18-21 Oct 2010 - Straddie trip Part 2.
I had checked the weather forecast carefully before we left home. On Monday the wind dropped away completely in late afternoon, wrecking our plan to sail all the way to The Bedroom, despite a forecast of 12 knots at 3 pm.
Tuesday was forecast to be 4 knots at 9 am but it dropped to a dead calm and again we had to motor a while to get round Jumpinpin and into Canaipa Passage. We know that we should plan to go with the tide but it seems inevitable that we go against it for part of the day. We reached Slipping Sands anchorage in time for a leisurely lunch break.
After lunch the wind picked up from the forecast 12 knots to blow SE 16-19 knots. Little Dragon was in her element. I (and in retrospect I think Cathy will allow me to say "we") reveled in an exhilarating reach north up Canaipa Passage. I say in retrospect as at the time Cathy did make a few enquiries about how far we could heel before we tipped over. I assured her that the boat specs say it is self righting. I didn't add that I hoped never to test out that feature. This is when Peter managed to take all these fantastic photos. Thanks Pete, it must have been quite a feat for a single handed sailor.
Wednesday the wind was forecast at 4 knots at 9 am and 12 knots at 3 pm. The observations recorded 18 - 22 knots ESE at 3.30 pm. Luckily Cathy was still smiling. We sailed right round the top of Russell Island and Karragarra Island and then turned south into Main Channel en route to Rudy Maas Marina.
Cathy was doing sterling work keeping track of all the port and starboard markers and occasional cardinal mark in Beacon to Beacon. She correctly told me when we had rounded Karragarra Island and needed to turn south. Peter had missed a cardinal mark and kept straight on. I had to make a snap decision - Cathy or Peter? I followed Peter. We nearly ended up high and dry on a sand bank with the tide ebbing fast.
Once in Main Channel we could see an ominous black cloud approaching. I am glad I decided to play safe and drop the sail and motor. When the squall struck we were drenched in seconds and it was a complete white out for several minutes. I reckon that the wind was at least 25 knots at the height of the squall.
The squall didn't last long and we hoisted the sails again and soon dried out. I thought about putting a reef in but the wind had dropped considerably. We kept on down Main Channel and wondered where and when Peter was going to stop for lunch. He was ahead and the plan was for him to find a lunch spot. Peter's mobile was playing up and he has a 27 meg radio and I have VHF, so we couldn't communicate which was a bit of a nuisance. Eventually we found him nestled into a mudbank munching his sandwiches.
Finally a huge thank you to you Cathy. You readily admitted to me that you haven't had much prior experience and I said "no worries" anticipating quite easy conditions. The conditions turned out quite challenging and you really rose to the occasion. I try to give all my crew the opportunity to take the helm but that proved difficult except when we were motoring. You are welcome aboard any time and next time with a spot of luck you can take the helm.
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