I just spent 4 fantastic days sailing off the Gold Coast in the Sail Paradise Regatta. It was a great chance to get the new boat out and see how it went against other boats. Admittedly we sailed in the cruising division so we didn't have to compete against the top boats, but I was super happy with the performance of the boat, even if the skipper still has room for improvement. We had a coupe of wins and some less memorable performances but ended up with 3rd for the regatta so I was pretty happy.
Here's a pic of the new boat.
Today we sailed our 6.5 metre trailable yacht from Batemans Bay north to Ulladulla. 6hrs. Unfortunately the wind died off a bit.
Had a great race today with 25 knots with just the wife and myself . Averaged just under 10 knots for the 10 mile race which we did in 1 hr 10 min which included nearly 4 miles of windward. Picked up a 3rd on handicap and fastest elapsed time. The Hanse 575s are just a dream to sail in these conditions
www.facebook.com/newportcruisingyachtclub/posts/1756071041134716
We left on Dec 27 and sailed to Emu Bay Kangaroo Island, then to Althorpe Island, Thistle Island for a few days, and reprovisioned in Port Lincoln for a few days. Then onto Reesesby Island, back to Taylor's Island and Memory Cove. Starting to head back with a sail to Wedge Island (uncomfortable) then Kingscote back on Kangaroo Island now we are at Browns Beach and looking for our path back to Adelaide.
dont know what has happened to summer. It's been very mild (cold) and mostly upwind sailing other than a 87nm run from Wedge to Kingscote which was a glamour run at 120 AWA at 25 knots
Flotilla of 3-4 boats mostly with kids. Been fantastic !!
I needed to get out of the rat race for a while, so I took my two daughters for an overnight run to Tangalooma on Moreton Island Saturday and Sunday. Amazingly, it wasn't crowded at all, I think the forecasted 18-25 knots SE kept all the power boaters at home. The kids just loved it, which makes it all worthwhile, I just wish my darling wife would come with us too (she's not a sailor).
The run home was fantastic, lazy reaching in mild seas at 9-10 knots in 18-25 wind. As the girls are not good yet, we did a set-and-forget on the trim, with full sails up, the main went right down the traveller, mainsheet eased so the main is almost on the spreaders, and then bagged the headsail out till everything was luffing constantly. In the gusts, the boat would heel slightly, soak up the shift as apparent wind came back and then just take off. We covered the 15nm in 90 mins, the autopilot hardly moved the helm more than two inches the entire time.
Miscellaneous info: these photos were taken with an IPhone 8+, it amazes me how good these smart phone cameras are getting.
One of the best sailing days I've had, and I got to do it with my girls. Thanks kids!
Needed to have a simple day sail to relax after a hectic start to the year. So I just did a lap of pittwater with the kids and my mum and then we stopped at the basin for a few hours. Have to say effort vs reward was the best outing yet. I didnt even bring food or drink it was already on board.
Apparently I went camping there with the scouts when I was a kid but I dont recall it at all.
Heading out to the turning mark off Caloundra in the Fairway challenge race yesterday. Cracked sheets in a bit of a lumpy swell, wind approx 20knots, we needed to hang on moving about the boat.
Still playing with the trim, but twisting off the main worked well, gave it a nicely balanced helm. Great fun, thanks to MBBC for the day.
Thanks to Matrix for the pic!
First real try out of our new sails. Upwind performance difference is phenomenal. Downwind, we still struggle with an Assy!
First Rottnest trip solo 42nms there and back from my mooring in Mangles Bay Rockingham. Some interesting moments. Navionics says I was doing 9knots with my assy on the prodder and I decided it was getting too hairy for me. Started to wind up the top down furler and it seemed to jamb. Decided not to panic and try it later. Second go no probs. I am not sure what my plan B would have been. Open to suggestions. Wind was gusting to 21 knots. I generally don't fly it over 17.
The other tricky bit was getting the anchor up solo in 16 gusting to 20 easterly blowing into Thomson's Bay.
My boat is a 30' Adams 28 (2 ' sugar scoop).
Waves were at a guess about 1 -2 ft. Have to add here that getting the 2hp Yamaha off the dinghy onto the yacht felt like quite a test in the conditions. Admittedly the 2hp only weighs 9.8kg and that is why I bought it. It's amazing how much harder it is without the extra pair of hands to hold the dinghy and my situation with the scoop is probably better than most.
I chose not to go round to Longreach Bay which would have been a much more comfortable Anchorage for the wind direction and strength but my concern was getting the anchor up on my own with the possibility of a very confined space.
Anyway I got the anchor up ok. Just took little bites running forward pulling in and then back to the cockpit.
I was very grateful for the extra space in Thomsons. In nuetral always when I went forward. Broke the anchor free then motored into deeper water to finish off.
I have to say that I found the whole trip exhausting and nerve wracking. I'm sure must get easier with more familiarity.