SV SEAKA: CRUISING AUSTRALIA IN 2019.

Wednesday 25th March.

There I was just sitting quietly stitching in the two new sail lugs when there was a knock on the hull with "Anyone home Seaka". I looked out it it was Greg and Jane who good friends, in fact I sailed with them on one leg of their return from Queensland some years ago. I had thought that Greg and Jane had returned to Europe to sail their new yacht across the Atlantic in the Atlantic Rally with some 260 other yachts. After a while they had to move on and I finished the sail repair.

Later I decided that waiting until 2200 was of no benefit and so just after 1900 I motored out of the Coffs Harbour Marina into a slight drizzle of rain. As I had planned to go at 2200, it proved fortuitous that I had sailed out before dark as I had a few problems with jib sheets and the reefing sheets. Eventually all was sorted out and I made our way east until I was clear of the immediate shore before I turned north to my first way point.

I had motored out and once we were heading north I put the motor into neutral but there was insufficient wind to sail north on. So the gear box was re-engaged and for the rest of the night we motor sailed in light winds and a very slight sea.

Thursday 25th March.

Come morning we could just see Yamba and eventually off Yamba Head we lowered all sail and made ready to cross the Clarence River Bar. I made contact with MR Yamba stating that I was just about to cross the bar. Now they can see the bar and they waited until I was just about to enter the disturbed water, it was an ebbing tide, to call me again for a chat. Needless to say I was rather short with them! Later once I had cleared into the river beyond the standing waves I called them up to find that they only want to know if I was going to sign off now. Arrgh!

Moving into the Iluka Bay I quickly got the anchor down sorted out the gear then stripped off to crash for two hours of much needed sleep. That afternoon I dried wet gear and sorted out Seaka. At 1600 I went ashore to collect my next visitor, Steve McConnell, who owns a Top Hat in Port Phillip Bay. Being on holiday in the area he was hoping to view my horizontal wind vane. Steve has built his own version of a windvane and he was most impressed with mine. Returning Steve to shore we had a quick drink in the pub before I returned to Seaka, there I booked a raising of the Harwood Bridge on the Pacific Highway for 1200 tomorrow.

Friday 27th March.

I'd looked at my records and knew I had to be away by 0830 at the latest, which we were. What I hadn't added to the equation was that there was still some flood water coming down, an ebbing tide and a strong SW wind. Realizing after I passed the commercial wharves that I wasn't going to make it at 1200, I rang bridge operator and postponed the opening until 1300. As it turned out I got to the bridge 5 minutes after noon, so I did 15 minute circles in front of the bridge until it was opened. I was later to hear from locals that the new highway bridges will be high enough for any yacht to pass under but the old bridge will be retained for local traffic which means the local council will be responsible for the bridge openings and everybody is wondering how long that will last.

Moving up to Maclean I went onto the wharf and started to organize myself. Here I have to re-water, refuel, get some fresh food and do the washing. During the motor sail here I noticed that there was once again some diesel floating around so on checking that out I found that the return fuel lines were a bit buggered to put it mildly. The hunt was on around Maclean to find some hose and after one false purchase I ended up with petrol hose which will be OK in the short term, but I will replace them ASAP in Queensland.

Ok, first problem sorted, next was the AA battery charger that was blowing fuses left right and center I couldn't get one in Maclean, so that will have to wait until Grafton.

Saturday 28th March.

A visitor to a motor boat on the wharf kindly ran me up to the petrol station to get 40 litres of Diesel which saved about two hours of walking carrying 20 litres of fuel!

I had just finished the re-watering when Top Hat 'GINGER MAN's' owners turn up. Dr Rob and Faith invited me to their riverside house to do my washing which also turned into lunch. Rob and I then went down to Yamba to inspect his MK2 Top Hat, as Rob wishes to bring all his gear back to the cockpit. On our return it was getting late in the day so I was lent a car to duck down to Seaka for fresh clothing and returned for a very welcomed shower and dinner with Rob and friends. I was then dropped off to Seaka. An excellent day! Thank you Rob and Faith.

Sunday 29th March.

Rob and Faith came down to inspect Seaka and while at the wharf Alan Lucas came ashore and they introduced him to me. A great bloke, who has just got a well-deserved OAM for his work in Navigation Safety and Journalism.

At 1000 I proceeded upriver en-route for Grafton. After a couple of hours I stopped and anchored up for lunch. At first it was beautiful and flat with no wind, but as the weekend wore on the NE'er came in and I eventually raised the Yankee sail to assist. We averaged 4 knots over the day which was mainly against an ebbing tide. We arrived at Grafton just before dusk and anchored close to the public wharf.

Monday 30th March.

Today I walked up to the Grafton shopping center with the aim of getting a new 12 volt AAA charge. I was unsuccessful, but on my return to Seaka I manage to get it going with an USB cable, so all the small batteries are charged again.
This afternoon I cleaned up the boat in preparation for rain tomorrow and the return trip to Maclean. We will move to Iluka on Wednesday and then sail for Byron Bay on Thursday thence the Goldcoast via the Seaway on Friday.