Wednesday, 20 October 2010

I am now in Byron Bay, at anchor and sheltering from strong southerlies. I went over to Runaway Bay Marina on Sunday afternoon, there was still a fairly strong wind blowing and I had difficulty in getting the anchor up. I had to keep driving forward a few meters, dashing up to the bow, pull in a few meters of chain, then go back to the cockpit and start again. I did this 4 times before the anchor was up. It was good to get into the calm of the marina. Walked down to the shopping centre and did some shopping then it was a very early night as I hadn’t got much sleep the night before.

On Monday morning I rang Raymarine and got the tracking number for the part, then rang Toll Priority who said it would be here by 13:00. Exactly at 13:00 I rang Toll again and was told it would be with me in 15 – 20 minutes. I was getting concerned because I had set 14:00 as my deadline for getting away. The part turned up just before half past and I only took about 15 minutes to fit and test it. I was away just before 14:00. It was good to have “Charlie” back and working, though not as good as a live Chez.

It was a good run down to Byron Bay, with light SE winds, motor sailing all the way. Got in about 22:00. Byron anchorage was a bit rolly, but not as bad as some I have had. I departed here about 5:30 yesterday and was having a good trip down to about Lennox Head when a 20 knot southerly came up. The seas and swell also were high and I was only making about half a knot. I knew I would never make it to the Clarence before high tide to get over the bar. I made the decision to turn around and head back to Byron Bay. Got the main up, turned around got the head out on the spinnaker pole and gull winged all the way back to Byron. First sail I’ve had for a few weeks and it was glorious. 6 – 7 knots and very smooth.

This time, in the bay, I kept away from the recommended anchorage and headed over towards a trawler that was at anchor. They usually know the best place to anchor. Closer in to shore here and more sheltered by the cape. I also but down a “bird”, as trawler men call it. A weight hanging from the spinnaker pole into the water which acts as a damper against rolling. Seems to work as, although the wind was stronger last night than the night before, I had a more comfortable night.

Have just checked weather and both Seabreeze and BOM are indicating good winds for tomorrow and Friday, so I’ll be getting an early start for Iluka tomorrow, then its Coffs on Friday. That’s the plan anyway!