The Hitchiker Experience

drgoodgame@yahoo.com

 

 

Welcome to the Hitchiker Experience.  Coming on as crew to sail the Queensland Coast is a real adventure, and it is up to you to decide what you want out of the adventure. 

 

Many crew members learn and participate in the daily sailing duties:  raising the anchor, hoisting and adjusting the sails, steering while underway, cursing at the engine (foreign profanity admired), and dropping anchor at the end of the passage.  Some crew members are not so interested in the workings of the boat and enjoy just watching David 'curse the engine'.   

 

Some of the things you may have an opportunity to do on your cruise besides sailing and swearing include: turtle, dolphin and whalewatching; snorkeling; beachcombing; sunbathing; hiking; shell collecting; fishing; crabbing; and oystering.   

 

All depends on where we are and what the weather is like, but for the most part, the weather is perfect on the Queensland Coast.  There are many islands and mainland anchorages that are great for exploring.  Some of the islands have resorts but most are uninhabited.  It is the best sailing in the world, from Fraser Island to Cairns and even farther north for the really adventurous.  The Great Barrier Reef reaches the whole way and the islands throughout have wonderful snorkeling.

 

Hitchiker is a 45 foot catamaran (multihull).  That means it has two hulls instead of one and these hulls are not as deep in the water as a boat with one hull (monohull).  This allows us to get into shallower water and even "take the hard", or go aground purposly and sit on the sand at low tide. 

 

There are 4 berths, each with a double bed, two in each hull.  You are encouraged to bring your sleepingbag, but there are a few blankets on board if you don't have your own.  We have pillows, and sheets if needed.  There are two heads, one in each hull, with pump toilets.  Crew members with the right plumbing are expected to pee over the side, it's just easier.  There is lots of deck/tramp space on a cat, and there are several mats for lying in the sun or sleeping under the stars when conditions permit.

 

Usually sailing plans are forcast for one week or more.  Although David has an idea of where we want to go during that time, the weather and especially wind direction can cause us to make alterations to the plan. 

 

The sailing season is considered from May to November.  The wind direction is more consistent (southeast) in the months of June, July and August, and getting up the coast from Bundaberg (Hitchiker's off-season home) is fairly easy.  August and September are very nice months with wind sometimes coming from the north and northeast, by September.  October has even more northerly winds, which is what we want when we head south back to Bundaberg.  Sometimes the wind is too strong to make sailing comfortable, so we wait it out; but sometimes we have no choice but to endure a bit of discomfort.  If the weather was perfect all the time everyone would be sailing and the ocean would be crowded.  It is suggested that you bring seasick medicine with you if you have been seasick or carsick in the past.  We do have medicine aboard, if necessary. 

 

If you come on Hitchiker expecting a hot shower every day, you will be sadly disappointed.  There are no showers and we all swim pretty much every day in the ocean.  Shirlee has develop a 'sixth sense' which enables her to find alternative shower opportunities in various places or use the solar shower bag when desperate. 

 

There is fresh water on board, with a sink in each head (bathroom) and at the galley.  Fresh water must be obtained on shore in jerry jugs and dinghied to the boat and poured into the tanks, so it is to be used with care.  Conservation is the key word here.  There is an abundance of drinking water, kept in jugs in the cockpit and transferred to pitchers for the galley as needed.

At any time, water can be heated for coffee or tea. 

 

Snacks are always available, but meals are large and filling, primarily vegetarian.  Shirlee has a varied menu; but you are encouraged to plan and cook your favorite dishes also.  You can use the stores available or let Shirlee know what you will be needing for the meal so it is purchased before the trip starts. 

 

All crew members are expected to participate in the galley (kitchen).  Shirlee plans wholesome and delicious meals, but appreciates help with meal preparation as well as cleanup.  We generally use seawater to wash dishes.  All crew members do dishes, sometimes more than once a day.  Organizing those duties will be delegated to the senior crew member.

 

If you like to drink beer or wine, you may bring all you like, but once on the boat, it is considered available to everyone as is David's 'boat brew'. 

 

We always like to catch fish and David drags a trolling line or two on every passage.  Fresh sashimi is possible for those with a sharp knife and adventurous appetite.

 

 Hitchiker has a large cabin with a wrap around built in "couch" that seats 8 easily.  It is comfortable for meals as well as playing cards or other games, as we often do in the evenings.  There is also a stereo system that you can plug into your discman to listen to your CD's.  You are expected to keep your stuff in the area of your berth to avoid cluttering up the cabin. 

 

Shirlee and David like to sail and enjoy having new people on board to share the experience.  It does't take long on the boat to be considered one of the 'family'.  We keep up with many former members by e-mail and enjoy hearing of their new adventures.  If this sailing experience sounds good to you, we would love to have you aboard.  It is not a cruise ship with wait help, and not priced as such, but we always have a lot of fun.  See you soon.