Noon Position: 33 52.16 S 151 13.99 E
Moored Rushcutters Bay, Port Jackson
Wind: NE, F2 slight breeze
Sea state: 2 - wavelets Swell: nil
Weather: sunny, warm
Day’s run: 85 nm sailed, 50 nm made good

We have at last made it to Sydney.

The wind remained with us for much of the night but as we approached Port Hacking conditions were such that we were unable to make any further ground in the right direction. The wind was from the north, but the sea and swell were more from the ENE, plus there was the ever-present East Australia Current running at one to two knots to contend with. On the starboard tack the sea and swell were on the beam and Sylph was able to make good four to five knots, but when we tacked onto port we were punching directly into the short seas. Sylph would try to punch through or ride over the waves but they kept bringing her to a near halt and we only averaged about two knots which then exacerbated the effect of the current, so instead of making good a course of ENE we were getting pushed down onto a heading of SE. Consequently, we spent most of the night tacking back and forth going over the same ground. I considered motoring but discarded the idea as being a waste of fuel and energy. Instead we held our ground under sail and waited for the wind and, more importantly, for the seas to abate.

Which happened at around 0400. I furled the jib, put two reefs in the main and started the engine. As the seas smoothed out, with the assistance of the BRM, we were now able to make good four knots through the water and, with a knot of current against us, three over the ground.

We motored the final thirty miles, turning into the heads of Port Jackson at 1045, then continued motoring up the harbour to pick up a RANSA mooring in Rushcutters Bay at 1130.

Now it is time for a bit of a rest.

All is well.