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The Pirate and the Colonel go to Sea
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Author:  Pirate [ Sat Jan 03, 2009 2:22 pm ]
Post subject:  The Pirate and the Colonel go to Sea

What a great day for a sail yesterday was. We had planned to launch from a little bay in the Gippsland Lakes known as Eagle Point. However the Colonel was late slurping down his poridge, and we resorted to launching a little later than arranged in the Nicholson River just about in Colonels back yard. This meant a 5ks work to windward to get out into the Lakes and of course a tacking duel, which went well for both of us. We had around 15 knots of south-easterly which turned more east as the day progressed. You guessed it...we had decided to sail to destination directly to our east, known as Metung which is usually a sleepy township pretty well surrounded by water. It is Christmas holidays here now of course and the Lakes system is scattered with boats of all sizes and descriptions.
Three and a half hours it took to get to Metung and though it was a warmish day (23 degrees Centigrade), I had little on but bathers and a rashie, a wet bum and regular spray meant it was a bit cool on the way across. It must about 15 ks across from the mouth of the Nicholson but we had to do many tacks which would have increased the distance enormously. Anyway we seemed to be reasonably keeping up with keel boats and trailerable yachts with even a tacking victory or two to our credits. After such a journed, we landed together like Captain Cook with his Endeavour at Botany Bay in 1778 (you Americans would not know that history), and cracked out the thermos for hot coffee which was most welcome. We dried out and not long before it was time to head home, as the time had blown out to about 1545 hours and if the wind died down we had lots of paddling to do.
The Colonel got going first and took off quite fast downwind and was well ahead by the time I launched. I took the time to rig a line to hold out my sail not allowing it to billow which gave me extra speed back across the lake. Downwind in about 10 knots with gusts to 15 was just the best fun. I sat up on the deck behind the seat which helped weight-shift to pick up waves. These boats loved those conditions under full sail and we had the most fun catching waves and trying to hold onto them. The bows buried a fair bit as they were driven into the waves ahead which did not seem to have much affect other than slow the boats' progresses temporarily. There was laughter, hoots and smiles all the way back and I don't think we have had as much fun on the water as when we were kids (long time ago). The barber-haul which is the most simplistic device worked a treat and my boat speed was up on Mikes because of it. Also I sailed with the plug in the drive well which helped with boat speed. The time back was just on an hour and one of the best hours we could hope to ever spend.
I loved riding 'on the upper deck' and will explore that more in the future as it allows you to shift you weight more to assist the boat. Maybe a purpose built seat to sit on would make it more comfortable...Anyway we hadthe most fun that anyone else, including jetskiers, stinkboaters large and small and others, could ever hope to have. I only hope our epic trip across the entire Lakes sytem planned for later this month will have a broad reach or run like yesterday...Pirate :wink: :wink: :wink:

Author:  mickeymouse [ Sat Jan 03, 2009 10:28 pm ]
Post subject: 

Great report Pirate :wink: :)
It sure was a great day out on the lakes (and river). :D
Just one little thing re Captain Cook (I have just finished reading a book by David Hill called "1788" - The brutal truth of the First Fleet - the biggest single overseas migration the world had ever seen.
It touches on many historical facts - including the American Revolution, prior to which America had been a dumping ground for British convicts.
I think you must have mixed up the 1788 First Fleet date with Cook's earlier voyage of discovery in 1770.
Here's a brief quote from Wikipedia:
Quote:
In April 1770 the Endeavour became the first seagoing vessel to reach the east coast of Australia, when Cook went ashore at what is now known as Botany Bay

It's intersting to note that the Endeavour was decommisioned in 1774 and
Quote:
briefly returned to naval service as a troop transport during the American Revolution and was deliberately scuttled in a blockade of Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island in 1778. Her wreck has not been precisely located, but relics including six of her cannons and an anchor are displayed at maritime museums worldwide.

BTW Lieutenant William Bradley played a prominent part in the First Fleet.
Any relation pirate me old mate :wink: :P :P :wink: :?:

Author:  Pirate [ Sun Jan 04, 2009 12:09 am ]
Post subject: 

Errr....sorry Sir. (Being corrected by an Officer is the pits)..But thanks for the kind words anyway...Pirate :roll:

Author:  chrisj [ Sun Jan 04, 2009 3:30 am ]
Post subject: 

Quote:
I loved riding 'on the upper deck' and will explore that more in the future as it allows you to shift you weight more to assist the boat. Maybe a purpose built seat to sit on would make it more comfortable


Gwiz has a useful post Pirate:
http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewt ... ght=noodle

Author:  mickeymouse [ Sun Jan 04, 2009 4:11 am ]
Post subject: 

Pirate wrote:
Errr....sorry Sir. (Being corrected by an Officer is the pits)..But thanks for the kind words anyway...Pirate :roll:

No offence intended - just thought I'd put the record straight. :wink:
Looking forward to our next adventure - soon :!: :D
Gonna have to do something about a camera :roll:
Mickey

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