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.