Noon Position: 35 35.9 S 150 23.2 E
Course: NNE Speed: 3 knots
Wind: E, F2 slight breeze
Sea state: 2 - wavelets  Swell: SE 1.5 meters
Weather: sunny, mild
Day’s run: 74 nm

Last night we were off Batemans Bay, the wind was calm, the swell was running in from the SE, the current was running south at about two knots and we were motoring, going not particularly fast in the desired direction. The forecast was for the wind to remain calm until this afternoon. I considered my options: keep motoring all night and much of the morrow; drift while rolling in the swell and going backwards at close to two knots; or go to anchor in Batemans Bay.

I knew of an anchorage within Batemans Bay, a smaller bay named Chain Bay on its northern shore, which I have stopped at once before. It is easy to get into and despite being on the northern side of Batemans Bay, offers reasonable protection from the swell with a reef extending out on its eastern side. After procrastinating over my options for a while, I eventually concluded that going to anchor for the night was the most sensible thing to do. I would get some rest, we would not be going backwards with the current, and we would not be pointlessly burning lots of fuel.

So, at 2135, we altered course to the NW to pass between Tollgate Islands and North Head. The bright occulting white light on Square Head at the head of Batemans Bay guided us in, and south and west cardinal marks guided us around the reef on the eastern side of Chain Bay and into Chain Bay itself. At 2330 we let go the anchor in five meters of water and shut down the engine.

After a peaceful night, at 0810, we got under way again. Initially a very light air was blowing off the land, but certainly not enough to sail to. We motored out of Batemans Bay, past North Head and turned to the NE to continue towards Sydney. At 1030 a slight breeze filled in from the east. I set the code zero and since then we have been able to sail close hauled on the starboard tack, hugging the shoreline. I had hoped that the current would be weaker closer into the coast but unfortunately it has made no appreciable difference. I find that we are still pushing against a current of about two knots. While the log is showing a very respectable 4.7 knots through the water, GPS has us only doing 2.7 knots over the ground. Still, despite our slow progress, it is a beautiful day and we are sailing. So I am happy.

The forecast is for the wind to freshen to a gentle breeze from the SE this afternoon, then turning NE overnight and freshening from the NNE tomorrow afternoon. Headwinds.

We press on.

All is well.