We left at midnight from Pilot Bay, leaving the Port Sorell lighthouse behind us. With 91 miles ahead we wanted to be well into Port Davey before any afternoon sea breezes would change our pleasantly planned trip.
After securing the anchor, I was sent back to bed leaving Joel to enjoy the stars and phosphorescence for the next 3 hours. The slight swell meant it was difficult to get back to sleep, but I must have managed it as I was woken for my shift at 3:00am. With my earphones charged and ready to go. I enjoyed my shift watching the stars reflected in the stillness on the water. We could only motor in these conditions, as there was really little wind, so that made my shift much easier to manage. Stay awake, and watch for other boats. No sails to attend too.
In this area there are many fishing boats that are out for days or weeks at a time. During my watch I could see a light on the horizon and thought it was a lighthouse coming up. This incredibly bright light turned out to be a fishing boat close to shore. It’s appearance started the line of several boats all stretched along the coast in their particular spots waiting for daybreak to head into deeper waters.
We had one VDL boat ahead of us the whole night, and it was reassuring to watch them on the monitor as well see their stern light in the distance. Amazingly, even with a good several miles between us, the water was so flat it was another clear beacon to keep an eye on.
Once I could see dawn was approaching I wanted to stay up and watch the sun rise. It is a magnificent thing to see the night end and the day begin, especially here, where the landscape is something special to see.
Daybreak brought some more wind and we ended up having a lovely motor sail for the rest of the morning to Port Davey, arriving safely just after lunch.
After securing the anchor, I was sent back to bed leaving Joel to enjoy the stars and phosphorescence for the next 3 hours. The slight swell meant it was difficult to get back to sleep, but I must have managed it as I was woken for my shift at 3:00am. With my earphones charged and ready to go. I enjoyed my shift watching the stars reflected in the stillness on the water. We could only motor in these conditions, as there was really little wind, so that made my shift much easier to manage. Stay awake, and watch for other boats. No sails to attend too.
In this area there are many fishing boats that are out for days or weeks at a time. During my watch I could see a light on the horizon and thought it was a lighthouse coming up. This incredibly bright light turned out to be a fishing boat close to shore. It’s appearance started the line of several boats all stretched along the coast in their particular spots waiting for daybreak to head into deeper waters.
We had one VDL boat ahead of us the whole night, and it was reassuring to watch them on the monitor as well see their stern light in the distance. Amazingly, even with a good several miles between us, the water was so flat it was another clear beacon to keep an eye on.
Once I could see dawn was approaching I wanted to stay up and watch the sun rise. It is a magnificent thing to see the night end and the day begin, especially here, where the landscape is something special to see.
Daybreak brought some more wind and we ended up having a lovely motor sail for the rest of the morning to Port Davey, arriving safely just after lunch.