Tuesday 15/05/2012
We were out of bed by 0500 hours this morning and as usual
the cup of tea comes first then we get ready to sail getting the charts out,
roll up the cockpit covers, disconnect the electricity and single up the
docking lines. We have a W/SW wind in the marina of around 6 knots which is
going to blow us off the wharf and we had another boat alongside of us which
makes it a little tricky when there is just the two of us. Our normal routine
is that we remove all dock lines other than a bow and a stern line which are
just one round turn on the dock cleat and back to the boat so we can just slip
the lines from onboard. I usually let go of the stern line and race back to the
helm to take control of the boat and call to Nancy to let go of the bow line
and away we go. If we did this now the stern would swing around on the wind and
hit the other boat, even though we have fenders out on that side just in case
we don't want to do that.
Before letting go any lines I explained to Nancy what we
would do and this is what we did. I stayed with the helm and put the port
engine in slow ahead this pulled on the stern line and because that was holding
us the bow was forced forward and hard against the dock, Nancy then released
the bow line, then she came to the stern line and when she was ready I put the
port engine into neutral and gave the starboard engine a touch astern taking
the weight off the stern line Nancy quickly retrieved the stern line and I
moved both engines slow ahead before it had time to blow across to the other
boat. This is one of the advantages of a catamaran with two engines you can do
these manoeuvres.
We motored slowly out of the marina whilst Nancy ran around
putting the ropes and fenders away and as soon as that was completed we went
out of the marina, as we moved into deeper water I shut down one engine and
unfurled the genoa and then as we got away from the land I shut down the other
engine and went sail alone. It was a tail wind and not that strong but we got
along around the 5 knots. The seas were very sloppy with swell from ESE and
wind waves from the south. In the
distance I could see one yacht ahead of us which turned out to be a French
monohull and about after we had been out about 20 minutes two sails appeared to
our stern they had the sails wing on wing. (Wing
on wing is where the foresail is out one side of the yacht and the mainsail is
out the other side as with a tail wind having both sails out the same side the
mainsail would block the wind from the foresail). We could have done the same but I found that
going any faster in these seas made it more uncomfortable I had worked that out
when we had one engine and the foresail (genoa) working together.
Coastguard had told us about the military exercises in the
military zone which start just north of Five Rocks and ends north of Townsend Island the exercise in operation at
the moment does not affect the areas we need to go but most of the area will be
closed after the 11 June. We could hear the heavy shell firing at the Keppel's.
We continued to sail along having to change course slightly
at times to keep the wind in the sail and stop it from flapping from one side
to the other which it did on a couple of occasions because the large waves
would turn the boat off course now and
again. I could see the yachts behind gaining on us and as they say more than
one yacht going in the same direction constitutes a race, however, I was
comfortable with my feet up at the helm keeping watch and reading a funny book
so I let the other two race behind me they passed me near Port Clinton about 4
NMS from our destination one was a catamaran 'Aquavista' the other a monohull
'Sporanza'.
'Sparanza' furled their foresail soon after and we again
caught up and followed them into Pearl Bay where the French yacht was also anchored.
(Pearl Bay - dotted line shows track into the bay or you can go around the north end of the islands. I noted that the electronic charts show some sunken obsticles where the guide books do not show this.)
(Approaching the entrance of Pearl Bay, 'Sporanza' is in front of us passing through the entrance)
(Inside Pearl Bay anchorage, quite pretty beaches)
After we anchored and got settled the crew from the French yacht came over for a visit they come from New Caledonia and asked if we had any weather reports which we gave what we had. We also supplied information regarding anchorages and where they are better to hold up for strong winds.
Pearl Bay is quite pretty and although the seas were a
little messy outside however, as the seas livened during the night it became a
little rocky.
Wednesday 16/05/2012
This morning as we rocked a little having our cup of tea at
first light we talked about what we would do, we knew the weather was going to
be stronger winds today and considering the amount of swell here in Pearl Bay
at the moment although not too bad, we knew it would get worse so we decided to
move out straight away and head for Island Head Creek some 6 NMS north for
better protection.
We quickly got organised and weigh anchor and headed out the
same way as we entered as we knew we could get some internet coverage out there
to check weather reports for the next few days. As we got out of the bay the
seas and swell were around the 2 metre mark and a little sloppy, I headed
almost straight into the waves heading east until we were away from the islands
and then turned quickly to go with the waves before one of the large ones hit
us on the side.
We unfurled a little of the genoa and motor sailed as we
needed to charge the batteries and we wanted to get into Island Head Creek
before the tide change so we were moving along at 8.5 knots. Nancy got on the
computer and got the weather information and did a few other things.
(heading to Island Head Creek from Pearl Bay passing the South Hervey Islands)
At 0700 hours I had to ask Nancy to do the HF radio sched with
the Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club, it started yesterday and but I forget to do
it. Nancy got on the HF radio frequency 8161 and made contact with Andy on
'Paws' who kicked the sched off. Apparently he had no one yesterday and only us
today. I now have the alarm set on my wrist watch so I do not forget the sched.
It was a little lumpy getting into Island Head Creek the
tide had just turned and as we entered I was quite surprised at the amount of
yachts/boats anchored I believe there is 22 in number anchored here. Most of
the good spots were taken up, we saw 'Neriki' and went over for a chat the
boats were evenly spread along the sand bar for protection and I felt that if
we did go between any of them it would be too close for the amount of chain
everyone plus us would have out. So we decided to go over to our usual
anchorage by the fourth beach near the entrance and drop anchor there.
After we had anchored we got breakfast underway and checked
how the anchoring here situation was with the effects of wind and tide. Whilst
we had breakfast we started to get these bullets of wind coming around the
hillside up to 30 knots, the seas were much calmer here but the wind bullets
were a little worrying, I prefer to have a constant wind force than bullets as
the bullets of wind give violent movements of the boat and this can dislodge
the anchor. After breakfast we went looking again and anchored the NW side of
the creek, this puts us on a lee shore which I did not like but we anchored
well away from the beach and put heaps of anchor chain out after making sure
the good Rocna anchor was buried deep.
(Photo of chart plotter of Island Head Creek there are two ways to enter close to the south head or the northern track, I have always used the northern track as the chart plotter shows that track (light blue deeper water) and this makes it easy to follow. Many people follow the Alan Lucas guide and go the southern track. The anchorage close to the entrance is for SE wind around 20 knots but you can get bullets around the hill, the next anchorage is where we are at present because the other anchorage which is better was full of boats when we arrived).
The strong winds kept up all day but the wind waves were
quite small but constant slapping on the hulls. After lunch and making sure all
was well we went ashore for a long walk. We met other yachties doing the same.
They said they would be having sundowners on the beach at 1600 hours so we said
we may see them there. However, when the time came it was also tide change and
we swung around the other direction and I did not want to leave the boat until
I knew all was well so we missed out on sundowners. Just as we waited the
anchor dragging alarm sounded, this was
expected as we always set the alarm short at first to let us know when the boat
has turned with the tide so we can check that the anchor is holding. Once
satisfied that all is well we add a little more distance onto the alarm
setting. We held strong and fast so we were happy we had our sundowners on
board.
(Island Head Creek at low tide view from the beach on the NW end.)
(Nancy walking on the beach with Island Head in the background)
Earlier Rick from 'Neriki' came over to see us to see what
our plans were, we told him nothing set in concrete but we may stay here
tomorrow and sail the next day for Hunter Island. It all depends on the
weather. Rick said that he is booked in to go on the hard at Mackay in two
weeks so he has time to waste here and around the islands before heading to
Mackay.
We had dinner and read for a while before going to bed, I
went before Nancy she stayed up reading a little longer.
Thursday 17/05/2012
I was up just before first light this morning I put the
kettle on before going out on deck to see what the weather was like. The wind
still blowing but not as bad as yesterday. I made the cups of tea and took
Nancy hers as she remained in bed for a short while. I then got onto the
computer to start the scribbles.
We had the HF radio sched at 0700 hours and again we spoke
to Andy, no one else came on the radio, it is only a new thing that we are
starting and it may take some time before people remember to switch on.
Cheers
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