The Voyage from Hidden Harbour to Sydney. A summary,
21 May 2018
Our planning has always been to find the most favourable weather to set off to Sydney, taking in the conditions can vary in different parts of Bass Strait and up the Gippsland coast into the Tasman Sea.
The weather looked good from the afternoon of the 16-May-2018 with southerlies in the strait providing reaching conditions. Then the winds were backing to the North West and then South West at about 15 - 25 knots. These winds would essentially blow us around the corner and up North.
We set off at 1300hrs on the 16- May, clearing the Phillip Heads by 1700hrs. The boat was travelling nicely as anticipated.
Change of watch at 1800hrs saw the conditions changing. The direction of the breeze was as predicted but the strength of the breeze was increasing. Instead of 15-20 knots we now had 30-35 knots. The sails were adjusted according.
Change of watch again saw the wind direction change to the South West and the intensity steadily build.
The boat and all the crew settled into the conditions extremely well.
We were making good time.
The swell and sea state had increased dramatically but essentially it was off the breeze to a narrow reach on our Port quarter.
Dawn of 17-May saw us at the Prom ready to round it and start the North east leg of our journey. We now had a following sea state with 4-5 metres waves on top of the 2 metre swell and 35- 40 knots of breeze. We adjusted our sailing to heavy weather reefed sails.
We rounded the Prom at 0744 and settled in to some heavy sailing.
this continued for most of the next day.
Approaching Eden with boat sailing fine and handling the conditions very well, we decided to not stop and pressed on.
Just passed Green Cape conditions started to ease.
The breeze played around a bit with getting passed Jervis Bay a trial.
However the wind and weather Gods smiled upon us, giving a Westerly of over 30 knots. This gave us Ideal reaching condition and powered us all the way to Sydney averaging between 7- 8 knots.
We arrived at the Sydney heads at 0600hrs. I had originally allowed for between 5- 7 days, we were there in 3 days 16 hours approx.
This was an absolute "HOOT of a Sail".
I thank the crew for an extremely superior, and professional manner in the way they sailed boat. The boat out performed all expectations easily. The boat was also provisioned by Sheila which had all the crew in aw of the food when it was possible to eat it. Thank you Sheila!!!
The result is = The Crew and the boat made it without injury to anyone and no busted gear.
Thanks to everyone involved.