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."

Position Report TEKANI II

"Arrived in Bowen yesterday after 8 hours motor-sailing into a 10 knot ESE wind that hadn't read the forecast for NE 15. Good internet access here.

The big 50 HP Perkins diesel rumbles away at an economical 1400 RPM in conditions like this and is an asset indeed. Twice the weight of its modern oriental successors and designed to be maintained by the village blacksmith rather than white-coated techies with laptops and surgical skills, it suits this ancient mariner just fine. :-)


I won't linger in the much-hyped Whitsunday Islands, (tourist and bare-boat charter country with prices ashore to match) and will make Middle Percy the next stop for R&R.

Always a spare bunk waiting for any of you who would care to join me."

More and more and then some more information on Middle Percy Island.

Position Report TEKANI II

Click on map to enlarge

"Am off Cape Upstart between Bowen and Ayr. Will update on progress tomorrow from Bowen where internet access should be OK ... one bar here with dropouts to match."


From Captain Cook's Journal during his first Voyage Around the World made in H.M. Bark "Endeavor" 1768-71:

June 1770

"Tuesday, 5th- Winds between the South and East, a Gentle breeze, and Serene weather. At 6 a.m. we were abreast of the Western point of Land above mentioned, distant from it 3 Miles which I have named Cape Upstart, because being surrounded with low land it starts or rises up singley at the first making of it..."

Position Report TEKANI II

"Sorry to leave here. 10 sqare miles of the Great Barrier Reef all to myself and one set of footprints on the beach - MINE !
Hinchinbrook Passage today."

Position Report TEKANI II

After putting in at Mourilyan and departing from there on 19th November, Tekani II has reported in from Garden Island off Cardwell where Brian is putting in some 'lay time'. As he writes, "Too good to leave, so I'm staying here today."


"The speed readout shows what T2 can do under reduced sail, six knots without the mainsail, just the mizzen and headsail ... very relaxing !!"