A fit looking GT sailing...

Log of the Yacht Classic July 2010

Thursday 18 July 2010.

List of items to be checked with Skipper regarding operation of Classic. C-Map cards available for plotter. It seems there is only the installed card available. It’s a Max – NT not the latest version. This means that we will have to setup my laptop and run SoB with the latest maps as a backup. This is a real nuisance as there is not really room on at the Nav station to locate the laptop securely and there is no chart table so we’ll have to work from the saloon table. PK

Query the radio battery switch isolates the battery located near the Nav station and that only the HF set is wired into this circuit. PK

Seems that neither Tim nor the owner know what this switch does or what the battery is for. Will need to check this out before we depart. PK

Locate the remote control for the dinghy winch aft. Located and tested OK. MT.

Bow thrusters. These are operated hydraulically and require that the main engine be run at 700 plus rpm. This will of course require that the main prop is disengaged while the thrusters are operated. MT.

Genset. Controls port side forward of the saloon companionway. Note that this should not be operated while the main engine is running. PK.

See switch control at main switchboard this should be in the vertical position while operating the main engine. To shore power while connected alongside and to Genset if operating this power source.MT.

All bilge pumps and alarms checked and operated manually. All pumps and float switches worked satisfactorily. PK.

Sat phone requires a pin and neither the owner nor the skipper seem to know what it is. Perhaps they are reluctant to allow us to use it while they are the registered owner? MT

Fuelling. We completed fuelling this morning and took on board $2,000 worth of diesel. This was somewhat less than we had been led to expect as Michael was under the impression that we were to be filled. We are now at approx 4,000Ltrs about 1,000 less than capacity. PK.

Filled water tanks, these are substantial and took several hours to fill. There is only one filler point for both tanks as is the case for the fuel tanks so it’s important to make sure the cross link valves between the tanks are open while filling. If these valves are left open while at sea then it’s important to make sure that the sight glass isolation cocks are set to off otherwise the high side tank will siphon through the sight glass. . MT.PK

Check deck rigging, standing rigging, Sail furlers, and leads for sheets and furling lines. These latter need to be stowed carefully as they are long enough to fall overboard and foul the prop. Agree with Mike to terminate them at midship deck cleats. These can be reached from the pilot house without going on deck. Standing rigging looks OK, no visible erosion or stranding. .PK

19.07.2010

Hosed deck and pilot house to check for possible leaks. None found except for the keyholes in pilot house doors. Probably taping these up will suffice.PK .

Removed sail cover from Mizzen and checked the sail ties and halyard are ok. One of the sail slides is broken near the head of the sail. Hoisted sailto check it’s condition, sail OK. Except as noted. I’ve sourced a piece of lashing that will do the job if we need the sail. PK.

Lashing on coat hooks at starboard in pilothouse suitable for sail slide on mizzen.PK .

Located the Mizzen sheet and blocks and mounted this. PK.

Unfurled all sails and sheeted them home. Sails are probably the original suit and are in reasonable working condition. Sheeting positions may give rise to some chaffing and we should keep an eye on this during the trip.PK

Checked fluid levels in engine, gearbox, and hydraulic system. Located header tank for steering hydraulics in the wheel housing. Access by removing Classic Name plate. This showed two thirds full, though how oil is added was immediately clear. The drive chain for the Auto Pilot to the wheel pump has no tension device and is slack. This results in some sloppiness in the wheel. Decided to leave the access panel off for the trip so we can keep an eye on the fluid level. PK .

Checked the quantity of spare lubricants and fluids. Supplies adequate. PK .

Checked all saloon, forward and aft cabins for loose articles and stowed these. Taped all drawers and locker doors to prevent banging during trip. Organised galley and stowed food and other supplies.PK

Downloaded weather and discussed with Michael. Looks like the earliest we can get away with safety will be early Thursday so we have a day or so of waiting ahead of us.PK MT

20.07.2010

Still waiting as weather is still against us and the high has slowed and is now moving more slowly east.

21.07.2010

Finally the weather is looking more promising.

Far North Coastal Waters, Point Danger to Wooli and 60nm seawards: Friday until midnight:Wind: S/SE 15/20 knots. Sea: 1.5 to 2 metres. Swell: E/SE about 2 metres: Wind: S/SW 15/20 knots increasing to 20/25 knots evening/overnight Sea: 1.5 to 2.5 metres Saturday: Wind: S/SW 15/20 knots increasing to 20/25 knots evening/overnight. Sea: 1.5 to 2.5 metres. Swell: SE 2 to 2.5 metres. Sunday: Wind: S/SW 15/25 knots, reaching 30 knots at times offshore. Monday: Wind: S/SW 15/25 knotsMid North Coastal Waters, Wooli to Seal Rocks and 60nm seawards: Friday until midnight:Wind: S/SW 15/20 knots reaching 20/25 knots offshore. Sea: 1.5 to 2.5 metres. Swell: E/SEabout 2 metres. Saturday . Swell: SE 2 to 2.5 metres. Sunday: Wind: S/SW 15/25 knots, reaching 30 knots at times offshore, easing in the south later. Monday: Wind: S/SW 10/20 knots.

In any case we will be in for a lumpy few days as we move down the coast, hopefully the weather will move SW and ease as we get further down maybe Monday or Tuesday and then hopefully the promised Westerlies for the Strait.

13.30hrs. Let slip the lines at the marina and made revolutions for 6.0kts in the seaway Cleared the Southport seaway at 14.10hrs.




14.10hrs. came to new course 122° M. Speed 7.0kts, Wind 20kts at 175°M. Set engine revelations to 1350. Water temp 140°F, Oil 50 PSI, SOG is 7.0kts. COG 120°M. Set Fore and Main Staysails. 15.30hrs. Course 122 M, Speed 6.2 Kts, Wind 20Kts. At 180°M. Two staysails set and engine revolutions reduced to 1000rpm. Water 140°F Oil at 50 psi.

18.30hrs. Abeam Tweed Heads. 8 miles off, cloudy and sea condition is very choppy and making progress rather uncomfortable. There is no pilot seat in the boat so one has to stand on the windward (high) side to maintain a watch. Wind direction remains 180°M and we still have two staysails set and motoring with engine at 1000 revolutions. Water is 140°F and oil is steady at 50psi.

02.30hrs. Uneventful two watches no changes to course or sails. Our position is now abeam Byron Bay about 15 miles off. Wind is still in the south at 180°M at 25kts. SOG is steady at 6 plus kts. And no evidence of current yet. Engine revolutions are 1000rpm and Water is 140°F while oil pressure is steady at 50psi.

06.00hrs 27 miles north of Yamba, at 17 miles off. Wind south at 25kts. Making 1250 revolutions as have had to furl sails and motor only. Now making only 5.0kts SOG. Water is 140°F and Oil is 50psi. Cloudy day though the seas are more manageable now we are out past the 100 fathom line in deep water.

08.30hrs Pos 29°.46’S 152°.49’E Making 1200 revolutions for 5.5kts SOG Wind is south at 180°M and 18kts. Water is 140°F and Oil is 50psi. All sail furled.

13.00hrs Pos 29° 54’S. 153°44’E This makes 130miles in the last 24 hrs. Engine making revolutions 1300 and SOG is 5.5kts. Wind is still 180°M at 22kts. Engine water temperature is 140°F and oil pressure is 50psi. Sky is clear and the sun is out. Motion is rolling though comfortable. All sails are stowed.

14.00hrs Checked all fluid levels all ok. Engine room is cool and the engine is running very cool. Water temp is a little low at 140°F though well high enough to avoid condensation so I’m persuaded not to make an adjustment to the sea water pump rate. Though if I was to manage this engine in port where all the trips were likely to be short I’d like to see the engine run at closer to 160°F. So closing down the seawater cock would be a real option.

Saturday 06.00 Approaching Port Macquarie at dawn. We passed Smoky Cape during the early hours. The last 18 hrs have been uneventful with nothing to report except that the costal traffic is very heavy. It’s been rare not to have a ship approaching or overtaking at any time overnight. We have picked up some current as our SOG has been 7 to 9kts overnight and we have reduced engine revolutions to 1200rpm. Mike is unbelievable at picking the SOG and adjusting the Engine to match. It takes me an hour or more to notice that the miles are slipping by faster or slower than they were. It seems to take Mike only a few moments to say , “our average has increased” and adjust the revs... I sure wish I could do it . Wind continues south at 180°M at 19 to 22 Kts. All sails are stowed. The swell is now in the south or perhaps a little west of south and as a result we are rolling very little. When the sun gets up a bit I’d like to experiment with setting the Main Staysail amidships to see if it will reduce it even more. According to my favourite book on these coasts Ray Parkin’s “Endeavour, Cook’s log” shows he was in these latitudes on Saturday May the 12th 1770. At latitude 31° 40’S and about a League and a half from shore. (9 miles) Here he saw several smoaks or as we would say smokes and hence he named the headland Smoky Cape.

08.00hrs Abeam Port Macquarie, Wind remains in the south at 180°M at 19kts. The weather is fine and sunny with a slight chop and very little swell. The chop is probably from the wind against current as our boat speed continues to increase and is now about 9.0kts SOG Engine revolutions are now 1050rpm Water temperature is 140°F and oil is steady at 50psi. We continue to see lots of traffic more that 4 or 5 ships visible at any one time. Checked fluid levels all ok at or above full. Hydraulic steering pump seems to be using some fluid. However the header tank is only about 200ml so it must be a very small weep.

09.30hrs Pos. 31°47’S 152°52’E Wind South at 170°M at 15kts. Fine rain showers occasionally, Current has now left us and we have had to increase revolutions to 1350rpm to maintain speed at close to 8.0kts SOG. As well our COG has now changed to 188°M so we are being moved sideways with the current. Strangely all the ship traffic has disappeared and I haven’t seen a ship all watch. Water temperature remains at 140°F and oil is steady at 50psi.

18.00hrs Long day moving past Newcastle, lots of storm cells with rain and we seemed to catch the all. Visibility was not all that good and we are a fair way off so all in all it ‘s been a very uneventful day. We have reduced revolutions to about 1200rpm on average over the last 9 hrs and maintained our SOG at 7 plus knots. Revolutions are 1350 Water is 140°F and oil is steady at 50psi.

09.00hrs Sunday Abeam Stanwell Park North of Wollongong. It’s been a very quiet night though there was lots of traffic, I counted 21 ships underway during one 3 hour watch. And that doesn’t count those at anchor. The weather is now fine though those pesky storm cells are still about. The wind has eased at last and is now down to 10knts from the south at 190°M. Our trip log now shows 441miles and I’ve checked the paper charts and this is very close. So our average is getting better. Checked the fuel consumption and we seem to be well inside our estimate. This engine is very well matched to the prop. Which must help with the efficiency. Really nice when they get these sort of matches right. Classic is really a joy to drive. Response to revolutions is almost linear, really nice. Our course is now 200°M our SOG is 8.4kts, revolutions are 1350 Water temp is 140°F and oil is 50psi. Checked fluid levels and all ok. Steering hydraulic header tank continues to fall though more slowly than at first. That might be that the steering is now working much less than during the first 48hrs.

14.00hrs Pos 35°04’S 150°49’E Abeam Jervis Bay, weather fine and clear, no thunder storms for a few hours now. Wind slight to variable 5 to 10kts from the South to South east. Sea is slight on a 1.5m SE swell. We are making 1350 revolutions and our SOG is a respectable 8.6kts. COG is 170°M very close to rhumb line. Water temperature is 140°F and oil pressure is 50psi. Trip log now shows 483 miles to 14.00hrs this afternoon which gives us a daily average of 155 miles. Not bad at all and right on Michael’s prediction. I have the main staysail set amidships at the moment and it is helping to stabilise the tendency she has to roll in a cross swell however slight. With just this small staysail set she heels about 5° to leeward and settles down nicely. Very comfortable now, though do miss a pilot or navigator’s seat from which to stand watches.

14.30hrs Change of watch, I’ve come on early so Michael can do some running maintenance. This is our first proper lunch on board, up to now we’ve avoided cooking big meals as the LPG tanks appear to be either empty or leaking. The stern compartment where these are located is below the waterline when underway, though above the waterline when alongside or at anchor. So it can’t drain. Michael opened the hatchway early this morning to clear the gas that had leaked from the bottles and just before lunch he spent half an hour reseating all the LPG connections. So magic, we now have a stove that works and the leaks are all fixed. To celebrate we had rib eye steaks and a couple of beers for lunch. Lots of fishing boats out fishing off the shoals. We are making good progress with a fair current setting south at about 1.5kts. Reduced revolutions to make 8.5kts SOG. The 240v earth leakage breaker has been tripping more and more frequently. This indicates that we have water or condensation in a connection block or GPO. Michael thinks the most likely place is aft in the masters cabin under the bunk. Checked this out and sure enough there is a hole in the bulkhead that lets water in from the after gas storage locker. Disconnected the connection block and taped up the terminals. This fixed the problem.

23.30hrs Change of watch, been a very pleasant evening and I slept for a full two and a half hours. Now making a sandwich for us both and a coffee for Michael . We continue to make good progress. The weather is fine and the moon is almost full. Sea is slight on a 1.0m South Easterly swell. Staysail still set amidships. SOG is 8.3kts we are making 1275 revolutions water temp is steady at 140°F and oil remains steady at 50psi. COG is better now at 180°M

06.00hrs Back on watch after an uneventful night with only slight traffic. As we get further South the sunrise gets noticeably later and set is much earlier. In Southport it was light by 0630, here at 0600 the sky has hardly lightened despite there being no cloud. Looks like we made good progress overnight as we continue making 1275 revolutions for a SOG of 8.2kts. and our COG is still 180°M right on target. Our position is 37°21’S 150°03’E. Michael has been putting us on the chart at the watch changes and I had a look at the track we’ve been making just now and it’s as close to a straight line as makes no difference. During the last watch we’ve been closing the coast as we will be abeam Eden in a little while and must have a weather conference and decide whether to make a run for the strait. Hoping to download some weather maps so we can make sense of the radio forecasts.

South Coastal Waters, Ulladulla to Gabo Island and 60nm seawards: Sunday until midnight: Wind: South to south westerly 10 to 20 knots. Sea: Up to 2 metres. Swell: South easterly about 1.5 metres. Isolated thunderstorms. Monday: Wind: Northwest to south westerly 5 to 15 knots tending west to north westerly up to 20 knots by early evening. Sea: Up to 1.5 metres. Swell: South easterly about 1.5 metres. Tuesday: Wind: West to south westerly 5 to 15 knots tending south to south westerly up to 10 knots around midday then tending south easterly during the afternoon. Winds light later in the evening. Wednesday: Wind: Northwest to south westerly 5 to 10 knots tending north to north westerly during the morning then tending northerly up to 15 knots during the afternoon. Winds 15 to 20 knots during the evening. The next routine forecast will be issued at 4:45 am EST Monday.

08.30hrs Listened out on 4483 for Tas-Coast Radio, nothing heard. I’m sure we have an aerial problem with the HF set as the insulation is in bad repair below the backstay insulator and may be shorting out below deck. The set is identical to my iCom and is tuned correctly yet it’s got hardly any range. Weather fine on slight swell, sunny and cloudless. Making 1275 revolutions for 8.1kts SOG and COG is 180°M Breakfast by Michael, bacon and eggs on toast with strong tea. What a wonderful way to finish a watch. We now have the fore staysail set and drawing as well as our old faithful Main staysail. Reduced revolutions to 1200rpm and maintained speed. Checked all fluid levels and engine room temp. Checked all engine belts and pulley bearings, all ok. Fuel economy is right on Michael’s target as far as we can tell, given we have a slight heel to port now with the sails set. Sighted our first Albatross, very young and very curious. The best we can make of the weather is that it is due to go West and strengthen to 10 to 20kts then ease to 5 to 15kts from the same direction tomorrow.

Our position is 37°37’S 150°03’E. 12.00hrs We have cleared Green Point and made the decision to cross the Strait. The wind has built to 25kts from the South West while I was off watch and is lumpy and uncomfortable. We are making 1300 revolutions for 8.2kts SOG with the same rig as before. Sky is clear but the wind promises to increase as it’s gusting above 30kts now. Pos 38°01’S 149°54’E. Seas building. Hoping that the seas will abate as we get to deeper water.

18.00hrs Watch change. Michael managed to cook some soup and toast. Very difficult motion now as it’s dark and hard to predict the wave motion. Didn’t get much sleep during my last rest period. Michael is tired I can see and will sleep all his off watch. Pos 38°39’S 149°30’E Making 1350 revolutions to maintain boat speed, discussed making less revolutions with Mike to see if it will ease the motion. After a few tests we established that we would have to really slow down to say 2.5 to 3 knots to make any difference. At this slower speed the auto pilot had a lot of trouble holding her on course and the big waves just stopped her dead. Made revolutions for 6.5kts at 1350rpm.

24.00hrs Pos 39°17’S 149°15’E Wind still gusting to 30 plus kts. The wind indicator now seems to have gone haywire and is reading wind speed in M/S. Boat speed is good at 6 + knots and our COG is still good at 180°M. The wind has gone a little further to the West of South which is helping. Dark night with only glimpses of the Moon.

Tuesday 0600hrs Watch change. Our progress has been good for the last 18 hrs and we are now off the top of Flinders Island. Jimmy D always said when we were doing Hobart races that once in the lee of Flinders the worst of the crossing was over. And indeed so it seems for the wind has eased with dawn to 10 to 15kts from the South West and the sea state has moderated considerably since I was last on watch at 0300. Michael is in the galley cooking up one of his specials, serials, fruit juice, bacon and eggs followed by strong tea and toast. Really great as we have had to make do with soup and the occasional sandwich for the last 20hrs or so. Mike has had a shower and I can’t wait to follow suit and really get clean. Checked engine fluid levels and belt tensions. All OK. We are now making 7kts plus and have reduced revolutions to 1275rpm. Water is 140°F and Oil is 50psi. COG is 180°M Trip log turned 800 miles a little while ago. Position 40°17’S 149°00’E

0800hrs Wind has further abated and with it the sea condition and the wind has gone further to the West. It’s a bright sunny day with clear skies and the Furneaux Group can be clearly seen off on our starboard beam. We are making 1275 revolutions for a SOG of 7.6kts and will probably set more sail in a little while and reduce revs. Water temp is 140°F and oil pressure is 50psi. Michael checked the fluid levels a little while ago and reported all OK. The chain jumped off the auto pilot drive as the pulley has become loose on the shaft. Removed and replaced the pulley and tightened the grub screw. This worked for a little while but has now become loose again. Michael suggested using super glue in the keyway and hand steering for a while until it sets. Might be a chance of working so Michael has been hand steering for the last half hour while we wait for the glue to dry... Surprise it seems to have worked, the pulley is now firmly located.

0830hrs Tried to contact Tas-Coast Radio without success. 1200hrs No change to weather and sea has continued to abate. Pos 41°03’S 149°00’E. We continue to make good progress averaging better than 7kts. Revolutions are 1200.

1800hrs Beautiful weather great sunset after a super day cruising down the East coast. Pos 41°49’S 148°48’E Just North of Bischeno.

2400hrs Pos 42°25’S 148°40’ Just North of Triabunna. Sea has chopped up and there is a SE swell running. The wind speed is only about 10kts from the SW. Water temp is 140°F and the oil pressure is 50psi. Engine revolutions are 1200rpm. SOG is 7 plus knots.

Wednesday 0300hrs Watch change. Sea state has abated and is now flat wind is still in the SW at about 10kts. Pos. 42°.40’S 148°30’E Engine making 1100 revolutions. Water 140°F Oil 50psi. Making 6 plus knots.

0600hrs Abeam Wine Glass Bay. Flat calm and less than 5kts of wind. Sun up in a hour. Making 1000 revolutions. For 6 plus knots. Mike on breakfast again, bacon and eggs with the trimmings

1200hrs Passed inside Tasman Island, the sea state in Storm Bay is quite lumpy after enjoying a very flat run down the coast past the Hippolites . Now we are out of the lee of the mainland and the fetch is much longer despite there only being about 10kts of breeze. Making for Parsons Bay to overnight and give us a chance to put the boat back in port condition. Untape the drawers and lockers, unpack all the breakables and replace all the cushions and bed linen etc.

1650hrs Tested anchor before entering the bay, chain had locked up under a pile of chain that had shifted while we were underway. This took almost 45 minutes. Finally got the chain straightened out and made way up the bay to our overnight anchorage. Water header tank alarm sounded and on checking we discovered a low water level in header tank. Topped up tank with about 6 ltrs. This fixed the alarm however doesn’t explain where all the water has gone. Mike checked all the flexes for leaks and found a slight weep at one of the pressure gauge cocks. 1700hrs Made the boat ready for delivery. Tidied up generally and then relaxed with a beer before dinner. This is really a delightful bay with deep water and is protected on all sides. Looking forward to dinner, I get to dish up my rissole menu.

2030hrs Checked anchor and turned in for the night.

Thursday 0600hrs Breakfast and cleanup, pack sea bags and topped all fluid levels. About 1ltr of hydraulic fluid, and 10ltrs of SAE30 for the engine to reset levels to normal. make ready to weigh anchor and set course for Hobart town. The low water alarm sounded while we were weighing anchor. Topped up header tank with a further 4 ltrs of water and added antifreeze. This fixed the alarm. Still no explanation of where the water might be going.

0830hrs Secured anchor and made revolutions for Hobart. RYCT Marina. Very misty and raining in the river. Visibility very low. Laid in several waypoints and used autopilot to steer course. Radar very good at picking up river features. Plotter radar overlay less useful as the chart offsets for the detail chart have not been entered.

1200hrs Tied up to Fuel wharf at RYCT and met new owner. After a brief run through of the systems we moved the boat to its pen and made it secure. Passed key to Cam at about 1400hrs.