Owners count cost of wild weather | Whitsundays News | Local News in Whitsundays

NO matter how much sailing experience you have had, there is often nothing you can do when your boat strikes undesirable weather.

Whitsunday couple Chris Hillier and Liz Stewart have years of sailing experience between them but there was little they could do on Sunday morning to prevent their boat RumrunnerII ending up on Cannonvale Beach just hours before the king tide.

The boat which is fully insured is currently at Edge’s Boatyard with damage to the keel, rudder, propeller shaft and propeller, and it also needs a new paint job.

“I have no idea what it’s going to cost,” said Mr Hillier.

The Cole 43ft yacht broke it’s mooring at Shingley Beach and drifted out to Pigeon Island before ending up at Cannonvale Beach at about 7:30am.

From then on crowds of people gathered to watch the boat cop a pounding from the king tide before the crane could finally transport it to safety later in the afternoon. Mr Hillier said the community spirit was obvious on Sunday as they dealt with the incident, and thanked the many helpful hands.

“I couldn’t believe how good the people were, people who I have not seen in ages came out of the woodwork to help,” he said

“Great to see that community spirit.”

Both Liz and Chris have been sailing for a number of years and are members of the Whitsunday Sailing Club and VMR.

Mr Hiller has competed in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and sailed across the Atlantic Ocean.