Shallow Water Drama, Crab Pots Everywhere & Barra On the Deck (Ep.90)

This trip from the Flinders Island Group to the North Kennedy River starts out as one of those perfect Far North Queensland mornings — calm seas, easy sailing, and glassy water all the way toward the coast. But as I close in on the river entrance, the depth drops fast and I’m forced to pick my way through a narrow, shallow channel that gets tighter with every metre. Eventually it becomes too risky to continue, so I drop anchor and wait for the tide to rise enough to let ARGO’s keels through without running aground. The pause doesn’t last long. When I go to lift the anchor, it’s snagged on an old crab pot, so I’m hanging over the bow untangling the mess while the tide creeps in around me. Once free, I ease ARGO into the river, find deeper water, and work my way upstream to a spot that looks wide enough, deep enough, and perfect for a few days off grid — and maybe a barramundi or two. Turns out the instincts were right. I end up catching barra straight from the deck of the boat, which is about as good as it gets for a solo sailor exploring remote Queensland. After a few days in this stunning river system, I head back out the same way I came in, dodging dozens of crab pots hidden in the glare of the morning sun. Once I’m back in open water, I enjoy a beautiful sail home to Flinders Island and take the time to show exactly how I tack ARGO single handed — my method for keeping the boat moving without ever touching the engines. A challenging, rewarding, and unforgettable adventure into one of Far North Queensland’s wild river systems. Thanks for watching. Stay Connected: Watch more of my sailing journey and life aboard ARGO here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD88yS026CBFhZ3tBm0qr20Fm5BWHtOB5 or binge back through the beginnings here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD88yS026CBH9UgJUVWpSBNiKL5Z1lDrl&si=5woU5AeyfxCoNj5J Follow ARGO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sailingargo38/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sailingargo38/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sailingargo38 Support ARGO on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/c/SailingArgo38 Shout Jason a drink here: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/FWBL52GY7L5KW Join the ARGO Support Crew here: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/J257W85YU9PPY Snap up a copy of the ARGO Cookbook here: https://www.patreon.com/SailingArgo38/posts/argo-cookbook-is-164936192