Sahula -Passage Report No. 6

February- March 2008


Cruising is a life of contrasts. None more so than that between city and sea. Sahula stayed in Sydney for some three weeks. "Sydney" however was encapsulated in the beauty of Pittwater rather than the more raucous Harbour. Pittwater and fiord like, secluded, McCarrs Creek where the generosity of good friends, Tim and Helen, gave Sahula a warm "home" and a berth alongside their yacht "Freebooter." A marvelous memory was a dinner attended by three couples who'd circumnavigated the world, one in the sister ship to Sahula. As well a high point was meeting Tony and Sally, the original builders of "Sahula."

Apart from marvelous times with my daughter, Annalise and good friends, old and new, Sahula's had other good outcomes as well. Peter achieved wonders in redesigning the electrics including a very art-deco panel. Communications also improved, the ham radio and pactor modem now allow receipt of emails and chatter to fellow ham operators, world wide. As well, Sahula now has a blog. It will be where Passage Reports and other information will be posted, including photos and a tracking map.

Sahula's never saw the iconic Harbour Bridge due to Pittwater's enjoyable "port rot," arguably, a cruisers greatest threat.

However, the good times soon ended with the engineer calling for Sahula to return to Brisbane to install the new engine.

So with some sadness at leaving friends, not knowing when they'd be seen again, Sahula sailed north with the forecast of a southerly buster. She again sailed solo, under headsail alone with 24-30 knot wind gusts across a long Tasman Sea swell topped by numerous small "waterfalls." Few came aboard but the lee clothes prevented much water reaching the cockpit. However, the roar of nearby breaks tested the calm nerves especially at night. Through it all "Ariel," the self steering, guided Sahula north, her skipper enjoying the sail stretched along the cockpit bench. Once again, beautiful dusks and dawns, coastal scenery, schools of dolphins and gliding boobies, set the memories.

Again, "iron monsters" threatened but Sahula's route was largely closer inshore than the sea lanes to avoid the south setting East Australian current. However, "close" was adjusted seaward, when sailing through the islands just north of Coff's, a big breaker rose just off the starboard bow, much to the skipper's consternation and swift change in course. It must have been an unexposed bar, not able to ground Sahula but..... There were a few on the chart at the time. A lesson to keep further offshore in future.

First stop was Port Stephens arriving in the dark of early evening. The Coast Guard suggested Sahula take a vacant visitor's buoy off the local marina. Sahula stayed two nights to avoid the 40 knot gale forecast the next day. It was still blowing when Sahula left for Coffs Harbour. She arrived there after a night at sea. The strong southerly made entering the marina berth a distinct challenge. Quite a number of boat owners where enlivened to protect their craft when Sahula threatened them before successfully turning on her length between berths, in the strong wind. A miss is miss is a miss even if by millimeters.

The final leg was another overnighter before sailing finally into Southport, Queensland. After the peace of time at sea, the Southport/Gold Coast anchorage was intolerable due the nearby fun park, the helicopters overhead, the huge powerboats racing by. A shift to off a lovely beach further north, found peace and quiet.

Next day Sahula left early to catch the tide to ensure a safe crossing of the Jacobs Well shallows enroute to Manly through the channels between Moreton Bay's islands.

And so Sahula came to rest in Manly at the Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club marina. "Rest" doesn't quite describe the process of installing a new engine. Sahula was lifted out onto the hard stand. The "old" Ford 70 hp was craned out, a new Yanmar 54 was craned in. In between time, over 12 hour days, the boat was in chaos, sleep was in the forward bunk, galley and saloon were reduced to standing room only, taken up with tools and materials moved to make room to work in the engine room and aft cabin.

Thankfully, after 10 days, in time for Easter, the boat was polished, newly antifouled and engined and back in the water. Sea trials announced "Tanya" (surname "Yanmar"!!) in good working order. A much relieved and exhausted skipper retired to his bunk to recuperate, feeling all of his years. Now to enjoy cruising.

Easter was with Emily motoring on Moreton Bay and meeting friends in their motor catamaran.

Now it's time to head off again. That will happen next week. Sahula will be in Townsville near the end of April. Then it's onto Cairns and Darwin for the Indonesia Rally which starts on the 26th July.

The application form and fee have been sent in, so the Rally is now a reality.

Now friends Sahula is inviting crew to apply. No experience needed, just a sense of adventure. If you'd like to join or just think about joining Sahula in Asia drop the skipper an email (djhaigh@gmail.com, VH4HBV@winlink.com ) or phone 0417 676 772. Be lovely to have you aboard. This should be done ASAP as officialdom will need names and documents to be entered on a Cruising Permit. You'll separately require a Visa.
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Below is the list of the Rally ports and dates. The Rally may keep Sahula cruising Indonesia for three months over August, Sept and Oct till arrival in Singapore.

Best
David
Sv Sahula
March 2008

Kupang 1 August
Roti 3 August,
Alor 10 August,
Babar15 August
Wetar 16 August
Flores 20 August
Sumba 25 August
Sumbawa 30 August
Komodo 1 September
Lombok 5 September
Bali 15 September
Java 22 September
Bawean 25 September
Makassar 30 September
Bone Rate 2 October
Kalimantan 5 October
Ketapang 8 October
Kumai 10 October
Sumatra 12 October
Belitung 18 October
Singkep 20 October
Bintan25 October
Batam 30 October

Singapore Nov
Phuket December

Sri Lanka January, 2009
Cochin,lndia January
Oman Feb - March
Red Sea April - May
Greece Med Sea June
French Canals summer 2010