Off to The Hunter Group

After a restful stay in Stanley, we are heading off to Shepherds Bay today. Rosie and David have joined the crew along with the stowaways- the Maatsuyker family! They are greedily watching lunch preparations for the trip.Showers and overcast today. 

Heading for Stanley

After several days sightseeing ,resting and maintenance at Beauty Point we departed at 0500 hrs for Stanley. Reaching along in a pleasant SSE and averaging 6 knots. Sailing in company with our lovely friends, Tom and Leanne aboard Ingenue.

VDLC - Day 7 and Day 8

Alas! In relation to solving our battery charging problems on Day 6, we claimed victory too early! A decision to press on according to the cruise schedule and manage our already depleted batteries, was unanimously made with resounding confidence. Remaining battery charge was now for emergencies only and so a few changes were implemented.  These included resorting to use of traditional navigation, hand steering (no auto helm), installation of emergency navigation lights, use of packaged water (no pumpimg from tanks) and "head operations" being changed to the bucket method. These changes had a number of positive outcomes; we remained acutely aware of our charted positon and physical environment at all times, and .... were able to keep check that everyone was sufficiently hydrated as buckets had to be passed to the person sitting to leeward so that the contents could be disposed !!!!

We arrived safely in Beauty Point at 0900 hours (Thursday 19th) after 40 hours at sea. We are now rested, watered and fed and feeling happy for ourselves.

Marine electrical services are now booked and we remain on shedule for the next leg of the cruise.

VDLC - Day 5 cont... and Day 6

I

After replenishing a few supplies at Coles Bay yesterday, and enjoying some of those famous scallop pies, we motored to Promise Bay where most of the cruise fleet had anchored. A beach BBQ was planned so we launched Penelope (Odyssues' tender) and motored ashore with our food and drinks. About 50 other boating and yachting folk had already assembled and in true cruising style, created an instant community of sharing and acceptance. The blustery night that followed resulted in us having to move and reset our anchor at 1am. When the sun rose and the morning radio scheds rolled out, it became evident that a number of other boats in the cruise fleet had similar problems and also had to move.

After breakfast, we motor sailed to Passage Beach where we plan to remain until midnight before passing through Schouten Passage and head north up the east coast. Over the past few days, Nick had identified an emerging problem in being able to sufficiently charge our batteries. He decided to use the time to identify the cause and fix it. To our surprise, he produced a brand new alternator and tirelessly spent the afternoon fitting it. It fixed the problem and we were all relieved as it had the potential to significantly interfere with our trip.

VLDC - Day 5

Today we head north on the inside of Freycinet Peninsula, towards the township of Coles Bay. After five days of being on the boat, the prospect of going ashore where there are shops, brings a smile to Linda's face!

VLDC - Day 4

(Saturday 14th) we remain at anchor in Bryan's Corner, Freycinet Peninsula as NE gusts brings periods of heavy rain. Low clouds blanket the Peninsula and we listen to weather forecasts via HF radio, only to discover unfavourable weather for the next few days. The dinghy was launched and a bush walk to Cook's bay was undertaken by two of the crew. So back to reading our books and evening drinks as we await Mavis' asparagus and sweet potato risotto.

VDLC-Day 3

LAfter a quiet evening in Chinaman's Bay we are underway and heading to Schouten Passage. Wind is 10-12kts from the NE and expected to strengthen. Unfortunately, on the nose! Captain Luke is officer of the day assisted by Linda and Mavis.

But when the wind strengthened, it was Mavis who took the helm and issued the orders. "Do not get between Mavis and the helm" was the comment of one crew member as another boat was trying to catch us!

This evening (Friday 13th) we lay at anchor in Bryan's Corner at the southern end of Freycinet Peninsula.

VDLC - Day 2

The morning sun breaks through the partially clouded sky and shines upon the Port Arthur historic penal settlement. A ketch rigged yacht lies at anchor not far from us, within the cloudy shadows of the bay. The Isle of The Dead lies in the background.

Port Arthur

The Blog Captain is catching our dinner

VDLC Day 1 Underway!

Departed RYCT at 0800hrs. Beautiful sunny skies, 5 knots breeze from the SE. Motorsailing with full mainsail. Heading for Port Arthur.

Friendly Dolphins play in our bow wash for hours.

More about the Wooden Boat Festival

The Wooden Boat Festival features some tall ships as well. Yesterday coming into Hobart we saw Enterprise and Windeward Bound.

A quick tour of Hobart's Wooden Boat Festival.

Today, skippers and crew of Odysseus took the opportunity to tour Hobart's Wooden Boat Festival. The festival is held every two years and attracts hundreds of wooden boats from Australia and overseas. The festival celebrates Tasmania's rich maritime history and appropriately takes place at Hobart's historic waterfront. Read more at http://www.australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au/festival-program

While touring, Luke bumped into renowned Solo Circumnavigator and Author Jill Knight. Jill circumnavigated the globe, with only her cat for company, in a 120 year old, 47 foot gaff cutter called Cooee. She is internationally acclaimed and recognised as an author, a long distance cruising sailor, and an authority on wooden boat maintenance.

Luke and Linda first met Jill at the Geelong Wooden Boat Festival in March 2014 when Jill came on board their huon pine boat, Lone Gull. Jill was speaker and special guest at the festival and conducted a tour of all the boats in a lead up to the festival dinner where Jill awarded prizes.

Welcome aboard Sally and Linda

Skipper Sally and crew member Linda flew in from Melbourne today (Sunday 8th) and "inspected the ship".  The ship met expectations!  With existing crew member Mavis, the arrival of Sally and Linda now swings the crew ratio to three women and two men from the prevoius three men and one woman. (Assistant Delivery Skipper, Bob will soon return to Melbourne). How will the future group dynamics aboard Odysseus unfold?

Another milestone was the on board celebration of a 28th Wedding Anniversary by crew members, Linda and Luke. Congratulations Luke and Linda.

Hey ... We have arrived in Hobart

Getting to Hobart - Day 11 cont...

Life on board continues as Beethoven plays and two great explorers share their insights! We have just sailed through Norfolk Bay and Frederick Henry Bay, heading SSW.

Getting to Hobart - Day 11

Awaking in beautiful Shoal Bay and a cooked breakfast was a good way to begin the day. Before heading off, a recommemdation was made at the morning briefing that the youngest of the crew should be deployed overboard to reconnoitre what may have been causing the viabration. Armed with snorkel and mask, the member cut a tighlty bound clump of kelp from Odysseus' propeller shaft. Weighing anchor at 0930 hours (Saturday 6th) Odysseus motored from Shoal Bay without the annoying viabration.

Getting to Hobart. Days 9 and 10

Our sail through Banks Strait went so well, we deciced to continue and not stop at Foster Inlet. At 2150 hours on Thursday 5th (Day 9) a viabration was felt while motor sailing. Suspected of being a piece of kelp or comercial fishing line, the motor was reversed and tried at different revs. in an effort to dislodge what may have been caught. With some success we continued on but every now and then the viabration returned.

We turned south and began our sail down the east coast with southerly winds turning north westerly as predicted.  Into Day 10 allowed full down wind sailing at 7 plus knots, passing Wineglass Bay, Freycinet and Schouen Passage. As winds abated, we again motor sailed, with the viabration continuing.

We deployed anchor in Shoal Bay of Maria Island at 2200 hours and slept soundly.

Before we get to Hobart - Day 8

Our three wonderful days in West Tamar, while waiting for more favourable winds, have been filled with much enjoyment. Activites have included sampling of local fare, tasteing cooler climate wines, catching and eating our own seafood, bush walking, visiting Launceston, catching up with friends and .... shopping at chandleries! We have left the Tamar River this morning and sailing on a broad reach and gliding over a gentle sea at 6 plus knots. We are intending to stay at Foster Inlet (Thursday evening) and then complete the passage through Banks Strait early tomorrow (Friday) when tide and wind are predicted to be in our favour.

Our sail across Bass Strait

Leaving Queenscliff at 1700 hours, Friday, we ventured through Port Phillip Heads with ease but into some remaining fetch from recent strong sou' westerlies. As nighfall drew its curtain and the seas greyed, an eerie moon arose to provide some company. The next day brought us a friendly warmth and clear skys. Winds abated and continued on "on the nose" for most of the entire trip. A few ships, many dolphins, an oil platform, and another sail boat trying to catch us were our main observations. After berthhing at Beauty Point in the early hours of Sunday, we rested for a while and awoke to Nick's order to be on deck for bacon and eggs.

Having reviewed weather forecasts, it looks like we might be staying at Beauty Point until Thursday when favourable and fair winds are predicted.

Before we get to Hobart - Day 4