800 miles to Brisbane
14 October 2010
Eric
The JennyP s on her way to Brisbane, although with a crew change. Christine did not like the look of the weather report and found me an alternate crew member for the trip. Jason has his own boat and family in Noumea, and was looking for crew for his passage. Christine proposed that he help sail the JennyP to Brisbane, then I fly back to Noumea to help him sail his boat over. Christine and the kids will fly to Brisbane to meet me. I will have a short rest between legs.
I had already cleared out, but Immigration was very easy going and it took less than an hour to change the crew list, cancel the family's departure, and get a revised authorization to leave from the Port Captain.
The trip has started out well, with smooth seas and light winds. We have alternated between sailing and motorsailing. A pin did fall out of the autopilot, but nothing a little electrical tape couldn't fix. Saturday we may get some weather, but nothing serious, just a moderate cold front to cross with 20-30 kt winds, but with wave heights forecasted at less than 3 meters. Mid-week we should be in Australia.