Noon Position: 38 51.7 S 143 34.7 E
Course: W Speed: 2.5
Wind: S, F2 - slight breeze
Sea: slight Swell: SW 2.5 meters
Weather: overcast, mild
Day's run: 10 nm

I was in no hurry to get underway this morning, for while the strong W'lies had ceased, they have been replaced by very light airs. So, I slept in until 0730, then had breakfast before getting under way at 0900. We motored out of the harbour entrance and once clear of the breakwaters, turned Sylph's bows to the south towards Cape Otway. A slight breeze picked up after two hours of motoring into the two meter swell, to which I set the main and code zero. However, as we approached Cape Otway the sea grew very lumpy, presumably because the ebb stream was meeting the reef extending a mile south of the cape, causing the sails to slat and chafe against the rigging. I started the motor again and handed sail.

We rounded the cape at 1300 and, while there was still no wind, the seas grew worse, with steep waves on top of the swell, and the odd one breaking. Again I suspect it was a combination of the ebb stream, the reef and additionally a west setting current from the past three days of strong W'ly winds.

Once we had motored a couple of miles past Cape Otway the seas smoothed out considerably, though the two meter swell is of course still running. The breeze is light and variable. Initially I tried setting the spinnaker but it continuously collapsed, threatening to wrap itself around the forestay, so that has come down again. We motored for a bit more and now, with a slight but steady breeze picking up from the south, I have set the code zero. This seems to be holding and we are making a steady two and a half knots. Indeed, it looks like it is time to set the main again.

The forecast is for the wind to freshen from the east tomorrow. Hopefully we will then be able to make some decent miles towards our destination of Adelaide. A front is due to pass through on Monday with strong SW winds behind it, but by then I hope to be past Cape Northumberland and on NW course, heading for Backstairs Passage. So, if all goes according to plan, our ETA in Adelaide will be Wednesday morning.

All is well.