tophatyachts.com

Hi Top Hatters in Sydney Harbour,

I have moved Sea Lady to the Hawkesbury for a little while and am wondering if anyone is going out on Saturday to welcome Jessica Watson home and if you would like crew?

Please let me know.

My personal email is diana@sciencepeople.com.au

Diana Heery
Sea Lady

hi
was wondering where she was, hadnt seen her on her mooring in a while!
how was your trip north? take long etc? just got auriga back to tarban after her temporary stay up north, nice to be home

not sure if we'll head out for the welcome home, got a feeling there is gonna be a million people/boats out there...

will let you know if we decide to head out

dan

Thanks Dan,

Yes I sailed "Sea Lady" up a couple of weeks ago.
My first solo ocean trip.
Had a couple of dolphins surface beside me to say Hi.

I was a little nervous going 'outside' solo but was ok.

I have a second mooring in Mooney Mooney Creek.
Have found a loophole, so I can have 2 moorings.

I agree, there will be lots of people out. At least they shouldn't be going fast so hopefully not too much of a washing machine harbour.

It took me 5 hours head to head.

A personal achievement. I am a little proud of myself and hopefully won't be as nervous next time. Will still pick my weather.

Jessica can keep sailing in a gale solo to herself.

Yes please let me know if you do go out. My mobile is 0417 068877
Diana

Well Done Diana!!
I bet you felt a fantastic sense of accomplishment when rounding Barrenjoey Light.
Yes i agree with you about the weather & sailing solo...it has to be a perfect forecast, no point making it harder than it has to be for yourself!, although you may still get caught out occasionally with a "perfect" forecast hopefully conditions wouldnt deteriorate to absolutely miserable.

cheers
Shaun

ps hear anything else about that "cheap" TH you mentioned on a police buoy in another post?

Hi Shaun,

That cheap Top Hat was mentioned to me by some fishermen having a beer at Brooklyn one day when I was seeking local knolwedge about the area of my mooring in Mooney Mooney creek.
Apparently it was siezed for non payment of something and is for sale as long as the fines are paid.

It may still be in the 'harbour' area near the Hawkesbury River Train Station.
I really should take a look.

It was suggested that I buy it and leave it on a second mooring, so I can get a better one that what I have in the Hawkesbury.

The mooring I have has lousy access.
But I have the ability to enjoy both waterways.
So I will be doing a few more trips up and down.

A question for you.
And others.

I was surprised at how big the swells were on my trip.
Forecast 2metres.
And the walls of water in front and behind me were &%^$@#$ big at times

Sea Lady handled it but I had to steer manually, I did not trust the Autopilot with waves that were easily 5-6 metres top to bottom.

My arm was sore after all the steering.

Any ideas on what I should try and pick as a forecast swell to make it easier.
Also is it easier going into, or with the swell?

I was doing a lot of surfing.

Diana

Diana,

Have a look at this site, it shows the swell heights and direction.
By looking at the sea today you can get an idea how the site works by looking at the 'yesterday' part.

http://www.seabreeze.com.au/graphs/nsw.asp

I usually take a copy with me every time I go out to SEAKA.
Just copy the bit you want and paste in word etc. then print.

Phillip
SEAKA

Thanks Phillip,

Yes this is a great site and make it easy to see.

Looks like I don't have a ride on Saturday to see Jessica so will go for a sail on the Hawkesbury.

Diana

Diana,
Have a look at this thread on the Cruiser's Forum site, it goes into single handing(about 19 pages of it!)
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f10 ... 10373.html

I'd much rather sail with the swell, or at a slight angle to it, getting a slight lift from each swell too, aiding progress. If your arm muscles were hurting too much, it may of been too much weather helm?, your rig may of been unbalanced & might of needed a reef or 2 in main?

cheers
Shaun