We left the boat ramp at about 8am because the forecast was for more 20-25 knot breeze and by leaving early I thought we might get a bit of sailing in before it became too much. The first decision was to put a reef in the main just in-case the wind got up early also and to use our small jib.
The sailing was quite pleasant even though is was a bit overcast and we received the occasional bit of a gust approaching 20 knots. With the reef in the main we were never overpowered by those gusts. We crossed the shipping channel into the Brisbane River and got to within half a mile or so of Mud Island when the breeze looked like picking up and staying so we turned for home as planned. Unfortunately the breeze backed off and we cruised home. A couple of hours later the breeze did kick in to the forecast 20 to 25+ so it was a good decision to go home to the club marina.
Cruising past the mouth of the Brisbane River.
Some smart birds resting on a bit of floating timber, unfortunately we scared them off taking this photo.
Donna using her christmas present at the marina, catching a catfish (we don't eat catfish here, too many other good fish to eat). This was just after the rain had stopped.
Donna catching another catfish.
Sleep time.
So we got to the marina and tied up, it started raining as well as blowing 20 knots. Into the cabin we went and one of my designs reared its ugly head. I never intended my cabin slides to be actually water proof! When it rained the water ran along the edges of the cabin top slide and into the cabin right above me. Lesson learnt, I will be making some changes.
After an hour or so of this the rain cleared and Donna went fishing with little success. We had lunch while sailing so we didn't need the fish for a feed. After a couple of hours we went home for a few hours to relax and get cleaned up; this is what I would refer to as a soft opening to camping on Shazza? We headed back to the boat about 6pm.
We have mattresses that are actually long seat cushions about two inches thick and about five and a half foot long, perfect fit for Shazza. Throw in a couple of seat cushions for pillows, a couple of sleeping bags and a battery lantern and we were all set. Until, the lantern died and I realised the inside of an i550 was exactly the same as what I imagined the inside of a bass drum would be like while being repeatedly hit lightly. The breezed backed off to next to nothing by about 9pm and the rain was definitely gone so the water was dead flat (no rocking) and the mast was quiet as a mouse (no halyards slapping). But it was amazing how much noise little lapping waves can make on 6mm of ply 2 inches from your ears. The great thing about a day on the water is how tired it makes you to the point where it does not matter if there is a Heavy Metal thrash band playing next door, you will fall asleep (eventually).
As an experience 8/10
Comfort (me) 4/10
Comfort (Donna) 6/10
Would I do it again, sheeeeet yes, but with the following alterations.
* Get the professionally made boom tent
* Get ear plugs
* Try TTB's way and get a blow up mattress in the cockpit (no good if it rains)
*Make the cabin entrance water tight (with ventilation through back cover/hatch)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIAEtH0TZW4
Donna, Peter (crew for S2C) and I went for a quick sail for an hour or so today 8th January. We had 10 to 12 knots which was a good amount to get planing and run through everything with Peter on how to gybe the kite with our articulating pole, he's done it before but it was a while ago so today was a refresher course for next weekend. We don't want to be trying to remember how to do stuff next weekend in the race.
