The adventures of Polaris 2

Yesterday was packing up day after 3 weeks on the water, initially in fine sunshine then a fine Tas drizzle. the attached photo shows Polaris itching to sail off the marina with the screecher set (finally in ideal 10-12 knots!).

A recent development with a freshwater water leak in the engine has necessitated a late change in our travel plans with Marg and Martin returning to Melb and Sydney respectively. I have stayed on to identify the leak and follow up a long list of boat items (Boat spells = Broken Or About To - stop me if you have heard this before).

I found water misting out of the side of the air filter late last night and have spend several uncomfortable hours crawling around the engine compartment attempting to tighten the sodding clamp without success. One for the mechanics tomorrow.

Finally a good nights sleep at the MAST mooring at Port Arthur. An early morning swim blew away any remaining cobwebs and we were ready to hit Port Arthur tourist hotspot sans any cruise ships.

This spectacular historic site was even more impressive minus 3,500 of our closest friends - where our last visit was shared with a cruise ship early am. The punters were being bussed in by the barge load.

instead we had a lovey sunny morning stroll around this unique site.

Setting sail, we headed around Cape Raoul and set Harry the Hydrovane the challenge to steer us home to Hobart.

in a steady 17-20 knots, Harry rose to the challenge and steered a consistent angle to the breeze for over 3 hours. After experimenting with various ratio knob settings, we discovered in 15-20 knots, any of the 3 gears seemed ok but when the wind eased off for a while, it seemed more efficient in 3rd gear. Photo shows Harry steering like a champ!

A quick stop over at the Royal Yacht Club Tas for some fuel (39 litres/12.5 hrs = approx. 3.1 litres per hour - not bad for 20 yr old 50 hp Volvo MD22L).

Now safely berthed in an 18m berth at Prince of Wales Marina - Harry's redeeming success after bruising Polly was celebrated with a healthy dinner of fried rice and vegetables washed down with a fine Tas pinot noir.

It seemed like a good idea at the time. Take advantage of the forecast SW wind to sail to Maria Island via the Denison Canal (and treacherous Blackman Bay and Marion Narrows - refer earlier post) and return via the forecast NE around Tasman Island to Port Arthur.

After an engaging day on Maria Island observing the day trippers and their acrobatic feats (refer blog yesterday), Marg, Martin and I spend a very uncomfortable night constantly rolling at the MAST mooring at Darlington with the now NE wind and swell creeping around the breakwater.

After a birthday breakfast (mine!) and a brief walk to the Fossil cliffs, we set off mid morning expecting a following breeze and sea.

Well! We now understand what the BOM mean by SW swell and NE wind = swirling unstable wind over tide seas = v crappy. with a 20-25+ NE and 2-3 slop swell, we had a v uncomfortable trip albeit made good speed averaging 7 knots over 51 nm. the highlight of the trip was a troupe of 10 -15 dolphins who delighted in launching themselves out of the swell and into the air and then the bow wave of Polaris 2.

Otherwise it was bit grim but I enjoyed my birthday - thank you for asking.

A lovely dinner on the MAST mooring at Port Arthur with Marg's veg curry, fine Tas Pinor Noir and pancakes topped out the day. A early night for the weary but elated crew.

After an invigorating walk along the wind swept Riedle Bay beach and back along the shore at Shoal Bay, the mighty Polaris 2 headed north into the Mercury Passage heading for Darlington in a 10-12 knot Easterly with flat seas.

Perfect conditions at last to undertake sea trials for Harry the Hydrovane. With Martin setting up the helm, I attempted to follow the instructions re initially stalling the vane, correct ratio knob settings etc. Harry was a bit recalcitrant at first insisting on heading for the shore and shallow water. After a good talking to, Harry had a good hard look at himself and started to steer a bit more consistently. The offshore breeze was a bit shifty and Harry needed some assistance to cope with 20 degree shifts. Some more work tomorrow to test some other ratio and gear settings.

After picking up a MAST mooring at Maria Island, we had a brisk walk to the Painted Cliffs to coincide with low water. Imagine our surprise when we came across a man and woman performing elaborate acrobatic routines in front of their iphone with the painted cliffs as a back drop - see attached photo. They were only interested in performing in front of their camera and took no notice of the surrounding bemused walkers. After the applause, they said they worked together in a circus - we said so do we!

We ubered crewman Bob to the airport on Sunday pm and welcomed our new crew Martin on Monday in time for a refreshing seafood and pale ale lunch at the RYCT. After some re-provisioning and a healthy dinner at hole in the wall malaysian food spot Hugos, we headed off early this morning for the Denison Canal and the Marion Shallows.

We thought we were pretty clever timing the high tide through the Denison Canal but very quickly realised that we had to cross the shallow shifting sands of Blackman Bay - jesus was that stressful. Martin on the bow with CB radio calling the shallow water, Andrew on the CB and calling the depth and Marg coolly threading the needle between all the conflicting advice.

There were high fives all round when we eventually managed to clear the Marion Narrows after drifting through several zero metre zones.

now anchored in Shoal Bay on Maria Island with the roast lamb in the oven and the Tas Pinot Noir in hand. looking forward to walkies on the beach tomoz.

This is the inaugural blog of Polaris 2 - any feedback welcomed.

The crew of Polaris 2 enjoyed a pleasant night out in Hobart with a visit to the State Cinema in Elizabeth St to watch Colin Firth and Rachel Weisz in The Mercy. An appropriate movie after our recent adventures to the SW corner of Gas to Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour - more blogs to follow.

The evening deteriorated somewhat with the expected cold front arriving in the middle of the night - 55 knots recorded at 4 am!!! the boat was leaning over 10 degrees and attempting to sail off its mooring - a bit hard for the crew to sleep. a slow start this morning and loads of coffee has helped address the sleep deficit.

photo attached from lovely morning yesterday - from sunshine to gales in 24 hours.