RSS
Weblog
South Pacific: Vanuatu - Sydney
We are nearing the first set of reefs north of New Calodonia. The first set is 2 hours away, 'Recif Petrie'. We are headed directly West and will alter course after this first reef to WSW.
After that set we go through the 'Gran Passage' of the large set of very dangerous reefs directly offshooting north of New Caledonia.
Just after the 'Gran Passage' we alter course again 30 degrees to stay between the reef system called Chesterfield Reefs heading almost due South.
The final reef is 'Bellona Sud' where we can again head towards Australia in a WSW or W direction depending on the wind.
The winds have been very moderate, nothing above 12 knots and averaging 9 knots out of the South. To make your schedule we have had to motor half the time to keep our average speed at 7.5 knots.
I expect to arrive next Sunday July 22 or more probably Monday July 23. We will head to the check-in quarantine bouy at Windsor Bay and wait to have lunch with you at "Doyle's Restaurant".
If we get head winds we will be late but the weather prognosis looks good for an on-time arrival.
There are some needed repairs, just small stuff. Besides the hauling out to touch up the bottom paint, check for reef damage and replace the zincs, the UK sails all have to be taken down and repaired.
My dingy has a 3 inch slit at the front tube and needs a patch The UK sail cover never really fit and needs some new sewing and adjustment.
Before we show her to the public she needs a general good detail, especially the stainless welds. There is no hull damage anywhere but 3 or 4 small chips out of the gelcoat in spots.
I desperately need a new transfer fuel pump installed with fuel filter.
Hunter is sending the replacement for the one that never worked, however that dirty fuel has been in the 80 gallon reserve tank for 4 months now and needs to be pumped out and cleaned or 'polished'
before I can use that fuel. While crossing the Indian Ocean I will surely need that reserve fuel.
There is no major damage and really only a little TLC and some stainless polish will make her look like brand new.
Mike
-------------------------------------------------
This email was delivered by an HF private coast station
in the Maritime Mobile Radio Service, operated by the
SailMail Association, a non-profit association of yacht
owners. For more information on this service or on the
SailMail Association, please see the web site at:
http://www.sailmail.com
posted by Wanderlust @ 7/15/2007 02:45:00 AM
2 Comments
Links to this post
2 Comments:
That's good news with your ETA. I'll keep an eye on the weather and give you my take courtesy of the Australian Bureau Meteorology.
We have the haul out booked for July 25 and have the detailers and cleaners on stand-by. The gelcoat work can also be done out of the water
and zinc replacement.
We have a very good mechanic in Sydney and he can service your engine and help with the relay pump. I will check with Hunter where the pump
is.
Repairing sails etc is no problem. We may struggle to get everything done like sails etc (apart from the haul out) before the show but will, at the very least get her in Boat show condition.
We can go to Doyles when you arrive, but you are probably sick of seafood by now. How about a big juicy kangaroo steak instead?
I hope Kit is an asset to you. He is a good guy.
Matt
Matt,
At 10:30 Wednesday morning July 18 we are at:
21.38S
157.24E
Heading SW 220 degrees
Winds are 10 knots right on the nose so we are motoring with all sails up at about 7.5 knots. If I have to motor all the way to Sydney I won't have fuel left.
Our heading brings us just south of Bundeberg, right off the SE corner of Fraser Island. We will head south at that waypoint.
TTG is 37 hours to that waypoint where we expect to pick up the south flowing current.
I don't know how far to stay off the coast to keep in the middle of the current but I will follow the deepest depth line.
I think we can find the current in the trough and perhaps read the sea temperature to know when we are in it or have ventured out.
TTG for Sydney is Tuesday noon at this speed.
Mike
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home