Round the Corner

 

Anne's calendar looks like it is about get busy, and the weather is getting chillier, so we decided to dust off the teardrop and get away for a few days, even though this is a long weekend and we knew it was going to  be busy. 

I have a roof top loading contraption, so we put Skerry and the roof and headed off down to Yanakie.

It is a bit of a rigmarole, and takes about an hour up Qantas an hour down, so really only worth it if I can get the boat out for at least a couple of days. It is very tidal down here, and low tide round 11 yesterday and  round midday today.  We got the boat unloaded and ready yesterday morning, went for a swjm

 

Grey day

 

A grey Easter Monday, and the predicted wind didn't arrive. It was dead calm, and I needed a bit of post Easter feasting exercise, so I drove the Skerry round to Flemmos round the corner. I think this is the lowest energy launch arrangement. Oz and I rowed over to the beach past 2 used to be 4 sticks. My rowing technique is improving I think. 

A nice chap admired the Skerry and helped me put the boat on the trailer, too easy again. 

About 3.5 NM, moving average 3.0 knots, but there was a bit of drifting and cautious approaching in that. 

Too easy

 

I had volunteered to do a recce of the Herring Island landings. Chris with his lovely newly launched Garvey "Teale" with 20 hp Tohatsu wanted an outing, and kindly offered me a crew spot for a blast up the river. Engines feel like cheating to me, it is too easy.

Elusive Little River

 

Chris, Gerard, Oz and I set out from Werribee South to see if we could crack the Little River entrance. We arrived round three hours past high tide, and ran aground in soft goo well before. We anchored for a bumpy lunch. When it came time to claw off the lee shore my centreboard was stuck. A bit exciting there till finally I freed it. We had a great broad reach back along the coast. I shook out the reefs in my sails, and of course the wind kicked up with 20 knot gusts. I recorded a Max 8.1 knots. It was a grand sail. But I have unfinished business with that River. I might try a launch from Kirk Point with the Skerry.

Slow sailing

 

Another still sunny Autumn day. I was not feeling super energetic but I got the Skerry out and we went for a very peaceful couple of hours over towards Williamstown. Average sped was 2 knots, which is fine with me. Anne and Ozzie seemed to enjoy the day as well. 

Six sail to St Kilda

 

Perfect but very still Autumn day for our sail from the Warmies to St Kilda. I have wanted to get there for ages, as I was sure that beach would be OK for landing, and so it was. A really good day on the water.

Cabanage

 Chris S sent me a link to a YouTube video "Cabanage Skerry". 

I collected a set of ikea bed slats from a neighbouring rubbish clearout, and I have been thinking about how I might create a boat camping space on Derry. The video shows one possible way. I have side seats now, so  the framework he uses not required. 

Also the centreboard and centre seat plank can stretch across and fill a bit of space, so less slats required. The proof is in the sleeping, but, with a couple of camping pads on top, I reckon that just might work.

I thought too the oar and mast support structure in the video might be a bit tricky to set up on the water. I will try a boom and boom crutch arrangement. I had a boom crutch and rough tarp tent from the Mirror- not a bad fit, but a bit short.

Lots of room for improvement but it has got me thinking.  And it could just about work. Quite cosy really ...