PUZZLE ON PASSAGE May to September 2025

Puzzle at Peel. Photo by Robert Balch 

Watermaker installation completed and it was time to Return to Albany 

Watermaker

At the end of February our new house build in Albany commenced. We stayed in touch with the building by phone and photo. By the time we returned at the end of March, footings and ground works were complete. During the next 3 months work went ahead at quite a pace. By July framing and roofing were well advanced when we headed back to Manly. 

While we were away Puzzle was left in the very capable hands of Pam and Jon TWEED our very good Manly friends. She was under the very scrupulous eye of Jon who ran engines and repaired locks and made sure she was clean and dry and in perfect condition when we returned. We were eternally grateful and so lucky to have such good cruising mates right there!

Excited by a visit from our wonderful
friend Maree of Red Roo fame

 When we arrived we spent a few weeks in the Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club Marina while David installed new house batteries. Weather permitting, we spent several days at a time out on the Bay, always keeping an eye open for calm weather in order not to embarrass ourselves berthing when we returned.

In horseshoe Bay Peel Island we. cought 
up with Robert on Taipan. Was just great 
to have both boats side by side on anchor

We were lucky to come across an excellent electrician during the battery job as a few unusual issues surfaced during that process. Puzzle strikes again!!  Clint from ADL Electrical went above and beyond, interrupting his busy schedule to get us back out on the water. 

 By August Puzzle was ready to go. We had decided to head north to the Whitsundays and leave Puzzle in a pen in Mackay under the sharp eyes of another cruising friend. Having already aborted the first attempt to head north at Mooloolaba a couple of weeks earlier because of another battery issue (main starting batteries) we elected to do another shake down in the bay before the next attempt.  

Bit of weather. coming at Caniper

Leaving Manly, we went down into the Bay checked out systems on anchor, sat out a bit of a storm and then headed to Bribie Island from where, next morning, we left for Mooloolaba. It was a good run with lovely weather and whales for company. After couple of nights in Mooloolaba to stock up on oysters, and in perfect conditions, we made a 2.00am start to head straight to Wide Bay Bar. Always a little  daunting and never taken for granted, bars need to be crossed with high tide, little wind and as little current in or out as possible. Waves can build alarmingly when there is wind against current and a big following sea is pretty alarming in a shallow draft boat without a big rudder. Remembering that we're only and 8 to 9 knot boat, it's important to get it right. And we did. 

Wide Bay Bar

Once inside Fraser Island we motored up to a lovely anchorage called Gary's Anchorage where we spent a comfortable night catching up on lost sleep and congratulating ourselves on getting the first leg north done and dusted. We were out in unprotected waters for the first time in Puzzle.

Gary's Anchorage

The next challenge was Sheridan Flats which, at low tide, dries completely. Once again accurate tide charts and perfect timing are critical. In somewhat overcast conditions but with little wind the Flats were negotiated successfully and along with several other boats we continued north to anchor at Big Woody Island. Towards the end of that leg we were treated to a display of breaching and slapping at close quarters by two whales. 

 The season for these leviathans is well underway and the something like  40,000 whales which make the journey north and south up the coast every year both surprise and delight sailors and stink boat drivers pretty regularly. Big  sailing races have been having trouble getting insurance during the migration season as whales are now so prevalent and do pose quite a danger to fast moving vessels and to all vessels at night.

This this coastal passage is not new to us having traversed this coast at least 5 times in Taipan but a shallower draft vessel, and motoring, is a new experience. There are more doors open, in that more distance can be travelled in daylight because were reliably faster, and more predictable arrival times are possible.

Next stop, Burnett River, Bundaberg. After a long bumpy day we arrived in the river anchorage adjacent to the marina and enjoyed another good night's sleep at anchor. With the weather still holding, we carried on next morning for Pancake Creek, a long day with roughly 60nm to cover. Good following wind and reasonable sea state meant another good day and and early arrival. That entrance is bared and we crossed at low but there is sufficient water on that one. 

Gladstone YC

From Pancake Creek we headed to Gladstone and getting the tide right here makes a big difference to the trip, An incoming tide carried us the 65 nm into the Gladstone Marina where we intended to top up the fuel and do a couple of days catching up with some friends we'd met in the Bay earlier in the year. Brian and Eva on Zofia were also headed south with the boat sold, subject to survey they had a deadline. It was great to touch base and Gladstone marinas facilities make dining at the cruisers facilities very pleasant. This plan was somewhat extended as a southerly system came through locking us down in the marina for 10 days. With very friendly marina staff and great facilities, we spent some time with walks, trips to town and to the Yacht Club for dinners. Gladstone, once the largest sugar port in Australia is now a big coal exporting port and instead of sugar, its molasses which is shipped out.

Early start

The next leg ment some research and decent up to date charts. After  agonising over the options we decided to do the infamous “Narrows". This route cuts of a fairly significant distance but navigation is tricky and once again the timing is critical. There’s a 5NM section of this route which dries out completely on every tide. Many years ago we did this route in Taipan (draft 2.2m) from North to South so we knew that with Puzzles much reduced keel depth (1.4m) and the correct tide we could make it through.

Just another beautiful morning at anchor

We must have had a good high tide when we came through with Taipan because we only had 600mm under the keel on Puzzle as we crossed the shallow section, It was a very well marked Chanel and easy to follow. No real page turners here! 

Underway, Photo by Petra Hughes

Carrying on to Great Keppel Island, and with the weather remaining remarkably cold, the temptation to keep going north after the delay in Gladstone was too strong so with good following sea and light wind, we kept going north the next morning.  Another 70nm had us safely tucked up in Island Head Creek. We had looked into Pearl Bay enroute but it looked a little rolly so we continued. 1770, another anchorage en route, is apparently not that well charted with a very shallow bar so we also passed that one by as well.

Curlew Island next day is a pretty spot and we had it all to ourselves this time. Onto the southernmost island, Keswick Island Whitsunday next day. Here we had arranged to meet Ase and Mike on the catamaran Thor. We'd had many lovely social interactions with them in the Bay previously. Dinner aboard Puzzle became quite unexpedly eventful when, at about 10pm, there was a lot of loud roaring and splashing. Noises we've never before heard from whales, for whales were what was making that racket. They sounded like scrub bulls. This commotion took place within 50 meters of Puzzle and Thor was anchored about 50m behind Puzzle. It was decided it would be prudent to drink some more red wine and take stock... the wine stock ... to allow the whales time to move on. This waiting/drinking, stretched out into the wee small hours with Mike and Ase meandering home at about 3am. It was a late start the next day for Thor and sad farewell as they were heading south and we were heading north. Ships in the night!!

From Keswick we went to Mackay Marina to organise the pen for Summer. Whilst there, some anchor windlass work was accomplished. We'd been having issues with the chain not breaking when the clutch was tightened and after much deliberation and lengthy calls to Maxwell in Capalaba it was revealed that several parts were actually absent... not there ... missing... from the windlass!!! It always helps to have all the bits properly installed and this usually means making sure you do it yourself! Ultimatly a $6.00 part!! caused us to have to wait about an extra 4 days because of a stuff up by Australia post. In spite of paying overnight. It did completely fix the problem however so that was some consolation.

Shaggers.

Our next destination was Gloucester passage and the Shaggers Annual Reunion. This event takes place at a small resort every year and is very well attended by cruisers. There were over 100 boats on the anchorage. We arrived early and had a good spot partaking in daily events and socializing. Weather was spectacular for the most part. Some windy afternoons did prove to us that the access to Puzzles Duckboard can become hazardous from the dinghy in decent swell. We made sure to get aboard before it got too rough. Another learning curve and another puzzle to solve. 

Walking trail at Sawmill
Beach 

The rest of the season was spent in the Whitsunday Island group where lots of anchorages with good shelter are available. Weather had warmed  up and  PUZZLE was fulfilling our expectations. We'd done approximately 700nm up the Queensland coast without incident and using less fuel than we’d calculated. Average speed was round 7+ knots at 17/1800rpm so there were still more horses if we needed them. 

Sawmill beach

Port Newry

At the beginning of October with Puzzle securely tucked away in Mackay Marina for cyclone season, we returned home to Albany to check on building progress. Most of the internal framing was up and external wrap secured. The roof was on, with most flashing, painted eaves and guttering finished. 

Since  returning there have been lots of building decisions to make and some gardening etc to fill in the time. Presently we have the build at lock up and look forward to some rapid progress over the coming months The plan is to get back to Puzzle in May/June. 

Most recently a cyclone crossed the coast not far north of Mackay. We left Taipan pretty much stripped of clears and covers and with lots of doubled lines and fenders. She fared the assault in fine style thanks to the sharp eyed Peter, our very good friend, boat minder and slip owner. Indebted again. More cartons of red wine on order!!! Puzzles second Cyclone in less than 2 years!! Is she a secret cyclone magnet?? Go puzzle!

Thats it from Team Puzzle for now.

All the Best to everyone for 2026

"PUZZLE" QUEENSLAND. MARCH 2025

The boat will be fun once all the work is done! So we keep telling ourselves. David is in his element. Upside down in a hole sniffing fibreglass.

Having attended to the mechanical stuff inside we left "Recovery" in Manly,  after purchasing her in early September.

Returning from WA in January we had a list of underwater jobs to do.

The passage to Boatworks was uneventful and we were lucky to have good friends and cruisers Pam and Jon to accompany us. Our first night out was on anchor and we were a little concerned about the windlass performance. Switching seemed a little dodgy. Initially we thought it was windlass clutch slipping but it became apparent that the actual switch was not disengaging. Another thing to check.

After one night on the dock at Boatworks we were hauled out and choked ready for business. And a lot of business too! Watsons had been booked about 3 months previously and were right onto their jobs. 

Pulling shaft for balancing, inspecting rudder bearing, replacing PSS Seal, and balancing propeller, replacing two cutlass bearings and installing a rope cutter. This took several days and there were no nasty surprises except that the removal of cutlass bearings was laborious. The guys recon'd they built the cutlass bearings then built the boat around them! Then a pretty gold coat of Propspeed was applied to the propellor and rudder. Now it looked like the dollars spent were worth it.

Clean fuel tanks

Sweep Marine were also engaged to pump out and clean out the two tanks, polish the fuel and refill one tank to see how much the tanks hold. It was confirmed that the tankage is 800lt per tank. This ment the boat had a bit of a list when we relaunched but it feels good to know you have clean fuel and clean tanks when you have but one engine and no sails! We also have nice pictures of the inside of each tank, new gaskets and some peace of mind.

Michael, David's brother gallantly stepped up agreeing to come over to help out with some jobs on the hard. With no fridge, (it decided not to restart when we returned from WA) it was a bit of a challenge. 38 deg days and very humid with it. No aircon on the hard either. Between Michael and I we got the new washing machine installed, the old fridge out and some galley improvements. A new Sarca #6 Anchor and 10mm chain with new chain gypsy to suit, was installed.

Print Image printed and applied the new signage and after just 2 weeks we were antifouled by CAS (who are fabulous,) and relaunched as "PUZZLE". Go figure!  Still no fridge but ice from the Galley Restaurant saved the day.

Puzzle was in a pen at Boatworks for a couple of days of system inspections before we headed off down the Coomera river for some sea trials. (Well, waterway trials!) We were still fridgless. The refrigerator was deemed F@#*% so a new Vitrifrigo was on order but the container was stuck on the wharf while wharf people did what wharf people do. Don't ask!

Anchored at Currigee we launched the Dingy and much to our delight, the motor started first pull. The dingy is nameless and pretty old but seems to hold air just fine. The motor is a 2 stroke Mercury 2001 model. We had assumed it would be toast, but were thrilled to have a working tender. That first anchorage was a bit eventful however. The windlass, true to our suspicions, was faulty, and after Michael and David had to haul the anchor by hand we slunk back to Boatworks to investigate. The fun didn't stop there. On attempting to reverse onto the pen, both the thrusters stopped. Me... minor panic! The crew were on it though and we managed a not terribly graceful docking without anyone or anything getting damaged. Discovering (after docking fortunately,) that the engine wouldn't start .

David in his happy place

An electrician was called; a few wires on the windlass dangling here and there were replaced and the Thrusters, Windlass and Starter Motor were all given their own breakers. Previously they had shared only one breaker which was why we had multiple failures.

The fridge arrived and we used a Boatworks courtesy ute to pick it up. The big strong guys from CAS Antifouling gave us hand to get it aboard. The door was on the wrong side so after several Youtube videos and much bad language we managed to change the door and wangle the thing into the old fridge hole. It was of course "exactly" the same size.... NOT! So some carpentry was called for but eventually we had refrigeration. Nice fridge with nice freezer.

At last we were ready to head home to our berth in Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club in Manly. Once again Jon and Pam agreed to come as backup team and we left the pen at Boatworks confident that we'd got most of the niggly issues nailed. After anchoring at Jumpinpin without issue we spent a relaxing afternoon and evening soaking up the cruising life we all so missed. Onward next day to Dunwich and an opportunity to sample the new Brewery.

My experience on the helm being very limited, we elected to overnight at St Helena Island and make our entry into the marina at dawn. This way no one would be looking and the wind would be negligable. The plan worked and with great directions from the team we docked without incident.

In the pen, it's back to work of a different kind. 

Watermaker installation. 

Watermakers Australia 240V 160Lt per hour. 

So many hours, so many trips into the bilge, so many times the entire wardrobe is pulled out and lain on the bed. So much stinking fibreglass resin!!!

Oh but wait! there's a cyclone coming! To Brisbane??? Yes. Its the first one in 50 years. Must be global warming! Oh but, wait, wait, wait, Alfred is just cruising down the coast chewing out the beaches on the way down and causing minor panic among boat owners. Tie down everything and fill the skips with all that crap on deck you thought you might need but now realize you don't have anywhere to keep it. And still Alfred ambles south, doing a few pirouettes on the way to keep the weather gurus on their toes. 

A lot of rain at MBTBC

 

Waiting,waiting!

Team Puzzle decided to abandon the boat and hole up on the local Pub. one night... two nights... Three nights!! Enough!! Back aboard on the Saturday night, things finally hotted up. The wind piped up to around 50 knots overnight but we slept pretty well aboard Puzzle. No one sustained any damage and appart from the endless rain it wasn't any problem. We did have flights booked to Melbourne cancelled but managed to get out on the Monday.

Three days of rest and recreation with english friends in Daylesford then on to visit Ley and Neil, cruising friends in Williamtown for three days. Finally stopping off in Sydney on the way back for 3 days with Jo and Patrick, our trusty swabby and Taipan crew.

OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR EXHIBITION
https://seaworks.com.au/events/ocean-photographer/

Returning to Brisbane and aboard Puzzle for more watermaker installation.

LOOKING BACK GOING FORWARD 18th Feb 2022

 

I know this post is long overdue!. We've had a very busy year and I will endeavour to bring everyone up to date over the next few weeks. Going right back a whole year to catch up so here's the first instalment.

On the 7th of December 2022, we departed Boatworks bound for WA. 2500nm The Queensland borders were due to open to the rest of Australia and Omicron outbreaks were inevitable. Passing up the opportunity to cruise Morton Bay we instead elected to head on south, directly to Tasmania. Tasmania was still Covid free and Tasmanians were still welcome in Fortress WA. 

The trip downriver to the Seaway at Southport, where we had decided to Anchor for the night, was without incident and the boat was skimming along smoothly and quietly under motor. After the Gearbox rework this was encouraging. Electing to carry on instead of anchor, we left the Seaway on dusk and headed south expecting to forge on directly to Tasmania. 1500nm. The seas got rougher the further south we went and with it the engine noise increased to a point we knew we had a problem. There was a serious knock coming from somewhere. Not the gearbox but we suspected one or more engine mounts were broken. At Port Stevens, 325nm south, we went in for further inspection.

Some nice sailing.

Dave and Pattie Bowden, cruising friends from back in 2002, live in Port Stevens and they spotted us from their balcony, phoned to offer advice re anchorages and to arrange a catch-up. We had established that the exact 4 engine mounts we needed were in stock in Newcastle about an hour's drive south. Dave immediately insisted on driving down to pick them up, so within no time we had moved into Soldiers Point Marina, with new engine mounts aboard, and with no idea how to go about fitting same!!. All the mechanics were.. "flat out until mid March at least" So armed with spanners and a lot of patience David carefully measured the mount placements and numbers of threads showing etc and then one by one using a small hydraulic jack, he undid and raised the engine off each mount enough to slide out the old one and slide in the new one, tightening each one just so.... each time. 

Wonderful Sculptures dockside at Soldiers Point Marina

There were lots of bits of the engine to be removed including, at the last, the alternator and heavy mounting and big Jabsco damage control pump. It took 5 long weary dirty days to complete the work and Dave and Patty fed us and fettered us on several occasions as well as providing much largesse from their amazing vegetable gardens. We were in Port Stevens for 10 days and pleasant as it was, we needed to get moving. Tasmania was due to open its borders and that would mean WA closing the gate on Tasmania and anyone who was coming in from there.

WA had announced it would open the borders on the 5th of February but we had serious doubts based on the rapid spread of Omicron which was now occurring. On the 19th we set sail south again with the noises all gone. There was some pretty serious weather off Sydney and Pittwater but even in the roughest conditions, the engine was still purring away quietly. Port Hacking provided shelter for a night during a strong southerly wind shift and the next day we were able to continue to Eden to await weather for the Bass Strait crossing.

Unable to go ashore for fear of compromising our entry into Tasmania, we stayed aboard and were able to continue on south on the 23rd, 222nm, arriving at Lady Baron Flinders Island on the 24th of December. Looks like Xmas alone in Flinders Island while we try to negotiate the G2G pass bullshit. These passes are issued electronically and are only valid for 24 hours. Einstein!! you can't sail from Eden to Tasmania in a small boat in 24 hours. So eventually we negotiated permission to enter. God it's worse than all the international borders we've negotiated in the past 18 years!!!

Xmas 2022 at Lady Baron Flinders Island

A very quiet Xmas was spent at Lady Baron, also not going ashore, then the wind changed and we had to go for cover to a pretty doubtful bay at Orchard Point on the north of Cape Baron Island. Nothing there. It may have been nice walking but the weather was foul and it was blowing dogs off chains so we tucked in for a couple of nights. We had also discovered that the alternator bracket had loosened and was hanging on only one of its 7 bolts. It transpired that when one replaces these bolts after removing them one must use new bolts as the act of tightening them originally stresses them too much to reuse. Lesson learned.

Flinders to the Tamar River Tasmania

Fixing stuff. Missing bolts!

Beautiful Port Dalrymple Yacht Club

On the 27th at the break of dawn, we crept out and headed to The Tamar River  85nm. First decent sailing day in weeks. Made it into the anchorage at Port Dalrymple before dark and had a very nice quiet night's sleep. The Port Dalrymple Yacht Club is super friendly and has one of the best fuel docks anywhere. Here we managed to get a taxi into Launceston and locate and purchase the wretched bolts for the alternator. We took the opportunity, not being in any hurry now that we were in Tasmania, to repaint the bracket and over a couple of days we got everything back together and shipshape. 

Tamar River

Gift of preserves from the lovely manager of the Port Dalrymple Yacht Club

Remember WA was going to open to the rest of Australia on the 5th of Feb. Well by now it was just the 3rd of Jan. The announcement came that the border would remain closed indefinitely and Tasmania was moving to Extreme Risk meaning there's no way to proceed to WA from Tasmania unless you are a football player or tennis player or the Premier!! We had to leave Tasmania before midnight Friday the 5th

There wasn't much in the fridge, cabbage, beetroot a few carrots this and that, and the fuel situation was not ideal but rather than risk any further shore forays we elected to bolt. This proved easier on paper than in reality. Gale forecast for the eastern Bass Strait waters forced us to backtrack and seek the shelter of broad shallow beach west of Stanley. An 0100 arrival time is not ideal in 30+kn. Having re-anchored the following morning, a little further inshore, we settled in to sit out several days with gusts over 40kn. Bouncy, noisy, and generally unpleasant.

On the 7th we were able to motor out in calm conditions, albeit with a somewhat rolling swell remaining. Another pleasant day's sail, passing quite close to King Island and sadly not allowed to visit. In the late afternoon, a fog swept in and it wasn't long before visibility was extremely poor. These conditions continued on and off over the next 12 hours. We were relying on Radar and AIS for ship positions

Holed up off the coast near Stanley Tasmania

On the 9th, just north of Portland Victoria, we caught a darn cray pot line around the Rudder!! It was pretty calm and we were sailing so it didn’t get around the propeller. After a little manoeuvring into the wind, it eventually dropped off. Pots are extremely heavy. No chance of pulling it up. We probably dragged it a couple of km before getting rid of it The night was all sailing and the stars were stunning. They felt like they were falling on you. Can’t remember seeing such bright stars.

With a strong Easterly system bearing down. We had to find a safe gunk hole to wait it out. The sea state gets too sporty with the wind of 30+ against the current. So we headed towards Kangaroo Island to spend a couple of nights on anchor somewhere isolated.

Kingscote King Island

Several anchorages were available in various wind conditions and we used them all over the coming week as the wind swung around the compass before settling to a steady westerly.

American River Anchorage King Island

Kangaroo Island anchorages

Kingscote provided respite although again we were not able to go ashore. Eventually, the wind died and promised to become easterly again so we chanced a couple of light days and with dwindling fuel headed into the Great Australian Bight and made a beeline for Albany, 960 nm west.

The Great Australian Bight.

January 14th. The first 24 hours were slow. Reluctant to use fuel we waffled about making as little as 3 knots at times. While the autopilot would steer, we sailed. The wind arrived and conditions became pretty sporty with a decent following wind wave and a good cross swell from the southern ocean to keep our attention. Cold. It was extremely cold. Fladden suits were absolutely necessary on watch.

Fladden Suits.

We stopped at Middle Island, east of Esperance, on the 19th of Jan, riding big swells into the nice protected anchorage to sit out a few more days of sporty weather. Seriously pretty spot and plenty of squid, but we were still dealing with border control and trying to get permission to enter WA W'ed been isolated at sea since the 18th of December! Stupid Covid rules.

Middle Island

Fortunately Lisa Blair arrived in Albany without permission and someone saw. fit to recognise the fact that shed been at sea alone for 18 or so days so she was granted permission to enter. Lisa kindly gave us her contact in the Police Department and. we were also advised that we were permitted to enter and Quarantine Free. Yipee!! Arriving in Albany on the 22nd of January we were welcomed by many family and friends and escorted in by Jason and family in their little Penguin. Weather couldn't have been better and we were relieved to be finally home with Taipan 19 years since her last berth in Albany.

Arrived