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I am hoping to cruise the Whitsundays about this time next year and would appreciate any hints, tips or advice from others that have done this. I have got the "100 Magic Miles of the Great Barrier Reef - The Whitsunday Islands" which has been good reading. I will be travelling with the Admiral and the dog and would like to do a few months up there. (ain't retirement grand ).

I have a 2011, (Sea Shadow), garmin GPS and Sounder, Tack tick wind tranducer (and accompanying compass, mast rotator indicator), a delta anchor with 10m of chain rode and 50m of rope. I have also fitted an Origo two burner fuel stove and new S/Steel sink and about to fit two Caramo Sirocco fans.

I am looking at solar power, water storage and would appreciate advice in what others have done here. I am also looking at a lazy jack system (making it myself), and a reefing system that will go back to the cockpit. An autopilot would be nice as well.

I would also appreciate any advice on places to wet the bottom of the boat on the way up from Melbourne?

Hi Sea Shadow

Ya lucky B

One of the reasons we bought a Mac (5 years ago) was because there is no way in hull we could have done the Whitsundays in our Careel 18!

Unfortunately it still hasn't happened, but we will get there sometime in the next 3 years

Solar, I have a 120 watt panel which normally keeps my fridge powered while still keeping the batteries full. Water, we have a 50 litre bladder under the galley for washing up, tooth brushing etc. Drinking, we have about 7 x 15 litre containers bought from Woolies. Has worked fine in our cruises. Most say you need a tender in the Whitsundays, but many also say that inflatables (even the expensive ones) can't take the climate.

Plenty of worthy cruising places on the way up. As to QLD, Gold Coast/Moreton bay, Great Sandy Straits/Hervey Bay, They Keppels etc.

To be honest, you will get a great deal more useful info by searching, and by posting on Trailer Sailer place. Plenty of guys there have cruised the whitsundays and some that live around there. Yes, there is still the odd childish or ignorant comment re: Macs on TSP, but by and large a helpful friendly bunch. There is already a few threads on the whitsundays. Heres a couple:

http://www.trailersailerplace.com.au/ph ... ys#p133009

http://www.trailersailerplace.com.au/ph ... hitsundays

http://www.trailersailerplace.com.au/ph ... p?f=6&t=52

few bits here that may be of help
http://www.trailersailerplace.com.au/ph ... m.php?f=41

some interesting vids:
Hope to meet up with this crowd one day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOiru5i-zxE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCeIvp-axN0

For some real inspiration, see Simons videos of his trip in his 20 foot spacesailer trailer sailer from Moreton bay to the Whitsundays. Would love to do this in the Mac some day....
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfFF_e ... BK34DGfIZg

Lucky bastards is all I can say.....beyond that we have fitted out our X to do what you propose.
Solar.....electricity and protection were our main criteria....refrigeration is the biggest and most constant load,so as much panels as you can, we have 200W....would like more
Solar.....protection dodger,front bimini and rear bimini allowing at least 2 or 3 people to always sit in the shade
Auto pilot YEAH....makes for a unpaid/unfed crew member...we at least would not do without one,the ability to walk away from the helm if you spent weeks on the water is great...ours can be linked to our chart plotter but that's not necessary as we don't "passage make"
We also made a cover/wind catcher/shade thingy for our front hatch,strung using bungy cord and adjustable slide hooks...great for ventilation.
Terry towelling covers for the cockpit cushions,cheap lock together plastic holey foam tiles both for inside and outside floors...sand falls thru and you get reasonably sand free feet...nice in bed and in the cockpit dry feet.
Rechargeable vacuum...I know but it works...can also get wet and dry ones.
We have a outside cold shower linked to our water pressure system and a tray you stand in to catch the water for later use

Our Macs are ideal for the Whitsundays so long as you mind the weather, you cand still get caught with wind against tide and richochet off islands which make it uncomfortable but all part of the fun.
If you get your tides right you can skip over the reefs and onto a beach while the real sailboats are bobbing around outside and then get out at half tide next day onto the next island, mind the midges though especially around hill inlet.

Thanks so far to those that have given me a few tips. Still trying to gather as much as I can. Took the plunge today and ordered a Raymarine EV-100 Wheel autopilot. Now for some solar power and water storage