Leg 59 - Broughton Islands to Forster-Tuncurry

North-easterly winds were forecast for what seemed to be forever, a predicted spell of Southerlies kept being pushed back and back so we elected to push on and make a few sea miles while conditions were going to be super light and cross off another 35nm. Bring out the motor cruiser with optional sails!

Dawn departure.

On the face of things, the swell was negligible and the wind between 5-8knots so progress under motors should have been 6-7 knots but the real factor in determining progress is the East Australian Current (EAC). This is a beast of a thing and seems to run at anything from 2-3 knots to reports of 7 way off-shore! We learned from a Sydney to Hobart sailor that scout boats are sent out by the 'big name' sailing outfits in the the days preceding the Boxing Day start, to go and 'find' the current so that navigation plans take the fullest advantage of the 6-7knots that's on offer. A super fast blue lane to Hobart! So sneaky. The tell tail sign that you've found the current is the water temperature. Our instruments routinely show 31C. Blast it, we are headed against the current but it's not all madness in our method. We'll have the best opportunities to travel in unchallenging conditions, seeing as we are on a timetable. Additionally, we should be well north of the impact zones of any East Coast Lows that are an autumnal feature of NSW weather. We managed to dodge 2 of those last year. No thanks!

The lighthouse at Sugar Loaf Point.

 

The Bloke has planned a number of day hops up this section of the NSW coast. Several are around 35nm. Since we like to compare this distance with trips we are familiar with, it equates to a Mandurah to Rottnest Island trip that can take 6-7 hours. Awesome. No overnighters planned. In any event, our departures on the northern NSW coast are governed by safe/optimal bar crossing times. Time and tide waiting for no one!

Oops there it is! The bar at Fortser-Tuncurry.

The Bloke will be grumpy that I'm not 'all hands on deck'.