Overnight at Flinders Island

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Fri 17 Feb 2023 01:44
Noon Position: 33 28.2 S 134 27.2 E
Course: NNW Speed: 4.5 knots
Wind: SSW, F2
Sea: slight Swell: W 1.5 m
Weather: overcast, mild
Day's run: 28 nm

The wind has been quite a bit lighter than forecast so I had to give up on my intention to sail around the west coast of Flinders Island and content myself with sailing around the Topgallant Isles and then making for Front Beach on Flinders Island's east coast. Here we found two other yachts at anchor which made for a good guide into the anchorage as the chart is only of a small scale and not well surveyed, and of course, not having been this way before, I do not have any local knowledge. So, using the two boats at anchor as my beacon, we tacked close into the beach keeping well clear of the reef that lies less than a mile offshore, then sailed parallel to the beach, tacking once more as we approached the yachts at anchor, furling the jib as we did so, then dropping the main and the anchor immediately after in 3.5 meters of water in what appeared to be a sandy patch between lots of weed.
An oversight I made as I let go the anchor was that I forgot to remove the chain pipe cover and watched with annoyance as it disappeared over the bow roller and into the depths along with the anchor chain. "Oh well," I thought, "it is only shallow. I will just have to go for a swim to recover it." So, once Sylph had her cable, the first job was to don swimmers and snorkel gear and then over the side to follow the anchor cable until I spotted the chain pipe cover which, as luck would have it, was still attached to the chain. A quick duck dive and I had it back in hand. What I also discovered is that my sandy patch was actually mostly limestone but it looked like the anchor had found a snug spot to dig into so I returned to Sylph confident that she would be secure for the night.
Which turned out to be the case. This morning I arose with the sun (which is rising at the civilised hour of 0705), had breakfast and at 0750 got under way. As I hauled in the chain I was treated to a large pod of dolphins swimming by, working their way along the beach, presumably looking for breakfast, then, just as the anchor was breaking free, a seal came along to say hello, swimming around the chain and poking his head up above the water with what looked like a cheerful smile and a wave of its flipper. It was a very pleasant way to start the day.
Once we were clear of the shallows and the reef we rounded into the wind, set the mainsail then bore away to the north, setting the jib and shutting down the BRM. Again the wind is proving light and fickle. We persisted with sailing for a couple of hours but now the wind has faded to less then six knots and the sails are flogging in the westerly swell. Given that the batteries need charging and that the sky is overcast, so the solar panels are not doing much work, I have decided to motor for a bit.
My goal for this evening is Sceale Bay, some thirty miles to the north, though it looks like we won't get there until after dark. Not to worry, it looks like a relatively simple approach so, with the aid of GPS, we should have no trouble getting in. Hopefully some wind will fill in soon, otherwise we might just drift for a bit. Meanwhile a large pod of dolphins, I estimate some thirty or so, are escorting us, ranging up alongside, swimming under the bow then pulling away for another lap. It is nice to have their company.
Oli is asleep on a shelf in the alleyway cupboard.
All is well.