Leg 49 - Eden to Bermagui and a Small Failure

5 boats took the southerly bus out of Eden on Thursday morning: the Benneteau that had arrived from Tasmania 2 nights before, Phase 2, Sans Souci, Bad Cat and ourselves. The catamarans reveled in the tailwind and our AIS was showing their speed as occasionally reaching 14knots. The two bigger ones ahead of us disappeared from sight quite early on. They meant business and carved up the miles headed to Jarvis Bay in an overnight run.

 Sans Souci and Phase 2 silhouetted against the sunrise up ahead

A tailwind doesn't really suit Zofia; for preference, slightly off to port or starboard and we are as happy as can be. With the breeze varying from 12kn and gusting to 20 and exactly behind us, The Bloke was not inclined to pole out the jib and goosewing and opted for mainsail only and as a precaution against an unwanted gybe, secured the boom with a spinnaker sheet. That did see us move along at a leisurely 5kn against the southerly current. When the unexpected gybe did happen, the spinnaker sheet, which was attached to the boom by the sheet shackle, just exploded off.  As the new owners of some scrap metal a visit to a chandlers is now forecast plus a crash YouTube lesson on splicing a braided rope eye.

 It's closing days are over.

The crew of Bad Cat slept in and departed Eden at least an hour after us and despite being a much smaller vessel than us, had just about caught us up by the time we were looking at the Bermagui headland. An invitation for 5ers was extended to them over the radio and in keeping with the notion that 2 boats traveling in the same direction are clearly 'racing', cheekily informed us that they'd be waiting for us when we got in! That was IT! Mr Yanmar was engaged to do his duty and place Zofia on the wharf ahead of that cheeky cat!

 Bad Cat gaining on us.

The Bermagui headland

The entry into Bermagui boat harbour, although narrow, was in light conditions and thankfully, was not a river bar crossing. Multiple viewings of their webcam had familiarized us with what to expect and the arrival of  Peter, of the Bermagui Coast Watch, at the wharf to take our lines made identifying the Gracie M (an old fishing hulk) to which we would raft up, a whole lot easier. Although a newly extended Marina area exists, it's not quite ready for use. Our arrival ahead of Bad Cat worked out well because they needed to raft up to us. Very cosy!

Sandwiched.

Convening 5ers was very easy. Once all the fendering, tying off and tidying of warps was completed the 4 member crew of Bad Cat only had to climb across into our cockpit. A fine time was had by all, although Bad Cat's skipper Allan was an early retirement, executing a fine example of a Frosby Flop as he negotiated 2 sets of life lines with a water hazard in between. If he had been a horse in a show jumping event it would have been an epic fail! 2 days later he was still puzzled by the bruises.

 From L: The Bloke, Peter, Allan, Annette and Ian.

The weather forecast is not looking promising AT ALL and we are discussing a weekly rate with the marina management. For now, we are very sheltered and safe and what we can see looks lovely.

Signage for the Italian restaurant at the wharf.

Very promising.