Yacht Cruising

A VISIT TO HARDYS BAY:  19/20 February 2011

I suppose this does not really count as a Cruise Report, as there were only 2 yachts involved - being the new cruising sub-group of S & S veteran yachts by the way! However, I thought it was worth reminding club members just how pleasant Hardys Bay can be for a weekend visit.  You have the opportunity to venture to pastures new, with some “blue water” sailing , a variety of great bush walks and refreshment stops ashore, staying in a pretty, well-protected bay with moorings or shallow water for anchoring.

The Cronans in their beautiful new/old yacht Morasum and ourselves in Kate Kelly sailed over Broken Bay and crossed the bar at high tide one hot and sunny Saturday morning and had an uneventful motor up the channel, which is clearly buoyed and holds no surprises these days.  We picked up both the public moorings in the bay and went ashore for lunch at a café.  After that John returned to do some more renovation work on Morasum and Jim and I walked over to Lobster Beach and back round the ridge of the Box Head Walk, offering great views up to Gosford and out to sea.  We met up with John and Jenny ashore later for an excellent fish and chips dinner at the rustic Hardys Bay RSL club.

Next morning Jim and I set off on a 20 km walk with a friend.  We are in training for the Milford Track in New Zealand, but walking in mid-30 degree temperatures with no breeze and little shade at times was physically very stressful!  I was beginning to wonder if the symptoms of heat stroke were setting in but the cooling waters of Maitland Bay saved the day. We spend some time there dipping in and out of the waters of this lovely bay.  No need to go to the Whitsundays or Greek Islands – Maitland is stunning and uncrowded.  It is a picturesque walk from Hardys to Little Beach and back, but probably best kept for winter in future.  John and Jenny had left Hardys on the mid-morning high tide, but after our long walk we returned on board for the night, having first refreshed ourselves with several iced glasses of water and cold beers at the RSL.  The southerly that night dropped the temperature by about 12 degrees, which was a delightful relief.   The bar was a little livlier next morning with the southerly swell, but the marked channel is to port of the breakers and we got out without mishap and enjoyed a brisk sail across Broken Bay and up Pittwater on a close reach.  Remember to wear your life jackets when crossing the bar even if it is very calm – there are often Police/Maritime boats lurking in the vicinity and life jackets are the current focus!

Do give Hardys and Maitland Bays a visit if you haven’t been there: we fully recommend it.  Just check the tides and the charts.  Coming out 2 hours after the high gives you slack water and no current to fight up the channel.  Don’t take your boat into Maitland Bay if there is any chance of a southerly and make sure you stay clear of the reefs.

It is disappointing that it seems impossible to get many cruisers together on any weekend these days.  If there are any particular activities/venues that appeal to you please let John Cronan know so they can be scheduled in future.

Tentative plans for the long Easter weekend are for a trip to Lake Macquarie if we can tempt anyone to join us.  Details will follow nearer the time and if anyone would like to lead a local waters cruise instead, please liaise with John.

Sue Flaye

Kate Kelly

 Morasum and Kate Kelly at anchor at Hardy's Bay

AUTUMN CRUISES 2010

I was going to talk about our last two cruises of the season, but the cruising division doesn’t really shut down for winter.  We will be taking advantage of the Anzac and Queen’s Birthday long weekends to venture further afield and it is also much more enjoyable “up the creek” without the crowds and heat of summer.

On March 20^th a group of 5 yachts got together at the far end of Smith’s Creek: Windborne, Hagar, Jindarra, Guinevere and Kate Kelly.  The others were well into cocktail hour when we arrived, having sailed most of the way.  Jim is now known amongst the cruisers as “Captain Incorrigible” due to his refusal to turn on the engine unless the boat is actually sailing backwards.  We all enjoyed a good chat aboard Hagar before doing our own thing for dinner.  We were invited for a board game aboard Guinevere, but it was too late by the time we had eaten to impose ourselves upon them. Three of the lads later got together on one boat for a few after-dinner drinks; an occasion that went on until the wee small hours. Just as well the “lady of the house/yacht” was working that weekend!  The rest of us fell asleep to the sound of merry laughter echoing around the bay.  It was a beautiful starry night and I spent some time on deck happily star-gazing before retiring and falling into a deep sleep, only to be rudely interrupted by the stereo starting itself up in the middle of the night with merry violin music filling the cabin!  Poltergeists!   And no skipper to turn it off – now I wonder where he was?!

Guinevere left early to get back for the club’s Sunday race.  We left later and had our own race back, with a good nor’easter filling in.  The race was on from Juno point, with Kate Kelly straining to catch Jindarra and little Windborne trying valiantly to keep up.  The competition was fierce but it was a forlorn hope to match Jindarra.  We need a new main!  Anyway, it was good fun.  We carried on out to sea for a pleasant afternoon sail and then returned to the mooring.

The forecast for the Easter long weekend was the usual tale of doom and gloom! Some decided not to head to Sydney Harbour as planned because of the strong southerly and rain in the forecast.  Three boats made the trip on Good Friday regardless: Jindarra, Hagar and Kate Kelly.  We had a great thrash to windward in 20 – 25 knots on the nose and big confused seas, sometimes up to 3 metres with some very short frequencies.  We got pretty wet and had to cover 31 miles to make 16!  Matt nearly slid over the side of the very wet Jindarra and Paul and Bev have promised themselves a dodger in the near future.  Matt made various rude comments about Jim’s outfit, which comprised bright yellow bib and braces waterproof pants, a bright red PFD and bare arms.  Matt’s mention of the Mardi Gras didn’t go down too well with Jim!  We did need the safety gear though.  The good thing was that there wasn’t a drop of rain.

We anchored off Chinaman’s Beach on Friday, with cocktails aboard Jindarra, and motored under Spit Bridge on Saturday morning, heading for Roseville.  We anchored in the river near the bridge and headed for Echoes on the Marina for a delicious lunch ashore.  Afterwards some of us headed up river on a bush walk and the other 3 had an afternoon snooze.  As we finished our walk it started to rain and continued to do so overnight and the next morning.  Kate Kelly hosted the evening drinks and everyone got back on board their boats just in time to avoid the rain. But by the time we had gone back out under the bridge on Sunday it had pretty well cleared up and we enjoyed sunshine for a brief sail across the Harbour to Watsons Bay.  After fish and chips on the grass some of us walked the cliff tops at the Gap and along to the Macquarie Light, enjoying the wonderful views of the Harbour and coast.  The others once again snoozed or worked on their boats.  We spent Sunday night off Collins Flat, Manly, ready for a quick getaway on Monday to sail home.  Cocktail hour was aboard Hagar.

Of course the southerly had completely fizzled out by Monday and the sail home was much more uncomfortable than the trip down.  Jindarra and Hagar happily motored off up the coast after trying to sail for a while.  Captain Incorrigible insisted on hoisting the spinnaker and we limped along in an unpleasant wallow for hour after hour, eventually rounding Barrenjoey and agreement being reached to motor up the totally windless Pittwater!  The motley crew was on the point of jumping overboard and swimming for Palmie at this point I must add.

The weather was not nearly as bad as forecast, with rain only happening evening and morning.  We did not have to sail in rain at all and although the wind was strong on Friday, it is essential to practice sailing in stronger conditions because one day when you are out there, things are bound to turn ugly.  Knowing that you and your boat can handle stronger conditions is a comfort when such occasions arise.  Of course, if your boat isn’t sufficiently seaworthy, it’s best not to venture offshore at all.  A couple of club boats spent a few nights up the creek rather than risk the high seas.   The dire prognostications of the BOM don’t always materialise, especially at long weekends.  We suspect a conspiracy to encourage people to stay at home in case they need rescuing – just joking of course!  They provide an essential service.

Details for the Anzac Day long weekend cruise will be sent out shortly.  We might try for Maitland Bay if conditions are right, or up the creek somewhere as an alternative. The next scheduled cruise is the Progressive Dinner at the Basin or Refuge on May 15 & 16 and we hope to go to the Harbour again for the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in June.  John Cronan will send out details closer to the dates.  If you would like to receive details of upcoming cruises, please contact John (details on Cruise Calendar in Mainsheet or on the club website).

Sue Flaye

CHALLENGER HEAD RACE 2010

Saturday 20^th February was a glorious sunny day and a fleet of about a dozen yachts gathered off the clubhouse for the annual Challenger Head Race.  Half the fleet were from the Cruising Division, keen to put up a good show against the regular racing contingent.  There was a good north easterly breeze and the boats headed up Pittwater in a pretty tight pack, with the exception of the two Etchells and Jindarra, which all shot off over the line and were not seen again!  Matt and Jo are cruisers, but their J36 is a very fast yacht and in their skilful hands won line honours and the Bitter End Award for being the first boat to arrive at the anchorage under sail.  Some thought that Kate Kelly was surprisingly fast and had to be cheating, but her ancient baggy mainsail billows out beautifully downwind and with the poled-out genoa we actually finished fourth, only beaten by the “speed machines”!  The fleet was very closely bunched at the finish, Little Wing finishing with stereo booming, and Kirin winning the handicap honours for the mean time.  It was great to see Chris and Julia Smith join in aboard Juluka, as they seldom have time for a weekend on the water.  Ralph and Pat Aldritt also joined us at the anchorage in their Riviera.  Great to have them along.

The real race began after the finish line this year, with most of the boats contesting the Bitter End Award, for sailing right up to the anchorage at Akuna Bay.  Last year only 3 yachts attempted this feat of tacking, with Kate Kelly winning the inaugural prize against Soleil and Vela.  It was impressive to see such a large number of yachts tacking up the creek, much to the confusion of passing stinkboat skippers.  Jindarra carried on so quickly after the finish line that there was some dispute that she actually did sail all the way, but the crew on Kate Kelly were trying vainly to keep up and could see her sailing in the distance.  They arrived before the start/finish boat!  Vela arrived very late and was thus awarded second prize according to the Ron Parker handicap system.  The boat boys were wonderful and seemed to really enjoy themselves.  They slept aboard Summer Wine with Brett and Robyn, who was amazed at how much food they put away for breakfast:  hungry work shepherding a group of yachties!

We went ashore at about 5.00 p.m. for drinks and nibblies, followed by a barbeque dinner at the marina’s picnic area.  The café had changed hands and let the club down at the last minute over providing dinner but luckily it was a beautiful evening and we had a very enjoyable time outside.  We much appreciated the delicious salads and desserts prepared by Celia, along with fine wine and good conversation.  Some members joined us by car, so it was a great party. We returned to our peaceful anchorage in the bay across from the marina and after a good night’s sleep, returned to the café ashore for a rather indulgent breakfast.  Suitably fuelled up, we then enjoyed a lively sail home again on Sunday. 

Do come along next year if you missed out this time.  It is always a fun occasion and is a great opportunity to talk to club members you don’t usually meet.  You never know; you may even win a prize you weren’t expecting!

Sue Flaye

SUMMER CRUISE REPORTS 2010

The cruising division has been busy over the last few months, but it has proved difficult to get many boats together for the same weekends!  Those of us whose children are no longer an issue are finding ourselves committed to grandchildren instead, or annoying employers who think weekend duty is on the cards.  Other members were recovering from surgery and unable to take part, much to their disappointment.

Even so, we managed a pre-Christmas get-together on Dangar Island in early December.  Just 3 boats rafted up in Americas Bay on the Saturday evening and we shared dinner on board Kirin. Next morning we all boarded Kirin again to head over to Dangar for breakfast at the café, which is situated on the northern shore alongside the ferry wharf.  The location on the waterside is lovely, but the barbecue breakfast was not exactly gourmet! We did enjoy an interesting walk around the island.  We also enjoyed a brisk sail on both legs of the trip.  Kate Kelly had a bit of a challenge as her engine was not working, so we had to do all our mooring work under sail.  Good practice, and we are so glad we got the final one first time as the owners of the adjoining yacht were watching on deck and Roman was taking photos from Kirin!

Arrangements for the post-Christmas cruise varied.  Kate Kelly was alone for the long offshore trip north this year.  Hagar, Vela and Kirin all headed for Sydney Harbour, but with commitments to families and visitors, did not all meet up to share the New Year celebrations.  We left the Basin in Kate Kelly the morning after Boxing Day, in darkness and rain at 0400 and set off for Broughton Island. We had a steady south-easterly wind and got there in the evening after 16 hours sailing.  The cool and frequently wet conditions were actually ideal – we did not get hot, sunburnt or parched and had the wind pushing us along happily on one reach most of the way, gusty under the storm clouds but light at times in between. Plenty of opportunity to try out various sail configurations – reefed at times and poled out at others! The weather continued cool and wet for a while at Broughton, ideal for walking but not so appealing for swimming and snorkelling, although the sun did show its face occasionally.  We met up with the usual group of friends from our previous 5 visits and spent time with them, learning the tricks of catching snapper (and enjoying eating them!), snorkelling with the grey nurse sharks at Looking Glass island, playing boules and badminton on the beach and walking.  Our New Year’s Eve was quiet due to rain, but the usual bonfire on the beach took place the following evening and we shared drinks and yarns round a good blaze on New Year’s Day.  Snorkelling through the cleft in the island, which forms the shark nursery, was definitely the highlight of the visit, as long as you didn’t dwell on what other types of sharks might live in the local waters.  Anyway, they would much prefer the abundant supply of juicy fish to the odd tough and pickled yachtsman one would like to believe! 

Conditions at Broughton were pretty mild. We did retreat to Port Stephens one afternoon to avoid a forecast strong southerly.  We sat on a “borrowed” mooring in Salamander to await the southerly, but it was just a feeble change of wind direction and hardly noticeable!  We spent the day in port replenishing supplies, having a great seafood lunch and then a peaceful night in Fame Cove before returning to Broughton.  A few evenings later we rounded the island in the dark after hearing a radio report of very strong southerly gusts at Newcastle, but once again nothing much eventuated (isolated gusts with thunderstorms can be misleading).  Coal Shaft Bay, on the southern side of the island is no place to be caught out by a strong southerly though, so one has to be very cautious.  Our radar came in very useful in finding our way round the island and bommies in the dark.  Sometimes the reef around Coal Shaft is not up the task of keeping a heavy swell at bay and we had a few rather rocky nights.  We love Broughton and one fellow yachtsman there has been visiting for 27 years in a row, but it is not for the ill-prepared or comfort-loving sailor.

Our final night at Broughton was marked by the arrival by a fleet of some 6 – 8 yachts from Palm Beach Yacht Club, all having a great time sailing up the coast. We spent one night in Newcastle Marina on the way home, enjoying the first hot shower in a fortnight and the delights of the Rocksalt restaurant after our many nights eating out of cans!  We saw Etihad Stadium and the superyacht Squall at the marina – about a billion dollars worth of boat between them!  The wind was rather light on the way home, but in the right direction at least, so we hoisted the spinnaker and trebled our speed.  A great sail back, but rather hot.  We poled out the headsail and sailed peacefully up Broken Bay and Cowan Creek, but then made the mistake of picking up the club mooring at Refuge for the evening – noisy houseboats and rafts of stinkers running their engines mindlessly, regardless of their neighbours. A hideous experience!  We were cheered up by having an exciting sail back to the club in a strong southerly and enjoyed beating up Pittwater to finish our trip.

The most recent cruising excursion was to Sydney Harbour for the Australia Day ‘weekend’.  Some of us took the Monday off to make a four day break.  We headed down early on the Saturday to get there before the very strong south-easterly which had been forecast.  However, the strong westerlies forecast for earlier in the day did not oblige and we limped down the coast in searingly hot conditions until the nor’easter came in and pushed us along at a better pace.  Hagar headed off to the CYCA marina for the night, handy for a family party in the city, but with very tight pens and little manoeuvring room. We decided not to join the Cronans in Fairlight, as even with the security of a rented mooring, it is very exposed and uncomfortable in south-easterly winds.  We tried tucking into Store Beach, which is in theory out of a south-easter, but when the southerly whammed in we decided it was not the place to be and headed off to Cobblers Beach on the Balmoral side.  With 35 knots on the dial, this proved to be a very wet and slow process, until we assisted the labouring engine with some reefed headsail and started moving at 8 knots rather than 2!  Very exciting! Cobblers was totally sheltered but we have been put off going there by past memories of bare bums on the beach and the boats there!  John and Jenny meanwhile had decided not to spend the night on Windborne in wild and rocky Fairlight or to come aboard the following wet and grey morning.  We set off up the Harbour on the Sunday to join up with Paul and Bev and the Coastal Cruising Club sailaway in Balls Head Bay.  There were about 10 CCC boats in the bay and we walked up to Waverton to a café in the afternoon and met ashore in the evening for happy hour, enjoying many nautical yarns with a variety of interesting people.  We were surprised to see Bob & Irma Birchall walking across the park, but discovered that they live nearby!  We had a good chat with them also. The next day we motored round to Cockatoo Island in KK with Paul and Bev.  The marina there is only for boats under 27 feet, so we anchored off Balmain and took the rubber ducky over to explore the island.  It is a very interesting visit.  You can easily spend half a day investigating the historic buildings, docks and tunnels and there is a good café offering lunch and a cold beverage if required!  There is a campsite on the island and the historic houses have been renovated as holiday homes. Back at Balls Head we joined in the happy hour again, talking to cruisers from England and the USA who were 10 years into their circumnavigations!  John and Jenny Cronan joined us for the evening and we had dinner on board Hagar, enjoying the prawns we had picked up the Fish Market before returning from Cockatoo.

We upped anchor the next morning after family had jumped aboard.  It is very easy to pick up crew here, as both Waverton and Wollstonecraft stations are within walking distance.  The Sinclairs and Cronans returned to Pittwater from Balls Head Bay and avoided the activities on the harbour, but we got in the thick of it all again!  It was a glorious morning and we watched the fun and excitement of the Ferrython from behind Shark Island.  We returned to Farm Cove for the 21 gun salute and then went back up the harbour to anchor off the Vaucluse shore and watch the Tall Ships Race and various flyovers whilst enjoying a gourmet lunch brought on board by my brother and wife, whom we dropped ashore at Balmoral before heading home.  We were in illustrious company, with Jamie Packer’s new toy (all $50 mill of it) anchored alongside.  We later saw them gunning it down the coast as we limped northwards in the fickle winds.  The sail back was very light and we had to motor from Long Reef but it was a lovely evening and we had a fish dinner on deck en route, with a few playful dolphins to escort us briefly.  We returned to our mooring at 2100, just in time to see the beautiful fireworks on the Central Coast.  A fitting end to a great weekend.

Once again we were disturbed by the inaccuracy of the BOM forecasts issued on Channel 16.  There are no live updates on actual conditions, just continual re-reading of a forecast several hours old.  We found that by eavesdropping on calls between the Marine Rescue stations up and down the coast, they were giving each other up-to-the-minute timings and strengths of the changes.  This vital information helps you decide whether or not you need to change your anchorage or sailing plans.  Two of the “strong southerlies” were non-events, but had we ignored the third one because of this sort of misinformation, we could have been in big trouble if we’d been at Broughton.  Keep an ear out on Channel 16!  And if you call them, get the new name right, as we heard calls to “Coastal Patrol” and “Coast Guard” being ignored or corrected briskly!

The next cruising event on the calendar is the Challengers Head Race on 20/21^st February and then to Smiths Creek on 27/28 February (but possibly put back to March some time).  We also hope to overnight in Maitland Bay when we get the right steady NE forecast for the weekend.  Members will be contacted by email at short notice for this one.

Sue Flaye

Kate Kelly

CRUISER'S GUIDE TO ASC MOORINGS

As there are several new members and some who have never used the club’s moorings, the cruising division thought you might find this article useful.  Please come along and join any club cruise event or just explore the delights of the club moorings at your leisure.

The club maintains a number of moorings for the use of members, all clearly marked with the club’s logo.  Most of these are very popular to one and all during the summer. Club members should carry a burgee and/or current club sticker on their boat.  Basic mooring etiquette allows you to ask non-members to vacate the club mooring so that you can use it.  If they refuse, you are within your legal rights to report them to the Water Police or NSW Maritime.  Usually telling them that you are about to do so should move them on!  Of course in winter when few boats are out you may prefer to borrow someone else’s mooring, but then you might be asked to move yourselves.  If you do use someone else’s mooring, you must stay with your boat and be ready to move if asked.  Don’t go off for a long walk! 

Rafting is permitted on club moorings, but not on public or NPWS moorings. Large fines apply if caught rafting on one of the latter.  Also, do not attach lines to trees in the National Parks or you will also attract fines.  It is generally not a good idea to raft more than 3 boats on one club mooring and be ready to quickly abandon a raft if conditions dictate or if swing room becomes too restricted on crowded days.  If a club member is already on the mooring of your choice, please ask if you can join them and make some new friends.  If you want to be alone, then anchor somewhere exclusive rather than use the club moorings!

We list below a description of each club mooring, gleaned from many years of use by the Cruising Division.

Towlers Bay:  This mooring is not far enough away from home to be seen as a cruising destination, but makes a very pleasant lunch stop or base for maintenance jobs out of the wash.  It is very peaceful in all but southerly winds, but in winter it is slow to find the morning sun: an anchorage in Morning Bay warming up much earlier in the day.  There is a bushwalk from the jetty in Morning Bay up into the National Park, with its many walks and great lookout points.  There is a sandy beach in Towlers for social get-togethers ashore.

The Basin:  The two Basin moorings make a good combination for a social event, allowing several boats to raft on the 2 moorings.  The mooring nearest the jetty is often “borrowed” by non-club members who then go ashore to the campsite and cannot be found and moved on.  The notification of their registration numbers to Maritime is recommended but does not solve the immediate problem!  The Basin is also not a good place to stay overnight in heavy NE swells, as you will roll badly and get no sleep!  It is the perfect spot in a southerly blow, but not strong easterlies.  There are good bushwalks with beautiful views both sides of the Basin and you could nip over to Palm Beach by ferry for supplies or lunch.  The NPWS charges a $3.00 per person fee for use of their facilities ashore, but there are BBQ’s, fire pits, toilets, cold showers, rubbish bins and a netted swimming area.

Patonga:  This mooring can only be recommended for a brief stop off to go the newly refurbished pub or to get fish and chips ashore although there are beautiful walks from Patonga to Umina and Ettalong.  However, the mooring is in shallow water (1.9 metres, and thus unsuitable for many yachts), very exposed to swell and wash and is on a lee shore, so we advise against using it if there is any chance of a southerly change.  It is also totally unsuitable for rafting, as members have discovered even on a calm summer’s day.  For single use only and not overnight as the constant rolling renders sleeping onboard far too uncomfortable.

America Bay:  This is a very attractive sheltered mooring, alongside the old dead white tree.  Unlike those at the head of the bay, this mooring is well spaced from adjoining moorings and allows plenty of swing room for rafting.  It gets the last of the evening sun and also benefits from the sun pretty early in the morning.  There is no swell and it is protected from most wind directions.  From here, it is possible to venture up to Brooklyn or round to Cottage Point, taking one yacht from the group or even by dinghy.  There is a good bushwalk up the side of the waterfall and on into the National Park.  There are rock pools up the top if you’d like a cooling dip in summer.

Refuge Bay:  There are two moorings close together in the corner of the bay, making another good venue for a group of boats to raft.  It is very peaceful and well protected, but does not get the sun until much later in the morning.  There is a bush scramble up the side of the waterfall and the beach makes a good spot for a get-together at low tide.  The waterfall offers the opportunity for a fresh water shower after a swim from the sandy beach.  In summer this bay is plagued by huge rafts of stink boats and the moorings can seem rather “hemmed in”, but it is beautiful out of season or mid-week.  There is a garbage barge in the bay.

John Cronan, the Cruising Co-ordinator, is producing detailed charts of the moorings’ positions, along with GPS co-ordinates for each.  If you would like a copy of these details, please contact John. His contact details are on page 9 of “Mainsheet”.

Compiled by Susan Flaye from information supplied by various members of the Cruising Division

CRUISING PHOTO'S

Sydney Harbour Australia Day 2007

Smiths Creek Cruise 20 March

Morasum

Windborne and Kirin on their way to Hardy's Bay