SV SEAKA: CRUISING AUSTRALIA IN 2019.

On Wednesday at low tide I had to move Seaka off shore a bit as we had very little water under, in fact just off a grounding. Finally decided on a 0600 departure for Thursday and so at 0610 we got under way for the 42 nautical mile journey with only the Genoa and to counter the incoming tide, the iron sail. We made the Great Sandy Strait Fairlead just after 0800 and once I had the mainsail up and the motor off up we turned almost due north and headed off for Burnett Heads.

The seas at this stage were just below one meter with a wind speed around 18 knots, perfect! Seaka took off giving up regular 5 plus knots and some bursts up to seven knots. Around 1000 we lost the autohelm and I thought that we had done another fuse. Later around 1400 I heaved too just to fix this problem and found that the switch was off, must have knocked it when I threw some gear under the table where the main switch board is. The seas now flattened off to nothing and the wind dropped to around 12 knots and Seaka sail stiff and up-right, still giving us over 5 knots with the occasional 6 knots plus.

Finally around the 25 nautical mile mark, Seaka was overtaken by a 14.6 meter yacht called Outnumbered. We would stay close behind this yacht with only half a nautical mile separating us at the main channel into Bennett Head after 42 nautical miles. A very good race as they only left Middle Bluff 40 minutes behind us. At 1540 we moored to the outer arm in the old marina, only $27.50 a night here so will stay two to get everything done.

I was met here by cisco from the Seabreeze site. Peter had arranged for a marine workshop to repair my outboard motor so he took me into Bundaberg with the outboard motor. Later we enjoyed a beer at his local pub before tea and being taken back to the marina. Thanks very much Peter. Back at the marina this old fellow had to climb the gate to get in as I didn't yet have a key.

Today [Friday] I have tightened the stern gland as it was letting in too much water, all fixed. I have also remounted the wind vane, with some small adjustments, as the sea conditions here are conducive to working out how to adjust it. I have done the washing and repacked a stern locker, oh, did I say that I had a fish landing net stolen in the marina at Scarborough? I have to buy another one now. Damn!

So I got the call about 1600 today that the outboard motor was fixed. For the diagnosis and a new spark plug, yes that's all what was wrong, it cost $30. What a relief and Peter was kind enough to drop it out to the marina tonight.

So shopping tomorrow morning then I'm off to 1770 on Sunday, a 50 nautical mile sail.