Coffs Harbour

We left Forster Tuncurry as planned at 0600hrs on Saturday 8^th July heading for Camden Haven about 38 miles NNE. We had no problem crossing the bar out of Forster and we had a nice WSW breeze into the bargain which meant we could ‘hoist our sails’ once again!!!. That only lasted 2-3 hours then the breeze died right away and we once more found ourselves motor sailing. But the sun was shining and it was a lovely day.

We were making pretty good time so we decided to by pass Camden Haven and head straight for Port Macquarie 15 miles further North. We arrived there at 1600hrs. The entrance to Port Macquarie also has a bar and one which has a reputation of producing rogue waves. We discovered what this meant as we were crossing the bar, when Mike pointed behind us to a rather large wave coming up on our stern. Fortunately for us it decided not to break- otherwise it would have soaked us and the interior of the boat.

As a consequence, we have learned some important rules about making bar crossings. One is always to wear life jackets (we knew that) another is not to leave any lines, ropes etc lying around in the cockpit (we knew that, too), but now we also know that we must close up the companion way to the cabin to protect the interior from unexpected waves crashing into it from astern. It is all just common sense I suppose and experience (not that we have much!!!) highlight their importance.

Jo

Moon over
Port Macquarie

We had a couple of pleasant days in the calm of the Port Marina, but on the morning of the third day, when we had decided to leave, we had another lesson about bars. We set out alarm for 5.30 am, and in the dim light of early dawn dressed ourselves for departure – wet weather gear, lifejackets, ropes tidied away, storm boards ready for the companion way. But on logging on to Coastal Patrol, we were told that there were three meter (three meter) waves on the bar, and that it was not a good idea to even consider crossing it that morning.

So it was wet weather gear off, and back to bed…

The following day, things were much better, and we made it across the bar with no incident. We were all set for Coffs Harbour, about six hours sailing away –in theory.

What we weren’t prepared for was the East Australian Current, which sweeps down from around Frasers Island all the way to Sydney, and runs at between two and fours knots southwards. Most of the time it is a little way off the coast, but between Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour, it is very close to the land, and very strong.

On the way to
Trial Bay

The result was that instead of the trip taking six to eight hours, it took twice as long, and in fact led to us taking the decision to spend the night at Trial Bay, half way in our passage.

Trial Bay is a large, open bay facing North, in the middle of which are two public moorings. It was only when we finally picked up one of these moorings that we realised that we were going to be in for an interesting night. The day had been one of light winds but unfortunately they had been blowing from the North. As a result, the waves were rolling right into the bay and past us, sitting in the very middle of this wide shallow bay.

The boat rolled back and forth in the northerly swell, we rolled back and forth in our bed, the food crashed back and forth in the cupboards, while the ropes in the mast slopped back and forth in concert. Thank God that after about three hours we both became used to this cacophony, and actually fell asleep.

The next day we left early and made it in good time to Coffs, mainly because we decided to hug the coast and keep out of the East Australian Current!

Our neighbours
in Coffs harbour
Marina

Here we sit, and are likely to stay so for the next few days, as the weather and big swells are likely to prevent our progress North to Yamba!

Mike

Met a nice Tassie couple in Port Macquarie who have also made their way here to Coffs. We have been invited to their boat this evening for ‘sundowners’ ummmm hope it means G&T’s Then we are going to sample the local prawns for dinner. If we ever get this blog finished and get ourselves to the fish market before closing!!!

Jo