Kimberley cruise.
Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2023 6:40 pm
G'day all.
I have just returned from another epic Kimberley cruise in Bella Rose, my amazing little investigator. An 8000 km return road trip is well worth the effort and expense to cruise this amazing place. And Bella Rose took it all in her stride. This trip I was solo and at sea for 42 days. Had some exciting passages like about 14 nm in 25 knots and rounding Cape Londonderry in 15 to 20 knots east to west. That was a turbo charged washing machine. The investigator revelled in it all although I had water squirting in around the front hatch and pop top seals on several occasions when I took waves over the bow, but things dry out pretty quick in that climate so not too much problem. Terrific place, incredible fishing, amazing waterways and waterfalls and exciting passages. Who could ask for more. I was concerned about the amount of food and water I could carry but had no problems. Plenty of fish to eat and water was easily topped up from the many creeks and falls that are easily accessible and the water was always very clean, very clear and very sweet. Fuell was biggest issue as I used more than I expected. Took 70 litres for my 5 HP 4/ Suzuki and 2.5 HP 4/ Suzuki on the tender. Returned with 2.5 litres.
My tender is a 10 ft Walker bay with inflatable ribs. Great to tow and stable but not really crock safe which worried me a bit but although I saw manny had no encounters. Here's some pics
I have just returned from another epic Kimberley cruise in Bella Rose, my amazing little investigator. An 8000 km return road trip is well worth the effort and expense to cruise this amazing place. And Bella Rose took it all in her stride. This trip I was solo and at sea for 42 days. Had some exciting passages like about 14 nm in 25 knots and rounding Cape Londonderry in 15 to 20 knots east to west. That was a turbo charged washing machine. The investigator revelled in it all although I had water squirting in around the front hatch and pop top seals on several occasions when I took waves over the bow, but things dry out pretty quick in that climate so not too much problem. Terrific place, incredible fishing, amazing waterways and waterfalls and exciting passages. Who could ask for more. I was concerned about the amount of food and water I could carry but had no problems. Plenty of fish to eat and water was easily topped up from the many creeks and falls that are easily accessible and the water was always very clean, very clear and very sweet. Fuell was biggest issue as I used more than I expected. Took 70 litres for my 5 HP 4/ Suzuki and 2.5 HP 4/ Suzuki on the tender. Returned with 2.5 litres.
My tender is a 10 ft Walker bay with inflatable ribs. Great to tow and stable but not really crock safe which worried me a bit but although I saw manny had no encounters. Here's some pics