Nobody Home
Based on the success of the Australia Day cruise last year, plans were under way early this year for a really big weekend but once again the weather had the upper hand. Other than an escape by Bosslady (complete with sick-bags) at around noon on Saturday, most of the remaining crews sat it out (on the deck) until late the same day before facing a pretty wild ride up the bay to Sandy.
Peter had organised a number of pens for us left vacant from an 80 strong fleet from Sandy that had headed Geelong way, so it was easy to settle in once the boats arrived. The weather had taken it's toll on the 10 starters all spending the first night together, but across the weekend everyone managed to get as far as the Sandringham Maraina at least once. Some skippers such as David aboard Bosslady headed out for day trips further up the bay while Peter and Graeme made the journey twice because of work commitment on the Monday.
I joined these two guys aboard Nina on Monday evening for a great run in challenging conditions. Part of the entertainment on the way was watching Peter run the gear on Moondancer, solo - impressive. Well there was one little problem with the Kite there at one stage !! Anyway safely in our allocated moorings we spent a pleasant socail evening aboard Samantha before retiring pretty early. Full days of sailing had slowed even the likes of Sharyn, who was by this stage sporting a pretty solid suntan.
Weather on Australia Day morn was perfect and after breakfast and the usual walk and "drool" at some of the Sandy residants, it was time to pack up and head back. Starting off calm the weather soon presented it's lunchtime breeze making it a very nice run for home.
A big thanks to Peter for organising much of the trip and spending a lot of time on the phone re-scheduling plans and times. Boats who cruised across the weekend included: Moondancer, Samantha, Silver Cloud, Bosslady, Jay JayII, Quicksilver, Pelican, Yellowbird, Sheba, Blue Shadow, Sea Eagle, Sea Otter, Nina and Bitter Sweet. For another point of view of the weekend here's the contents of an Email sent out by Peter on Sunday evening as the cruise was part way through.
The cruise is now well under way.
There was much activity around the club early Saturday morning and much conjecture on the weather. Would the cruise depart ?
James Marsh and crew spent much time provisioning Sea Otter whilst many others crossed the bridge and busied themselves with the many tasks required for an extended stay aboard. But the wind continued to blow 25 knots from the south and brows were furrowed as the postponement flag was raised on the staff.
Boss Lady was confident, and big enough, and departed at 12.00 midday. She battled a lee sea all the way to Sandringham testing the resolve of all on board. This included veteran voyager, and Honorary life member, Bill Stud on hand to assist Skipper, former Commodore David Gunton with a great deal of ‘advice’. David’s other 2 crew , Jake and Zac,have by now taken on the ‘Martian’ look.
Back on the Island the 3 Hr postponement flag was still flying with an anticipated departure of 3.00pm later delayed to 6.00pm. But the strong southerly kept the conditions hazardous at the Bar.
Drinks and nibbles on the sundeck took the form of an unofficial cruise meeting where most decided 8.00pm would be departure time.
Next away was Samantha with Graeme and Karen on board. Graeme had spent considerable time ‘bolting’ everything down following his bumpy ride a week ago that spread the cabins belongings from gunwale to gunwale. Good thing too as the sea was still on the beam. Karen was the only thing that got flung around on this voyage !!
Departing 30 minutes later in Jay Jay were Vice Commodore Des with Liz in the navigators seat. Both looked resplendent both before and after the voyage, a reflection perhaps on the comfort and quality of ride of this fine Searay vessel. By now Rene and Ebbie had arrived at Sandringham in the powerful Sheba. They settled by Boss Lady to rest up for a 4.00am fishing trip to Fawkner Beacon.
Yellow Bird, Craig Williams and Moondancer Gerry and Peter Banham were the first of the yachts to depart..Sailing In company through the sunset and into the twighlight with their sheets eased, a following wind making for comfortable but brisk sailing. All was well until Moondancer, now some distance further off shore than Yellow Bird, made contact via a phone call. This phone call was enough to momentarily distract the concentration of our solo sailing club secretary. The consequence was a ‘chinese jibe’ which all but beheaded the secretary, and sent his mobile spinning through the air landing frighteningly close tp being lost forever, a memory beneath the waves. Nevertheless the yachts sailed on to arrive at around 10.00pm. At this stage Craig’s lump on his head was so large it would not have been difficult to have mistaken him for a Tasmanian.
10.40pm the 27meg announces Silver Cloud is 15 minutes away so we ready the moorings for her arrival. Drinks,nibbles and much merriment was had aboard Silver Cloud before we settle for the night in the calm waters of Sandringham Harbour.
Early Sunday morning, Sheba had already departed and Yellow Bird was readying for an early return sail to Mordialloc. Heading from Mordialloc and Sandringham bound were Peter Moseby Sailing Blue Shadow, John and Heather campaining the greatly improved and very busy Pelican, and Greg and Heather on Quicksilver, delighting all on the bay with a spinnaker run the entire distance Mordialloc to Sandringham.
General visits from boat to boat took place until Moondancer announced her intention to return to Mordialloc. A boystrous double reef 25 knot beat ensued with accompanying waves large enough to cause the crew to ‘look the other way’. The old Farr is tested with the crew protecting the skipper from rouge waves climbing on board. Moondancer makes good time back to Beamaris Bay where the wind abates enough to allow a safe but bumpy re entry into the creek.
