A Short Summer Cruise to Jervis Bay

We use a sock with fiberglass "toilet seat" and had no trouble getting the kite up or down with just Andrea and myself. As evening approached the wind started clicking 20 true and backed into the north forcing us more and more to the east. For the kite drop we ran dead downwind and blanketed the sail behind the main. The sock was then pulled down remarkably easily despite the wind speed. For that drop we had eased the sheet which was a mistake. Next time I will pull the sheet in hard and ease the tack line and anticipate better control of the sail. Diomedea ran wing-in-wing for the next hour or so doing 8's, 9's and 10's before we gybed for the broad reach in towards Point Perpendicular. The wind gradually built to 25-30 knots as we approached so in went one reef, then a second. Diomedea came around Longnose point, past the bommy to confront a solid 5 mile beat into 25 knots. The sun was just setting and it was absolutely gorgeous but we had our work cut out for us as we hammered through the lively seas so typical of Jervis Bay in a blow. We could see the beckoning anchor lights of the fleet moored at Long Beach on the northern side of the bay and soon we were setting the hook before retiring for a most undisturbed sleep. I was quite surprised that we had received no welcome on the VHF from the other yachts from RPAYC upon our arrival until I discovered the next morning that they were not there at all. They had chosen to use the moorings at Hole in the Wall but abandoned these for the delights of the Montague roads on the 29th.

Jervis Bay is usually a list of superlatives but I will instead rely on imagery. Gin clear water. Bone white sands. Gentle sea grass beds. Stunning blue polarized light sky. Gin-augmented sunsets?

Outside the anchorage the bay foamed white as the supercharged sea breeze took control over the next day or so. There was an easy 30 knots out there but Long Beach remained secure. The hard sand does make anchoring difficult and there were some who took involuntary tours in reverse of the roadstead. We use the Manson Supreme anchor and find this to be outstanding. It seems to set almost immediately and has not yet dragged. Admittedly it is the 36 kg model but it has to cope with 18 tonnes of yacht.

Over the next few days, we had summer fun on and off the boat, including a lap of Jervis bay in 15-20knots NE breeze. A pleasant soiree with other RPAYC members was enjoined on the beach one evening but due to the impending arrival of a group of family and friends we were forced to abandon a planned luncheon. Catastrophe appeared ahead of them as the macerator pump on the toilet began making noises sounding like its death throes. I had three hours before the boat was to accommodate 9 people and no functioning loo. In my profession there is a very old adage: More is missed by not looking than not knowing. With this in mind and given my total lack of knowledge of the macerator pump, it was time to have a look. The pump came off "cleanly" (can I really say that?) and much to my surprise I found a 1.5cm diameter plastic bead which had clearly been agitated by the rotor blades. It looked like something off somebody's swimsuit. I was ecstatic and the toilet was soon back in action.

New Years Eve was celebrated on board with the crews of Reliance and Chimera and our friends Vicki and Peter. We got to bed at 2330hrs with the intention of going up the coast to Wollongong on NY Day. Our daughter was leaving for the USA and we wanted to be there for her. At 0430 I dropped our friends onto the beach as they had to drive home (lucky them!), and, feeling pretty average, we put to sea.

Coming around Point Perp the harsh reality of 15-20 knots of nor'east breeze combined with a 3 metre nor'east swell caused washing machine conditions all along the Beecroft peninsula. We did not even bother to try sailing and relegated the passage to a motoring experience. Andrea went below for a strategy session. A short sailing leg was managed past the islands of Wollongong before a heavy slop threw us into the haven of Belmore basin. 

Local kids enjoyed impromptu showers by pounding waves casting the ocean over the massive breakwall. The fish restaurant is only 20 metres from the dock and really is unavoidable. Yum.

Another 0500hr departure had us motoring into moderated winds and seas so that by 1100hr on the 2nd, Diomedea was secured alongside in Sydney harbour. Another passage had come to an end but we had our eyes fixed on the eastern horizon in preparation for our mid-year adventure to the South Pacific.

David McKay