Phase2: East Coast Lows

Thursday, 23 April to Monday 4 May, 2015
The rain finally stopped on Thursday and we went ashore at Hole in the Wall for a walk and to see what the sea conditions were like outside.

The Hole in the Wall

Hole in the Wall is part of Booderee National Park with campgrounds further west and walking trails.

Swell less than predicted

The good conditions encouraged us to up anchor on Friday morning and resume our way home after a week at Jervis Bay. We were lucky to spend our time here as the East Coast Low (ECL) had caused a lot of damage from Port Hacking to Port Stephens.

Exiting past Point Perpendicular

The wind started in the NW so we used the jib then genoa in the light breezes. The breeze had died by 1000 so we started motoring, then motorsailing. By 1500 we could stop the engine and enjoy the peace of a 2 sail reach in a westerly. By 1830 we were back motoring until we picked up a mooring at Jibbon Beach off Port Hacking at 2230 after 85nm (more than the actual miles due to the East Coast Current).

Jibbon Beach

On Saturday, we sailed, motored and finally motorsailed to Yeomans Bay inside Broken Bay. With 40 knots forecast again for Sunday, this was the perfect place to pick up a mooring and sit out the wind and rain.

Yeomans Bay

On Monday we went around to the Royal Motor Yacht Club to have dinner with the David, Jenny, Graham and Annie from Kailani. David and Jenny also took us shopping and I managed to get all the washing done. It was a busy day but the weather was looking good to go north on Tuesday and Wednesday and we didn't want to miss the opportunity. At 0650 on Tuesday, we left RMYC and enjoyed a good sail to Shoal Bay in Port Stephens, arriving just on dark.

Dodging rain north of Port Stephens

On Wednesday we set off for Camden Haven (80nm away) in a W that went SW and eventually S. The log shows we used the jib and genoa, set the spinnaker 3 times and motorsailed 3 times in a frustrating day of variable winds. At 1450 we could see a squall ahead and got the spinnaker down just before being hit with driving rain and 25+ knot winds that got the heart pumping!

Calm after the storm

We eventually crossed the Camden Haven Bar in slight seas at 1915 and anchored up the river opposite the RSL club. Camden Haven's bar is better than most as it gets some protection from Perpendicular Point - not to be confused with Point Perpendicular! Another ECL was forming and this was to be our refuge for the next week. The ECL caused heavy rain and flooding in SE Queensland before continuing south and flooding parts of northern NSW. ECLs form in cold waters but are similar to cyclones in many ways.

Luckily this one started to weaken before it got as far south as Camden Haven. We have enjoyed our time here including walks to Dunbogan and North Haven. Yesterday the Port Macquarie Ironman event was on with the bike leg passing through this area. We were in awe of the 1500 triathletes taking on a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and then a full marathon to finish!