FEBRUARY 28, 2005

We tested ourselves and our boat in the Tasman Sea yesterday for about three hours. The boat handled the little 6 foot swells and a strong wind beautifully and we handled the sail admirably as well. Paul was impressed with 7 knots of boat speed while beating to windward in the 17 knot breeze. The sea reminded us readily of strong winds on the Great Lakes. Having chosen a multihull instead of a monohull means that we will be sailing flatter than we are used to and this is one of the deciding factors in choosing to live on a catamaran. There was no nausea for either of us, and that is a good thing, as we are both prone to seasickness.

On the way back to Birkenhead Point, while motor sailing, again we joined the hundreds of boats out enjoying the water in Sydney Harbour. As we approached the Sydney Opera House, Mary called Paul up from the galley, where he was making himself some lunch, as there seemed to be a blockade of sorts that needed some careful navigating. We found ourselves in the middle of a match race. Yes racers, that's what I said - a match race, between Australia and Denmark. Something to do with a prince or princess from Denmark marrying some Australian and ever since, a match race has been hosted annually in alternating countries. A windward leeward course of barely 1 mile was set right in front of the opera house. Thousands of sailing fans ashore watched while two Farr 40's battled it out with a fleet of hundreds of spectator boats following them up and down the race course. The spectacle was too unbelievavble to describe. We managed to cross the race course without interfering with the race and continued toward our destination, much to Paul's chagrin. He wanted to follow the race boats just like everyone else.

Well, the time has arrived. We are finally leaving Sydney. On Wednesday morning, we will be traveling 15 miles up the coast to Pittwater, a beautiful cruising area in Broken Bay. The Seawind delivery captain, Royce Black, will be making the trip with us - this will be a "shakedown"; a chance to make sure that everything is calibrated and working correctly.

Paul's Ferry Service Ferrying our 6 guests from Little Manly to the boat for the evening. Windsor teachers, Maureen Johnson and Rene Bujold, on an exchange in Australia, and their four sons came aboard for dinner and fishing and all-round good fun.

The Bujolds are spending the year in the Blue Mountains and have been spending most weekends sightseeing in Sydney, about an hour and a half drive from where they live.

 

First Ocean Sail