Noon Position: 35 43.0 S 138 06.6 E
Course: SSE Speed: 4 knots
Wind: ESE, F4 moderate breeze
Sea state: 4 - moderate Swell: SE 1.5 meters
Weather: sunny, mild
Day’s Run: 13 nm

This morning the wind had backed around into the East and was creating a small sloppy sea running down the coast and into Rapid Bay, making the anchorage somewhat uncomfortable. I was not in any particular hurry to get under way as the winds were forecast to remain against us for most of the day but with the sloppy sea running into the Bay I decided we may as well get under way sooner rather than later. After a quick dip over the side and breakfast, I weighed anchor, motored clear of the Bay, turned into the wind, set the main with two reefs, then bore off to the SW, unrolled 60% of the jib, to round Rapid Head and then Cape Jervis and on into Backstairs Passage.

Initially the wind was on the beam making for a fast comfortable ride down the coast, but once past Cape Jervis we hardened onto the wind, staying in close to the coast, but not too close to avoid getting into the Cape’s wind shadow, so as to hopefully transit Backstairs Passage on the one tack. The tide was with us until noon, which kicked up a bit of a sea but helped us through the Passage. At 1330 we cleared Cape St Alban, passing half a mile off the appropriately named shoal, ‘The Scraper’, which was clearly visible with numerous white foaming waves breaking over its shallows. Now we have cleared Cape Willoughby and are out into open waters of the Southern Ocean. The wind has eased to force 4, a moderate breeze, and we are now sailing comfortably with one reef in the main and 80% of the jib.

The wind is forecast to remain in the East for the remainder of the day, but overnight is expected to back into the NE, which will make for a beam reach towards Cape Northumberland, some 180 miles away. Unfortunately the favourable winds will not last long, going light tomorrow and then freshening from the South again on Wednesday, then going light again etc.

But we are under way, heading in the right direction, and will make the most of whatever we get.

All is well.