Duration: 25th December 2020 – 1st January 2021
So with the anchor up at Nullica Bay we were on our way, and it was a good call as New South Wales COVID restrictions were extended to include the whole state. We also had a bad feeling that Victoria may go the same way, and this just cemented our decision to head non stop straight to Adelaide. With enough food and water onboard, we planned to anchor or moor along the way if needs be, but we wouldn’t disembark at any time.
After an initial good sail to Gabo Island that night and the next day was rough, 35+ knot winds with a 3-4 metre swell – welcome to Bass Strait! To add to the mix the Code 0 unfurled, reefing the mainsail in these conditions was challenging and the bow sprit had collapsed downwards. Peter was super busy responding to all the issues we were experiencing. Luckily there was a significant reprieve in the late afternoon with NNE winds at 16-17 knots and seas calmed to 1-2 metres. However this was to be short lived as the forecast predicted strong winds and a 4+ metre swell so we sought harbour at Wilson’s Promontory. We made our way into Refuge Cove which was like a parking lot, not enough swing room for us to be comfortable anchoring there so we back tracked to Sealer’s Cove – no seals but a flock of cute fairy penguins on the rocks as we entered the bay.
Sealers Cove did not offer the same level of protection as we might have expected from Refuge Cove, and by 1730 winds were gusting at 39 knots from the southwest. We were also dragging and getting close to rocks on the port side, so we moved and reset the anchor, and given the conditions, decided we would engage 4 hourly anchor watches overnight. (We routinely use an Anchor Watch app, but this extra precaution gave us added confidence that all was well).
We upped anchor after breakfast on the 28th December, and initially it wasn’t a great sail with a stiff head wind and significant chop. The next day and night wasn’t much better – light winds on the nose, plus heading into the swell/chop and oncoming current – a triple whammy across the entrance to Port Phillip Bay under sail and engines, reaching our Cape Otway waypoint about 2000 hours that night.
Continuing westward we experienced light winds (3-6 knots) throughout the next morning, cutting back to one engine to conserve fuel. Thank goodness we made our way pass Portland in day light, there were crab pots everywhere – a disaster waiting to happen for someone’s props. New Year’s Eve and we were finally in South Australian waters. We noted that a large weather system was developing but was predicted to track close to shore. So we planned to head due west, then turn north to Kangaroo Island hoping to miss the system but it increased in both size and intensity. We were soon pounded by 3-5 metre seas with winds in excess of 35 knots. The boat was amazing through it all though we lost autopilot during a huge wind gust, engines off, 3rd reef in. Peter was also amazing having to handle the conditions and the boat solo, as Sandra was a goner ….. totally sea sick and unable to function let alone help out in any way. Peter skippered through the evening and night, next morning we were sailing through Backstairs Passage which was like a mill pond, unbelievable! As we sailed comfortably up the southern South Australian coastline to Adelaide on New Year’s Day we reminisced about key landmarks and places from our childhood and teenage years …. Port Noarlunga, Christies Beach, Glenelg …. it was quite emotional. Then came the excitement of waving to our family at West Beach and Henley Beach before finally arriving and berthing at 35 South Marina North Haven which will be our home base for the foreseeable future.
The 1st January 2021 will always hold special significance for us, as for Sea Goddess she is truly remarkable and we can’t wait to experience our next long haul adventure. In the meantime, there is a huge coastline to explore and a plethora of towns to visit right here in SA.