Sunday 6 February 2011

Refit 2010 Completion and Return to Batemans Bay

Refit 2010 was completed at Noakes Boatyard in Sydney.  In addition to the items listed in the "Refit 2010" post we also had the following work done:

  • Replaced P-bracket cutlass bearing
  • Made good a couple of scrapes to the topside
  • Refitted original Aries Lift-Up Vane Gear to the transom

Epoxied and ready to antifoul

Antifouled with Coppershield (aka Coppercoat)
For the passage home we were very lucky with the weather.  Sunny skies and northerlies persisted for all but the last hour or so of the passage.
Sydney to Jervis Bay track

Outward bound through Sydney Heads

"Kami" the Raymarine SPX-5 GP tiller pilot
We stopped at Jervis Bay for about 24 hours, anchored at the Hole in the Wall.  Our intent was to avoid thunderstorms, but they reappeared the following day just as we approached Batemans Bay.  We sailed through heavy rain when entering the Bay, giving the boat (and us) a good wash.


Jervis Bay to Batemans Bay track

Departing Jervis Bay towards Batemans Bay 
At Batemans Bay Marina
Home on the Clyde River
Now for Refit 2011 which will complete our cruising preparations - or at least those items needing to be done prior to departure.  The items planned include:

  • Register as an Australian Ship
  • Complete installation and testing of "Kazi" the Aries vane gear
  • Build "pedestal" to replace saloon table with a larger stowage unit
  • Prepare galley cut-out and surrounds for new cooktop/oven/grill
  • Replace Ham HF/VHF/UHF with Marine/Ham HF
  • Install additional fresh water tankage




Saturday 5 February 2011

Delivery Voyage - Brisbane to Batemans Bay

This is a "catch up" post to fill in a little more history of Zen.  This time we'll take a look at our 600nm delivery voyage south from Brisbane to Batemans Bay in March/April 2010 - mainly in pictures.

We motored through the Broadwater from Manly to Runaway Bay, just making it through on a single tide.  Touched bottom at a couple of places and at one we had to gently explore to find the channel.  The bottom constantly moves and so the charts are a guide only!

Manly to Runaway Bay track (via the Broadwater)
Departing Manly
We spent two nights at Runaway Bay marina before heading out of the Gold Coast seaway into the Pacific.  We had a nice 10-15 knot E-SE wind for most of the passage to Port Stephens.

Departing the Gold Coast
Approaching Port Stephens
Peppers Anchorage resort, Port Stephens
We spent several days at Port Stephens waiting for a weather window for the next leg to Sydney.  Being in a nice Peppers resort made our stay very comfortable.

The leg from Port Stephens to Sydney was slow, with light winds and a few thunderstorms.  We motored for several hours and arrived in Sydney at about 0300.  We anchored in Middle Harbour before moving into a pen at MHYC.

Port Stephens to Sydney track
Sailing South
We spent several days at MHYC in Sydney while an East Coast Low came and went.  The passage to Jervis Bay was in a light southerly.   As we approached Jervis Bay rain became persistant.

Sydney to Jervis Bay track
We stayed in Jervis Bay for one night and then pushed on to Batemans Bay.  The winds were light so we motor-sailed for much of the passage.


Jervis Bay to Batemans Bay
The trip was a great shakedown cruise.  We managed to avoid exciting weather, with maximum winds only reaching about 20 knots.  With the boat home at Batemans Bay we commenced our 2010 refit (described in an earlier post).