Departed Port Pegasus

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Sun 14 Feb 2021 23:18
Noon Position: 47 25.7 S 167 31.6 E
Course: SSW Speed 4.5 knots
Wind: WSW, F4 Sea: moderate Swell: SW 2 meters
Weather: overcast, mild
Day’s run: 18 nm

This morning I woke with the alarm at 0630. I promptly rolled over and went back to sleep. At 0700 I got up. To sail or not to sail? I looked around and sniffed the air. It was calm but overhead the clouds scudded to the south. I figured I could either poke around a bit more in Port Pegasus or go sea and likely punch into a headwind for several hours. Well, it seems I would rather be sailing than sight-seeing. By 0815 the anchor was acockbill and we were motoring past Rosa Island out into the North Arm of Port Pegasus where we secured the anchor and set the mainsail.

Now we are in clear ocean waters, close hauled on the starboard tack, a reef in the main, and Oli snug and secure in the aft end of the quarter berth. Looking at this morning’s weather fax, the front must have past over Stewart Island last night but there is, of course, another on its way, though it probably won’t affect Sylph for a few days. Shortly we will tack and hopefully be able to clear the Muttonbird Islands to the west of Stewart Island.

The wind is forecast to back into the SE over the next 24 hours which will make for a good run around Puysegur Point. So, fingers crossed, in a few hours we will be able to ease sheets and have a slightly more comfortable ride. No doubt Oli will then emerge from his hidey-hole, arch his back, stretch, yawn, and look askance at me with those ridiculously large almond eyes –“Some fresh food, if you don’t mind”.

All is well.