Not a good start as I headed out of the channel at 0530 h. As I hoisted the mainsail using the starboard cabin top winch, the circlip failed and the angle I was hauling the halyard on caused the drum to lift and fly straight into Davey Jones Locker!! Spent the next few hours in calm conditions motorsailing until 1500 h when the wind kicked in up to 25 knots. I amended my destination to the backup anchorage at Shelburne Bay, 9M west of my intended anchorage of Margret Bay on Cape Grenville. By 1730 h I was safely anchored next to a catamaran in 3.5m water and in the lee of the headland. For the past 4 hours we battled an ugly steep sea with winds on the nose.
We will stay anchored for the next day or so as the forecast is for the winds to continue. I want to wait for calm conditions. I also have a few maintenance jobs to do and am now more concerned over the engine condition. White smoke which is a sign of water ingestion bellowed from the engine when I revved the engine from idle....may need to nurse to civilisation. I have serious doubts of making Newcastle if the condition is serious.....but I cannot do much here as there is nothing here!