INVESTIGATOR 563

Yes David, pushing against tide and current more often than I would have preferred. I bought a Tohatsu Sail Pro 6hp four stroke, mainly because it was about the smallest capacity, light weight, with a 12v outlet. The motor has been great, average 1 litre per hour at 5kn, but the water ingestion has ...

You're too kind David and Andrew, you may notice that I'm a downwind sailor but we all have our limitations. I forgot to mention that because of time schedule and being somewhat of a coward, I wanted to get to planned anchorages before dark where possible, so I had no compunction about running the e...

Thanks David and Andrew. Here are a few reflections on the trip - I had to rush the voyage to get back for medical stuff, but decided to do it anyway so that next time I can stop and really enjoy the most interesting places. The yacht was amazingly stable, I didn't abort a single day due to weather,...

It depends on what type of sailing you are doing. The amount of stuff I end up cramming into Secret Chord is amazing, so a lot of it ends up in the v berth area. For day sailing or a weekend with one or two would probably be ok. I use the quarter berth only, I did follow a suggestion to fit a board ...

Hi Andrew and Ozzie, I am back at Topaz and would have welcomed a visit. I'll just complete this saga - I felt a bit in need of a couple of days relaxation so headed to Magnetic Island where I enjoyed the marina, hired a scooter and took a ferry trip to Townsville. Following this it was off to Hinch...

We motored to Scawfell Island next day, good sailing in afternoon, almost at Whitsundays. I've had no phone reception since Yeppoon, and miss it mainly for weather forecasts. Early start the next day, and cruised past St Bees, Brampton and stopped at Shaw Island. Shaw is a rugged island, and after a...

Welcome from me too Franklin. A lot of the joy of boating is in the anticipation, they can be a bit like a meditation to distract us from all the noise of life.
Bargains do appear from time to time, good luck and welcome aboard.

Hi Andrew. I have an Autohelm ST 1000 pilot, it's adequate for anything under 15 knots, but I prefer to hand steer when the wind gets up a bit. I had a nice stay at Gladstone Marina, it's Government owned, but a great spot. I headed up The Narrows, had a lousy sleep on a very sheltered area at Black...

I'm having a great sail, having left Maryborough Marina on Monday. Went to west coast of Fraser Island for two nights, rain, cold strong winds. Sailed to Bundaberg and anchored in harbour (don't tell anyone), then headed off next morning for 1770. Still wind and rain, and unlike James Cook, I decide...

I'm certainly no Steven Spielberg, Edsped, but I'll try and improve. The video sailing near Pentecost Island ran for far longer, but only 20 seconds would load. And to think I once worked in films .