For the midwinters sail i headed off solo from Ross River for an overnight at Horseshoe bay. The weather was about 25C by day 15C by night, 20-25 knot SE and overcast with showers forecast (no strong wind warning issued).
Once rigged tried to sail out of River but couldnt quite point high enough so furled jib and motor sailed. On the way had to stow the bimini and furl it with rope. (lesson, do that before hand in over 20knots)
Set off under full sail but soon the lee rail was under, so took a reef in the main sail. The wind kept increasing so changed down the jib to #2 , it was a bit difficult to operate the halyard shackle (so note taken)
It was a fast close reach on starboard tack , about an hour to be well to windward of Picnic Bay. Kept going into offshore waters and over 2m seas and strong wind with the spray flying. every time a rain shower came the wind increased,,lesson "showers" = "rain squalls" offshore.
Was a few nm off orchid rocks by nightfall. A 3/4 moon behind cloud plus city lights glow was enough to see the silhouette of Magnetic Islands hills. Anchored ships way offshore and navigation pole lights of the ship channel , and even the evening star help with direction. (compass still pretty basic and unlit, except by red led headtorch) ,,there were very few shore lights on this part of the coast rather dark there.
Once clear of orchid rock point, Teria was able to run downwind before the seas, which eased things off. I kept the Cape Cleveland lighthouse astern.
Navigation was also backed up by a GPS smart phone in a watertight pouch. The app showed boat position on a google maps satellite image.
To check sail the LED head torch could be switched to white, then back to red for night vision.
Once the lights of Horseshoe Bay appeared it was time to Gybe in. but too hairy for that so rounded up and tacked instead.
Soon was close hauled on port tack in the smooth waters of the bay. The many shore lights and anchor lights on boats helped guide me in. Tacked up a few times to get closer to the anchored boats before dropping the pick about 100m from the breach shorebreak. I was inside a large game fish boat and some big trimarans, good thing about very shoal draft.
Secured the deck, got the anchor light going. "Scamp" the kayak was stowed in the cabin for the rough crossing so pulled it out and stowed on foredeck. The bimini was unfurled but not raised, just used to act a rain dodger while dinner re-heating Thai style pasta spirals on the trangia was underway. Hot milo wasn't too bad either!
It was too rough to take any photos, only a go-pro would've cut it.
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