The Strait
Bass Strait is a notorious stretch of water between mainland Australia and Tasmania. Numerous vessels have had their share of difficulties in crossing the strait. The 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race resulted in the loss of 6 lives and 5 boats. So, it is not something that we took lightly.
The Preparation
First thing we needed was fuel and a few groceries. Stopped in Merimbula and made 4 trips in Maddie, our faithful dinghy, to the local petrol station in Merimbula and found the Woollies within walking distance. Passed the oyster farms in the channel.
All stocked up we headed for Eden to wait for our weather and fill up with water. We arrived there thinking that we could tie up to the dock for the couple nights only to find that the harbour master telling us we can’t stay tied up to the dock because Eden was being evacuated. Well … maybe we can find a restaurant that was going to serve up the famous muscles in Eden. Not happening! Everything is closed, except for the local tavern! In the morning after spending the night at anchor, we tied up to the pier and filled with water and gave the boat a good wash.
Our crossing of the strait was going to be the 6th, giving us a northerly wind that would push us across the strait in good time, however a strong southerly was going to hit the area and push the fires closer to Eden before this, and we had to be tucked in somewhere to “weather” that storm. Figured the best bet would be to anchor on the other side of Twofold Bay in Boydtown. We woke the next morning to the hillside in Boydtown on fire! The winds had been very strong and sent the fire all the way to the water covering the boat again in ash. Picked up anchor quickly and headed back to Merimbula, another 10 nautical miles in the opposite direction. Spent the morning getting buckets of sea water and washed the deck as much as we could. Had to clean all the bird shit off the boat as well because the birds were thinking our boat was a safe haven from the fires.
Not sure if anyone saw the news of PM Scott Morrison, trying to talk to some residents affected by the fires and getting shutdown. Interesting to see how they feel about climate change and how the government is ignoring it. Little note from a concerned resident posted on a bulletin board.
The Crossing
Winds were light when we started and picked up as we got closer to the point. Passed the HMAS Adelaide on the rescue mission picking people up from Eden where they had been evacuated to the pier. Winds continued to get strong and the waves were getting bigger. Thankfully, all of this was happening from behind MAD so we were able to surf down the waves. At some point we saw 35 knots of wind and 3 metre waves. Average speed was over 6 knots and a maximum of 10.2 knots. Besides waves crashing over the back of the boat (twice) and the rain pelting down, it was a pleasant sail. 😉 I wish I had pictures of the carnage, but hands were full just holding on!
We did around 230 nautical miles, by the time we anchored at Jamieson Bay on Cape Barren Island in the Flinders Group, in approximately 37 hours. Not bad! Exhausted from our night shifts 3 hrs on 3 off, we slept through to the next morning.
First glimpse of Tasmania was refreshing. Air was clean, water was clear and plenty of wildlife. Seals, dolphins everywhere, and sea birds all over the place. Wanted to make St. Helens the next day so no rest for the wicked, up we get and off we go. This sailing thing is getting to be hard work! When we were in Manly cove and met those other couples one of them said that she loved the lifestyle except for the sailing part. They were live aboard sailors.
Glad you two are safe. Adventures ahead ?
Awesome post you guys and great shots….felt like we were along with you for the ride, except for getting beaten up in 30kts that is!
Well, CONGRATS guys! That is definitely some adventure. I hope your take on lifestyle includes the sailing though :-). Awesome job!