Another day with the sun shining and spinnaker up most of the day. With an easterly breeze it was a good angle and we were doing 5-6 knots in 6 - 8 knots of breeze and 8 - 9 knots in 12 - 15 knots of breeze. Our maximum speed of 9.7 knots was good considering the maximum gust we had was 15 knots. The later departure from Brisbane has meant a lot more time with the spinnaker up rather than double reefed in 20+ knots.
Today we had dolphins join us off Mackay (same place as last year) and a whale that crossed our bow and then swam past about 20m off the starboard side.
I saw the dolphins in the distance and they approached at speed and jumped out in unison as they came alongside (I am sure they just wanted to make sure we were watching). We were running under kite at 8 - 9 knots at the time and they had a great time as they surfed the bow then came back and surfed the stern wave.
Thursday, 18 August 2011 Scawfell to Thomas Island
Light NW to start so we motored and heard the sound that all sailors dread - the sound of something falling from the mast and hitting the deck. Of course it falls overboard and try as we might we couldn't see what came undone. The mystery was solved an hour later when as a SW breeze came in, we raised the sails. The jib dropped to the deck and we found the shackle pin missing. The spinnaker halyard was put to use until I could raise Warren up the mast with the electric winch once anchored at Thomas Island (installed for just this purpose). More excitement followed when a baby whale breached about 50m away. Warren had to point up as they crossed in front - the baby continuing to breach as we passed.
A bit later we had a 70 cm mackeral on the line, our first of the trip. Warren said it looks smaller in the photo. Regardless, it tasted great last night.
The breeze had died again so we started the motors just as a large pod of dolphins joined us. The 20+ dolphins included several babies and they entertained us for half an hour before getting bored and moving on.
What a day!
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