Across Bass Strait

Wednesday, 30 January to Sunday, 3 February 2019

On Wednesday the wind was still from the north so we could stay in Snug Cove and do a few trips to town getting ready for the next leg of the trip south. We spent the day washing, getting fuel and reprovisioning. 

The aptly named Warren's Walk

This involved several trips up the hill to town, more for Warren as he carted a 20 litre fuel container. On the last trip we met someone who told him the fuel tanker had just been on the wharf filling up boats. We thought our 40 litres of fuel was too small an amount but apparently we could have used this service. Store that tip for next time. It poured rain in the afternoon and then we had a violent electrical storm that night – it was all happening in Eden. HMB Endeavour, a replica launched in 1993 was joined by the Soren Larsen, one of the last sailing cargo ships built in 1949 in Denmark. Hard to imagine they thought sail was the way to go in 1949. 

HMB Endeavour and Soren Larsen waiting in Eden 

On Thursday morning a southerly front blew through just as we were motoring over to Nullica Bay. We had afternoon tea with the Aurielle crew discussing our chances of crossing Bass Strait the next day. It didn’t look great and we were resigned to waiting a bit longer in Eden. That night however Warren checked the latest forecast and said we should go as the following week was not looking good at all.

Leaving Twofold Bay, Eden

So at 0740 on Friday morning, after a final check of the weather, we motored out of the anchorage into a very light SW wind. We told Aurielle of our decision and after relooking at the weather they decided to also leave (3 hours after us). There were 2 yachts ahead of us as we motored past Green Cape, and Gabo Island. Once we were at Green Cape we had beaten our first crossing attempt in 2015 when we lost a propeller. (Read more about that here if you are interested).

Green Cape lighthouse

At 1540 a 15-20 NE suddenly appeared and we were able to start sailing. With the breeze picking up, as we entered Bass Strait the seas became very confused. For sailors, think of conditions like the “Mad Mile” at Wide Bay Bar on a bad day. Unlike the 20 minutes to cover the “Mad Mile”, these conditions persisted for the next 15 hours! For non-sailors, it was like being in a big washing machine, with waves and swells coming from different directions. 

Dolphin escort as we enter Bass Strait

Less than an hour after finally getting some wind, we put in a double reef and then a third reef on dark. We were making good progress but just before midnight we partly furled the jib to try to slow the boat a little and make life more comfortable. We averaged 8.5 knots all night in the 25-30 knots with a triple reef and half a jib and got very little sleep. We were across the Strait and abeam of the top of Flinders Island by dawn. Just to set my Mum's mind at rest, these were uncomfortable conditions - not dangerous. I was certainly glad that Seawind build very strong boats.

With the sunrise, the swells eased a little and became less confused and we unfurled the jib. But it was nearly 1400 before we went back to 2 reefs, and 1540 full mainsail. At 1600, we had covered 195nm in the previous 24 hours since we started sailing – an average of over 8 knots and one of our best 24 hour runs.

We put in the double reef again on dark, as is our custom, and enjoyed a quiet night with a 15 knot northerly and slight seas. We were glad to catch up some of our sleep from the previous night. The stars came out during the night and as we were abeam of Schouten Passage at 0700, we decided to continue on to Maria Island. 

Passing Schouten Island

En route, we were entertained by a pod of dolphins that were as interested in us as we were in them – rolling onto their backs to gaze up at us on the bows of the boat. 

We dropped anchor in the protected anchorage of Shoal Bay at 1250, 53 hours after leaving Eden.

Print this post