A handful of years ago I mused about a Sail Raid locally, on Myall Lakes, down the river and about Port Stephens.
A local fellow organised a few sail camping trips involving a couple of short cruises say across the lake, camp, sail the long way home. He managed to draw in a handful of sailors that really enjoyed the experience . But unfortunately I couldn't attend due to work commitments.
Then on "Sydney RAID" on FB they posted a loose plan to have a 100 mile Raid, just like they do in USA where sailors create specialist craft. It's still early days, but there is a bunch of interest there's it's spurred me on to get Tilman ready. I've even varnished the spars!
Other joins include: reinforce the bilge and centreboard case, make hatch covers, add a reefing system and seal all the cracks and splits. Motivated!
Monday, January 27, 2020
New Year Sail
Actually a Lunar New Year sail, but it was good to get out. A shoulder complain by has kept me of the water for too long.
So today, it was Tilman's turn for a spin. She is so easy to prepare, I just go thru a quick mental checklist to make sure everything is on board. Being garage-less, I only need to toss her cover off and it's all there.
At the water's edge we had no sailing craft (come on guys! A public holiday in summer?) A gentle sea breeze and strong outgoing ride.
We entered the water at the S end of Lemon Tree Passage and used the tide to shove us through. I noted that all the moorings to the E side off the passage have been removed and the marina is expanding. Oh dear! As we cleared the Passage the NE increased to 10 knots, and we had a few thought tacks heading ENE to clear the entrance, but the toffee was still up so we sailed outside the markers quite safely.
Sailing through the Passage
Once cleared, we set a course to the N, a beam reach. As we got further of the wind became healthier and we got a bit of slip and I needed to use the seat (instead of the bilge), and allow the main to luff a fair amount. Our speed was good tho, and we hooted along for three miles before nearing the reefs to the NW off Soldiers Point. With the sea mist, salt spray and glare these low lying but solid rocks were hard to pick up, but eventually the yellow market stood out from the grey.
By now we were spilling lots of energy, so I hiked out a bit and loaded her up, the ebb now pushing us to windward as we entered deeper channel watered off Fame Cove made for a boisterous ride. We laid the entrance (to the NE of our position) with only one tack.
Entering FC I noticed a handful of boats moored up, motor cruisers, one decent cruising yacht and a lovely 30 something cat. We must have been impressive, red sails, full tilt into a healthy wind as we tracked in to FC, the cruising boat owner sitting in the shade off a bikini called out: "A real sailor!". I gave him a nod of thanks and a smile, but I had my hand full off mainsheet and tiller, while watching telltails for sign of wind buffering while dodging boats. Lovely sailing.
Anchoring is my least favorite thing to do in a Mirror dinghy. As soon as the sails are lowered the deck becomes unstable, then there's the centreboard to haul and rudder to tend to, even before tossing the hook. Basically you're piloting a gay moving, unstable craft without steering, while not looking.
Anyway, it wasn't my finest and to a leg of sailing. I left the centreboard down to long and as I was busy working the halyards she slithered quietly up onto a weed bank and went full tilt. I dived for the upward gunnel, losing my hat and taking a couple of gallons over the lee rail. For the sake of a mouthful of water, an apple and muesli bar, I should have just heaved to!
The sail back, this time around Bull Island was on a loose beam run and was a little wet, rolly and fast. Fantastic sailing at about maximum speed most of the time for nearly an hour.
A much anticipated gybe into the bottom and off the Passage proved uneventful and we cruised into the beach rudderless and centreboard- less pin a lovely free flowing drift to make a sweet landing in soft weed over sand. First cruise of 2020, done.
So today, it was Tilman's turn for a spin. She is so easy to prepare, I just go thru a quick mental checklist to make sure everything is on board. Being garage-less, I only need to toss her cover off and it's all there.
At the water's edge we had no sailing craft (come on guys! A public holiday in summer?) A gentle sea breeze and strong outgoing ride.
We entered the water at the S end of Lemon Tree Passage and used the tide to shove us through. I noted that all the moorings to the E side off the passage have been removed and the marina is expanding. Oh dear! As we cleared the Passage the NE increased to 10 knots, and we had a few thought tacks heading ENE to clear the entrance, but the toffee was still up so we sailed outside the markers quite safely.
Once cleared, we set a course to the N, a beam reach. As we got further of the wind became healthier and we got a bit of slip and I needed to use the seat (instead of the bilge), and allow the main to luff a fair amount. Our speed was good tho, and we hooted along for three miles before nearing the reefs to the NW off Soldiers Point. With the sea mist, salt spray and glare these low lying but solid rocks were hard to pick up, but eventually the yellow market stood out from the grey.
By now we were spilling lots of energy, so I hiked out a bit and loaded her up, the ebb now pushing us to windward as we entered deeper channel watered off Fame Cove made for a boisterous ride. We laid the entrance (to the NE of our position) with only one tack.
Entering FC I noticed a handful of boats moored up, motor cruisers, one decent cruising yacht and a lovely 30 something cat. We must have been impressive, red sails, full tilt into a healthy wind as we tracked in to FC, the cruising boat owner sitting in the shade off a bikini called out: "A real sailor!". I gave him a nod of thanks and a smile, but I had my hand full off mainsheet and tiller, while watching telltails for sign of wind buffering while dodging boats. Lovely sailing.
Anchoring is my least favorite thing to do in a Mirror dinghy. As soon as the sails are lowered the deck becomes unstable, then there's the centreboard to haul and rudder to tend to, even before tossing the hook. Basically you're piloting a gay moving, unstable craft without steering, while not looking.
Anyway, it wasn't my finest and to a leg of sailing. I left the centreboard down to long and as I was busy working the halyards she slithered quietly up onto a weed bank and went full tilt. I dived for the upward gunnel, losing my hat and taking a couple of gallons over the lee rail. For the sake of a mouthful of water, an apple and muesli bar, I should have just heaved to!
The sail back, this time around Bull Island was on a loose beam run and was a little wet, rolly and fast. Fantastic sailing at about maximum speed most of the time for nearly an hour.
A much anticipated gybe into the bottom and off the Passage proved uneventful and we cruised into the beach rudderless and centreboard- less pin a lovely free flowing drift to make a sweet landing in soft weed over sand. First cruise of 2020, done.
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Event 2: Famous Actor
The next event also involves a famous person, but I never got to speak with him.
I was with my daughter at a horse tack shop, sheltering from the heat in the car park.
Across the fat side off the shop I noticed a very tall older blonde haired woman. She was talking loudly with a strange English accent, and was obviously comfortable with herself; loud and proud.
The fellow with her seemed older, but equally flamboyant. He was wearing cherry red trousers and a while collared shirt, and although he was more reserved, his voice had a deep sonorous tone. I guessed he was a great theatre person sought off. But not being one to pry or gawk, I kept my distance, and have them their space.
Then I heard her ask: "Anything you want?". To which our man said simply and sonorous: "A belt" and they began walking in my general direction.
Then I noticed the fringe. There's only one fringe like that, I'd recognise it anywhere. Even though it was greyed.
I caught a glimpse of his face, I don't believe it. In a bloody horse shop near Newcastle!
Then the woman approached. As I go as need around, our man was struggling with old age and excess weight loss to string a belt, and he glared at me as off to say "it will happen to you too one day chum".
The woman says:" how are you going Barry?" Confirming that it was, behind doubt, none other than Sir Barry Humphries aka Dame Edna Evridge or Sir Les Paterson.
I was with my daughter at a horse tack shop, sheltering from the heat in the car park.
Across the fat side off the shop I noticed a very tall older blonde haired woman. She was talking loudly with a strange English accent, and was obviously comfortable with herself; loud and proud.
The fellow with her seemed older, but equally flamboyant. He was wearing cherry red trousers and a while collared shirt, and although he was more reserved, his voice had a deep sonorous tone. I guessed he was a great theatre person sought off. But not being one to pry or gawk, I kept my distance, and have them their space.
Then I heard her ask: "Anything you want?". To which our man said simply and sonorous: "A belt" and they began walking in my general direction.
Then I noticed the fringe. There's only one fringe like that, I'd recognise it anywhere. Even though it was greyed.
I caught a glimpse of his face, I don't believe it. In a bloody horse shop near Newcastle!
Then the woman approached. As I go as need around, our man was struggling with old age and excess weight loss to string a belt, and he glared at me as off to say "it will happen to you too one day chum".
The woman says:" how are you going Barry?" Confirming that it was, behind doubt, none other than Sir Barry Humphries aka Dame Edna Evridge or Sir Les Paterson.
Event 1: Famous Cyclist
Well, the weather crisis here is playing havoc with even my modest sailing plans. It's just too hot basically and the threat of bushfires means that when I'm not sheltering (inside or the beach), I'm working to make the property safe.
So, after the following meeting, i thought it might be good to make a weekly post about someone I meet, or a significant event in my non-sailing life.
Anyway, during the week following New Year's, I think it was my birthday, I met an interesting guy at the beach. I had a long swim in the sea and was feeling energised and liberated, and heading towards the shower I saw a guy ťying of this gear to a bicycle. I first noticed he has a long limber monkey lashed astern like it was hanging on. Not your average bear! I checked about and then I noticed that the frame was littered with tiny storage compartments made of canvas or Kevlar. But the thing is, it has this grime about it, like it was heavily used, but not neglected.
The guy gave me a modest smile as I commented on his monkey, "that's Udo" he said. I just smiled. But after my open air shower my curiosity peaked:
"Do you ride a long way?" I asked .
He said: "Yes, I hope to cycle around the world". He then went on to say "across America, Europe, Asia, China, now Australia and then New Zealand".
I said: "wow! You're nearly home".
He thought that was a great laugh. " I ride to Melbourne. Then fly to Auckland in two weeks and after that Hawaii. "
I am like wow this is ago amazing. Here we are on a crowded beach and we have a guy who's ridden a push bike almost around the world, and nobody knows anything.
He modestly explained that he rode alone and unsupported. He travels light, buying food as he needs to eat, and apparently stays in motels.
His favorite place was Jordan.
So, there you go. It's a bit like " you had to be there", but I thought it was amazing. The only person I have conversed with outside or work or family, for weeks, and he's an ATW cyclist!
I didn't even get his name, so I call him Duo, but pronounce it " You Do".
So, after the following meeting, i thought it might be good to make a weekly post about someone I meet, or a significant event in my non-sailing life.
Anyway, during the week following New Year's, I think it was my birthday, I met an interesting guy at the beach. I had a long swim in the sea and was feeling energised and liberated, and heading towards the shower I saw a guy ťying of this gear to a bicycle. I first noticed he has a long limber monkey lashed astern like it was hanging on. Not your average bear! I checked about and then I noticed that the frame was littered with tiny storage compartments made of canvas or Kevlar. But the thing is, it has this grime about it, like it was heavily used, but not neglected.
The guy gave me a modest smile as I commented on his monkey, "that's Udo" he said. I just smiled. But after my open air shower my curiosity peaked:
"Do you ride a long way?" I asked .
He said: "Yes, I hope to cycle around the world". He then went on to say "across America, Europe, Asia, China, now Australia and then New Zealand".
I said: "wow! You're nearly home".
He thought that was a great laugh. " I ride to Melbourne. Then fly to Auckland in two weeks and after that Hawaii. "
I am like wow this is ago amazing. Here we are on a crowded beach and we have a guy who's ridden a push bike almost around the world, and nobody knows anything.
He modestly explained that he rode alone and unsupported. He travels light, buying food as he needs to eat, and apparently stays in motels.
His favorite place was Jordan.
So, there you go. It's a bit like " you had to be there", but I thought it was amazing. The only person I have conversed with outside or work or family, for weeks, and he's an ATW cyclist!
I didn't even get his name, so I call him Duo, but pronounce it " You Do".
Sunday, January 12, 2020
Two Loves Tie Me in Knots
Too much time thinking by yesterday, it being the last Sunday before I return to regular work for the year. Well as regular as I chose.
Anyway, it's my blog... there were three events: I realised my love off sailing is actually two loves, I cleaned out Misty my Hunter 19 trailer sailed and revisited Sven Yrvind's blog.
My love affair with two different types puff sailing. Well I am expressing that way and I think it may be uniquly me. It seemed to understand my Boat Confusion Status. That status has paralysed me, I begin dreaming of a path in sailing and convince myself that "this is it", the answer to my boating dream. It could be a build of a coastal capable sailing boat with shoal water potential, or a shanty boat or a push to modify my trailer sailed to go Bluewater voyaging.
What typically happens is that great energy it's expended in a certain project, only for my focus to wander into a new project. I find it very frustrating, not the least because it's timbre consuming and disheartening. Then, yesterday I had thirds breakthrough in understanding what could be going on, two loves are tangling my thoughts. One love is Bluewater sailing, the other is living aboard, crossing oceans vs being up a creek and throwing away the paddle. Now most people would think as I have; week the solution is to builda shoal draft bluewater boat. That has merit, put all my resources into one big project. But well, I don't have enough cash or the wherewithall to do that. I have people that are dependent on me to be locked in to my showcased life. I simply cannot sell up and move aboard, there is work, maintain a shed, horses to horse, feed and train, personal care duties to perform. The Pahi 26 and of the second hand Ferro cruising boats were boats that could take me there, and, in time my life course will change to favor thirds route, potentially. But I don't know for certain.
So, I need to break it down. One Bluewater boat, one kind off shanty boat. Two different boats, two different loves and lifestyles. My tastes are to have smaller boats to fit these bills, a tiny offshore sailboat like the tinny capsule boats, a Paradox or heavily modified production yacht and a more spacious way less swarthy boat like an old live aboard cruising yacht or house/shanty boat. But the trick I have to play with my head is, is to keep these interests separate. To not try, ad I have done in the pay, to conflate these two very different things.
Right art the moment I can resource a small Bluewater boat. My current and previous interests include:-
A Llayden Paradox, this design has weaknesses with regards to offshore capability re strength, watertightness, and self- righting ability. Sven Yrvind has identified with the Paradox and offers unique solutions with his Exlex build.
Larger Production yacht, well there are some affordable ones about , but they needs bucket of cash to make seaworthy ... and you still have a habit of ss fittings, flimsy rig, bad sail design for solo sailing. Roger D. Taylor offers solutions here with the Mingming projects.
More on melding these two later.
Anyway, it's my blog... there were three events: I realised my love off sailing is actually two loves, I cleaned out Misty my Hunter 19 trailer sailed and revisited Sven Yrvind's blog.
My love affair with two different types puff sailing. Well I am expressing that way and I think it may be uniquly me. It seemed to understand my Boat Confusion Status. That status has paralysed me, I begin dreaming of a path in sailing and convince myself that "this is it", the answer to my boating dream. It could be a build of a coastal capable sailing boat with shoal water potential, or a shanty boat or a push to modify my trailer sailed to go Bluewater voyaging.
What typically happens is that great energy it's expended in a certain project, only for my focus to wander into a new project. I find it very frustrating, not the least because it's timbre consuming and disheartening. Then, yesterday I had thirds breakthrough in understanding what could be going on, two loves are tangling my thoughts. One love is Bluewater sailing, the other is living aboard, crossing oceans vs being up a creek and throwing away the paddle. Now most people would think as I have; week the solution is to builda shoal draft bluewater boat. That has merit, put all my resources into one big project. But well, I don't have enough cash or the wherewithall to do that. I have people that are dependent on me to be locked in to my showcased life. I simply cannot sell up and move aboard, there is work, maintain a shed, horses to horse, feed and train, personal care duties to perform. The Pahi 26 and of the second hand Ferro cruising boats were boats that could take me there, and, in time my life course will change to favor thirds route, potentially. But I don't know for certain.
So, I need to break it down. One Bluewater boat, one kind off shanty boat. Two different boats, two different loves and lifestyles. My tastes are to have smaller boats to fit these bills, a tiny offshore sailboat like the tinny capsule boats, a Paradox or heavily modified production yacht and a more spacious way less swarthy boat like an old live aboard cruising yacht or house/shanty boat. But the trick I have to play with my head is, is to keep these interests separate. To not try, ad I have done in the pay, to conflate these two very different things.
Right art the moment I can resource a small Bluewater boat. My current and previous interests include:-
A Llayden Paradox, this design has weaknesses with regards to offshore capability re strength, watertightness, and self- righting ability. Sven Yrvind has identified with the Paradox and offers unique solutions with his Exlex build.
Larger Production yacht, well there are some affordable ones about , but they needs bucket of cash to make seaworthy ... and you still have a habit of ss fittings, flimsy rig, bad sail design for solo sailing. Roger D. Taylor offers solutions here with the Mingming projects.
More on melding these two later.
Sunday, January 5, 2020
Sea Keeping a Seawind 24 Catamaran
It's funny how some sailing stories get about. this morning, while perusing info I searched up on Seawind 24s, I found the following yarn:
"A bloke I was talking to told me a mate's soon and his girlfriend sailed a Seawind 24 from South Australia all the way up the east coast. living aboard and beach camping, they had so much fun they continued on to Indonesia and Sri Lanka I think".
Boat design.net/forum
A fellow in North America cruised the Caribbean for several months before living aboard for over a year with his partner. I read his blog.
This information, even the bits I know are true, are useful because I have confidence that a well handled Seawind 24 is capable of lengthy coastal passages and some ocean hopping. Apart from the Middle East and Red Sea sections, such capacity is enough to get one from here to Europe ... and beyond?
Ok the topic of fiddling in small cats, the known record held by Rory McDougal sailing a Tiki 21, Wharram designed cat with marginally less accommodation that the Seawind 24. Rory broke his trip up with a long, live ashore break in New Zealand, but it can be done.
My greatest safety concern with the Seawind 24 is capsize. There are only four things I can cling to here:-
a) the SW24 is considered "beamy" and "heavy" compared to other production cats.
b) the Tiki 21 had an increased sail plan, and while Wharram cats are conservatively rigged, 2 have capsized.
c) experience in the bank. Over the years I have aimed beach cats and was confident to fly a hull and avoid capsize. In any new boat, I would learn to sail her is all winds to get a firm grasp on her habits.
d) sailing conservatively at sea is my style. This means when making the decision to leave port, reefing and nursing the rig.
I hope that these factors, and good fortune with weather, would stand me in good stead. I imagine the difficult times would be during heavy weather, gusty conditions and under windvane steering.
I would try to emulate what Rory did during storms and heavy headwind conditions, to toss a parachute or sea anchor over the bow and wait it out. This is safer, in that it avoids sailing into the wind when the tipping moment id's greatest, conserves the rig and provides rest.
"A bloke I was talking to told me a mate's soon and his girlfriend sailed a Seawind 24 from South Australia all the way up the east coast. living aboard and beach camping, they had so much fun they continued on to Indonesia and Sri Lanka I think".
Boat design.net/forum
A fellow in North America cruised the Caribbean for several months before living aboard for over a year with his partner. I read his blog.
This information, even the bits I know are true, are useful because I have confidence that a well handled Seawind 24 is capable of lengthy coastal passages and some ocean hopping. Apart from the Middle East and Red Sea sections, such capacity is enough to get one from here to Europe ... and beyond?
Ok the topic of fiddling in small cats, the known record held by Rory McDougal sailing a Tiki 21, Wharram designed cat with marginally less accommodation that the Seawind 24. Rory broke his trip up with a long, live ashore break in New Zealand, but it can be done.
My greatest safety concern with the Seawind 24 is capsize. There are only four things I can cling to here:-
a) the SW24 is considered "beamy" and "heavy" compared to other production cats.
b) the Tiki 21 had an increased sail plan, and while Wharram cats are conservatively rigged, 2 have capsized.
c) experience in the bank. Over the years I have aimed beach cats and was confident to fly a hull and avoid capsize. In any new boat, I would learn to sail her is all winds to get a firm grasp on her habits.
d) sailing conservatively at sea is my style. This means when making the decision to leave port, reefing and nursing the rig.
I hope that these factors, and good fortune with weather, would stand me in good stead. I imagine the difficult times would be during heavy weather, gusty conditions and under windvane steering.
I would try to emulate what Rory did during storms and heavy headwind conditions, to toss a parachute or sea anchor over the bow and wait it out. This is safer, in that it avoids sailing into the wind when the tipping moment id's greatest, conserves the rig and provides rest.
Saturday, January 4, 2020
Meeting An Around the World Cyclist
Now I face an existential crisis. The nation puff my birth has entered Climate Crisis and while the Rest of the World offers sympathy and aid I want to tell them to save their alms because you will be next. Events in Australia being symptomatic of a world climate in revolt.
So, my children and I do a Climate Refugee thing and pack up and leave to avoid the heat away from the coast. We're talking 10 to 20 degrees difference and the option of soaking in the cool waters of the Pacific, and seeing boats. Just with my shoulder healing, sailing is off limits just now. The other day, my birthday actually, I met briefly with a remarkable and anonymous cyclist.
My children, daughter's boyfriend, niece and myself had been soaking in the sea and poking inn rock pools, really soaking up the experience. As the sun began dipping and hunger began biting we headed up for a cold shower, the open kind you typically sea on beach promenades where people gather to wash off sand and salt and often to chat lighthearted. While I was approaching the area and various people in states of undress, gear and clothing scattered about, I noticed Udo's Owner, standing off, quietly dusting of his feet, and packing his bicycle. A beautiful machine, sleek and decked out inn an array of very small storage pouches. Apart from a certain grimey look, it could have been a big standard commuter or weekend warrior mount. But the wear spoke off hard use, I approached Udo's Owner and asked off he'd ridden a long way. Her smiled and have a brief (modest) detail that he'd ridden from New York. At this point I got overwhelmed and asked about food (!he bought meals as he needed them and carried "very little"), he explained that he rode alone except for Duo the monkey strapped to his rear rack and flew from country to country.
I beckoned my daughter over: "He has ridden around the world". Udo's dad was opening up a bit and with a thick Spanish accent, but in good English he revealed that he'd ridden "America, across Europe, China's Middle East, China and I am riding to Melbourne".
I said " Oh, west about, you're nearly home?". He said:"Smiling, I go to New Zealand, then Hawaii. "
"Then across USA".
"I've done that, I rode across America and it was very boring".
He reluctantly revealed that he'd covered sixty five thousand kilometres. I just said "that's incredible". I was amazed, here we were on a on a crowded beach, and this totally casual guy was revealing details of a most amazing feats a gunman being can undertake. Pretty soon he would leave and only we would know. He, smiling and amazingly modest, finished packing, put on his shoes and left, but not before givng a smiling wave. I gazed, quite stunned as he rode away looking like he was off home after a 30k day ride.
So, my children and I do a Climate Refugee thing and pack up and leave to avoid the heat away from the coast. We're talking 10 to 20 degrees difference and the option of soaking in the cool waters of the Pacific, and seeing boats. Just with my shoulder healing, sailing is off limits just now. The other day, my birthday actually, I met briefly with a remarkable and anonymous cyclist.
My children, daughter's boyfriend, niece and myself had been soaking in the sea and poking inn rock pools, really soaking up the experience. As the sun began dipping and hunger began biting we headed up for a cold shower, the open kind you typically sea on beach promenades where people gather to wash off sand and salt and often to chat lighthearted. While I was approaching the area and various people in states of undress, gear and clothing scattered about, I noticed Udo's Owner, standing off, quietly dusting of his feet, and packing his bicycle. A beautiful machine, sleek and decked out inn an array of very small storage pouches. Apart from a certain grimey look, it could have been a big standard commuter or weekend warrior mount. But the wear spoke off hard use, I approached Udo's Owner and asked off he'd ridden a long way. Her smiled and have a brief (modest) detail that he'd ridden from New York. At this point I got overwhelmed and asked about food (!he bought meals as he needed them and carried "very little"), he explained that he rode alone except for Duo the monkey strapped to his rear rack and flew from country to country.
I beckoned my daughter over: "He has ridden around the world". Udo's dad was opening up a bit and with a thick Spanish accent, but in good English he revealed that he'd ridden "America, across Europe, China's Middle East, China and I am riding to Melbourne".
I said " Oh, west about, you're nearly home?". He said:"Smiling, I go to New Zealand, then Hawaii. "
"Then across USA".
"I've done that, I rode across America and it was very boring".
He reluctantly revealed that he'd covered sixty five thousand kilometres. I just said "that's incredible". I was amazed, here we were on a on a crowded beach, and this totally casual guy was revealing details of a most amazing feats a gunman being can undertake. Pretty soon he would leave and only we would know. He, smiling and amazingly modest, finished packing, put on his shoes and left, but not before givng a smiling wave. I gazed, quite stunned as he rode away looking like he was off home after a 30k day ride.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)