Not all our members are old-salts, many are relatively new to yachting or graduated up from dinghies. Two such crews are Rob and Deb (ex Shibumi) and Ken and Wendy (Lulu). The article below by Deb gives and essence to what our sailaways are. Sometimes inexperienced crews, overcoming adversity, achieving and learning confidence in themselves and their Compass’. Deb’s account is dramatic but those who knew the Lulu’s in 2003 will appreciate the achievement of sailing off an anchor in Port Hacking, 25 miles up the coast and on to a mooring in Elizabeth Bay all with a dead motor, great seamanship.
Rob & I had decided after the Pittwater Sailaway that we would meet up with the Compass Group in Port Hacking on the June long weekend. As the weekend drew nearer we became more nervous but determined to complete this offshore sail-away alone, unaccompanied and successfully!
We decided last minute Friday night that we would go despite a wind warning of 25-30 knots and relatively high seas forecast for Saturday. They say it’s the only way to get experience by just braving the elements and chock up the courage so we did.
Saturday we awoke at 5am and headed off to Shibumi. After restocking, stowing and a few sail adjustments we were on our way. There was an eerie feeling as we were the only sailboat amongst some small fishing vessels out on the water at 8:30am heading towards ominous dark clouds to the east. Maybe the trip was called off we thought so our back up plan was to go to Middle Harbour for the weekend if when we pointed Shibumi out of the heads and our bravado took a spiralling dive then we would quickly turn back. I secretly expected (hoped) the latter to happen!
Well, as soon as we were able to make radio contact with “Lulu” it was confirmed, we would meet them in a few hours at Port Hacking. They were about an hour ahead of us and kept in contact all the way down the coast, which was very reassuring. So we popped some sickness tablets, sat tight and looked towards our destination. The wind was almost non existent but a 3 metre swell made it a rolly sail. The motor was employed when it felt like we would never get there.
Five hours after leaving Sydney heads we arrived at Bate Bay- Port Hacking and met up with Lulu, Spindrift and Maeling at Jibbon Beach. The sun came out, it was warm and spirits were high, we made it…..Ahh…a sigh of relief.
Lulu had experienced engine problems and was going to be without her engine all weekend so she had to be towed by Maeling, (who had no reverse gear), up stream towards our anchorage for the night, “South West Arm”. Shibumi took the tow rope securing Lulu alongside while Merryjig (now Lillian) and Spindrift rafted up to the anchored Maeling. Shibumi and Lulu tied up to each other and we too manoeuvred our way up to the other compasses to complete the raft up. A total of 5 Compass yachts, 2 Compass 29’s and 3 Compass 28’s rafted up for the night, what an awesome sight it was!
It was just on dark when we arrived at South West Arm so everyone busily tidied up the living quarters and we prepared our own dinners. Casserole for us while others had steak and sausages on their own outdoor BBQ. We must buy one of those!
For dessert Rob & I dropped in on Ken & Wendy on Lulu with pikelets, jam & a tin of dairy whip cream. Mmmm we will definitely make that a regular dessert on board. After a few drinks and chatting about our whale sightings everyone retired to bed. It was so quiet and still on the water but freezing cold as we wrestled with the doona for warmth, we need another one of those too!
The morning was glorious, crystal clear, blue sky, and sunshine. By 9am we disbanded and headed back to Jibbon Beach cautiously navigating through the narrow channels of Port Hacking led in-line astern by Maeling. At some points the channel was as shallow as 2.5 metres and at times we were a boat’s length away from the shore.
It was calm and warm on our approach to Jibbon Beach, so Rob & I decided we would anchor and spend the day exploring the beach. The others would spend the day as they desired and some yachts were heading home. Firstly we all met for morning tea on Lulu where in an instant our plans would change thanks to the sudden arrival of a gusty westerly. Ken & Wendy on Lulu were concerned about their engine problems and they had decided to head home shortly, that meant Rob & I would have to sail Shibumi back to Sydney without Lulu’s company if we left the next day as originally planned. We decided to take advantage of the westerly wind and flat seas and “reach” all the way home today accompanying Lulu. So we quickly fareweled our friends and headed back aboard Shibumi to prepare for our trip home. BUT…no sooner were we back on board we heard a shout from Geoff (Maeling) “Shibumi, your anchors dragging” Panic stations broke out, Rob ran to the anchor line to lift it up, I started the engine and tried to steer Shibumi into the wind, slowly motoring so Rob could ease up the anchor rope. The engine stalled, Shibumi was being blown back towards the beach, and we were getting into perilously shallow water. Onlookers could see our dilemma and hear the desperate instructions from Rob to me as I kept stalling the engine in my attempt to adjust the rotten, stiff gear levers. By the time the anchor was up we had been blown way too close to the shore and threatening to run aground, looking a silly sight, toppled over in a 28 foot yacht on the beach waiting for the tide to come back in to right us. Thank God I regained my composure, put the engine in forward and motored up behind the other Compasses, red faced but relieved I managed to avoid a major catastrophe.
Next Rob had to drag the dinghy up on board whilst fighting the strong westerly wind. The sails were raised and we were out of there. Lulu was not far behind us before overtaking us and then not far in front;….what happened there I don’t know, Compass 28’s are supposed to be faster than 29’s under sail, we probably hadn’t been too concerned about a perfectly trimmed sail, as long as we were on our way again and out of danger.
It was a great sail home, despite the VHF radio packing it in half way, luckily we still had the 27meg to keep in contact with Lulu. No time for eating we were starving when we arrived into Sydney Harbour 3 ½ hours after leaving Bate Bay, Port Hacking, a much quicker trip coming back.
Lulu managed to sail skilfully and strategically onto their mooring at Elizabeth Bay, as we watched on enviously at their prefect ability to make an extremely difficult task seem effortless. Luckily the wind had died down a bit and was just strong enough to keep them under sail since they couldn’t use the engine at all. This was their first attempt at sailing onto the crowded mooring, surrounded by million dollar boats, and they made it look so easy despite their obvious apprehension. Well done guys!
We fareweled Lulu and crew and headed for home in dusk. It was so dark when we approached our mooring as there was no moon out, our luck; we could hardly see the mooring buoy. A torchlight helped guide us in and we were back tied on safe and sound, in one piece, relieved and longing for a warm bath and a good night’s sleep.
What an experience, our first sail away together and despite my threats to “never get on this boat again” I’m proud of our determination and look forward to the next trip.
Deb