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.

Pam rudely awoken by a fishing competition

I was sound asleep in my bunk when I suddenly woke to Little Dragon rocking violently and a roar of engines alarmingly close. It was 5 am and pitch dark. I got up to inspect what the hell was going on. A fishing boat with a 140 hp engine had pulled up alongside me. The rocking subsided and I was just going back to bed when another fishing boat roared in pulled up not far away. Little Dragon rocked even more violently and I feared that the anchor might not hold. I popped my head out again and this time asked what the hell was going on. "Fishing competition" I'm told, it seemed to be an all male affair. Not wanting to deal with my anchor in a nightdress I got dressed. More and more boats arrived, each at full throttle. They came from Yamba, Iluka, Grafton, Maclean - from up and down the Big River. I had the misfortune to be moored right on the starting line. Just before 6 am around 20 boats cast off and drifted silently backwards into the misty dawn. 6 am the hooter went. All 20 boats opened their throttles and charged off in search of their favourite fishing spots - 17 upriver and 3 downriver. Two minutes later they are gone. Calm returned and I made a cup of tea to settle my nerves and watch a glorious sunrise. My anchor held.

9 am and another new crew arrived, Noela Yates and Gertrude Kurtz. As on the day before it was a dead calm so we set up on the club's front deck to brew a cuppa. Quite suddenly, just as we were beginning to wonder if we were going to get any sailing, a breeze came up. In fact within half an hour or so there was quite a stiff breeze.

The first photo is of Noela taken just before we head off for our regular ocean swim at Byron Bay. The second photo is of Gertrude taken a couple of years ago of her rowing across a lake in Austria.

This was the first time that I had sailed Little Dragon in more that a gentle breeze and it started off as exhilarating. It turned out that Noela had sailed before and was a capable crew. Gertrude did not have much prior experience but was thoroughly enjoying herself. I cannot sail Little Dragon single handed so it is very much in my best interests to make sure that my crew enjoy themselves so that they want to come again. It seems to be working so far. One of my strategies is to make sure that we all take turns sailing the boat. We sailed most of the way to Iluka but the wind was getting stronger and stronger. I began to get anxious. So far we could handle Little Dragon but what if the wind continued to get up? I had never put a reef in - it was one of the things on my long "to do" list. I decided it was time to turn and head for home.

We put in for lunch at the sailing club and met up with two members both with Hartley 16s. They challenged us to an informal race to some green can on the way to Iluka (I figured that they would be ahead and they would show me the way). Noela and I had put in a reef over lunch but they said it was unnecessary and suggested we shake it out. I got the feeling that they felt that reefing was akin to "real men don't eat quiche". As a child I was taught that it showed good seamanship to reef early (I suppose I should find an alternative to "seamanship"). Rather reluctantly I shook out the reef and off we all headed towards Iluka. They took the lead immediately and for a while it was fun following but the wind blew up further and we had some minor equipment problems. We abandoned the informal race and returned to the more protected waters upriver from the sailing club.

It was time to winch Little Dragon out of the water onto her trailer, but before I could do that I had to get the trailer backed down the narrow ramp. I made a complete hash of it watched by a crowd of fishing enthusiasts. One of them, a truck driver, offered to do it for me but I was determined to do it myself. Finally with the help of a woman giving clear advice on "left hand down" etc I did it. We got her out of the water and packed up.

Then Noela noticed that the spring loaded arms that help guide Little Dragon onto the trailer were digging into the bottom of the boat. Time to consult the sailing club members' brains trust. They were having a post sail beer but readily agreed to head over to have a look. Next move is a whack from a hefty hammer but that doesn't work. Much discussion ensues and the consensus is "that you have got a problem!" I agree.

PS The trailer workshop in Billynudgel has shown done an excellent modification and the spring loaded arms are no longer denting Little Dragon's bottom.

Little Dragon pursued by a pirate boat

Saturday and a new crew - Theresa, Martin, Max and Lewis Bail. They reported for duty promptly at 9 am to a dead calm - not a ripple on the water. We made the best of it in our own ways, Lewis jumped into the kayak and the adults brewed a strong coffee.

As soon as a light breeze got up it was really simple to get underway as the boat was afloat and rigged. So Martin, Max, Lewis and I were off. Theresa opted to stay ashore and relax after several overnight shifts at work. However Theresa can't have relaxed completely as lunch was spread out when we returned to shore.

The light airs meant that my new crew were all able to take a turn at the helm and learn how to tack the boat as well as how to handle the jib. They caught on quickly - well done. I was surprised and impressed by Lewis demonstrating that he had read and remembered port and starboard from the book on sailing I had given them ages ago.

I took this photo of the Bails more than 2 years ago so please mentally add 2 year's growth to both Max and Lewis (I doubt Theresa and Martin want you to add any extra to them).

While we were having lunch John Woods showed up with his green Hartley 16. After lunch there was a fine sailing breeze. John Woods launched (wow I wish I could get organised that quickly) and we followed not long after, eager to hone our skills.

The green boat was tacking backwards and forwards in front of the clubhouse waiting for us - seeming to want a playmate and to check out our sail trim. As Little Dragon still didn't have a vang or downhall the mainsail wasn't setting all that well and John pointed out that our jib traveller was set too far forward for the conditions. I really welcomed this well intended and much needed advice.

I was soon having to give urgent training on "starboard tack has right of way" and "port tack gives way". Then asking the crew "which tack are we on?" It took a while before all the Bails were confident which was starboard tack and which port tack. In the meantime the green boat was zooming up to us and going about at the last minute or forcing me to do so when it was on starboard - quite alarming for crew who were out under sail for the first time ever.

Soon Martin and Max were egging me on to "Go Pam, race them!" Max wanted to make toilet paper bombs to throw at them (Pam was a spoilsport and said NO). Martin just doesn't know how to curb his competitive spirit. Lewis must have read too many books about pirates and he was convinced that the green boat was about to ram us and thought that our best tactic was to escape - as far and as fast as possible!

I decided to back Lewis and run for it - downriver - so that rather than Pam at the helm ducking and weaving with the "green pirate boat" we could get back to all taking turns at the helm. I think Max and Lewis were extremely chuffed that they did as well at the helm as their father.

After the rather miserable conditions the day before we had the good fortune to enjoy a warm sunny day and we were all sad when it was time to come ashore.

Sailing makes one hungry so we all went off for a fish dinner at a renowned fish and chip shop in Maclean before the Bails drove home and I returned to my bunk for a second night.



Theresa took this photo from the shore of Little Dragon and the "green pirate boat".

John, I am serious when I say that I have no plans to race next season and if I did I know that you can beat me. I have just read an article comparing Hartley 16s with Farr 5000s and the Hartley 16s are faster.

Nearly dismasted

25 April, Anzac Day, started fine with a forecast of a good sailing breeze so I set off on the 2 hour trek south to Harwood where I had arranged to rendevous with Nicky and Rob Greenlaw. I intended to stay 3 days camping in Little Dragon overnight right in front of the Big River Sailing Club.

Day 1 went pretty much as planned, Nicky, Rob and I launched without too much drama but still taking ages to get organised. When we finally got underway the weather was rather miserable, light winds and rain. Maybe Rob, who used to be a ghillie in Scotland, felt nostalgic (not that I saw any sign of that). Despite the weather we made the most of it and practiced sailing up and down the Clarence River not straying too far from the clubhouse.

However we did get as far as the Harwood Bridge and Nicky suggested that we sail under it (was she interested in the good pub just the other side?). I knew that there was meant to be 8.7 metres clearance under the bridge and I had measured my mast. I reckoned that we would only squeeze under by a whisker - not a sensible safety margin. However a couple of locals had assured us that we would get under easily "No worries!". So just for the hell of it we decided to give it a go. As we got to the point of no return I was sure that we were about to be dismasted and we all held our breath. We made it - just. Some fisherman were watching and indicated that we had only cleared by a handspan. The lesson I learned is not to believe everything the locals tell you.

That was enough adventure for me for the day, so we sailed back to the little sandy beach in front of the sailing club. My plan was to tie the stern to a convenient tree on shore and hold the bow out at right angles on the anchor. But how to get the anchor out to hold the bow? Suddenly it came to me, I remembered that I had my single kayak with me so I could paddle the anchor out. It worked just fine, although I later gathered that it is not the orthodox way to stern anchor. Apparently I should have neatly judged the moment to drop the anchor as I was sailing ashore - well next time ...

We had got pretty chilly so we all enjoyed a hot shower (thanks to the Big River Sailing Club for your terrific facilities), after that it was time for Nicky and Rob to wave me goodbye. They were going home and I planned to spend the night aboard and wait for a new crew in the morning. They were a bit worried about leaving me but I was looking forward to my first night aboard. Realistically thtere is only room for two.

After an unexpectedly good fish dinner at the Harwood petrol station and a glass of wine at the Harwood pub I was in bed by 8 pm and slept soundly for 10 hours. I awoke to the sun rising over a completely calm and misty river. Magnificent. So I celebrated my good fortune by making my first ever cuppa in Little Dragon's cockpit.

Four shielas launching

12 April 2008 - Cathie Jones, Nicky Greenlaw, Lee Fenton and I gather for the launch - stopping at Little Italy en route to The Big River Sailing Club for a hit of Italian coffee.

This (b)log will double as my log so here goes:

Tide 0537 low 0.32 m Yamba (correction for Harwood variously suggested to be 1.5 hrs - 2.5 hrs later!)
11.39 high 1.33 m
1713 low 0.55 m
Wind forecast SE to SW 11 to 16 kn
Although we arrived at the Big River Sailing Club at 9.30 am it took us 3 hours to get afloat. There was a relaxed atmosphere when we rocked up, it was the end of season BBQ. A buzz went round "4 shielas!!" Despite this reaction John Woods and Reg tried to determine the tactful level of assistance. Whilst we planned to do it outselves I certainly welcomed some help.

It was the first time we had come together to rig the boat and deal with all the other preliminaries such as removing the trailer lights (something I might have overlooked if I had not been reminded). It took ages to get the mast up but we managed it unaided.

As skipper I decided that I should do a safety briefing before we headed off (I really wanted to boast about my radio and new safety equipment such as flares). Nicky and Lee listened politely but Cathie indicated that enough was enough and it was time to get going.

Then I had to get the trailer backed down the rather narrow single lane ramp and off into the water. Despite my reversing practice in the Byron Bay High School's car park I was still pretty hopeless. John and Reg offered to do it for me but I said "no - but please help". So with much backing and forwarding and them saying "left hand down" then "right hand down" I finally got it down the ramp although very much on the edge.

Once in the water John advised us to set off under power in reverse gear (I would have prefered to sail off as I had never used the outboard). So I tried to reverse out, well the motor started first go which I felt was a good omen but then I just couldn't get it to lock into reverse gear. John called out instructions from the shore but I still couldn't get it into reverse. He almost lost his cool when he asked "have you got a manual and HAVE YOU READ IT?". I said I had but it still wouldn't go into reverse. John, as you will see from the photos was neatly dressed and planning to go out for lunch and not go sailing. However he decided that he had better help out "the sheilas" and he gallantly jumped aboard. I was more than a little chuffed when he also found it impossible to get into reverse so we set off forwards. Then all 5 of us were out in the river with John getting late for his lunch date. Help was at hand. Another trailer sailer came up alongside and John, showing great agility, jumped aboard leaving us to experience our FIRST SAIL.

The conditions were near perfect - a light sailing breeze and bright sunshine. At last it all seemed worthwhile. Although there was no proper vang or downhall and the luff of the jib was a bit slack she sailed well. She sailed magnificently. No weather helm. We tacked and gybed and she responded just how she should. It was exhilarating. We all took turns at the helm for three glorious hours (missing out on the BBQ). Then it was back to the ramp.

Cathie, Lee and Nicky held Little Dragon while I reversed the trailer down the ramp. I made hash of it but I did it eventually. Then I had to winch her onto the trailer while the others held her straight. This was the first time I had used the brand new winch with 3 gears. I had been assured that with 3 gears it would be a piece of cake - well it wasn't. Later I was told that it was probably because I hadn't reversed the trailer quite far enough into the water. What a lot to learn....

Back on land it was the pack up - quite a complicated and lengthy process. John assures us that we will get it more streamlined. I hope so.

Finally weary but happy we joined the members of the Big River Sailing Club for tea and cakes before we headed home. Yet again we were all made to feel welcome and encouraged to return. Next day we met in Byron Bay for our usual morning swim and all confessed that we had been exhausted when we got home and found muscles that we hadn't used for some time.

Big River Sailing Club, Harwood

Once the fitting out was underway I turned my attention to where to sail - a pretty vital matter.

Non-sailing friends asked if I planned to launch at Byron Bay. My sailing friends realised that launching off the beach into the surf and then out into a Pacific swell was a total non-starter.

The Richmond River at Ballina was a possibility but its estuary is very tidal and launching at the sailing club problematic.

I looked at Manly on the Gold Coast and it wasn't my scene at all.

Then I found the Big River Sailing Club at Harwood on the Clarence River and it felt just right - the only downside being the 2 hour drive to get there.

It's a low key place nestled behind the cane fields and near the sugar refinery but it comes alive every Saturday in season. It runs a sailability program, teaches sailing as well as racing from juniors in sabots up to seniors in trailer sailers. The river is wide and looks pretty safe - good for novices.

I checked it out during the annual regatta on the 15/16 March and watched all the trailer sailers getting winched out of the water at the end of the day. Part of my huge learning curve was to find out how it was done. One experienced owner (who had better remain anonymous) caught his mast on a branch of the tree (the tree in photo 1) and that was the end of his racing for the weekend. Whilst sorry for him in a strange way it gave me confidence - if I come to grief I won't be alone! I spoke to several owners and they were all happy to hear that I planned to join their trailer sailer fleet - although I don't think they believed me when I said I did not intend to race.

The photos were taken a few weeks later when we launched (post on 4 shielas launching coming soon). Photo one shows the area open grassed park-like area where one can camp and prk trailers. Reg was guiding me (very patiently) while I reversed down to the ramp to winch Little Dragon out.

Photo 2 shown both John Woods and Reg advising me on how to tilt the trailer so I can winch Little Dragon onto the trailer.

Photo 3 shows the broad Clarence River at Harwood and John still giving a hand.

The trailer sailors of Big River Sailing Club have been great - thanks to all of you for your help and encouragment.

Fitting out

Some of you may want to skip this as "boring" but I have happy childhood memories of "helping" Dad fit out Chanty, our clinker built 18 ft Essex One Design, in Johnson and Jago boat yard at Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

I reckon Little Dragon was an excellent purchase, although 22 years old she had been freshly painted, her hull, spars, sails, outboard and marine battery were all in good order. However she hadn't been sailed much for many years and some work was in order.

First I had to locate boatyards, chandlers, shipwrights, riggers, canvas bimini repairers, marine auto electricians, trailer repair yard and outboard motor workshop - I think that's all. Byron Bay is a surfing centre not a sailing centre so none of these exist locally. However networking with local trailer sailor owners paid off and I have found them all.

The trailer has now got a new winch and jockey legs, the outboard has been serviced, the auto electrician has rewired the radio and navigation lights, a rigger has swaged new shrouds and given some very helpful advice on how to get the mast up.


Then it was time to visit Whitworths the chandlers in Southport. They have provided me with 5 star service. Nothing has been too much trouble for them (of course nothing is cheap!). I needed various new fittings to attach to the mast and boom to get the vang, outhall, downhall and reefing all shipshape as well as shackles, mooring lines, flares, V sheet, winch so it goes on.


Another great find has been Michael Cocks the shipwright at Boatworz in Ballina, he sails an 18 ft trailer sailer himself and is enthusiastic to get Little Dragon properly rigged and trimmed.


I don't want to give the impression that all I have done is trail Little Dragon from one workshop to another (although there has been a bit of that). I have done as much as I can myself. Sanding and repainting the cabin doors, siliconing minor leaks, fitting reefing lines to the mainsail for starters.


Finally I must thank all my supporters, mainly swimmers, who have popped round after our post swim coffee and helped me get Little Dragon in and out of the garage and the mast on and off, advised on how to flush out the outboard, undone recaltricant screws etc etc. I have been on a huge learning curve and welcomed advice about many technical issues such as the best battery charger for my purposes etc etc.

Brunch to celebrate the arrival of Little Dragon

I was so excited when I finally "moored" Little Dragon on the street outside my house that I wanted to show her off to all my friends immediately. So I invited all those who had expressed interest to an impromptu brunch on Saturday 1 March. I should be honest and admit that I had an ulterior motive - the reason that Little Dragon was in the road not my back yard was that I didn't feel competent to drive her in!

Thank you so much Terry Crowe for demonstrating such phenomenal backing skills. I'll never get that good. The first photo shows us all watching her arrival at her "mooring" in my back yard.



.
Here Terry is showing me how the jib furler works - I had never used one before.
Terry and Cheryl own a trailer sailer and Richard Flavell is a professional boat builder - so their advice was (and I hope will continue to be)invaluable.

Finally thank you to all my friends, especially those of you who volunteered to crew. I can't launch and sail her on my own.


I started to feel like I was captain of my ship - even if I was only surveying my back garden not yet the ocean.