Tasmania in 2013

[Rod]

Hi Phillip,
Good luck and fair winds for the trip. Sea Monkey is moored at Square Head, Batemans Bay, NSW.
If you intend being at BB between approx 8-10Jan, or from 17Jan13 give me a call in advance and I will endeavour to be on my boat to give you a welcoming committee. My contacts are 02 6226 6870 or 0478166454. When entering BB ensure that you don't wander from the lead lights. The sand bar is quite notorious, even for a TH. When nearing the entrance, following the leads, go straight as if you want to hit the end of the spit then duck around to the right (entrance to Clyde river) at the last minute.
Preferably, it is safer to come over to Square Head first as it will not be necessary to cross any sand bars. There should be a spare mooring or two which are safe to use for a short rest.
DO NOT go west from Square Head as the sandbar will stop you. YOU MUST go back out towards Snapper Island to pick up the lead lights before turning in towards BB.
Here are a couple of BB contacts that you may find handy:
BB coastal patrol 02 44723060
BB marina 02 4472 9853 info@batemansbaymarina.com.au
power & Sail chandlery 02 4472 7263
Waterways Officer Rob Moldovan 0427 751 854 02 44721287
Eden water police 02 6496 0699

[KJD13]

Hi Philip,
Unfortunately, I am having problems with my engine - the mechanic cannot work out why the overheat alarm is going off. This only emerged upon relaunching after the antifoul just prior to Christmas. As a result, I will have to wait until after News Year Day to get the mechainic back (he hopes it is simply a faulty heat sensor, but I am not so confident!).
Given this last minute hurdle, i will have to pass on the trip to Tassie (thanks very much for the CD, it will prove to be invaluable for the future trip - I have located some more info myself and will send this to your email address if it is not on the CD!).
Given my last minute change, I would like to volunteer for a crew member should any of the Toppies require company on the trip South. Should this offer be accepted, I will make arrangements to get myself down to Refuge Bay (not Refugee Bay as per your list of stopovers) for a pick up.
Sorry to let you guys down this close to the cast off but with the current engine problems, I cannot sail my own Wayward Lady - hopefully I can still contribute to the trip.
Cheers,
Kevin
Wayward Lady
0419518602

[KJD13]

Phillip, the link to this info is:
http://jackandjude.com/anchorages/tasmania/furneaux/
Cheers,
Kevin
Wayward Lady, Mk111
Williamstown, Vic

[Phillip]

Thanks Rod for the info.

I will phone you somewhere around Jervis Bay or earlier.

Kevin, we have the Jack & Jude stuff, it's on the CD. Sorry to hear about your motor.
Have you cleaned the intake filter for your raw sea water?

At this stage I also am having small problems with my inboard. My son will be bringing the parts up from Sydney on the 2nd, so I am planning to get out of here during Thursday/Friday of next week, weather allowing.

[rob.lovelace]

heres a happy snap from Tassie

[Tales]

Pretty cryptic mate!

How about a few details?

Cheers,

Tom

[rob.lovelace]

I had to exit refuge cove as an easterly had started to pick up around noon. I got down to Prime Seal island in 16hrs on a single reach. when there I found cover in the lee of Flinders Island only for the wind to change westerly by 9am. I got back to Prime seal and stayed in the lee there for 3 days waiting for the wind to drop. three days there and I got to Lady Barren. More westerly gales and another 3 days and I made a move down the east coast. There are very few good places to shelter on the east coast until you get down to the Freycinet Peninsula. I got down to Binalomg bay in about 30 hours and stayed there unti an easterly started, then made a push for the peninsula. By this time I had become aware that sailing in 20kts+ or nothing was the norm for down there. The wind changed back to a westerly 30kts and I made my way to wineglass bay for a few days. When I left there I made 35NM in 35hrs up to Eddystone point in 20-25kt nor easterly - westerly. I tried to shelter in the lee of Eddystone but as I went toward the coast the wind went westerly then back offshore it was northerly. I had to turn and run back down to Binalong bay for cover spent the night there and as the wind went NE in the morning I made for St Helens over the bar. I spent 3 days there licking my wounds (great place) then with a SW due I made my run for home. I got to banks strait and couldn't get through. My boat will not point very well on third reef so I took the long way east of Flinders island to the prom where I it was blowing 20-30 on the east side and when I got west of it was becalmed. Motored into the lee of cape liptrap to wait out the expected 30kt SW and rest after 3 days non stop sailing,then into the east entrance of westernport last Sunday . 30 days in all, lots of strong winds, lots or no wind, lots of 30hr days, lots of smoke, lots of lovely coastline. I learned a lot about my boats and my own capabilities and am 100% confident in the top hats abilities in heavy weather. I had several green ones over the boat and was knocked over once and had water come in over the cowing and into the cabin. (lesson about bottom washboard complacency) I think I could do with a different headsail for strong winds. I use a rolling furler with a 130% gen on it and when shortened it won't let me go to windward in much above 23kts. Other than that I reckon I need 4-6 mths to properly see the whole east coast of Tassie. I only got to where it was beginning to get good when I had to come home.

[Tales]

Well done Rob!

So the picture of the wind instrument is showing 41knots eh?

All the best,

Tom

[rob.lovelace]

yessir and that's more than I'm used to even at anchor.

Did you get to King Island Tom?

[Tales]

A couple of health issues have delayed my boat preparation but she is back in the water again and if I can get a couple of weeks off work I would like to have a crack at it in Feb when winds are (usually!) a bit kinder.

Cheers,

Tom