Departed Port Stephens
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Noon position: 32 47.4 S 152 12.0
E Having completed my objectives for our stop-over in Port Stephens, this morning it was time to continue south. So, at 0855, after a quick dip and breakfast, I slipped the mooring and we motored with the ebb tide out of Nelson Bay then set sail and motor-sailed out of Port Stephens. There was a significant tidal rip at the entrance with the strong ebb tide meeting an opposing swell which made for an uncomfortable pitching motion until we were past Boondelbah Island, about two miles outside the entrance. Unfortunately the winds have been light and the swell larger and steeper than I was expecting, so Sylph has struggled to maintain steerage way under sail alone and we had to continue motor-sailing until just on midday. Now the breeze has filled in a little to which I have set the code zero and we are now working our way to the SE off the coast where a more favourable breeze from the east is expected to pick up this afternoon. Hopefully we will then be able to tack and make a more direct course for Sydney. All is well. |