Dinghy cruising open water adventure to the Great Barrier Reef Part 1

Dinghy cruising open water adventure to the Great Barrier Reef part 1
The
Boats-Oday Daysailer and Core Sound 17

[@alanhamford2538]

Possibly the best dinghy cruise video I've watched.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks so much I am glad you are enjoying them.

[@mosca3289]

Awesome trip. Sure beats watching some dude babbling about what is or isn’t a real blue water boat.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Classic thanks mate.

[@teeanahera8949]

Hi Bruce, your channel just jumped into my feed and living near Bundy I just had to watch. Great content, loved the adventure of it all. As soon as you talked about your sleeping area and having to move gear around my mind jumped to setting up some shelves or way to store your stuff! Lol. Then I imagined what happens in a storm and that little motor chugging away. Now I have to watch part two. Subbed of course.

[@julesmoto9022]

Great watch. Thank you.

[@MAXIMTOOLBOXES]

Great video Bruce . Looked like an amazing trip.

[@christophergodfrey6259]

Thanks for this. I am aspiring dinghy sailor and researching boat types. Looks great.

[@peterbarnes8737]

Great trip Bruce, but a hell of a long way for four days sailing. i guess it was worth it for you. I haven't been to Lady Musgrave and that chain of Islands since 1983 when a Friend and I took our trawlers up that way and spent about three weeks in the general area from lady Elliot to One Tree Island. Been past many times since but never stopped as always in a hurry to get to the Torres Straits or home again. Spent about a week in Musgrave Lagoon. I'd had a Perspex Panel fitted to the bottom of my 12 foot tinny and also fitted a swim platform to the stern of the boat just above the water level. What a good decision that was as I could lay on it and watch fish take our baits and a 12 foot Tiger shark bit massive chunks out of a big ray that I'd caught and drowned him in the process of getting him up and onboard. I'd tied him to a rope and layed there enjoying the action. Crikey it was amazing to watch how easily a Tiger of that size can bite through so many inches of that sinewy flesh with just a couple of half hearted shakes of his head. Many years ago the army had built one of those 'Nissan Huts on Fairfax Island in which some Woman had been staying in to do research re the reef and had endured a cyclone in which the Island had previously been one and had been torn into two by the Cyclone. Hence the channel between. I suppose the Hut has rusted away or been removed these days. When we were there (cannot remember the month but in winter), but hundreds of the Brown Boobies were nesting and the chicks were being fed by their parents. I was a bit younger then and since retiring in 2000 I've sailed a Farr 6000 in many places including two trips, one each to both sides of the Gulf Of Carpentaria, Lake Argyle the Kimberlies and Darwin Harbour, Tiwi Islands and Bynoe Harbour. I don't leave home unless I go for at least a Fortnight and that is only for areas within about 3-4 hundred K's from my home town of Brunswick Heads Love Queensland and the Reef and so glad you've shown us some of it.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Wow thanks for the insight into your adventures. I have also spent a lot of time in the bunker Capricorn group 25 years ago on my yacht so even though we did a lot of driving it was worth it. I didn’t know Fairfax used to be one island, I wonder if Hoskyn suffered the same fate in that Cyclone.

[@peterbarnes8737]

@@brucedyson-smith459 No idea about Hoskyn and I've only learned about the cyclone through word of mouth, and I assumed it to be true. In 1983 the Nissan Hut was intact and weatherproof but showing signs of disrepair. Did you see any signs of it's existence on west Fairfax these days? Bruce I just watched this again right through and I must have been distracted the first time (bad habit of mine), because I'd not noticed the width or depth of the channel between the two Fairfax Islands the first time. In 1983 it was just a bit of a gutter with some nice coral in shallow water. Amazingly different these days. I'm thinking the story of the cyclone creating the channel between must be true. I cannot remember when it had occurred but it must not have been all that long previous. How things change in 39 years.😃 Great video and well done BTW.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

@@peterbarnes8737 We didn’t know about the hut so didn’t go looking but there was nothing standing to see either.

[@alanbrookes6637]

Very well done guys, it’s lovely out there.

[@johnbruenn8755]

Absolutely gorgeous! Would love to take my Wigeon to cruising grounds like that.

[@theoffender3113]

Know the area well... beautiful part of the world. Great video.. 👍🇭🇲🎣🍻

[@chrisstockman904]

Great video Bruce, you guys are the real deal. Looking forward to part 2 of this daring dinghy raid. Love the briefings on the paper charts!

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks for the feedback Chris I’m glad you are enjoying them

[@robstevens5503]

You guys have really taken it to the next level! Looks awesome!

[@johnriley5844]

Wonderful film - thank you!

[@millarsexcavation6657]

What a fantastic adventure 😊

[@damoog5985]

Beautiful, thanks for sharing

[@thesaintduntduntdaaa]

Good stuff Bruce.

[@robkunzig5795]

Thanks Bruce, you and John are gutsy guys. Great footage from both of you that had us all drooling, well maybe just me, no ALL OF US! Haha Thanks for your effort. May you two have a great spring and summer ahead! Rob

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks Rob cheers

[@brucesinclair2981]

Great video great adventure

[@leemelbourne3297]

Unbelievably beautiful. I hope to get a chance to try this myself one day.

[@micahgerdis1008]

That dingy area you first stopped in is dreamy. Amazingly beautiful..

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Yes it is an amazing part of the world.We were lucky to have such good weather also.Part 2 of the trip has some amazing areas too.

[@stephenbrown1689]

What an Amazing adventure you and John have taken us on. The pair of you are very inspiring to us dinghy cruisers. I'm looking forward to part two of your adventure. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks Steve glad you are enjoying the show

[@966Mako]

That murky water on that drop off is perfect camouflage for a Tiger. Nice weather, great sailing 👍🏼

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Ha yes lucky I didn’t see one. Cheers Bruce

[@aNaturalist]

Wow, that water is beautiful!

[@michaelking1470]

Great enthralling video Bruce. Looked like an amazing adventure. Well captured.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks Mikey

[@ChristopherEve]

Great video. Thanks!

[@robanderson9272]

What a wonderful adventure! Thoroughly enjoying your video

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thank you

[@fredread9216]

Nice. Never been there but it does remind me a bit of the Exuma Islands in the Bahama’s.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks yes from what I’ve seen it does look a bit similar.

[@aureliobrighton1871]

I remember sailing with my Dad on our 'Starcat' out into the Messina Strait between Calabria and Sicily ... when out of nowhere a high round swell with waves cresting on top set in .. not was it of any danger but the experience of being a toy to wind, current and black depths made me happily retire to our lakes .. following your open water adventure with all its beauty was a great pleasure though . Ahoi from Munich, Germany 🌸

[@brucedyson-smith459]

It sounds like you had quite the adventure yourself.Thank you for your story and I am glad you enjoyed mine.

[@ianrhodes-elson3849]

Great video, awesome surroundings, loved the surfing in the waves, took me back to my childhood on the Kenyan coast.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thank you for the comment

[@w0qnx598]

Looks nice, from Florida.

[@john1boggity56]

Just bought a Sonata 6 and now wish I'd bought a Drascombe lugger or an O'Day dinghy. I have every intention of visiting Lady Musgrove and Broughton Islands. Brilliant !!!!

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks that’s a nice boat you have .it will be a higher comfort level.

[@rhyspeary2499]

Legends!! Looks epic Bruce.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Cheers Rhys

[@gregw6353]

Great video looks like the weather was perfect I'm a bit of a fan of your O Day it looks like a great little boat looking forward to the next instalment cheers

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks Greg yes I am very happy with the boat.

[@khiemtran6272]

What a great adventure! And well presented!

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks Khiem

[@secretsquirrel6308]

This is the sort of thing I've wanted to do with a Rhodes 19. Life happens, things come up, the dream remains a dream. Your video here is an inspiration.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thank you I recommend it.

[@jimt1240]

Picture perfect sailing and beautiful water. Fishing must be good there too.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

It is but a lot is marine reserve

[@VentureOffroadAustralia4x4]

Wow, what an amazing trip. I've got a lot to learn before taking on something like that. You really show what can be achieved in a small sail boat in the right conditions and with a lot of experience. Looking forward to the next video.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Great stuff thanks.Yes you need all the stars to align we have had a lot of false starts to get this to happen.

[@cousinjack2841]

Great video; what a trip. Subscribed; thanks.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks glad you enjoyed it

[@colrodrick8784]

Cool, very cool.

[@kidsafloatinawoodenboatsai6137]

Incredible. What a trip and what a video. Watched all cuddled up in bed with the kiddos, dreaming of summer.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks guys great to hear you enjoyed it and let’s hope summer turns out ok.

[@deliogumagda3848]

Keep inspiring us here in Philippines.

[@jenssirbensonmam4822]

Fantastic! I'm seeing this with envy, while in Germany the autumn is coming in and temperatures are dropping.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

It may be the only good weather we get this coming summer with the return of LaNina.

[@memyselfandi9365]

Bloody marvellous, I love the freedom of small boats and therefore woman free sailing...

[@brucedyson-smith459]

It’s a pretty good option.

[@SailingLaguna]

Wow, very inspirational. Keep up the good work.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks will try to

[@SailingKateLouise]

Wow Bruce what an amazing trip...very envious! Incredible water, dolphins, whales, turtles and deb potato what more could you ask for! I can't wait to see the next part...the trip of a lifetime fantastic, cheers Paul

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks Paul, I hope you didn’t mind being included in the cooking segment!

[@kidsafloatinawoodenboatsai6137]

Whales & Deb potato… a dinghy cruising dream ;)

[@robkunzig5795]

Deb potatos - always cracks me up! I of course have the US version potatos (w onion) aboard - but the grief Paul gets from everyone always puts a smile on my face. It seems to have a life of it's own, born from Paul's videos. All good - R

[@SailingKateLouise]

@@robkunzig5795 aah... to think a couple of years ago I'd never heard to Deb potatoes, cheers Paul

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Yes I think Deb should be paying Paul royalties for the free advertising.

[@markspalding6092]

What a beautiful job you did with the video! Outstanding! That last anchorage at Fairfax looked almost to good to be true!

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks Mark yes we were privileged to be there.

[@pelageos]

Great! Thanks for vid! 👍

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thank you.Part two is even better.

[@rolandorfortunato456]

Congratulations Bruce on a beautiful and professionally made video the Spinnaker looks great, the color of the water was spectacular, the sunset was beyond what words can express and the wildlife was incredible. I came across your channel while viewing sailing Kate Louise. I am looking forward to part 2. I have subscribed to your channel and I am looking forward to seeing more of your videos. As I told Paul I am in the process of buying a Vandestadt and Mcgruer Siren 17. Keep up the great videos you have a loyal viewer from Miami FL, U.S.A.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thank you for the kind words and I am glad you are enjoying the videos .Good luck with your new boat purchase I will work on keeping the movies coming in the meantime.

[@joshgrey7961]

awesome video and adventure

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thank you Josh.

[@marclawyer2789]

Beautiful place...takes me back to a dive trip I did 30 years ago out into the coral sea side from Cairns...weather was just as calm... Nicely done video (would've liked to see a bit of the Islands...) Hopefully I'll get to see it in person again, if not I'll just watch your videos. 🤞

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks Marc I’m glad you enjoyed it.Will bear in mind your thoughts re more footage for next time.

[@marclawyer2789]

@@brucedyson-smith459 Thanks for the reply. I enjoy sailing, but the location (and the weather) is the USP...quite the thing to go offshore in such a small boat, so hats off 💪

[@anthonywoollcombe9767]

Really lovely video….thanks so much

[@brucedyson-smith459]

You’re so welcome,thank you for the comment.

[@MilledSteel]

Really cool trip mate

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Cheers mate

[@Antipodean33]

That looked a lovely sail and the areas you fellas have to sail up that way are unbelievably beautiful and numerous. Unfortunately we down here in South Oz don't quite have the beautiful islands and lakes you fellas have. I'd move up there to live if I wasn't tethered here by family. The little trailer sailers are the go, I've got a 16 foot Cherry and I reckon the trailer sailers of our sizes are the perfect boat, because of their size they get used a lot. I know a couple of lads who have big keel boats and they rarely use them, mainly holiday seasons and thats it. Huge expense mooring/maintaining for such limited use

[@brucedyson-smith459]

That’s it John and myself both have come from yacht ownership and enjoy this much more. Thanks for the comment

[@kidsafloatinawoodenboatsai6137]

How far south are you? In Tassie too?

[@2011Matz]

Every voyage in a sailing vessel is an adventure, the size is irrelevent. Sometimes the fun is inversly proportional to the tonnage.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thankyou for your comment,all very true.

[@adventuresofsailorpauli1543]

Awesome

[@sailoutofagarage6212]

What a nice island.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

It’s a beautiful area alright!

[@erikhedl2084]

Somehow, we always hear "Dead" Potatoes when you and Paul say it, must be our American ears misbehaving. Really enjoyed the video, you and John aren't afraid to head out on an adventure!

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Funny someone else said the same thing

[@rustyholt6619]

thankyou for the paul moment

[@brucedyson-smith459]

No problem

[@pauljessome5718]

A sailing video not filled with b.s.. great honest sailing.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks again, nice to hear from someone who appreciates it. Cheers Bruce

[@vincentconnolly2597]

FLORIDA 🏖️⛱️💯

[@ocean_capable_small_sailboat]

Wow, awesome stuff! It would be cool to see a breakdown of what all you pack for these trips and how you pack it for the sail.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks captain Perry, I am planning on doing a video on this sometime soon for all the American Oday sailors who have been interested also. I have been following your channel with interest since the start and look forward to launching day of your boat. I come from an offshore cruising background and big trips in small boats interests me greatly.

[@ocean_capable_small_sailboat]

Thank you@@brucedyson-smith459 . You are out doing the real deal and I can't wait to join you out there. Hoping I can finish this boat up this winter for a big 2024 trip.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

@oceancapablesmallsailboat2774 No problem,looking forward to seeing the finished product and seeing you out there.

[@akromafia]

Outstanding video. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Did you time it for weather? What were your go/no go criteria?

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks yes we had 2 weeks to work with to time the weather but there was some luck needed as well.if we had any wind from the wrong direction over 10 kts we would have waited but following wind up to 20kts would have been ok.This time of year seems good for the area as it’s a bit more variable.

[@drewstar1]

Dreamy lads great vid 👍. I subscribed

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Great thanks 🙏

[@jimmyhvy2277]

Nice ! I Have a Clipper 3 , 17 footer . i will have to try something like this !

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Right I am not familiar with your boat but good luck with it. Cheers Bruce

[@vestig1]

Excellent work, wonderful weather, very lucky. I may have missed it, but what month of the year did you do this trip.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks it was just last week

[@garygerard4290]

My folks had an O'Day Day Sailer - sail 1310 in about 1970 'cool video

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks Gary,my boat is a 1975 model.

[@catherinesecula5287]

Will join you next year if I am welcome , just bought a great little boat , that I am preparing a tropic 15 ..making it insurmerdible , I am in Noosa Qld ..cheers , Catherine

[@brucedyson-smith459]

I know a guy here with a Tropic,great little TS.

[@catherinesecula5287]

@@brucedyson-smith459 will love to get in contact with him ,I a in Qld sunshine coast

[@junal27]

That's paradaise, you do not know how much lucky you are living in such a civilized and stable country and being able to enjoy such a virging place. I would not mind at all living and working over there if allowed and sail my Cape Dory Typhoon or the already gone M15 for places with shallower waters. Only concern and fear I have is water creatures!, thank you for posting

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks and yes I feel very lucky to be able to sail these places.Thanks to modern technology we are able to share and enjoy each other’s cruising grounds.

[@craigbeere2405]

Wow. Great video. Can you tell me exactly what types of boats do you have?

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks yes I have an Aussie built Oday Daysailer and John has a Core Sound 17

[@grahamrichardson9613]

Hi Bruce, nice video. I have a Farrier 22' trimaran and am considering going fairfax, hoskyn and boult. Have been into Musgrave before and enjoyed it. I draw about 0.65m with the centreboard up and just enough rudder to steer. Did you remember what true depth you had crossing the reef into Hoskyn? Looked shallow with those breaking wave's! I would also love tracks of route in and anchorage waypoints if you have them. Thanks for sharing your adventures. Graham

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Hi Graham, I think you would need to be super careful and cross the reef on the lee side as we weren’t so concerned as we draw only .02 Sorry we didn’t go as far as take anchorage waypoints. I used paper charts and John has a plotter but don’t think he kept much info from where we went. I will ask him and let you know if there is anything of use. From what I saw I think you could get in but you would want perfect visibility and go super slow with someone on the bow as lookout.

[@grahamrichardson9613]

@@brucedyson-smith459 Hi Bruce, Thanks for the advice. I might have to give it a miss as I will be solo, like you and John were and not able to do the preferred bow lookout. Don't want to risk a scape out there! When we had a look at Boult last time when going past, there seemed to be a couple of deeper channels over the fringing reef to get to the lagoon. Fitzroy is nice with easy entry. One for you for next year? When you say you only draw "0.02" I assume you mean 0.2m or 200mm? Happy cruising adventures

[@jc9474]

​@@grahamrichardson9613 hi Graham, I'm part of a groups of Ian farrier designed Tramp sailers, we're trying to organize social trimaran sails. These islands Bruce visited are on our list as well. If that's something you'd be keen on join the Tramp/eagel trimaran group on facebook or reply here and I'll give you more info. We're based around central Qld.

[@grahamrichardson9613]

@@jc9474 Hi JC, I couldn't find the group on Facebook, but being only an occasional user, I am probably not searching properly. Please send the info. Thanks, Graham

[@andersmossing8413]

Lovely to see! Fine sailing! The flag, is that from Skåne in Sweden? Sure looks like it.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Hi and thanks.No the flag is the letter R marine signal flag which we use to represent the “Raid” sailing group I sail with.

[@andersmossing8413]

Thank you, the flag looks exactly like the one of the Swedish region of Skåne (Scania). Really love your film, it a dream to me, living in a cold country as Sweden. My boat spends 8 months on land, waiting for summer.

[@michaelganshirt8795]

Fun adventure, indeed! What is that strange little rig that your partner is sailing?

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Core Sound 17

[@michaelganshirt8795]

Yes, thanks for the reply. I looked it up. Interesting kit boat.

[@Leighbuoy]

Bruce can I ask why you chose that specific trip, given the amazing choice? PS great film.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks I chose there as I have yacht cruised the reef before and this is the best area in my opinion.Also it is a good wind angle from the launching point there and back (usually)

[@catherinesecula5287]

Lady Musgrave is unique...once you go there you will understand...they were very lucky with the weather ..

[@FantomsNephew]

Wonderful! Is DEBs mashed potato mandatory when dinghy sailing down under? 😃

[@brucedyson-smith459]

It sure looks that way I know,but I was just having a joke with Paul from sailing Kate Louise.

[@FantomsNephew]

@@brucedyson-smith459 Guessed so! 😁 Thanx!

[@stevegrignon]

amazimg love it But the food on most of these videos where are the steaks eggs and beer

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks,yes it would be nice to have a coldy and steak.

[@bicyclingbum1551]

I used the deb about a month ago for trip and its not to bad , I mixed mine with a hiking butter chicken pouch

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Yes it’s a good easy additive

[@timelwell7002]

Great stuff. Out of interest, does anyone know what class of dinghy this is?

[@brucedyson-smith459]

My boat is an Oday Daysailer. John’s is a Core Sound 17

[@timelwell7002]

@@brucedyson-smith459 I don't think we have these boats in the UK, sadly.

[@AntiVaganza]

Sorry, I didn't quite pick up on it in the video, but what make/design of boat is Johns and yours? I am sure you will get asked this more, so consider sticking that bit of info in the video description:)

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Mine is an Oday Daysailer and John’s is a Core sound 17.Thanks for the feedback.

[@AntiVaganza]

@@brucedyson-smith459 Thanks so much and great videos. I've been wanting to do something similar for years and step by step, the dream will come true. Videos like these are hugely inspirational and help nudge me there so, thanks!

[@christophergodfrey6259]

Can I get details of the boats to research please.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

My boat is a Oday Daysailer and John’s is a Core Sound 17

[@pauljessome5718]

A proper Petral outboard . Electrics are a dangerous choice.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Yes I won’t be changing anytime soon.

[@davidbamford4721]

What is the design of the dinghy?

[@brucedyson-smith459]

My boat is an Oday Daysailer John’s boat is a Core Sound 17.

[@CaptainPanCan]

Does it have a keel?

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Yes a swing centreboard.

[@CaptainPanCan]

Okay cool. How much does it weigh? I think it's so cool you sail big oceans with that thing.

[@iggi1972]

😛😵‍💫🤤

[@samknight9577]

Just found out its called Deb potato and not dead potato.😆 I just thought it was aussie humour.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Right yes we do make those sort of jokes!

[@superwag634]

The sound is so low I cannot hear

[@user-mk3km9uf2r]

You must have a lot of faith in the Weather Bureau to go that far out to sea in a boat designed for day sailing on a lake or river. very unprofessional of you, The problem is that people think that your boat is made for blue water cruising and it is not. Please tell people not to try this at home for safety reasons being you put people's life in danger when the weather goes south and they have to come and rescue you.

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks for your thoughts on This matter. I am not advertising for other people to try this I am just showing a trip that I have undertaken on my own back.I have sailed my boat for 2 years previously in open water in all sorts of conditions so am quite happy with what the boat can do. I have also capsized my boat to be sure of self rescue so please don’t think I just went off without a lot of preparation. Having two boats also gives us an extra safety margin.Both John and myself have a lifetime of experience both having sailed thousands of sea miles short handed so are quite aware what we are in for. Regards Bruce

[@mickfromaustralia902]

Likewise, anchoring in the access channel at Lady Musgrave Island parks.des.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/166307/lady-musgrave-reg-notice.pdf

[@brucedyson-smith459]

Thanks for the info.