Delivery Trip: Gold Coast to Sydney
We've completed the final 40 hour trip from the Gold Coast to Sydney.
The last time we sailed past Foster on the New South Wales mid-north coast we were greeted by a veritable paddock size pod of dolphins welcoming us in to the port. 12 years later and we can't believe how lucky we were to experience the same again. We cruised past about 6 nautical miles off shore this time, making 12 knots, so twice as fast as the plucky little 26' sailboat we were crazy enough to do this trip in last time. Needless to say we felt a lot more comfortable, and safe, this time around.
Leaving the Gold Coast was pleasant enough. We took a leisurely trip down the river to the Southport Yacht Club marina and filled up the tanks next morning before heading out across the notorious bar. It was quite windy and a tad rambunctious. We took a small 3 foot greenie (Aussie slang for an unbroken wave) over the bow exiting the bar and for the next 4 hours experienced an uncomfortable ride until we turned the corner and headed due south, bound for Sydney. I'm happy to report that this boat is built like the proverbial brick shithouse.
Overnight Passagemaking
People ask what it is like doing an overnight passage. Initially it is unnerving as the light fades and your outside visual references go away. There are no street lights out here and nowhere to pull over to take a nap.
Gradually you stop peering into the blackness and start relying on your instruments. Engine gauges up top. Chart/Radar below. You are looking for other boats. Those equipped with automatic identification system (AIS) appear a long ways off. The radar picks up the others and by using its "acquire" feature they will also be tracked so you can assess how close you will pass.
The 2 nights on this passage were quite uneventful aside from dodging the northern NSW coastal fishing fleet. These trawlers move erratically when their gear is out, and they have little care about passing leisure craft, so best to give them a wide berth.
The cargo ships are far more predictable. I often wonder if the officer on watch pays any attention to us. I suppose anything of interest is a welcome distraction during their watches.
Final morning. Sun rises east of Pittwater.
Fuel Efficiency
Despite being a relatively heavy boat we are pleased with the fuel efficiency at cruising speed of our twin Cummins 550's. At one point, with a 2 knot assist from the East Coast Current and a 10 knot wind at our back, I noticed we were travelling at 12 knots/hour consuming 18.5 l/hour (~4.9 gallons/hour) for an impressive 0.65 nautical miles per litre (2.5 nautical miles per gallon).
More typically we are seeing 1.5 nautical miles per gallon at that speed so with our 1453 gallon tanks that will give us around a 1500 nautical mile range.
Sydney Arrival
As we closed in on Sydney the traffic picked up heaps. We had slowed down to time our arrival for 9:00 AM but unbeknownst to us a tanker and the Queen Anne had the same idea. We gunned it and slid in between the two of them.
It was very thoughtful of the Sydney Port Authority to send out 2 tugs to give us the whole water jet salute thing as we entered. Hmmm... maybe it was for the Queen Anne coming in behind us?
Her new home, for now
It is so good to finally have the boat in Sydney. This long journey we embarked on 5 years ago has been stressful at times. Our thoughts now turn to moving all our stuff on board, selling the apartment and more boat projects as we prepare for our first shake-down cruises. We are thinking a couple of weeks in Jervis Bay would make a good first trip.
