Departed Coffs Harbour
Where Next?
Bob Williams
Wed 17 Sep 2025 02:09
Course: ENE Speed: 4 knots
Wind: NNE, F3-4 gentle to moderate breeze
Sea: slight Swell: NE 1 m
Weather: clear, warm
Day's Run: 7.5 nm sailed, 3.4 nm made good.
This morning I started getting Sylph ready for sea with a view to getting underway around sunset when the S'ly change was due; however, the morning was fine and sunny and the wind, while in the North, was relatively light, so it seemed silly not to make the most of the good weather and to get under way. At 1015, I raised the mainsail and cast loose the mooring (which we had returned to yesterday afternoon). Once clear of the mooring, I unfurled the jib and we sailed out of Coffs Harbour just calling on the BRM to assist us past the wind shadow under Mutton Bird Island.
Now we are tacking up the NSW coast, staying relatively close inshore to avoid the worst of the East Australia Current if we can. As mentioned, the wind is forecast to shift to the South this evening and we should have a good run up the coast at least until tomorrow afternoon when the winds are expected to go light and then swing back into the North on Friday. It is 150 nm to Southport and I am hoping that we will be in Southport before the headwinds return.
All is well.