat was constanly taking big waves over the deck I have found new leaks down below.

Before departure all vessels are required to give an estimated time of arrival to NZ. I left on the 18th and said I would arrive at 1300 on the 27th Nov. Guess what time I arrived? Too bad there is not a prize for arriving at the exact same time I said I would.

0nm to go. 1207nm travel. Rumb line 1100nm.

Everything Irie, time to dry out. Al

Windvane broke another mounting bolt to the pulleys for the last time - meaning I'm tired of having to repair that POS, it's out of here when I get to NZ. Will be thinking of a replacement. So hook up the bungie cords to the wheel at let the boat drive itself, until the wind switch direction. So back to the elect. auto pilot for the rest of the trip.

175nm to go.

Everything Irie, wet and salty. Al

Rain last night, but not enough to wash the salt off the deck. Elec. autopilot getting error messages. Switch to windvane and it's been hanging in there in this wind all night.

350nm to go.

Everything Irie and wet and salty. Al

Wind died down doing the night so full jib up. Then just before sunrise winds back to over 20kts. 497nm to go. From Fiji 698 Everything Irie and wet and salty. Al

Got the wind I was hoping for, plus 10kts more. Reef main, reef staysail, waiting for it to slack down some. Big waves too. 624nm to go. Everything Irie and wet. Time to put on follies before going outside again.

Al

S/V Irie II still motor sailing for 4 days. Winds picking up. Maybe today is the day to sail. Just wish it was more to the east. A little north wouldn't hurt. Also look like I'm bucking a north flow current. 735nm to go. Everything Irie.

Al

S/V Irie II has become a motor vessel, well at least for the last 3 days. Winds have not been over 12k since I left the pass. Mostly 5-8kts. Not a bad ride. Just not enough wind to make enough speed to beat the next low pressure system with really high winds to NZ, which is due around the 1st. Still have enough fuel to motor a few more days. Winds suppose to fill in tomorrow. 850nm to go. Everything Irie.

Al

Motoring toward the SE so when the wind do come from the SE I can sail toward NZ. Maybe this evening. Not a bad ride, rather motor then try my new 3rd reef in the main sail. Just hope I don't have to motor all the way, don't have that much fuel. 980nm to Marsen Cove. Should arrive in 9 days. Everything irie on Irie II.

Al

Not a bad ride, just that wind indicator at the top of the mast is pointing the way I want to go. 1040nm to Marsen Cove. Should arrive in 9-10 days.

Al

Checking out of Vuda Point Marina, Fiji, later today. Next stop Marsen Cove New Zealand. Only 1100nm. Should arrive in 9-10 days.

Al

Hanging out with the big boys at Port Denarau Fiji waiting on a good weather window. Will be moving over to Vuda Point to check out, maybe this weekend. Next stop NZ. Click on the pic and zoom in to be able to see that little boat. As my friend Dave would say, "Same view - different ca$h flow."

After 21 years we returned to Somosomo village, on the island of Naviti, Fiji to visit the first female village chief of Fiji and her grandson Oscar who was one of our captain/guides on the WBSC trip of 1996. Now at 92, Adi, is one of the oldest village chiefs. She's still very active and not a single grey hair.

Anchored at the world famous filming location of the movie "Blue Lagoon." Yasawas Fiji. Last time here was 21 years ago with the Water Babies Sailing Club. Been here about a week and will be moving on later today.

Anchored off Octopus Resort, Waya Island Fiji, Al

Heading north today.

Arrived 5 days ago. at anchor Malolo Island, Fiji for Musket Cove Regatta.

Al

at anchor Namalata Bay, Kadavu Fiji. Will be leaving tomorrow for Vuda Point/Musket Cove.

at anchor Naqara, Ono Island, Al

Yesterday we arrived in the well protected anchorage off the villiage of Nabouwalu Village, Ono Island. Waiting on another weather system to pass.

Al

Yesterday we arrived in the well protected anchorage off the villiage of Nabouwalu Village, Ono Island. Waiting on another weather system to pass.

Al

Arrived in the well protected anchorage of Kavala Bay, Kadavu around noon Sunday. Now have internet and fake news but I'm still in paradise.

Al

Made it to Matuku yesterday after solo sailor worst fear. Autopilot failure. But was able to heave to in the lee of Kambara to fix loose wire. Al

in Namuka in the southern Lau Group. Leaving after noon for Matuku for a few days, then Kandavu, then the world famous Musket Cove Regatta. Al

Arrived in Namuka in the southern Lau Group late yesterday afternoon. After the next weather system or cold front on Monday or Tue. will start the track to the west. First stop Totoya then Kandavu, then the world famous Musket Cove Regatta. Al

Arrived in Fulanga in the southern Lau Group mid day as planned. What wasn't planned was leaving Susui mid day which meant motoring hard into no wind for the last 12 hrs to catch the tide and the other boats I've been hanging out with since leaving Savusavu. And I though the Bay of Islands was the most scenic place in Fiji, You should see this place.

Al

Vanua Balavu. Susui Is. Leaving this morning for Fulanga in the southern Lau Group. 110nm South of here. Winds are less then what I was hoping for but not as high as they were yesterday. Oh well nothings perfect. And about the time I get close to Fulanga the winds will be from the south. All this equals a lot of motoring in the next 24 hrs. Hoping friends are still there when we get there.

Al

Vanua Balavu. 1st 3 days anchored off Susui Is. Next 2 days in Bavatu Harbor. Now in the world famous Bay of Islands. It don't get much better then this.

Al

Enjoying being away from it all in Vanua Mbalavu.

Al

Took advantage on light winds to motor from Paradise Resort, Taveuni to Vanua Mbalavu.

Al

On a Mooring, Paradise Resort, Taveuni Al

I left Savusavu about this time last year for Vunda Point to go work on the engine/transmission. A year later I'm leaving to go to go cruising. Headed for Taveuni then the Lau Group and then Suva, etc. Engine temp. still not acting right. If you can't fix it, it ain't broken. I give up and will just have to live with the higher readings. Al

Made it to Savusavu on Thur, before the rain started this weekend. Engine temp. still not acting right, but not overheating. I give up and will just have to live with the higher readings. Got mailsail fitted. A few more things to fix and then off to see Fiji outter islands and get away from the big cities.

Hope to leave Rakiraki anchorage today for Suvasuva. Tried 2 days ago, too ruff. The winds are less then 20kts this morning so maybe I and the other 3 boats can make it across Bligh Passage..

Finally got engine issues under control. Time to go cruising, will be leaving Latouka VitiLevu Fiji today for Suvasuva, with several stops along the way, to join up with the rest of the bunch from NZ and get my main sail from Silhouette.

Irie II back in the water at Vunda Point Marina. Time to finish engine alignment and put the sails back on and go somewhere.

Irie II now in the PIT at Vuda Marina until cyclone season is over. Al will be back in the USA for a few weeks.

Got bored waiting on Silhouette so went gunk holding in the MaManutha Island Group. To see my track go to blog and click on SPOT.

Back in Vuda Point for some mail and provisioning and to visit Bob. And a little engine work - air in fuel system, and to trouble shoot watermaker, and to get scuba tanks inspected, and to . . .

Arrived Musket Cove at 1500 on 17/09/16. Tranny repaired. I hope. Now to go see some of Fiji. Starting with the festivies at Musket Cove resort. It's been awhile since I've been to a party. Think I drank too much last night, but heck it's my birthday.

Arrived Vuda Point Marina at 1500 on 28/07/16. Tranny getting worst, took about a minute to engage. all checked in, rested and now to find some parts to fix that darn tranny. Other then that - All Good.

0900eta to Navula Pass and then to Vuda Point Marina to fix that tranny, Other then that - All Good.

Just south of Savu, heading for Vuda Point. Making good time but not good enough to make it before dark,Will heave to and wait.

Transmission still acting up, had to sail out of SavuSavu. Other then that - All Good.

Leaving Savusavu Tuesday for Vuda Point. Transmission issues to be repaired there. Will sail all the way and save that slipping tranny until I need it. Other then that - All Good.

Arrive Savusavu, just in time to pay the overtime fees. Yeah All Good.

55nm to go to get to people and internet and restaurants and bars and worst of all, taxes and fees. Oh well it was a good trip. All Good.

A couple rain showers last night with more rain clouds to the north of me. All Good.

After raising anchor a couple of whales came by and said bye. Right whales inside N. Minerva reef. On the way out fish ate my lures.

Moved to the south side yesterday after the rain stopped. Will be leaving for Suvasuva, Fiji before noon.

Raining for the last 12 hrs. A little after midnight winds switched to the SSW, then picked up to 25-30kts. Winds slowly dropping for the last 2hrs. Thinking the cold front came a little earlier then the GRIBs forecasted.

Moved to the Northside of N. Minerva since the wind went that way. Plan on leaving for Fiji after the cold front passes, Fri or Sat.

waiting to leave for Fiji

Arrive North Minerva Reef just before sunset yesterday. It's a lot calmer inside at high tide then S.M. Only boat here until this morning. Someone called me on the VHF at sunrise, then took a look at the AIS and she is also coming in. Oh well so much for paradise to myself. The other 3 boats I made the crossing with are still in S. Minerva with plans on coming here soon and then to Tonga. I'm the only one planning on going to Fiji from here unless the incoming yacht is headed that way.

Leaving for North Minerva Reef sometime this morning.

At Anchor insaide South Minerva Reef. Caught a small Wahoo. Might be here for a week according to the weather report. Winds and waves still strong for the next few days and then switch from the north in a few days, and that's the direction I want to go. At least I can sleep for a few hours instead of minutes.

Still Rock and rolling. Gremlins chewed the Reefing line to the second reef point just before dark. Was going to drop a sail about that time anyway, just not the main, to slow down to be able to make the passed thru South Minerva reef after sunrise. At 0700 I'm 7nm away. Will let the sun get a little higher to be able to see the reef better. And to listen to the weather report from Gulf Harbor to see how long I can stay. And try to catch a fish for breakfast.

Engine Start Battery dead. If it wasn't illegal I would throw it overboard to save weight. Burial at sea. Easy fix, just turn a switch to the house bank. Just can't run them down low or else no engine start. Seas getting bigger coming from the stern quater, really making for a rock and roll ride, but I'm not complaining, just enjoying being at sea. Now if it gets any worst . . .

Good day yesterday, was able to take one layer of clothing off - foul weather gear, but keeping it close by, just in case it start raining again. Getting warmer, almost 60 deg. F. Might be able to take off the next layer today. Had been close by 2 other boats the first 2 days because we were motoring, now the winds are here they are gone, Them big sailboats can really move when the wind shows up, but they don't motor that fast.

Winds gusty to 20knts. Put a 2nd reef in the main with stay sail. Made things a litle comfortable. About half way to Minerva reef.

Been motoring since Marsen Cove, 36HOURS non stop. Winds pickup around midnight. All sails up, engine off.

Been motoring since Marsen Cove. at least another day of this cold, no wind rainy weather. at least the curent good.

In Marsen's Cove, Checking out of NZ 14 June, heading for Fiji via Minerva Reef.

In Marsen's Cove, doing a few sea trials the past few days, Heading back to Town Basin in the morning for final preparations to depart next week for Fiji.

docked at Town Basin, Whangarei

listened carefully to the wx approaching!

still in Tongatapu

anchored Panigai Motu

on mooring

at anchor

In Marina

on mooring, leaving early afternoon