Mackay 8 Day Mile Builder
Our Mackay 8 Day Mile Builder may look a little like this.
This mile builder will depart and return to Mackay and explore the Southern Whitsunday Islands which are at Mackay’s doorstep. With a multitude of protected anchorages, island hopping and the Great Barrier Reef providing protection from the ocean swell, this is a good introduction to the cruising life and for those new to sailing.
The sail will be throughout the Whitsunday Islands.
The mile builder is an opportunity for those wishing to gain sea miles, experience sailing at night, consolidate skills or just experience the cruising lifestyle.
There is the option to complete sail training whilst aboard (RYA Certificate) including RYA Competent Crew, Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper.
There will be all levels of experience aboard with participants completing different courses based on his/her level of experience. Netty will tailor the learning to meet each participants learning goals whilst also ensuring each participant develops the confidence and skills/knowledge to continue safe and harmonious sailing into the future.
Please note, for safety and comfort of our sail, routes and anchorages will be altered to suit our variables – weather and tide.
Day One
Mackay Marina to Keswick/St Bees Island
- Dinghy ashore to explore
- Anchor overnight
- Distance: 18nm
- Sail training includes knots, lassoing, manoeuvring in tight spaces, berthing, helming, sail plan and points of sail; anchoring and safe tender usage; safety.
Day Two
Keswick/St Bees to Brampton Island
- Dinghy ashore to explore
- Anchor overnight
- Distance: 22nm
- Sail training includes navigation, passage planning, meteorology, tides/tidal streams, Crew Overboard, safe downwind sailing (setting a preventer and goosewinging)
Day Three
Brampton Island to Goldsmith Island
- Anchor overnight
- Swim, snorkel, walk
- Distance: 10nm
- Sail training includes heaving to, knots, helming, passage planning, Day/Coastal Skippers ‘skippering’ for the day; individual ‘presentations’ on a relevant topic.
Day Four
Goldsmith Island to Whitsunday Island (Whitehaven Beach)
- Anchor overnight
- Distance: 30nm
- Sail training will include sailing on/off a mooring; Crew Overboard practice; a night sail and pilotage; preventative engine checks and trouble shooting.
Day Five
Whitsunday Island to Hook Island
- These islands are the main tourist islands offering a multitude of protected anchorages, swimming and snorkelling sites and magnificent walking tracks. We will choose an anchorage based on the weather.
- Anchor overnight
- This day will be a rest day with opportunity to swim, walk, snorkel or just rest and read a book.
Day Six
Hook Island to Thomas Island
- Anchor overnight
- Distance: 35nm
- Sail training will include each participant skippering for the day with passage planning incorporated; anchoring/weighing anchor; sail choice and trim.
Day Seven
Thomas Island to Brampton Island
- Anchor overnight
- Distance: 20nm
- Sail training will focus on consolidating all the skills learnt throughout the sail and complete each participants presentation.
Day Eight
Brampton Island to Mackay Marina
- Following breakfast there will be time to dinghy ashore to explore the abandoned resort or walk up to the peak.
- We will then sail back to Mackay with the aim to be back in the marina by 1700
