Sometimes you get caught even when you think you have planned your passage well. The forecast for Wednesday 16 August was for 15-20 knot westerlies close to the shores, strengthening in the middle of the morning to 25-30, and a lot more offshore. The plan was therefore to hug the coast closely. We got out of Bittangabee with two reefs in the main and a few rolls in the genoa… just as well! Within an hour, we were having a wild run to our destination: Bermagui.
Weather map. Red is never good!
The bit about hugging the coast to get protection from the land worked well as planned, except for when we had deep, broad bays to cross, in particular Twofold Bay at Eden, and Merimbula. We would take a beating with 40+ knot gusts and short, sharp chop. At the height of the gusts Wade saw 46 knots of true wind, I saw 43 and photographed 40.1! We both wish we were not out there, but there was no going back.
First time we were out sailing in 40.1 knots. Scary monsters!
It is really hard to steer when it is blowing that hard and you are getting sprayed everytime the bows dip. We learnt a few lessons.
For a start, we should have left Bittangabee much earlier before the wind picked up, 6am instead of 8am! Maybe the crossing of Twofold Bay at Eden would not have been as tough!
Things got exciting in the middle of the bay, particularly when we decided it was time to swap the already furled genoa for the staysail, a much smaller sail. When we let it out, the upwind sheet (rope) from the genoa which was not done up tightly, wrapped itself around the staysail drum and jammed it. I steered while Wade was on deck unravelling the mess. We both had a tough job: me steering an unbalanced boat in 40+ knots and Wade, hanging on to dear life and playing with macrame while getting thoroughly drenched by the green water over the bows. But we survived and got things back under cotrol. We won’t forget to tighten all sheets ever again – lesson number two!
It is also really unnverving to have the Ampair wind generator whizzing around at high speed just behind you. At some stage when I was steering I was thinking: “hope that thing holds, if one of the blades goes, I will have it impaled at the back of my head! I guess I won’t feel a thing and will die doing something I love. Well actually I am not loving this bit, so please Mr Ampair, keep it together!”
And if you are wondering why the hell we were out there in these conditions, good question! it is because we omitted to take note that, as the Bureau of Meteorology says, “winds can be 40% stronger than the averages given here”. So the BOM’s forecast of 30 knots x 40% = 42 knots! Guess what we were getting? We will try not to ignore that little warning again – lesson number three!
Hugging the shores to get some protection! It looks nicer than it was!
Once we were close to the shore, the water was at least flat and the wind more manageable. We arrived at Bermagui and were tied up to Volition, a long liner fishing boat, by 4pm. The harbour is full with the fishing fleet sheltering from the blow. The boat we are tied to is here for maintenance for at least a week, so we are all good. They were mighty impressed we were “out there” in this weather. We felt a bit foolish and just a little frazzled. Check out the size of the fenders they put out for us!
That’s not a fender, here is real fender!
I still haven’t changed my mind about coming into Bermagui, especially on a windy day. It is tight, daunting and not for the faint-hearted. The good things are that the fishermen were as usual very helpful, we were able to do another round of laundry and be wallies at the showers of the Fishing Coop. And the seafood was rather nice.
Friday, today, we are heading for Broulee Island, just south of Bateman’s Bay, some 40 miles away. Hopefully this will be a less exciting ride. Beyond that the next stop is Ulladulla, but all weather dependent!
Sv-Anui 
This sounds so exciting! And that fender is truly huge too. Smooth sailing! 👍🏻😎
Hey John – yes they were nearly as broad as the hulls! We weren’t going to rub against the steel fishing boat!
Having grown up on a large lake in Michigan and having lots of experience with boats, I can say with certainty that steel is bad for fiberglass! hehe I really enjoy your adventures! ❤️
It’s even worse for marine ply! Glad you are enjoying our tribulations. We like getting your comments, John!
That was not a good way to learn but at least it is learned, stands you in good stead for your continuing journeys. Still very windy in Sydney but at least the sun is shining. Stay safe
You’d think we’d know by now, but we are super conservative today! 6.30 start, double reefer main, rolled up jib, tight sheets! Looks like we’ll get to Broulee by lunch time!
And here I am as skipper of my own catamaran in sunny Queensland contemplating my south passage home to near where you have came from !!!!!!!!! Why I ask myself?????
Cos it’s close to home! At least it will be warmer when yo come down!
Exciting sail guys! Glad you made it safely ….
Hi Elgar – a bit too exciting for our liking! We live and learn! Kinder conditions today and we are a bit wiser.
Ick! Scary stuff. As usual all the bits and pieces don’t sound like too much of a drama, but add 40 knots and tangled ropes and things suddenly get very serious.
Exactly, guys! It’s never when it’s an easy day that things happen. At 40+ everything is intensified and you realise you have to manage as there is no turning back!
Wow!
😊🐳
Sounds easy from the warmth and comfort of my desk here in Goolwa. As you have not heard from me before let me introduce myself. I am a retired National Mutual Agent. My son Andrew Harris (Minnerds Bell) mentioned you to me and I recalled an article of yours, Chris, in the Cruising Helmsman and have been following your trip since. I have a sailing background and I am in the final stages of building a river boat (10 year project) Hoping to relaunch in about 6 weeks. The River Murray will be tame in comparison to your adventure.
Cheers Clive
What a great surprise Clive! I do know of you through Andrew! So nice to hear from you and find out about your exciting project! 6 weeks will fly and you will be able to enjoy the fruit of your labour! We wish we had the patience and the skill to build or restore a boat. You must have such a sense of accomplishment! Wade and I have just retired and starting a new season in our life. We are doing what we love: living on the water, sailing on our beloved Take It Easy. Some days are more exciting than we’d wish! Do stay in touch. It makes our day when our followers are brave enough to make a comment! Chris and Wade
Great story, Chris! Glad you survived the experience so you can apply those handy lessons in the future.;-)
Thanks Robin. You’d think we’d know by now! We can’t afford to forget the air is denser in southern waters and in winter and really packs a punch!
Wow! That’s a lot of excitement my friends! Seem to me that you’re doing all the right moves in order to be on the safe side. Have a better day tomorrow. 🙂
Thanks HJ! We were a bit wiser over the next days at least.
Every day a new learning adventure, wish I were with you with what little hair I have standing on ends,cheers
Oh Terry, you would not have wanted to be on board on that day! But may be the next…
And we thought 35 knots on the lakes was tough!
Hello you two! It is tough on the Lakes with the short chop! But we can all do without 46 anywhere!
Ooof, that’s a bit TOO sporty
Agreed Matt! It did not quite go as planned!