Departed Wollongong

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Wed 9 May 2018 04:31

Course: South   Speed: 6 knots
Wind: East, F3 – gentle breeze.
Sea: slight.      Swell: SE 1m.
Weather: sunny and mild

This morning Sylph departed Wollongong to once again retrace her steps south, this time our destination is Melbourne for a gathering of the clan.  The clan will be rendezvousing there on the first weekend of June to celebrate two auspicious birthdays; my brother, Michael’s 50th and my own 60th – how time sneaks up on one.

This trip there is one significant difference to our usual routine, namely Kate and Oli (her cat) are on board.  We decided the trip would be a good opportunity to find out how Kate and Oli would handle a longish trip.  We have left earlier than I originally intended so as to have a bit more flexibility to sail with more favourable weather.  So far, so good, but Oli is a bit seasick.  The weather is very nice just now but there is a southerly change forecast for Friday/Saturday.  We are going to get as far south as we can and then hole up until the weather turns to a favourable slant, hopefully it won’t be for too long.

While in Wollongong, as well as progressing my studies, I have been doing some maintenance and modifications to Sylph.  The cockpit mods are going well and her trim is now what it should be.  The next step is to fit a tiller. I am hoping to be able to make up a prototype to trial before we get back to Wollongong.  If it goes well than I will have something more permanent made up.  If not, I will leave the prototype as emergency steering. 

I also bought a nice new life raft on Monday which I fitted to the foredeck late yesterday by the light of a headlamp.

All is well.