Skiving off on a Monday

Although I have been retired several years I can't get over the feeling that it is particularly decadent to skive off sailing on a Monday.

Keith Mountford (yet another Stingray ocean swimmer) works weekends. As the weather looked good for Monday I took the opportunity to invite him and Cathy out for a sail at Ballina.

The photos show my crew concentrating on sailing Little Dragon while I loll back looking somewhat smug and contented - which I was.

We tacked up the Richmond River against a strong flood tide taking 2 hours to get from Fisheries Creek to Mobbs Bay where we anchored for a lunch time cuppa and then a fast run back.

As always I am totally reliant on this seemingly bottomless pit of ocean swimmers who also fancy a spot of crewing. My continued thanks to you all and today Keith and Cathy in particular.

Each time we venture out I gain a little more confidence and I am really looking forward to some more overnight cruises. It is a bit of a chore setting up and packing up for just a few hours sailing.

Goose winging while reefed

Heavy weather came in on Thursday and lasted right through Saturday, winds of up to 43 knots. So obviously we had to cancel the Stingray sailing day on Saturday, a shame as 4 or 5 boats were going to take part and it would have been fun.

Fortunately the wind had moderated by Sunday and it was a glorious sunny day. So after our Sunday ocean swim and coffee we headed off to Ballina for a few hours sail.

This time my crew were Noela, who is becoming a regular, plus Gerry and my long time friend Rae.

It was still quite blowy when we set out so I decided to test out the new reefing system. I'm pleased to report it works well. After a couple of hours the wind dropped enough for us to shake out the reef and that also turned out to be a trouble free operation.

Gerry enjoyed being at the helm and the second photo shows Gerry concentrating on sailing on a dead run and Noela rather anxiously watching the wind indicator at the top of the mast.


The third photo shows us goose winging using the recently modified boat hook as a whisker pole shortly before we shook out the reef. It is the first time that I have had the chance to test out the new whisker pole and it passed the test with flying colours.

We had a few nervous moments when we met about 100 boats (maybe less but it felt like that) bearing down on us and I ended up weaving my way through the fleet trying to ensure that not only did I observe the rules, but that I didn't get in the way. It wasn't easy given a sandbank on one side and the RSL Club on the other side.

Rae spotted an osprey so we got out the flash binoculars (thanks Peter and Helen) for a closer look. It is good to see them up high in their special osprey nesting boxes.

PS It wasn't until I got home that I heard that while we were out sailing a shark had got tangled in a surfer's toe rope and towed him out to sea off Clark's Beach at Byron. This is exactly where we had been swimming earlier. The surfer was taken to the hospital and the news says that all the doctor prescribed was a beer - he was lucky.

Wind - too little then too much

I have rejoined the Big River Sailing Club and had been looking forward to the start of their new season on the 30th August. However the coastal weather forecast predicted virtually no wind for the Saturday and far too much for the Sunday - up to a full gale. So I didn't even bother to trail Little Dragon to Harwood.

As I was in the area for other purposes I dropped in and sat on the verandah with the local sailors. There really wasn't any wind. The kids had their dinghies rigged, but it wasn't worth bothering to launch. The veterans kept saying that wind "had to come soon" - but it didn't. The following day, as forecast, the wind was howling. No-one was stupid enough to venture out.

The last photo shows my new sun awning. It is still a work in progress but I hope that it will have several uses; keep us from burning when at anchor, mean we can boil the billy in the cockpit even when it is raining and finally enable us to keep dry in the cabin without the hatch cover.

Father and sons bonding

The cast: Martin inflatable, Lewis kayak, Max photographer.
The script: Boys will be boys

The pelicans seemed to enjoy the antics.

The depth sounder works

The happy snap is of the Bails, on the left Max age 16 with size 16 feet to match, next Theresa looking justifiably weary having just worked all night, then Martin standing on tip toe - he seems to be developing a Napolean complex having been outgrown by Max and Theresa. Lewis, nearly 12, on the right won't be far behind.

As it was blowing over 24 knots the plan was to stay in Fisheries Creek at Ballina. Martin had offered to help me get the depth sounder working.

The issue of where to locate the transducer for a depth sounder has been a live issue on the Farr trailer sailor discussion group for years. I certainly did not want to cut a hole in the bottom of the boat nor is it ideal to fix it to the transom on a sailing boat. Following hints on the website I put an in hull puck transducer just behind the battery under the cockpit. I would have liked to put it forward of the keel but it just wasn't feasible.

Setting it up is a bit like setting up a VCR and Martin and I did it without any teenage help. Then we motored up and down Fisheries Creek to see if it was working correctly. We used the unsophisticated method of checking that when the depth sounder read 1 metre a boat hook over the side touched the bottom at 1 metre.












A couple of weeks ago I drove up to Bribie Island to inspect a Zodiac C240 inflatable advertised in the Trading Post. It turned out to be almost new and well priced, so I snapped it up.

My second project for the day was to establish that it rowed reasonably well. It did as proved by the photos below.

Learning to back the trailer

I own a trailer sailer - so obviously every time I go for a sail she has to be launched and retrieved.

I found on the web that "Get Lost 4WD Tours" of Ballina offered tuition in backing caravans. I explained that I wasn't taking Little Dragon outback but that I really did need a few hints on how to get her in and out of the water with less angst.

Nicky came with me for the lesson on what turned out to be a bitterly cold afternoon. Thanks Nicky. We headed out to a deserted industrial area in Ballina and he set up a line of witches caps. Nicky learnt how to direct me and I got some good tips. We ended up with Nicky and the tutor freezing cold and me feeling slightly more confident.

Overnight at Moon Point, Fraser Island

The weather forecast was excellent - 10 to 15 knots and fine. Noella and I were in fine spirits as we loaded up Little Dragon with provisions for our first ever overnight trip. Food, water and a bottle of red wine for the skipper.

We set off from Urangan Harbour but the wind was far less than forecast, maybe 3 to 5 knots. We sailed off to the first navigation mark very sedately. It looked like we were going to take far longer than the anticipated 2 - 3 hours.

By the time we got half way the wind dropped further to around 2 - 3 knots but we almost managed to reach Moon Point before we gave up and started the smelly, noisy outboard. We wanted to make sure we found the anchorage before dusk. At least we had plenty of time to check that we rounded every navigation mark.

We were quite chuffed when we found the exact spot showing an anchor symbol on the chart. We knew we were in the right place by reference to the two sticks (in England we call them "withies") marking the entrance to a small creek mentioned in Beacon to Beacon. What didn't please us so much was the depth or rather the lack of it. The whole anchorage seemed to be far too shallow. I wished I had either a depth sounder or lead line. Anyway we anchored just before sunset.

I broke out the red (just one glass) and we watched a glorious red sunset. We were the only boat in the anchorage although there were a couple of fishing boats anchored not too far away. By this time there was hardly a ripple and it was completely peaceful, it was hard to believe that it was the lights of the busy marina on the horizon.

We have a single burner gas stove so we were able to brew cups of tea and prepare a simple hot meal - excellent vegetarian curry and couscous.

Then we turned in for the night and I slept well - you will have to ask Noella if she did also. As I went to sleep I thought to myself "I should keep checking to see that the anchor is holding", but the next thing I knew was dawn.

After a morning cuppa Noella decided to row ashore for a short walk before we set off back. We needed to leave by around 8 am to avoid drying out on a falling tide. Helen and Bob had lent us their tender and it seemed silly to return without using it.

After a while I saw Noella return to the beach brandishing a large stick being circled by two dingoes. She retreated as quickly as possible and rowed back pretty freaked out. They were young male dingoes and had been behaving menacingly, one sitting and howling at her and the other circling behind her. I am easily scared by dogs and extremely glad I stayed aboard.

Without further ado, as the water was running out fast, we set off back towards Urangan Harbour. We managed to sail about half way but the wind was dropping all the time down to virtually nothing. It seemed to be the calm before a new weather front came in. 24 hours later it was blowing a gale. Rather sadly we reverted to motoring until a breeze got up a few hundred metres from the harbour - a bit too late to hoist the sails again.

It was a few weeks too soon for whales but we did see a very large turtle. It would be good to return during the whale season, maybe....

The trip ended all too soon with another first, the first time I have motored into a marina pen. Bob and Helen were waiting to catch the lines and it went very smoothly. I am told it would have been far trickier with strong wind against tide.

Thanks Noella for taking leave - you were great.

PS 4 July 08. I am looking at buying a second hand Zodiac inflatable and I have just purchased a depth sounder but still have to get it installed.

Navigating round the sandbanks

Noella and I woke up after our first night aboard Little Dragon to a perfect winter morning. Just magic for a sail. Bob was happy to join us and provide the "local knowledge" that the chart indicated was vital to navigate over the sandbars to Fraser Island.

After the usual delays getting rigged and drinking coffee Bob, Noella and I set off under power out of the Harbour in the open but shallow water. As soon as possible we hoisted the sails. It was blissfully quiet once we switched the motor off.

We hadn't gone far when we needed to tack - not a manoeuvre that Bob has much practice with when he heads off in Narawi! So he didn't duck enough when the boom came over and his cap went overboard.

I remembered all the afternoons I have spent practising man overboard drills, so I gybed and Noella (a well trained crew) rushed below for the boat hook. I told Bob "keep your eyes on that hat!". To my absolute amazement we retrieved the hat first go. I hope it all goes equally smoothly if we ever have to retrieve a real man (or woman) overboard. It helped that the wind was only around 5 knots.

Helen took the first photo of Little Dragon motoring out of the marina. The second photo is of Bob Rhodes and me, the third is of Noella Yates.

Once Bob had been reunited with his cap we concentrated on the chart. Bob wanted to make sure that if Noella and I went off on our own the next day that we would make it safely to Fraser Island and back. We threaded our way over towards Moon Point around channel markers, cardinal marks and special marks - a good navigation revision course.

The sailing conditions were just glorious, warm, light breeze, sunny - everything we could wish for except a whale. However we knew that the whale season wasn't due for another 3 weeks or so.

Thank you Bob, I reckon that Noella and I could easily have gone aground the following day without your tuition.

Narawi dwarfs Little Dragon

Helen McCann and I first met in 1977 in Alice Springs and have been friends ever since. Now we have both moved on and Helen lives with her husband Bob Rhodes in their coastal cruiser "Narawi" (a Batjala word meaning "sea waves").

The first photo shows them in their pen in the Harvey Bay marina dwarfing Little Dragon in the adjacent pen.

Helen and Bob had invited me and my crew Noella Yates to tie up alongside them and use their facilities, very generous.

The second photo shows Helen holding the most important member of their crew - Toby.

The last photo is of Narawi's bridge - how many people have a steering wheel between their armchairs? They really do have all mod cons on Narawi and they made us very welcome and comfortable.

Bob also helped me motor from the public jetty into the pen - something I had not done before. In fact he was such a good tutor that Noella and I managed it unaided a couple of days later.

Noella had managed to get a few days off work at short notice and she arrived by bus on the evening I arrived after the Dreaming Festival.

This was the first time that two of us have slept aboard Little Dragon. It is fairly close quarters but the bunks are comfortable (for a small yacht). I slept well - as usual. Noella didn't do so well, but she generously said that my "gentle" snoring was not the cause and I am pleased to report that she slept better on subsequent nights.

Little Dragon goes to Woodford

"The Dreaming" is Australia's international indigenous festival held annually at Woodford over the June long weekend.

Jenny Gray and Rob Watson,, Rae Wills and sisters, friends and me, as in previous years planned to set up camp together. Jenny and Rob camping in their well equipped transit van, Rae in her new tent and me in Little Dragon. After all, why shouldn't I use her as accommodation? It's much snugger than a tent and I have my own ensuite (aka a port-a-l00.)

I arrived early and secured a prime camp site. While I waited for the others to arrive I found that Little Dragon was a magnet for kids. They seemed to view her as an adventure playground. Adults produced a range of rather predictable wisecracks like "expecting a flood?"

The first photo shows me arriving and I am pleased to report that the organisers didn't bat an eyelid at my unusual camping arrangements.

The second photo shows our camp - I wish I could claim that the tepee was ours but that wouldn't be true.
The third photo is of Jenny, Rob, Rae and I having breakfast before Jenny and I sallied forth for another day of festival going and the others went off to their stint of volunteer work.

The last photo is of Gertrude Kurtz and me just fooling around on Little Dragon.

Festivals at Woodford seem to attract rain and the whole area turns into a sea of mud and this year was no exception. Little Dragon kept me well out of the mud. Best of all I found that I could even make an early morning cup of tea on my single burner stove in the cockpit without leaving the cabin - luxury!

We all thoroughly enjoyed the whole festival, great atmosphere and excellent performances.

Initially I felt I had to justify my eccentricity by explaining that I was going to drive north to Hervey Bay and go sailing after the festival, but as time went on I relaxed as it seemed that other festival goers felt that Little Dragon added to the festive atmosphere.

Richmond River Sailing Club's tractor

This post continues on from "The photo shoot".

As on previous trips we all took turns at the helm, although I did take over when we got too close to the racing or were on a dead run. Both Nicky and Lee said that they felt that they were starting to get the hang of basic sailing. That's true, but we are still a long way from being a slick racing crew. Every time we go about we lose ground, but practice makes perfect they say...

We put into Mobbs Bay for lunch and there is a photo of our camp, we spent a pleasant hour boiling the billy (or rather the very fine kettle that Rob found in a garage sale). Unfortunately I managed to snag my trousers and this caused a remarkable amount of merriment and some quite unnecessary photography. So I can't be accused of censorship I include a photo of my torn trousers.

By the time we finished lunch the ebb was running strongly and it was time to sail back to Fisheries Creek and pack up for the day. All went well until, about half a kilometre from the entrance to the creek, we started the outboard and dropped the sails. I was feeling quite like a pro. Then, for no obvious reason, the motor just cut out. Stopped dead. Kaput. We tried to restart it to no avail, probably flooding it in the process. So nothing for it but up for Nicky and I to hoist the sails again while Lee found the boathook. It looked as if we might have to fend off from some very formidable looking pylons.

Then I had to decide what to do next, I remembered that Cheryl had told me a story about Terry's prowess one day when their engine failed and he sailed back up the very narrow Fisheries Creek. I wasn't sure I was up to that, especially as there was an alternative. When we sailed past the Richmond River Sailing Club earlier I had spotted their tractor launching one of their trailer sailers, so I decided to seek their assistance.

It was lucky that we had Gary as a shore party, as he was able to drive my car and trailer up to the Richmond River Sailing Club. Nicky and Gary found the tractor driver and he agreed to haul us out. Thank goodness as by this time it was dusk. I stayed with the boat and waited, beginning to wonder what was causing the delay. Apparently the tractor had run out of fuel and Gary had gone off to get some more. Eventually, as the photo shows, we were hauled out. I hope the Richmond River Sailing Club thinks the fuel was a fair exchange for a tow. We really were very grateful.

NB I have had the motor running fine since I got home and I reckon it was just one of those things. But I have got out the catalogues for new outboards and I am seriously thinking of upgrading to a more environmentally friendly (and electric start) 4 stroke.

The Photo Shoot

High tide at Ballina on Sunday 25 May was noon, just right for a day sail. Like at Leigh-on-Sea on the Thames Estuary, where I spent my childhood sailing, it is only possible to sail in the estuary for around two hours before and after high water.

Nicky Greenlaw and Lee Fenton had put up their hands to come along and crew. So it was down to the weather - fair or foul? It turned out to be a superb late autumn day, warm, sunny and a great sailing breeze.

We decided to launch at Fisheries Creek where there is an excellent double ramp and all mod cons. It is used by all the recreational fishing boats. Sailing boats usually motor out of the narrow creek and wait until they get into the main channel to hoist their sails.

This time Nicky, Lee and I managed to rig in half the time that we took on the day of the launch - but I reckon that there is still room for improvement. The first photo shows Nicky concentrating on connecting a fiddly bottle screw.

I was particularly pleased that Gary Fenton was coming along as a shore party. I knew that if I made a mess of backing the trailer he could help me out and he had agreed to take photos of us underway.

This time I managed to back the trailer down the ramp first go - due almost entirely to excellent guidance from Gary. I really must master the skill, there were tinnies waiting to get in and out and I don't think they would have appreciated being held up for long. I think I will have to check into the trailer backing school at Grafton (I am serious there is one).


The outboard started easily and we motored out of Fisheries Creek with great aplomb and as planned hoisted the sails once we got into the main channel.

Then we sailed up the river to the RSL car park where Gary had said he would be waiting. We tacked backwards and forwards and Gary took literally hundreds of photos.
I have selected one where the sails are setting reasonably well. I am embarrassed to admit that some of them would be used in a training session on how not to sail, jib in tight while the boat is on a run.

After strutting our stuff for the benefit of the RSL Club we kept going to the Richmond River Sailing Club where Gary had said he would take more photos. I hadn't bargained on sunday afternoon racing. We had to wind our way down the river keeping out of the way. More practice on "we're on port tack so we have to get out of the way NOW, READY ABOUT!"
This photo is of Gary. You may wonder what he is doing with that turtle. The answer is that he, along with Nicky and several other swimmers, have joined Ballina Seabird Rescue and are learning how to care for sick turtles. Far too many of our local turtles are found to have their stomachs full of plastic bags.