Heading across the Tasman

[haiqu]

Del and I have been prepping Chiara Stella the past few days in readiness for the big trip across the Tasman. We plan to go via Lord Howe Island and Nelson, then through French Pass to Christchurch.

I was looking forward to a respite from repairing boats. Hahaha. Well, we've painted the deck, oiled the teak, fixed hatch leaks, repacked the drogue, tested the solar panels and various other tasks. Still to go is a complete inventory of the yacht and logging it all onto the PC for provisioning purposes, and also to be able to find spares in an emergency.

We're having a sendoff party tonight in order to reduce the amount of Scotch aboard for Customs purposes, and the other two travellers - a couple of doctors comprising an American male and a Norwegian female - arrive late next week. Should be off any time after the 7th of December at the first available weather window.

[redbopeep]

Oh, best of luck to you! Be safe.

Brenda and David

[haiqu]

Thanks B & D. We shall certainly endeavour to do exactly that!

Did the "World Tour of Scotland" last night. Not many showed up due to wet weather, but much guzzling and laughter ensued and there is an array of empty bottles this morning, so mission accomplished.

Watches will be run four hourly from 7pm until 7am only, everyone is going to be around during the day more-or-less. Del and John (the American guy) will alternate on dogwatch (11pm-3am) so that there's always one of them available to be woken in an emergency by either of the less experienced crew on their watch. This should also keep their minds fresher for all the other tasks they need to perform, like navigation.

It looks like I've landed the 3am-7am shift, which will allow me to contact Comedy Net at 7:40am after breakfast. I'll also be trying to maintain contact with some hams at 7150kHz (+/- QRN) on a nightly basis if they're on the air.

[haiqu]

Tracking site:

Live Ships Map - AIS - Vessel Traffic and Positions - AIS Marine Traffic

We're trying to get AIS working via satellite phone SMS/email right now. Should be able to track Chiara Stella across to NZ and beyond. No Spot device, just an AIS and a satphone.

[svhoneybee]

Good luck with it Guys. We have just got in from a jaunt out into the Tasman. Cleared Hobart for Bluff. Got 2 days out and then got a radio message that my Mother had died. Turned around and thrashed our way back. 600 nm to no where and back. Bit breezy out there at 43 S. Skipr is a great way of reporting your position on passage by email - skipr.net

[haiqu]

Sorry to hear about your mum.

Their skipr.net website is confusing, but apparently there's an annual fee involved to use email via HF or SatPhone. Also doesn't log the MMSI details. :-/

[svhoneybee]

Rob, you are correct. We have been using Skipr for a while, recently paid $50 and can now update using the Pactor and HF. Don,t use a satphone, so this is a good option for us.

[haiqu]

Another option we've discovered is Yotreps. But they do require an awfully large amount of data to be sent, since it's also a weather warning system. Del got that working with no trouble at all:

http://www.pangolin.co.nz/xtras/yotr...ident=CHIARAST

Still trying to get MarineTraffic to work but tech support is slow.

[haiqu]

Two sleeps to go. The other crew arrived tonight, look like nice people.

[haiqu]

Chiara Stella will be cleared by customs at 4:30pm today. Looking like leaving in the morning. We're going to motor north until we can catch a Sou' Westerly to Lord Howe Island. A bit of last minute provisioning to do today and we're off.

[svhoneybee]

Fair winds.

[haiqu]

Thanks HoneyBee! Hope you get to resume your journey soon.

[svhoneybee]

Anyone heard from these guys? I see they got to Lord Howe and Yotreps shows them still there.

[redbopeep]

dunno...hope they're well on their way.

[svhoneybee]

I see they are now in Nelson

[haiqu]

Hi guys. Yotreps failed due to the SatPhone not sending updates as programmed. Del has to look into that when he gets the time. We're in Nelson and heading out today for Lyttleton. Happy New Year for Wednesday!

Some pics for ya.

1. Kids on pier at LHI
2. Jon (crew) up the mast untangling lines
3. Dolphins on day 5

[haiqu]

Made it to Christchurch, no thanks to the NZ weather bureau. Evidently the guy who does the predictions has gone on holiday and they are either throwing darts or using last year's prediction for the same day.

One minute we were becalmed and motoring, dressed in shorts and t-shirt and admiring the dolphins. Next minute, 35 knot southerly and grey clouds. The report was for 25 kt westerlies, we got 35 kt southerlies.

In need of sleep ...

[redbopeep]

So glad you made it safely! We will look forward to loads of stories about the passage.

[haiqu]

Well it seems to me I'm going to enjoy sailing. No sea sickness, hardly any fear at all. Of course the inspiration of a confident skipper made a lot of difference.

I'll never forget his immortal words as he ran out of his berth to find half a tonne of water in the galley after we were hit by 35 kt westerlies - with both the main and too much genoa up - just after he handed over the watch at 11pm in Pegasus Bay on Wednesday night ...

"Well, this is it then. We're going down."

Needless to say we got the sails in, although it may take a few days for the rope burns to heal.

Yep, plenty of stories to tell. :-)

[redbopeep]

Originally Posted by haiqu

"Well, this is it then. We're going down."

That's the sort of thing my hubby said to me on a particularly fearful adventure...as I grasped the seriousness of the situation and battled with fear, he was on a high, laughing like it was a huge joke, as we worked together double-time to get us out of danger--his words were shouted out to me "been nice knowing you!" and I must say that does NOT inspire confidence--it just lets you know that you're out adventuring with a NUTCASE! who gets off on adrenalin rushes.

I'm so you guys sorted out all the water and made it OK. More stories??? Pictures??? please, please...