Barry And Lyn Cruise

Last Sunday left Tambourine Bay about 0930 with Barry,Lyn and Steffi for a cruise to Sydney harbor.
The wind was from the South 5/10 Knots forecasting to swing to the east freshing to 15/20 Knots.
We motored to the Sydney Opera house and Judith pulled up the Sails. We had a very fresh sail to Watson Bay with only 2 tacks, where we stopped for morning tea. The sun which had been trying to make an appearance all morning decided to give it away and go and hide behind some very black clouds,along with some light rain and the forecast increase in wind strength it made for a very fast sail back down the harbor for lunch.
Berrys bay is well protected form most winds and we anchored in 6 meters of water and had a very impressive lunch.
Barry had to be back early to go to work and as promised we had him back at Tambourine bay at 1530

Orion After the Antifoul

Orion was antifouled last week and what a difference it has made to the speed.
Last Sunday 17/02/2008 we had a 10-15 knot SE wind and sailing on a broad reach my GPS recorded over 7 knots and we where towing the tender.

Australia Day Weekend Cruise

We left Tambourine Bay with friends Ben and Val about 10.00am with a light NE wind, forecast to reach 15 to 20 Knots.
Our destination - somewhere out of the wind to have lunch.
Passed under the Sydney Harbour Bridge about 1045, sailed past Fort Denison and out into the main harbour.

Our first call was Chowder Bay, renowned for clear water, good diving and home to a colony of Seahorses. Unfortunately, not enough room for "ORION".
Next bay was Obelisk bay, known as a "nude" beach, also full, but not giving up yet.
On our way around Middle Head our new tender (now named Wanderer) became adrift.
So, as in a man overboard drill, around we went and Judith managed to get a boat hook on it and, with Ben's help, saved the day. Well done!
Around Middle Head there is a nice area called Castle Rock, crystal clear water and we moored in about 2.5 meters.
Ben was unable to wait till lunch and was first in for a swim, water temp about 23c, perfect.
For lunch we had BBQ snags (what else on Australia day), however Val found that eating in the cabin a bit rocky and rolly, so we ate out on the deck.
After lunch I took a dive under the boat to look at the barnacles and the anchor, good job the boat is have an anti-foul tomorrow.
Ben also went in after lunch to retrieve a water bottle and found it hard to swim back to the boat against the current.
On the way back down the harbour, the by now strong NE wind blew us home very nicely.
Just near the Sydney opera house we passed, going out on her maiden voyage, the P&O cruiser "Pacific Dawn".
It takes us about 30 minutes from the "Bridge" to Tambourine Bay and, with the sun going down in the west, 4 happy and sun tanned people have had a very nice Australia Day Weekend.

Please look at the videos,
David.

Sydney Hobart Race Start

As the Sydney to Hobart fleet turned right on Boxing day,we turned left and cruised up to Pittwater.
It is 33 NM from our base in Tambourine Bay to Pittwater .We left Sydney heads about 1245pm with light nor east winds and 1 to 2 metre swells.
After we passed Long Reef the wind increased to 15 to 20 NE and the seas started to get a bit lumpy.We put a reef in the mail sail and sailed on till we where abeam Bangally Head but the wind was getting stronger so we doused the main and rounded Barrenjoey about 530pm.
On the way we saw plenty of Dolphins one pod stayed with us playing around the boat for along time
We picked up a mooring at The Basin and stayed 2 days fabulous days swimming fishing etc.
Left Pittwater 0700 Friday morning,a small cloud bank just off the coast kept the sun off us for a while,but the only wildlife we saw was Flying fish.
We entered Sydney heads about 1100 and where back in Tambourine Bay about 1315pm.
Our Total trip distance was 67 NM.
Thanks to The Coastal Patrol for their Radio coverage.
.

Breakfast at Ben and Vals

The Sydney to Hobart ,CYCA Xmass eve Preparations

This is the scene at the Crusing Yacht Club on Xmas Eve as the Yachts get ready to sail to Hobart.

Sailing with Ben and Val

Left really early today with a bad weather forecast of rain and strong southerly winds.
Guess what no rain and no wind.
Ben pulled the plug and staid in bed but we sailed up to Cabarita and back.We had not being up that part of the Parramatta river in 3 years.