Departed Port Phillip
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1700 Position: 38 21.6 S 144 38.0 E
The clan gathering in Melbourne celebrating our youngest brother's 50th birthday, I think it is safe to say, was a resounding success, but now that the weekend celebrations are complete it is time to get moving again and with a favourable weather pattern this week for heading to Sydney, this morning I got underway as soon as I practically could, which wasn't until 1030. Once clear of the Royal Brighton Yacht Club marina we got sail up and reached down the bay with full main and the code zero set to the light NW breeze. Despite the relatively light breeze, we made good time and passed the Western Channel beacon, entering the channel at 1420. The wind started to freshen a little at this point and also we needed to come onto the wind so this necessitated handing the code zero and setting the jib in its place. Our timing for the heads was perfect, passing through the Rip at slack water at 1600, although our exit was complicated by a ship under tow with one ocean tug doing the work and two other tugs in company, as well as a harbour master escort vessel. The tow was only doing about six knots, the same speed as Sylph, so once clear of the heads we had to tack to reverse course then gybe so as to pass astern of this small armada. According to the AIS the ship under tow, a car carrier, is bound for Singapore. I feel a bit sorry for the tug crew as at a speed of six knots it is likely going to be a long and tedious voyage. Now that we have gotten clear of the congestion at the heads, we have settled onto a SE'ly heading, with the breeze off our starboard quarter, full main set to port, jib poled to starboard, and the code zero filling the gap between the jib and main. Wilsons Promontory is our next major landmark, a hundred miles ahead. Meanwhile Oli is once more getting his sea legs. Despite it being relatively calm in Port Phillip, unfortunately he had a bout of seasickness and is now, as usual, curled up under the bunk covers. All is well. |