This is an article by Maurice. It starts in Kettering near Hobart and takes him to his home port, St Helens 3/4 of the way up Tassies East Coast - enjoy.
G'day all-just a short report from down this way. I have just brought Mando up from Kettering after having her there for the summer sailing period. We left Kettering at about 3pm and headed up the channel to a spot opposite Dennes Beach called Tinderbox. Overnighted there is calm seas (avoiding the westerly) then off to Orford via Little Betsie island , Dunnelly Canal and Maria Island. "Borrowed" a mooring there , then in good weather set off the next day for Bicheno via Schouten Passage and Wineglass Bay. Unfortunately, just north of friendly beaches the nor-easter came in at 20-25 knots which meant 5 hours of battering into a reasonable sea (2-3 metres) until we tucked into the Gulch at Bicheno. As northerlies were forecast for all day Saturday , we stayed tied up to the wharf and attacked the local fish and chips shop!! Sundays predictions were for south to south/west at 20-25knt so off we went at a reasonable pace. The wind died down about lunch time however we still had a 2 metre swell for most of the way which makes steering a little difficult and headed over the bar-way at St Helens at 3pm. The southerly had killed the barway so much so that you could have rowed across it!! Down the channel for half an hour or so and we're on our mooring. Not a real exciting trip but a fair bit of fun and no breakdowns so all good.
Good luck with your regatta, Geoff wish I was up there but a little far from here!
Cheers to all,
Regards,
Maurice.