Position Report TEKANI II

"Update from Rosslyn Bay: TEKANI II isn't going anywhere until the weatherman gets his act together and brings some reasonable weather back to sunny (?) Queensland. The remains of Cyclone Fina are still producing strong SE winds with sea and swell to match, and Cyclone Grant is about to start a new life in the Coral Sea after jumping Cape York, probably Saturday AM.

I will make a final attempt to get the Paguro genset repaired and working again at Gladstone Marina where there may even be an electrician who has seen one of these exotic Italian imports, before junking it for one that works.

Happy New Year everybody!"

Position Report TEKANI II

"I had a very enjoyable week at Middle Percy Island. Memories of previous visits on Nialyn and Tekani 1 came flooding back when I found home-made plaques still in the A Frame from 1988 and 1991, both showing Brian and Ivy as crew.

Andrew Martin's cousin Cate Radcliffe is now on Middle Percy, having wrested it back from the villain who conned Andy into giving the island to him for $10 shortly before he died! Read more about Middle Percy Island here.

A magic place, but don't tell the Greenies about those coloured sands at Whites Bay ... some interesting minerals there ?

TEKANI II is in the Marina at Rosslyn Bay near Yepoon for Christmas, waiting for the remains of Cyclone Fina to go away. The small Paguro gen-set has again failed and I won't waste any more money on repairs from electricians who have never seen this exotic Italian import and seemingly can't cure its numerous ailments. It's heading for a watery grave unless the not-very-helpful Brisbane-based distributors can a) fix it and b) convince me to hang onto it when I get close enough to frog-march one of them aboard.

A wind charger and perhaps a far more reliable small Yanmar at a third of the price of the fault-prone Paguro are the way to go. Meantime TEKANI II can continue south without it with no problems.

A very merry Christmas to you all."

Position Report TEKANI II

"Back on line! TEKANI II is anchored at North Keppel Island and the internet is again accessable for the first time in almost 2 weeks. Going in to Rosslyn Bay Marina this morning for fuel, water, scotch and other essentials.

The small Italian gen-set on which the extensive array of electronics, plus freezer and frig, TV, H&C water and other home comforts depend, has died again. Hopelessly unreliable and will be partly replaced by a new generation wind charger ASAP. A bit lke a Lamborghini: expensive, good-looking, but prone to sudden stops at inconvenient times.

Weather so far has not been friendly to anyone sailing south on the Queensland coast despite the forecasters' best efforts to produce northerly, or even easterly winds - they just don't happen. Relentless and consistent southeasters at between 15 knots on a good day and 20/30 knots most days make progress uncomfortable, slow and expensive with the big Perkins helping to butt into strong headwinds with seas to match.

Looks like Xmas either here or somewhere south of Gladstone at this stage."


And while Brian is 'marooned' off Gladstone for Christmas, he dreams, with the help of GOOGLE Earth, of the island of Tekani, now deserted and abandoned, but which he and his family will always remember as it once was when they were all there for Christmas.

Nelligen waterfront property for sale

You have to live somewhere - it may as well be Paradise!

Here's a bit of an advertisement on my own behalf: the sale of our 7-acre-plus property "Riverbend" with almost 400 metres of absolute waterfront near Batemans Bay on the South Coast of New South Wales. For more information go to www.nelligennet.com.

It's the sort of property that is usually passed down the family as there are only a few like it on the Clyde River. I have been here for 18 years and for me it's time to move on - regrettably! - as we plan to live for part of the year in Kalimantan (Borneo) in Indonesia which makes it near-impossible to also maintain such a large property this far south.

The price - for those who can afford it - is very realistic as nearby unimproved waterfront blocks just 1500 square metres in size and with as little as 19 metres of waterfront have recently sold for $750,000. By contrast, "Riverbend" consists of eight titles, comprising approx. 29,200 square metres (see map), is on sale for $2 million, lock, stock and barrel. For those who feel a little financially challenged, I can offer very substantial vendor's finance on below-bank finance terms.

If you're interested, contact me by email to

riverbend[AT]batemansbay.com

Position Report TEKANI II

"At Middle Percy Island sheltering from 25-knot headwind [1 knot = 1.852km]. no cellfone, fm/am radio or tv. Satphone ok for email text or voice calls."

Running repairs off "Riverbend"

My little motor-sailer needed some tender loving care and so, equipped with a can of WD-40 and a bottle of my favourite Pino More, I set to work.

Position Report TEKANI II

"I've stopped listening ... promised northerly winds just don't happen ... 7 a.m. and I'm anchored at St.Bees Island opposite Mackay. Leaving shortly for Middle Percy via Digby Island.

Wind is ESE, almost the exact oppposite of the forecast NE to NW wind. No problem! Chief Engineer Perkins can cope.

Doubtful internet access from here on, so no guarantees on regular contact."

Position Report TEKANI II

"Northerly winds have returned, so TEKANI II is off again. Leaving Abel Point Marina at Airlie Beach after successful repairs to the gen-set by an electrician who found loose connections and other legacies from the work done but not-very-good people supplied by the agents when it was still under warranty....you get what you pay for ☺

Blue skies and light NE wind here at 6 AM; time to go; next long stop Middle Percy Island."

Position Report TEKANI II

Muddy Bay

"I'm anchored in Muddy Bay, around the corner from Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays. Wind is gusting to 30 knots+ ,but a nice muddy bottom, (sea, not mine) means good holding and no problems. This weather will last for a few days at least, so no further moves until the wind gods relent.

The price of diesel fuel has crept up as TEKANI II goes down the east coast. $1.58 in Cairns; $1.62 in Townsville; $1.82 here. A wind change to allow some sailing as opposed to using the motor to get on south would help, but we can motor for 10 hours a day for about $35 worth of fuel, so the chief engineer can expect no rest until the NE wind which should be on by now for at least some of the time comes back."