Beginning the voyage north
After a couple of years being moored down in Tasmania, it was time for Heart of Gold to sail north, closer to home. This post skips ahead from the last Flinders Island blog post. Many adventures were had sailing the waters of Tasmania for a couple of years, those stories will come later.
Heart in a temporary berth at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania in Hobart.
Before setting off, there were a few boat jobs to be done including re-tensioning the rig and installing a new gas solenoid.
I’d never had the rig properly tensioned on Heart of Gold since the relaunch. We tightened the stays when we stepped the mast to what we felt seemed right and hadn’t adjusted them much since. After a couple seasons sailing in Tassie including a Bass Strait crossing, the mast was ‘pumping’ a little whilst going to windward in strong winds (say 23 - 28 knots) with the new staysail on the furler. In those conditions I would run two reefs in the main and play with the staysail area depending on strength. On one occasion in spring we were sailing down to Southport into a strong south westerly and the pumping was noticable. We tacked into a 20+ knot headwind entering Southport on dark, where a large boat from the fish farms was following behind us and used their floodlights to light up the passage as we came into port.
After noticing the flex in the mast and feeling the reverberations throughout the boat, I wanted to have full confidence before crossing Bass Strait again so I had a rigger come down to re-tension the rig properly before setting off. There were some new, small cracks above the compression arch from where the mast had been pumping. I also had a new aluminium spinnaker pole made up.
I sailed up from Kettering to Hobart to meet Beck who was coming to cruise the East Coast for a couple of weeks. I’d stayed a couple of times at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania which was a great base right in town. Hobart is one of those historical port cities that has a real connection to the sea and a lot of history to Australia’s seafaring past. It’s a great place to explore on foot from the marina.
Our track exploring the sheltered waters around Hobart and entering the Denison Canal at Dunalley.
Built by convict labour in 1833, the Iron Pot lighthouse is the oldest in Tasmania
Norfolk Bay
Cormorant in flight.
Lime Bay anchorage
White bellied sea eagle watches over
Little garfish being chased by something bigger; and a Little penguin
We slowly cruised our way from the Lime bay ruins, up through the Denison Canal to Dunalley where we anchored for the night before continuing on to Maria Island
Convict ruins at Lime Bay. Convicts were kept in cells here mining coal from the seams. The mine was eventually shut down, partly because homosexuality amongst the convicts which didn’t sit well with those in power at the times.
Old Note
Below are a series of photos that were taken during the spring of 2023 in Southern Tasmania, where we spent a week or so exploring the sheltered waters of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel aboard Heart of Gold.
Sometimes you hear a song that sticks with you and becomes a soundtrack for that time. On this trip, Old Note by Lisa O’Neil was that song.
I hope you enjoy the images and I encourage you to check out Lisa’s music. Cheers, Riddy
The wind whistled you in behind the springtime
Float, Old Note, new among my mind
You hold the note, the note just moves to move mine
Let go the note and so move everything
I can't come to quantify the feeling
I was walkin' home half in the dreamin'
The things that I was thinking I was singin'
The wind whistled you in behind the springin'
A star ran rings around the star before me
And spun and swooped and sank in rock beneath me
And mirrored what I've carried since I mеt me
And shot me back into the ground bеlow me
And there I met another note long buried
And sat upon its shoulders was a memory
A home but see, above me's gone so noisy
I almost think I do not recongnise me
Feathered friend, dig up and resurrect me
I long to live among the song of birdies
A lawless league of lonesome, lonesome beauty
Skies and skies and skies above duty
The wind whistled you in behind the springtime
Float, Old Note, new among my mind
You hold the note, the note just moves to move mine
Let go the note and so move everything
I can't come to quantify the feeling
I was walkin' home half in the dreamin'
The things that I was thinking I was singin'
The wind whistled you in behind the springin'
Flinders Island - Part II
As the forecast started to deteriorate, I settled on my decision to leave Heart of Gold on the mooring at Trousers Point. The low that had been further north in the Tasman was looking like it would travel south and cross directly over Flinders Island. The forecast called for 30+ knots of wind directly from the east, then 12 hours later 30+ knots directly from the west.
At this point Supertramp had left so I was solo on the boat, and I didn’t like my options of travelling to a sheltered shore and getting a good set on the anchor in the eye of the low, between changes in wind direction. I also wasn’t familiar with any of the anchorages, particularly given the expected conditions. Navigating the channels up to Lady Barron wasn’t really an option given Heart of Golds’ motoring capabilities in short chop to windward, and I didn’t feel confident navigating the strong currents in the unfamiliar channels in such conditions.
Flinders forecast with the low passing through Bass strait.
My thoughts were if the cleats rip out, the windlass might hold, and if the windlass rips out, the toerails should hold. Heart secured to the mooring.
I wasn’t sure how protected Trousers point would be under a strong easterly. The land provided enough protection even though the wind followed the coastline swinging more out of the SE. All in all the boat was safe on the mooring, although exposed to the wind-swell and on a lee shore.
Flinders Island has a dark history. In colonial Tasmania, the colonisers swept the island rounding up all the original people and putting them on Flinders Island where many died an isolated, sad death. Remnants of the settlement can be found at Wybalenna.
107 Aboriginal people died at the settlement between January 1837 and March 1939.
Each face tells a story.
Palana boat ramp.
There are some fascinating old photos at the Furneaux museum. Beautiful open grass tree country being cleared.
Shearwaters, also known as muttonbirds, are harvested for their meat and oil. A number of permits to harvest the birds are still issued National Parks.
The Kerrawyn anchored up in Port Davies.
Wind gusts to 57 knots (107km/hr) were recorded at Hogan Island.
These two screenshots show how the strong SE wind swung to strong from the West in 24hrs as the low moved over.
No comment.
Looking to the southeast from Trousers Point as the westerly set in.
Although pitching on the mooring, Heart was safe. Not the sort of waters I’d want to be sailing in.
Overnight rainfall.
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f158/solo-sailor-missing-in-bass-strait-244530.html
Flinders Island is full of stark reminders, and was particularly so when we visited. This 18m steel yacht was berthed at the jetty in ……… apparently the boat was found drifting in Bass strait, the skipper nowhere to be seen. In my journey learning to sail and pushing the voyages further and further, I’ve always valued the knowledge and experience of more experienced sailors. The stories, near misses and tragedies you see along the way are reminders that no matter how much preparation you’ve done and experience you have, things can and do go wrong. At the end of the day the ocean will have the final say, and it’s a deal you accept before you enter the water or set foot on a boat. Thoughts go out to the skipper and his family, and thanks for following your dream.
The final night before departing south I slept on land in my tent and rowed out to Heart early in the morning before sunrise. We snuck away in the dark to cross Banks strait and sail down the east coast of Tasmania.
Flinders Island - Part I
The following collection of images were taken on and around Flinders Island in March 2021.
My mate Supertramp and I spent around a week exploring Flinders after sailing from Lakes Entrance aboard Heart of Gold. We sailed down the western shore on Heart and explored the island in a rental car.
It’s a wild rugged, beautiful place. On the right day the waters are stunning, almost tropical, while the weather and tides can change quickly keeping a sailor on their toes.
Looking west towards Mount Chappell Island. Apparently you can watch thousands of Shearwaters or Mutton Birds taking off before sunrise from an anchorage off the island. We didn’t make it out there because of the weather. Next time…
Heart of Gold, on the mooring at Trousers Point. We based ourselves here for our visit to Flinders Island. It was one of the more scenic and sheltered parts of the island and had some great walks nearby.
Supertramp, Mt Strzelecki summit.
Because of the shallow water in Bass strait (in areas it’s around 50-70m deep), tidal currents can run at 4-5 knots. In flat water with little wind, Heart of Gold can motor at around 3.5 knots. So sailing Heart in these waters required a lot of planning and wasn’t exactly easy.
On top of that many of the anchorages have a ribbon like seagrass growing on the bottom. Great for massive flatty to grow in but horrible for getting an anchor set solid. I really didn’t want to get caught on a lee shore or try to motor / sail against the tide.
Living quarters can be tight in a Flicka 20, especially with two people, food for a month and loads of camera gear.
Trousers Point, Heart of Gold on the mooring and Mt Strzelecki in the background.
Probably the best spot to be on watch during a crossing. You have good protection from the dodger, good handholds and good all-round vision, and you can let the boat roll around under you while remaining relatively still. A rare photo of me sailing, taken by Supertramp.
Flinders Echidnas. They seemed fluffier than those on the mainland.
On the pub wall in Lady Barron.
Killiecrankie on the NW coast. There’s a mooring or two here used by cray boats.
It was about this time that Supertramp left me and Heart to go do some hikes on ‘mainland’ Tassie
Supertramp is a talented photographer and the most travelled human being I know. He also snapped a couple of shots of me. Check out his work here: https://www.instagram.com/mrsupertramp/
The catamaran Begonia was anchored up next to us at Trousers point. A few months later I saw the video below of a catamaran attempting to cross the Tweed Bar under a heavy swell, and recognised it as the same Cat. The boat get’s caught by a massive set breaking across its bow and loses steerage, eventually getting swept back into the river mouth. A very close call.
The forecast wasn’t looking good. An east coast low sitting in the Tasman sea had brought flooding to Taree on the NSW mid north coast, and had given us boisterous north easterlies for the Bass strait crossing. It was moving south and looking like it was going to hit Flinders Island directly.
I weighed up my options and decided the safest place for Heart was on the MAST mooring at Trousers point. Here I knew she would cop some swell and wind, but at least I wouldn’t end up on a beach.
Part two of the Flinders blog to come next.
Bass Strait Crossing
Flinders Island Granite and Lichen
Photo journal of a sailing voyage from Lakes Entrance to Flinders Island aboard the Flicka 20 ‘Heart of Gold’. Originally I had planned to do this trip in 2020 but due to Covid restrictions the trip was pushed back to 2021. We departed Lakes Entrance on 17th March, 2021.
The first leg of the voyage. We departed Metung on the Gippsland Lakes with the first stop at Roydon Island on the northern end of Flinders Island. Total distance 137 nautical miles / about 250km.
Prior to departing I decided to replace the anchor chain for both strength and peace of mind. The old chain 8mm chain was quite corroded, down to 7mm in some places. Heart of Gold has 65m of 8mm galvanised chain from Titan marine.
After hearing a few horror stories from friends dragging anchor in the middle of the night on Deal Island I also upgraded the anchor to a 12kg Rocna Vulcan. Definitely oversized and if anything, too big to fully set with the engine alone, but once set it is rock solid.
Heart has 2 x 100 litre fresh water bladders under the front v berth.
Supertramp was the crew for this voyage. He had never sailed before.
Rainbow departing Metung. Mum and Dad seeing us off from Lakes Entrance.
It was a slow start to the trip, with gentle SE headwinds, swinging NE. Even though we timed the departure to get the outgoing tide from Lakes Entrance, water was still flowing in the entrance at 3 knots or so - about the same speed Heart of Gold motors at. It was a slow crawl out the entrance.
Halfway through the passage in the middle of the night.
The more challenging the sail, the less photos I take. I only had a couple shots from the crossing during the calmer periods.
The easy start to the trip didn’t last long as it got quite rough towards sunset and overnight. We had an easterly breeze which strengthened to 20 knots +. At some points during the trip the seas were quite short, steep and confused - really uncomfortable sailing. I think this was due to the wind on tide effects on the edge of the shallow water in Bass strait - not much change in wind strength or direction but a big change in sea state.
Tacking
We sailed through the night, making landfall around sunrise, but didn’t arrive to the Roydon Island anchorage until aout 4:30pm. Heart struggled to tack into the strong Easterly headwind and short chop. We nearly made it through the small gap between Roydon Island and North Pascoe island, but our tack came very close to some rocks and a lee shore. Despite being so close I decided to pull the pin and take the longer route around. This was after 36hrs of little / no sleep and I didn’t want end up on the rocks, but it did mean an extra hour or so of sailing. It’s the final leg of a passage I find the most dangerous and where things are likely to go wrong. Fatigue, unfamiliar waters and a desire to just be done with it and safely anchored can lead to poor decision making and unnecessary risks. It’s often the more uncomfortable and slower option that is safer.
Anchored in calm water off Roydon Island after a 30 hr passage.
The ‘Kerrawyn’ anchoring off Roydon Island. They were doing a circumnavigation of Tasmania
Roydon Island
The following day we sailed further down the East Coast of Flinders island to Trousers Point
Sailing on a close reach towards Trousers Point, with the Strzelecki Peaks off to Port
On the MAST mooring at Trousers Point
We hitched a lift into Lady Barron
Trousers Point, Heat of Gold on the mooring and Mt Strzelecki in the background.
Happy to finally be on solid ground again.
Refuge Cove, Wilsons Promontory
Heart of Gold, temporarily stranded at low tide in Refuge Cove, Wilsons Promontory
Port Welshpool
The following set of images follows on from the voyage along the Victorian Coast in 2019 aboard Heart of Gold.
After rounding South East point and exploring the east coast of Wilson’s Prom for a few days, we sailed into Port Welshpool, to change crew and have a hot shower.
Sunset over the north east coast of the Prom
Motor sailing by moonlight up the channel into Port Welshpool
Port Welshpool
Wilson’s Promontory
The view from Mt Oberon looking West over tidal river and Norman Island, under moonlight.
Cormorants @ Sealers Cove
Lichen on granite, East Coast Prom
Refuge Cove
Tidal River
Sealers Creek
Pacific Gull at Tidal River
Heart of Gold in Refuge Cove. After dropping dad off at Port Welshpool, Lu and I sailed back to Refuge Cove and had to wait over a week for a couple of fronts to pass through. You can tell there’s been lots of rain from the tannins in the water.
Showers passing through Refuge Cove
Screenshot from BOM showing the front passing over the prom. We were anchored in Refuge Cove on the sheltered east coast in an anchorage surrounded by hills. When the wind was out of the W/NW, we found the wind gusts would funnel in from the North inside refuge cove, pushing us towards the beach. When the wind was out of the SW the wind would funnel more up from the south, pushing us into the bay. This meant we would be swinging quite a bit on the anchor around the bay.
Hailstorm
Hail on Heart of Gold’s deck
Hail covering the beach like snow at Refuge Cove
We were the only boat in the bay for the week
This photo of the chartplotter shows how Heart of Gold was swinging on the anchor as the wind direction changed. Wind gusts of around 30 knots would hit us side on and we would swing across the bay, closely watching our track to see if we were dragging towards the rocks on either side.
We had two anchors out on the one chain. The system was holding well until after 3 or so days of swinging when we eventually started dragging. The photo below shows what happened.
Both anchors wrapped up in a mess of chain. We motored in close to the beach and launched the dinghy, tied a rope to shore while we untangleg the anchors and chain
While we were untangling the anchors the tide went out, leaving Heart of Gold on her keel on the beach
Lu did a great job untangling the mess
Meanwhile we had to wait for the tide to come in
With the anchors free, I swam one out off the stern to kedge us off into deeper water when the tide came back in
Once the tide came in, we safely got off the beach. By this time it was dark. I went and checked the weather forecast (there’s good phone reception on the hill above Refuge Cove) and the weather window for sailing to Lakes Entrance had moved forward, so we had dinner and departed Refuge Cove around 11pm that night to arrive at Lakes Entrance on the incoming high tide.
Refuge Cove to Lakes Entrance was 100 nm (180km)
After spending the day untangling the anchors and getting Heart of Gold off the beach in Refuge Cove, we set sail at 11pm. We sailed overnight and all the following day, arriving off Lakes Entrance around midnight. We hove to (waited a few miles offshore) from the entrance until sunrise, then came in across the bar on the incoming tide at daybreak. It was an exhausting and challenging couple of days. Over 50 hours with little/no sleep. We then took Heart of Gold up the Lakes to her berth at Metung where we have sailed her out of the last year.
Tasman Peninsula aboard ‘Bessy’
Recently I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to help a friend sail his boat from Triabunna on the East Coast Of Tasmania around the Tasman Peninsula and into Hobart. It’s a wild, raw beautiful stretch of coastline, hope you enjoy some images from the trip below.
Maria Island Wombats. There’s a healthy population of Wombats on the island, seemingly unphased by humans. They have shaggier coats than those on the mainland.
We day-sailed 4 days from Triabunna, around the Tasman Peninsula and up the Derwent River into Hobart.
Shoal Bay, Maria Island
“Bessy”, a Mottle 33
Bessy’s cabin, in a bit of a mess
Fortescue Bay, Tasman National Park
Canoe Bay Anchorage
The wreck of the ‘William Pitt’ provides an artificial breakwall and a sheltered anchorage
A young French couple shared their catch with us
Bessy at anchor
‘Sounds Good’, sailed by a young French couple from New Zealand and the South Pacific
Canoe Bay
South of Fortescue Bay the coastline turns into sheer dolerite cliffs
Dolphins stayed with us, sometimes for 20 minutes or more, Incredibly curious creatures, they would swim close making eye contact
We spent a night tied up on the Jetty in Nubeena
Leigh mac, skipper of Bessy. Full sail up the Derwent River into Hobart.
Rabbit Island
Sailing from Refuge Cove into Port Welshpool, we anchored off Rabbit Island for lunch.
White Bellied Sea Eagle
Cape Barren Goose
Endemic to southern Australia, they breed on islands off the coast in Bass Strait
Juvenile Pacific Gulls
Phillip Island to Wilsons Promontory
In May 2019, dad and I completed this leg over 2 days/1 night, having sailed from Hastings to Cleeland Bight the previous day. We sailed for about 10 hours each day, anchoring in Waratah Bay off Walkerville South, then Refuge Cove on the East side of Wilsons Prom. Over the two days we covered about 80 nautical miles or 148 km.
Cape Woolamai, from the South
Blustery North Westerlies and a decent swell, we accidently gybed a couple of times. Heart of Gold would roll over the swell, in doing so the wind would catch the opposite side of the sail meaning the boom and mainsail swings to the opposite side of the boat. It can be dangerous as it’s often unexpected and the boom can hit you in the head as it swings across. Also quite hard on gear. It happened later in the trip and the force broke a shackle on the mainsail traveller.
This shy Albatross came in close for a look. Identified by neat narrow black margins on the underside of the wings, dark tab at shoulder intruding onto underside of wing. They can have a wingspan up to 2.5m and weigh up to 5kg. They are endemic breeders to Australia and only breed on 3 islands in Bass Strait and South of Tasmania. They are threatened by marine pollution, fishing by-catch, and changes in climate. Estimated population in wild is only 15,350 breeding pairs.
When sitting in the cockpit underneath the dodger it’s quite sheltered, but visibility is limited. We find ourselves standing on the lockers holding onto the dodger much of the time. Quite the workout holding on after a full day sailing.
White horses
Shy Albatross
Short beaked Common Dolphins. Super playful.
A scrap of headsail poled out. The pole helps maintain the sail shape when the wind is coming from behind. The headsail is on a furler mounted on the forestay. Sail area can be adjusted by furling the sail in out out.
Waratah Bay anchorage
Dad slept in the pilot berth / couch. There’s a cupboard / sail locker that you put your feet into. It’s tight but cosy. There’s a lee cloth to the right to hold everything in and prevent you falling out of bed while sleeping as the boat rocks around.
Sunrise at Waratah Bay looking east to the Prom
Fluttering Shearwater. I had a little trouble identifying this one as his beak is crossed over. The ‘Seabirds and Pelagics’ page on Facebook helped with the I.D. - the beak just seems to be damaged.
Norman Island, Wilsons Prom.
Patterned vegetation of another island off the prom.
Cleft Island or ‘Skull Rock’ in the Anser Group of Islands. The hollowed out cave is 130m wide and 60m tall. Rumours on the internet talk of cannonballs being found in the cave from by-gone ships using it as target practice…
South East Point, Wilson’s Promontory. The Southernmost point of mainland Australia. The lighthouse was completed in 1859. This place would have seen some weather.
Rounding South East Point, lighthouse in the distance.
Arrived. Refuge Cove, Wilson’s Prom
Maiden Voyage - Hastings to Cleeland Bight
Our first proper trip since relaunch, and first time in Bass Strait! The leg was about 37 nautical miles, or 68 kilometres long. Our final destination was Refuge Cove at Wilson’s Promontory which was 103 nautical miles from Hastings, or 190km. We considered doing it in one leg overnight but the with a favourable forecast and no time restrictions we completed the sail in 3 days, anchoring overnight at Cleeland Bight and Waratah Bay.
The BOM wind forecast for 13/05/19 was great with 20-25 knot Northwesterlies. There was a decent swell from the SW this day. The Red Bull Cape Fear surfing comp was held on the same day at Shipsterns Bluff in Tassie.
Departing Hastings Marina at sunrise
Water storage. Heart of Gold has 2 X 100L flexible bladder style water tanks under the V berth. They fit snug and probably hold about 80-90L each when full due to the shape of the cavity. We also have about 20L extra water stashed in water bottles in various places.
Looking North from Hastings towards the Yarra Ranges
We timed our departure with the outgoing tide which at times had us running at 7 knots out through the channel leading to Bass strait. One area near McHaffies reef was a little sketchy with had steep standing waves. Here we’re passing the Nobbies on Phillip Island.
We had a downwind run in about 20-25 knots for most of the leg. Partly furled jib poled out and first reefed main. Looking at this pic the spinnaker pole could use a downhaul to prevent it lifting. Cape Woolamai in the distance.
Navik windvane steered beautifully. It will keep the boat sailing on a certain point of sail, constantly adjusting the tiller to maintain a straight course. Hands free sailing, although if the wind shifts direction, the course will change as the Navik steers to maintain the wind angle. This is the same windvane that broke when sailing across the Tasman. Dad was able to fabricate a new bracket out of steel to replace the cast aluminium one that failed during that voyage.
The view forward from the cockpit. Bulkhead compass mounted in the washboard was installed by the previous owner. We remove this board when not sailing and have a second board with no compass to lock the boat up with. Raymarine chartplotter is mounted on a series of RAM mounts and pivots from the cabin into the cockpit. Obscured by the companionway doors are wind and speed instruments on the port side and depth to starboard, Marine speakers by JL audio. All relatively protected by a strong canvas dodger which the stainless steel frame is partly visible.
Albatross
The Pinnacles, Cape Woolamai
The San Remo bridge connects Phillip island to the mainland. It has a stated clearance of 12m, although a police officer from Phillip island told me clearance is actually 13m. Heart of Gold would be able to go under the bridge, making for a shorter trip but we preferred to sail around offshore. Parks Victoria provides temporary moorings inside Cleeland Bight where this photo was taken from.
Moored up in Cleeland Bight for the night, Stoked on a successful first trip!
Cruising in Westernport Bay
Westernport Bay, a couple of hours SE of Melbourne. Prior to having the boat down there it used to just be the bay I had to drive around to get to the surf at Phillip Island. Exploring it by boat has revealed the relatively pristine habitat of mangroves and shallow waterways. Home to many migratory bird species.
Australian Pelicans, Cormorants, Black Swans & Ducks
Australian White Ibis feeding in the mudflats off French Island at low tide
Westernport is a sheltered sailing ground, although subject to strong tides.
Chicory lane, French Island. Uncrowded anchorages were easy to find.
We ran into things. Having not sailed for a few years, the re-learning curve was quick. Maneuvering a small, full keeled, heavy boat of around 3.5 tons with a 10hp motor can be tricky, especially in tight marinas.
We ran aground in soft mud. Luckily on an incoming tide. We jumped overboard, sinking up to our knees in mud and walked Heart of Gold back into the channel.
There are some fun waves tucked inside Westernport Bay. Point Leo breaking on a big SW swell.
Lu getting a feel for the helm
Noisy Corellas descend upon Hastings. The birds cause havoc in the marina, swinging off aerials and wind instruments on top of masts.
The Navik windvane hangs off the stern and steers the boat automatically. It took a few adjustments to get it level and balanced, and has been working well. A little tricky to set in light winds but once adjusted correctly it steers a straight course.
Tortoise Head, French Island
Submarine HMAS Otama. Built 1973, Launched 1975 (similar time to Heart of Gold). Length 295 ft, Status: awaiting preservation.
Flinders shoreline transitions
We spent a month at Hastings marina preparing for the voyage east along the Victorian coast.
Looking north from Flinders yacht club
Yaringa Boat Harbour
Not sure of this boat’s history but she would have a lot of stories from the past. Would love to see her floating again.
‘Please don’t drop her’. Me, slightly worried.
Yaringa boat harbour is tucked out of the way in NW Westernport Bay. It’s a quiet, relaxed place surrounded by incredible bird life. Heart of Gold spent a couple of months there on the hard and in the water as we finished her fit out and began sailing again.
Australian White Ibis off to feed at sunrise. Yaringa Boat Harbour sits on the edge of Yaringa Marine National Park. Over 295 bird species have been spotted here.
Dad, finalising the fitout. Once Heart of Gold was launched we had to tension the stays and get the mast straight, attach the boom and fit the sails.
Black Shouldered Kite
Yaringa channel leading out to the bay. Heart of Gold could still exit at low tide when the depth was around 2 metres or less.
Some marinas can feel stuffy and uptight, not Yaringa.
Creative practicality
‘Confidante’ - A Camper and Nicholson 35
Common starling & Eastern Rosellas. Parts of Westernport Bay are listed as a wetland of International significance under the RAMSAR convention. Yaringa Marine National Park protects feeding areas for 27 internationally important migratory bird species.
After leaving Yaringa, Rob singlehanded his Westsail 28 ‘Sans Pareil’ across the Tasman to New Zealand. Currently headed for the Pacific. You can follow his voyage here: https://www.facebook.com/Westsail28/
Pacific Gull
My partner Lu had never sailed before. Here she steers on one of our first trips.
At the helm with Dad
Heart of Gold relaunched!
After 7 long years out of the water, Heart of Gold is finally floating again. On the 19th March 2019 she was relaunched at Yaringa Boat Harbour in the Northwestern corner of Westernport Bay. A huge milestone after a long stint on the hardstand, where a coat of paint and a few small jobs turned into nearly a full refit. We’ll be sailing around Westernport Bay over the next few months before venturing further afield.
A huge thanks to Dad for his patience, skill and attention to detail. There were many times when I was ready to settle with ‘that’s good enough’ and dad would convince me it would be worth doing properly. Not to mention the many months of work and research he put into motors, bilge systems, 12V electrical systems, etc, etc. I’m pretty proud of what we’ve completed and looking forward to learning how to sail again :)
