Hi All

Last night I passed 4 nautical miles south of Cape Otway.  A dangerous area for sailing ships of former years, particularly for ships approaching from the west (the Bight or Indian Ocean).

I noticed in the years gone by, navigating by sextant – no electronics then, my estimated position (before actually being able to plot my position by the sun sights) was further advanced by 20 nautical miles than where I thought I was (East setting current). I guess that tricked less manoeuvrable ships of the day.

South of Cape Otway is a reef notorious for heavy breaking waves. I managed to avoid it.

When I was in eastern Bass Strait (to the eastern side of Wilsons Promontory – the most southerly cape of the Australian Continent) the conditions were, as forecast, yukky, with strong winds, severe squalls which turned to head seas, wind  and waves.  I knew it was coming. 

I put full reefed mainsail mid ships and the yacht on most comfortable angle.  I should write “least uncomfortable angle” and let it go wherever it was safe …. rest times for jonny.  It must have looked weird on the tracker. Then the head winds moderated.  It was a bit bumpy motor sailing into it.  Sea height decreased. So did the wind.

In some regions of the world the sea height and steepness moderate quickly.  Bass Strait is one such region.  Strangely, another region it moderates quickly is Cape Horn.  But both also brew shocking seas in gales (due to currents and land).

I passed Wilsons Prom before dark.  Wind and sea moderated as I went west. In the morning it was calm.  I motor sailed.  Calm as calm.  Ever so calm.  It got even calmer (is that possible?). Gosh, I deserved that, I thought.

Today, Thursday 31 December   Now west of Cape Otway – Bass Strait. The normal south east wind has built up.  It is 2pm.  Wind 20/25 kts.  Full reefed mainsail and all of my working jib.  Good progress.  I’m on a broad reach.

Normally I would sail Sydney to Portland. Sailing to the east or west one visits the local ports and lets the weather fronts play their game on the sea.

This year we have the Corona (nice Mexican beer). So it is non-stop Sydney to Albany to meet requirements for entry to WA.

All well and good here.

Looking forward to seeing you all again.  I am so.

Jon