Bass strait reality

[Sean Spence]

Easter Monday listening to the Westerlies tromp around the house & I've just read the account of the Port Fairy Race over the Easter Weekend. Only one finisher, who took 2 days. (It was 16 hours my first time). And a 50 ft Beneteau sank, after the life raft had been ripped from the deck by a wave. The six crew were in the water tethered and eventually got rescued by another entrant.

Brings home the need to really get your Top Hat seaworthy! And also that Top Hats have survived this kind of stuff.

http://www.orcv.org.au/index.php?option ... Itemid=516

So, seeing Tales isn't in her berth, Tom, I hope you're riding all this out safe & warm somewhere! And any others cruising this weekend.

Happy Easter, all

[storm petrel]

With that weather forecast I would hope that anyone cruising in a Tophat would have the good sense to stay in port.

[Phillip]

Sean and ALL,

With that weather forecast any informed cruiser would be staying in a secure berth/anchorage!

Therefore, no need for a life raft, which as was shown can and do get lost just when you need them, if you are silly enough to go out into that sort of weather.

At the Camden Haven River we are just sitting around as the easterly swell has been around 2m for some time and today's prediction is for around 4m!

Mind you the sea is great, no chop at all, it's just getting in and out of the bar.

We may get out for a sail next weekend when the swell drops to about 1m.

Phillip.

[storm petrel]

Forget how lucky we are here. The only time the bar at the entrance to Brisbane Waters is impassable is when there is a Southerly swell above 4m. All other swell directions are no problem, even when they are huge. The little Tophat is great fun in the big rolling swells that swallow up the view of the land as you sink low into the troughs. Interestingly, when we sail offshore from Broken Head in big seas accompanied by a stiff breeze(double reef conditions) it is rare to see another yacht out and even rarer to see one under 30 foot. The Tophat is pretty wet in these conditions but provided she is not overcanvased she always inspires confidence and doesn't cause us any concern. I guess it says something about the ability of these great, little yachts....

Mind you, going out for a fun day in the ocean is not passage making, and while I have great confidence in the boat in the open ocean, I would not try to take her across Bass Straight unless I had a very good weather window.

[Tales]

I guess it comes down to good boat preparation/good forecasts/good planning(and a bit of luck?)

We set off for Geelong Friday morning and got there 4 hours before the front. Tucked up safe and into wind. They were getting 45kts plus at the nearest weather station.

Sat out Sat and saw a movie but left Sunday for Queenscliff. Once again, ahead of the next front and secure at the Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club marina.

Rode out the wild weather Monday protected by upwind boats then headed home to Brighton on Tuesday with 15 to 20 Southish winds and very little rain.

So a good trip but only on the right days and (other than Friday) not Bass Stait weather!

Cheers,

Tom

[Troppo]

Well done, Tales! Amazing what you were able to do. Sounds like you know the weather patterns and appropriate strategies.

With my skill levels, I don't reckon I could sail a Top Hat to even a quarter of its rough-weather capabilities. Not yet anyway. I'm always learning something new which is why I like sailing.