Southport Arrival

Hi everyone,

We arrived in Southport at 1630 yesterday.  The final 24 hours were an endurance test.  Calms, currents and gale.

At Southport YC Quarantine Dock

Yesterday afternoon the motoring continued in a sloppy seaway with little breeze.  Initially we were headed W and only doing 3 knots.  We got into a N current and found ourselves tracking NW.  Eventually we tacked N.

By mid-evening the long awaited southerly buster arrived.  With double-reefed (trisail sized) main and storm staysail set we stopped the engine and took off!  Our course gradually lifted from N to NW, taking us directly towards our destination.  Zen Again had a bone between her teeth and was flying.  The wind was 25G35.  Unlike when we were riding the high on a broad reach here we were on a beam reach.  Wet'n'wild, but faaaaast!

Wind Gusts

By the morning the winds were easing.  They continued to do so as we closed the coast, gradually shaking out reefs, swapping to the yankee and unfurling in steps.  After midday the engine had to come on to take us home.

Gold Coast

In the Gold Coast Seaway

Re-entering the Gold Coast Seaway closed the circle on our circumnavigation.  That felt good!  From there it was a short motor to the Southport YC Marina where there's a quarantine dock.  Two officers from the ABF were there to meet us and start our clearance process.  With that done it was time for bubbles!  We'll see the DAFF folks today.

Approaching Southport YC Marina

We did roughly 65000nm on our 15 year circumnavigation.    Here is our track...

Circle closed

We'll do a passage summary next, then a circumnavigation summary.

Trust all's well where you are!

Southport Inbound Day 5

Hi everyone,

At noon today we were at 28 05S 153 55E steering 270M, sailing under single-reefed main and double-furled yankee at 5 knots.  The wind was 14G21 from the SW.  Our noon to noon distances were 103nm by the log and 116nm over the ground.   Overall we'd logged 1204nm and 1280nm respectively.  Our distance to go was 27nm.

Final Sunset?

Yesterday afternoon and evening was a mess.  Enough wind to kick up a chop but not enough to sail through the chop and confused swells.  All we could make was 2-3 knots through the water due to the sea state.  And the East Australian Current's gyres were having fun with us.  We motor-sailed until 2145 when finally the southerly buster arrived.

Out of the frying pan into the fire!  The buster arrived with 25G35 WSW winds which gradually backed to the S in the small hours.  We set the double-reefed main and storm staysail and Zen Again flew.  She's as keen as us to get into harbour.  We were sitting on 7-8 knots for extended periods.

Dawn WindPilot Kami Workout

This morning we're pushing onward.  We really want to berth in daylight.  We're exchanging emails with AFP and they will probably come down with DAFF to clear us tomorrow morning.  But let's get there first.

Trust all's well where you are!

Southport Inbound Day 4

Hi everyone,

At noon today we were at 29 14S 155 13E steering 270M, motor-sailing under single-reefed main at 3.5 knots.  The wind was 8G12 from the NNW.  Our noon to noon distances were 108nm by the log and 115nm over the ground.   Overall we'd logged 1101nm and 1164nm respectively.  Our distance to go was 122nm.

Setting sun yesterday

Yesterday afternoon we sailed WNW in a light SW wind.  As predicted it died early in the evening.  The engine came on at 2000 and hasn't been off since.  A bit tedious but we're making progress.

Dawn today

This morning the wind gradually backed around to the E then N.  This precedes a cold front / southerly buster coming up the coast.  This far north its predicted to get up to 25G30 from the SSW.  Right now here's a sloppy sea from the N and left-over swell from the S.  By mid-afternoon we should be able to tack N and sail.  Once we tack and resume sailing the wind should free until we're broad reaching home.

The ABF (Australian Border Force) and DAFF (Dept of Ag, Fish & Forests) know we are coming.  They will meet us at Southport YC's quarantine dock.  Our current ETA is 1500 tomorrow.

Trust all's well where you are.