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    <title>Cruising Info and Stories</title>
    <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/list.php?12</link>
    <description><![CDATA[If you have an interesting story of a journey on board your Hanse share it with other owners here.]]></description>
    <language>EN</language>
    <pubDate>Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:49:35 +1000</pubDate>
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    <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
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    <item>
      <title>Cruising North on our Hanse 371</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,164,164#msg-164</link>
      <author>Kevin Oldfield</author>
      <description><![CDATA[CRUISING NORTH ON OUR HANSE 371 “EUREKA” 
ELAINE AND KEVIN OLDFIELD

Purchased our 2004 Hanse 371, Eureka from Windcraft in October 2009 and wanted to cruise north in 2010 so we needed some additions. We have cruised north in 2004, 6 and 8 with our old Olympic 40 and are delighted with the performance of Eureka as a cruiser. Our first addition was a wheel steer Raymarine autopilot followed by 2 x 80watt solar panels mounted lengthwise on the standard bimmeni, 2 x 65 amp hour deep cycle batteries in addition to the standard 2 x 100 amp hour batteries and a normal 65 amp hour cranking battery.  We also needed to carry some extra water so added a 120 litre extra tank in the aft locker mounted behind the transom.  The last addition was an LED cockpit light and we were ready to go.  As we are a husband and wife crew we decided to take the standard Hanse self tacker headsail and main and leave the racing sails behind.

Set off from Port Hacking on 11th June intending to head up the coast to Townsville.  First night Pittwater, 3 nights Nelson Bay, Port Stephens, 3 nights Coffs Harbour Marina, 2 nights Iluka, 5 nights Southport (on anchor in front of VMR Southport). One night Jacobs Well through the Broadwater.  We draw 2 metres and chose to go through the shallow approach at night as the tide was 2.4 metres.  The morning tide was 1.7 and we probably could have got through but decided to be cautious. 4 nights East Coast Marina, Manly (Moreton Bay), 6 days Mooloolaba, 1 night Pelican Bay (inside Fraser Island), 2 nights Garys Anchorage (motored from Gary’s to catch a 2.5 metre tide at Sheridan Flats which is another very shallow spot) 3 nights in front of Kingfisher resort and 1 night Platypus Bay, 2 nights Port Bundaberg Marina, 1 night Pancake Creek (outer anchorage) 1 night Cape Capricorn, 2 nights Leeks Beach Great Keppel Island, 1 night Port Clinton, 1 in Marble Island (Duke Islands –anchored at Curtis’s “J”) and 1 at Curlew Island, 5 nights Mackay Marina, 2 nights Brampton Islanda, 3 nights Thomas Island, 1 in Cid Harbour and 3 nights Airlie, 2 in Double Bay and 7 in Bowen.  Some years we have stopped over at Island Head Creek or Pearl Bay (instead of Port Clinton) then the Percy Islands and Scawfell Island (instead of the Dukes, Curlew and Mackay) depending on conditions.

A total of nine weeks away and only 80 engine hours.  Only 2 long sails the first being Port Stephens to Coffs Harbour.  We had intended to go to Crowdy Head but decided to stay out overnight because the sea was flat and there was no wind.  Of course, the wind appeared at 11pm that night but the conditions were still favourable and we had a great sail to Coffs.  The second was from Iluka to the Seaway, Southport.  The weather forecast for the following 3 days showed the wind increasing 25-30 so we decided to have a long day. We were confident to arrive at night as the seaway is well lit.  Left Iluke at 6 am and had a beautiful 15 hour sail plus 1 hour motor arriving at 21.30 (9.30pm). 
 
We love the cruising lifestyle and on the way, as usual met up with new and old friends who enjoy the same.  A variety of boats some of which we list to show the diversity of craft.

Chasseur  Hunter 54’      Peter and Jacqui Gray  (RMYC Port Hacking)
Waugh Ship Beneteau 50 (brand new)   Barry and Diane Waugh (RMYC Port Hacking)
Phlat Chat Lightwave 36 Catamaran  Andrew &amp; Chris Pippen  (Middle Harbour, Sydney)
Shiraz – Beneteau 38    Sharon and Steve  Melbourne
Seleni  HANSE 371 John Baker and Sheila Scott,  Fairlight, Sydney (It was great to compare our boats and swap ideas etc)
Black and Tan  (Tartan 34)  Ross and Marj  Melbourne
Indecision (Roberts 42)  Rob, Kate and Tim Lowry, Tasmania

Although our flights were booked from Townsville we decided to leave Eureka in Bowen.  We have a fore and aft pole mooring in the boat harbour there and found the locals to be very friendly, the managers (Queensland Transport) very helpful and of course the weekly fee was very reasonable. We have now returned to Sydney for 4 weeks and will return 14th September to continue our cruise.  We may end up at Magnetic Island and Townsville or just decide to laze around the Whitsundays depending on the weather and then start heading south to Sydney at the end of October.

Very happy with Eureka and happy with our additions.  She already had a Simrad Chart Plotter with C Map that worked well. Came in very handy when we motor sailed from Thomas Island to Cid Harbour in a pea soup fog that lifted at 4pm.  Auto pilot performed in all conditions.  Found that we would reef the main in 15-18 knots and consider a second reef at 22-25 knots but were confident in all conditions. Would consider taking our No 2 headsail in addition to the self tacker next time.  Our fastest leg was from Curlew Island to Mackay Marina where we sailed 42 nautical miles in 5 hours.  Performance was good in light winds and the anchor was reliable.  We find the anchor winch could have a bit more grunt and tend to drive the boat up when raising the anchor  to lessen the load. 

Purchased a small Freezer (Evakool) in Bowen and intend to get a larger pole for the self tacking headsail to improve down wind sailing angle.  

Hope to see you all cruising soon.

Kevin and Elaine Oldfield
Eureka  RMYC  Port Hacking]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,164,164#msg-164</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:49:35 +1000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Coffs Harbour family enjoy cruising on a 470</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,157,157#msg-157</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[The Sparks family from Coffs Harbour are currently enjoying cruising the Med and will soon head for home waters. Below is an extract from the type of email that makes one just want to go sailing....!
 
We are now on the island of Porto Santo, about 270 nm north west of the Canaries and we are on our way home.  We are going to do the A.R.C and then spend about three months in the Caribbean before heading through the Panama Canal and then crossing the Pacific, hoping to be home in Coffs Harbour some time in October - November next year.  We are all really well and very excited about the idea of bringing our boat home to Australia.  We have been on board now for nearly 7 months and have done about 2500 miles so far.  We have been enjoying a very slow and relaxing trip south from the UK.  Deb and the girls are going really well and now that we have finally reached warm weather and more importantly warm water, everyone is smiling more and more each day.  The boat is just fantastic, perfect size for us and she is a delight to sail.  We have a very long way to get home but we plan on taking our time and making the most of the time away and the places we visit.  We have had to have our windows replaced in Lagos in Portugal and Brent from Hanse sent Pete an email about getting the plexi glass on the cabin top replaced when we get back to Australia so we will organise that when we get home so I would say it will mean bringing the boat down to you guys and spending a few days there which will be really nice to catch up with you.  If you have anyone interested in buying a 470,please do not hesitate to give them our contact details]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,157,157#msg-157</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:11:49 +1100</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mini Tornado Experience</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,151,151#msg-151</link>
      <author>SeriousLeigh</author>
      <description><![CDATA[While cruising this week we were caught in the Westly Gale on Lake Macquarie. 

On Wednesday afternoon we were at anchor settling in for the night, when I noticed black clouds forming so I knew we were going to get wet. A mini tornado (water spout) appeared and travelled toward us hitting us on our beam. It turned over our inflatable dingy, threw the boat around but the anchor did not let go and it was over in seconds. 

The boat always felt safe and gained my appreciation of what a beautiful craft she is. We sailed in 35knots wind and it felt stable and powered.]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,151,151#msg-151</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 17 Oct 2009 10:44:12 +1100</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Wild Honey Arrives Home - Life Long Dream Achieved</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,150,150#msg-150</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Our congratulations and a big Welcome to Ian and his crew on Wild Honey. This Hanse 430e sailed into Australian waters for the first time and crossed the Wide Bay Bar to arrive safetly home in Mooloolaba last month after a two year voyage from the Hanse Factory in Germany.
Below is Ian's last entry into the log. 

Sent: Sunday, September 06, 2009 6:34 AM
Subject: Nearly there


&gt; Well we thought we were going really well until last night. We've had 
&gt; positive current with us most of the way across from Noumea and then 
&gt; suddenly, just South of Cato Is, it went negative big time - 2 knots 
&gt; against us.
&gt;
&gt; Anyway, this morning it's dropping off to about half a knot negative so 
&gt; that's not too bad.
&gt;
&gt; Currently we're just over 100 miles ENE of Sandy Cape and still expect to 
&gt; reach Bundy early tomorrow morning.
&gt;
&gt; Otherwise, conditions at the moment are very pleasant - motor sailing at 7 
&gt; knots in calm seas with about 6 knots of breeze.
&gt;
&gt; We have just run out of fish from the last Mahi Mahi we caught and are 
&gt; pondering whether to pop the line over again to get another but they're so 
&gt; big out here we are not going to be able to eat much of it before 
&gt; Quarantine takes all of our remaining fresh food off us in Bundy so it 
&gt; might be a shame to waste it.
&gt;
&gt; Billy has been making fresh bread for us daily since Tahiti and has been 
&gt; slowly refining his technique until now it's as good as you'll get at the 
&gt; bakery. Consequently, with as much fresh fish as we can eat and the daily 
&gt; fresh bread, life hasn't been all that bad despite some less than average 
&gt; weather at times since we left French Polynesia.
&gt;
&gt; In any event, we are enjoying this last little leg back to Oz. It's been a 
&gt; long but pleasurable haul all the way from Marmaris and it wouldn't have 
&gt; been possible without the two Petes who braved the freezing Med crossing 
&gt; with me, Glenn from Alicante to Tahiti, Billy from Tahiti to Mooloolaba 
&gt; and most of all, Dave who has stuck with me all the way from Alicante to 
&gt; Bundy. Thanks boys, you've made a life long dream come true for me.
&gt;
&gt; This will be the last little memo you'll get from me so thank you everyone 
&gt; for all the Emails we have been getting along the way. It is quite an 
&gt; event for us out here when we are in the middle of a passage, to receive 
&gt; Emails from home with all the news.
&gt;
&gt; Cheers and best wishes to all,
&gt; Ian
&gt;]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,150,150#msg-150</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:35:02 +1100</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Moody 45 Cool Change - Hamo Race Week</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,146,146#msg-146</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[The Moody 45 Cool Change is still cruising in the Whitsundays and taking part in the Hamilton Island Race Week series.

You can now follow her adventures at http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/html_pages/index.php?page=forum_Moody45_5.inc

Kind Regards,
Team Windcraft]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,146,146#msg-146</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2009 08:28:54 +1000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Moody 45 Cool Change - Still Cruising</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,145,145#msg-145</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Windcraft owner Peter Hrones and his family are spending sometime back on solid land, but Cool Change is still up cruising in the Whitsundays. Peter's sister and her family have been on board and the fun continues! To read about the adventure please click here http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/html_pages/index.php?page=forum_Moody45_4.inc

Peter and some of the Windcraft crew will return to Cool Change to participate in the Hamilton Island Race Week (Cruising division of course!). So watch this space for more news.]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,145,145#msg-145</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:58:12 +1000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Hanse 540 &quot;One O Nine&quot; Cruising the Australian Coast</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,144,144#msg-144</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Another Hanse 540 is currently cruising the East Coast of Australia and plans to sail in the Hamilton Island Race Week Regatta and then cruise the Whitsundays.

Read about the trip at http://www.hanse109.blogspot.com/]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,144,144#msg-144</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:07:35 +1000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>No Prop - but Great Sailing</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,143,143#msg-143</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[&quot;John Baker and Sheila Scott recently headed north on their beloved Hanse 371 &quot;Selene&quot; which they bought second hand two years ago. A long coastal cruise has been in the planning since the purchase. John has already warned us that he will not be back in time for the 2010 regatta!
Now in Southport John and Sheila are settling into cruising life and sound very happy. They have already displayed admirable seamanship skills in handling a potential drama while anchored off Byron Bay! As the insurance company told them, this does happen but one always hopes it doesn't happen to you.In light of John's meticulous preparations and care of the boat this was bad luck. John called the Seaway coastguard ahead to explain his predicament and they arranged  to assist on arrival. Reassured, John,Sheila and crew then enjoyed one of the best sailing days of their trip, flying up under sail to the Gold Coast. They were then towed into a Southport marina to await delivery of a new propellor. This arrived within the promised 8 days, 24 hrs for the prop speed to settle in and Selene was off again. 
Windcraft wishes John and Sheila fair winds and adventures, although perhaps of not quite such a dramatic nature!&quot;]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,143,143#msg-143</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:26:30 +1000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Far from Swine Flu and Winter</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,142,142#msg-142</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Wild Honey is now just 3500 miles from Bundaberg - reading the below l wonder if they will actually return...

Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 6:20 PM
Subject: Tahiti and Moorea


&gt; As I write this, we are anchored in the famous Cook's bay on the island of 
&gt; Moorea, 15 or so miles from Papeete, Tahiti. This afternoon we watched the 
&gt; Polynesian dancers wriggle and gyrate to the drums at the festival ashore 
&gt; to celebrate Bastille Day, 14 July.
&gt;
&gt; Sundowners on the aft deck this evening were celebrated in about as 
&gt; spectacular an environment as we could ever have imagined under the 
&gt; soaring cliffs, mountains and volcanic spires surrounding this magnificent 
&gt; anchorage. Dave is now in the process of preparing his &quot;speciality&quot; dish, 
&gt; risotto, which we will have with thick steaks imported from New Zealand 
&gt; spiced with herbs Provencal. Life's really not all that bad at the moment.
&gt;
&gt; Anyway, back to reality. The trip through the Tuamoto atolls and lagoons 
&gt; was wonderful. Ahe was a small protected lagoon with a quite primitive and 
&gt; basic village but the water was crystal clear and the Polynesian 
&gt; inhabitants were friendly and helpful. On the other hand, the next lagoon 
&gt; we visited, Rangiroa, was more sophistocated but no less enjoyable with 
&gt; fresh French bread in the mornings and the ability to visit the excellent 
&gt; facilities of a resort ashore for drinks and dinner.
&gt;
&gt; The 200 mile overnight sail from Rangiroa to Papeete was a brisk beam 
&gt; reach in relatively flat water so we arrived in Papeete fresh and ready to 
&gt; enjoy reaching one of our major milestones. Having Emailed the marina in 
&gt; Papeete to book a berth 2 weeks in advance and being told that they were 
&gt; over booked and not accepting any more bookings, I was a little 
&gt; apprehensive of our chances to find a secure mooring for the boat whilst 
&gt; we return to Australia for 2 weeks on 17 July for our little holiday. 
&gt; Consequently, we decided that we should park the boat at the fuel dock and 
&gt; I should go to the marina office and prostrate myself  before the marina 
&gt; manager begging profusely in schoolboy french to be allowed to stay there 
&gt; for a couple of weeks. Anyway, Phillipe the manager was aloof and 
&gt; unresponsive to my earnest entreaties until he found that I wanted to stay 
&gt; in his precious marina for a total of three weeks and greed got the better 
&gt; of him at that point when it was discovered that, in fact there was plenty 
&gt; of room in the marina, and you just had to beg and grovel in the 
&gt; appropriate way to be allowed to win a berth, albeit at a considerable 
&gt; cost.
&gt;
&gt; Tomorrow, it's back to Papeete to do our laundry, fix the masthead VHF 
&gt; aerial which we think was knocked off by one of the many booby birds which 
&gt; play chicken with our masthead gear as we sail along, and generally start 
&gt; to clean the boat up after nearly 11,000 miles since Marmaris Turkey, for 
&gt; the final 3500 miles still to go to Bundaberg  . Fortunately, the boat is 
&gt; in good shape, despite the fact that we have been pushing it along at a 
&gt; fair pace all the way. The only real issue we have with maintenance is the 
&gt; sails and in particular, the mainsail which usually needs some attention 
&gt; after each long passage. Consequently, Vaughan Prentice at North Sails in 
&gt; Brisbane is going to have a bit of a chuckle at the amateur repairs and 
&gt; all of the twine which we have sewn into the sail to hold it together when 
&gt; I take it to him to put back together at the end of the trip.
&gt;
&gt; It's only a couple of days now till Dave and I return to Oz for our little 
&gt; sabbatical and Glenn leaves us for good so we are greatly looking forward 
&gt; to seeing our loved ones again after, in my case, four months away. Glenn 
&gt; has been a wonderful crewmember, not only for his competent, can do 
&gt; attitude in all circumstances but also for his totally unflappable nature, 
&gt; despite the occasional reasonably stressful situations which inevitably 
&gt; happen on a boat at sea, from time to time.
&gt;ild Honey is now just 3500 miles from Bundaberg - reading the below l wonder if they will actually return...]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,142,142#msg-142</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:51:40 +1000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Wild Honey - on the way home</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,140,140#msg-140</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Wild Honey ,the 430e that Ian Griffiths took delivery of in Griefswald exactly two years ago,is on her way home. Ian has enjoyed many miles of crusing on the other side of the world ,indeed he  estimates about a total of 20,000 by the time he gets home to Brisbane.
Below is an extract from a recent email as he arrives in French Polynesia


&gt; After 15 days of moderate weather and a bit over 2 days of windy, 
&gt; unpleasant
&gt; conditions across 3055 miles of the Pacific from San Cristobel in the
&gt; Galapagos group, we were rewarded with the magnificent sight of the Island
&gt; of Ua Pou (pronounced Wapoo) emerging out of the mist ahead of us at dawn.
&gt; The Island of Ua Pou is one of the less visited of the group but we were
&gt; attracted  by the fact that the main settlement lies in a reasonably
&gt; protected bay for anchoring purposes and it was reputed to be the 
&gt; prettiest
&gt; of the islands.
&gt;
&gt; We were not disappointed. The volcanic spires spouting out of the 
&gt; landscape
&gt; disappeared into the clouds and were seen only occasionally in their full
&gt; glory. The view from the boat up into the valley above the bay to the
&gt; volcanic landscape is truly spectacular.
&gt;
&gt; Once in the anchorage, we found a spot where we could anchor and take 
&gt; lines
&gt; ashore to the inside of the sea wall, med style so we were snug and
&gt; protected from the continuing bad weather outside.
&gt;
&gt; Once moored, we were immediately approached by the occupants of the only
&gt; other boat in the bay, Jim and Kym who brought us fresh bananas and huge
&gt; sweet grapefruit which we proceeded to devour with relish, it being the
&gt; first fresh fruit we had eaten in some time. Notwithstanding that none of
&gt; the three of us had any more than an hour or two of sleep in the past
&gt; twenty four, it being too rough even to sleep, we asked them to join us 
&gt; for
&gt; &quot;sundowners&quot; thinking that we would have a couple of quiet drinks and flop
&gt; into bed for a peaceful night. That was not to be. Jim, a retired dentist
&gt; from San Francisco, brought along his own bottle of Tequila and announced
&gt; that he could drink any Aussie under the table. Well, to cut an long story
&gt; short, he made a bit of a mess of the three of us as we foolishly took up
&gt; the challenge and we awoke the next morning, not remembering when we
&gt; actually went to bed, with monumental hangovers. Our excuse was lack of
&gt; sleep and we reckon he was either shorting himself on his Tequilas while 
&gt; the
&gt; three of us consumed rum with a vengeance or he had watered down his 
&gt; Tequila
&gt; before the event with the sole purpose of destroying us.
&gt;
&gt; Jim, on the other hand, arrived over at our boat early the next morning 
&gt; with
&gt; fresh bread from the bakery, as bright as a button and asked us over for
&gt; pancakes for breakfast.
&gt;
&gt; We were also told about Xavier, a retired French schoolteacher who had 
&gt; shown
&gt; Jim and Kym some wonderful hospitality. Sure enough, as we walked into the
&gt; village in the morning, we were approached by a fairly exotic looking
&gt; Frenchman with perfect English who turned out to be Xavier and from that
&gt; moment on, he took us under his wing and has shown us around, taken us on 
&gt; a
&gt; bar-b-que picnic to a beach on the wild windy but spectacular windward 
&gt; side
&gt; of the island, helped  get our diesel drums refilled, hosted us to lunch 
&gt; at
&gt; his house overlooking the bay and generally been a magnificent host.
&gt;
&gt; Despite the less than perfect conditions which we experienced on the way
&gt; across from the Galapagos Islands, the only damage we did to the boat was 
&gt; to
&gt; rip off a couple of sail track slides on the mainsail when we put our 
&gt; final
&gt; reef in the main in the middle of the night, blowing dogs off chains,
&gt; without paying enough attention to what we were doing. David applied all 
&gt; of
&gt; his sailmaking skills from sewing stitches across the holes he made in his
&gt; patients and successfully repaired the sail with a minimum of fuss.
&gt;
&gt; Since we arrived here in Ua Pou, the weather reports have been a little
&gt; unsuitable for an early departure, it continuing to blow for days as we 
&gt; sit
&gt; in harbour enjoying the ambience, friendliness and hospitality of the 
&gt; place.
&gt; However, it looks like we have a weather window coming up the day after
&gt; tomorrow for a three day and night sail to the Tuamotos. The delay to our
&gt; departure turns out to be rather fortunate, as luck would have it, as we 
&gt; are
&gt; in French Polynesia at the time of the celebration of Bastille Day on 14
&gt; July and the official festival celebration in the islands, including
&gt; Marquesan dancing, food stalls and various local events, begins tomorrow
&gt; night. On the other hand, all the stalls and restaurants set up for the
&gt; festival have been operating since we arrived so we have been feasting on
&gt; freshly caught grilled wahoo and special Marquesan sashimi so life is 
&gt; pretty
&gt; good here.
&gt;
&gt; Anyway, we are much relieved to have put the two big passages, the 
&gt; Atlantic
&gt; and the Pacific, behind us and we are now looking forward to seeing those
&gt; coral atolls and lagoons of the Tuamotos which we have read about and
&gt; dreamed of visiting for as long as we can remember.]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,140,140#msg-140</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:05:35 +1000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Moody 45 Cool Change Update</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,138,138#msg-138</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Click here to view the latest adventures http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/html_pages/index.php?page=forum_Moody45_3.inc]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,138,138#msg-138</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:05:57 +1000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Moody 45 Cool Change Cruising</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,136,136#msg-136</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[The Moody 45DS Cool Change is cruising up along the coast of Queensland.

Some photos of the trip can be seen at http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/html_pages/index.php?page=forum_Moody45_2.inc]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,136,136#msg-136</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:01:19 +1000</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>Moksha Hanse 540 Cruising Again</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,135,135#msg-135</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Many of you will know the big orange Hanse 540 Moksha and her crew.

They are off cruising again to Vanuatu. You can follow the blog their adventures at http://mokshasmessages.blogspot.com/]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,135,135#msg-135</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2009 10:46:36 +1000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Whale Watching</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,134,134#msg-134</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Here at Windcraft we get to see some amazing sites out on the water and from photos sent to us by owners. The link below is to one of the best photos we have ever seen. 

The sites some people see from on board a Hanse can be seen at http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/html_pages/index.php?page=forum_whale.inc

Thanks to Rod Weir for sending us this photo.]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,134,134#msg-134</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2009 10:36:54 +1000</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>Hanse 430 to Hobart</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,122,122#msg-122</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[See photos at http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/html_pages/index.php?page=forum_piong.inc


Pittwater to Hobart 26th-30th December 2008
Piong Bokunani- Hanse 430e


In May 2008 my wife Jane and I took delivery of a new Hanse 430e from Windcraft.  The boat has the epoxy option, larger 55hp Yanmar engine, teak decks and a few more sails from the North Sails loft in Sydney some of which are Aramid.

Whilst the boat was at the factory I had a Simrad GB 40 plotter fitted with an additional screen at the helm.  Post delivery a Simrad AP 24 autohelm and radar were fitted, the radar being linked through the GB 40 plotter.  

I am not particularly fond of stainless steel, despite its functionality in marine environments, so I had Mc Conaghys make two carbon wheels and a strut for the radar.  While these items did not come cheap I feel they better marry with the overall lines and materials on the boat, more so than stainless would.  Consistent with my peculiarity I had the shipwright at Windcraft change the centre table in the cockpit from polycarbonate to teak.

As I have mentioned I had a few more sails made for the boat as I intend to race as much as I can and as much as I will be allowed!  I had a G3 and G2 gennakers made, a new main, # 3 and # 1 all of Aramid.  Just before we were due to sail to Hobart I decided that we needed a smaller jib for the upper wind ranges i.e. plus 30 knots.  After discussing options with Julian Plante at North’s I decided on a Dacron #5.  I also had some minor changes made to both mainsails, the plastic lugs on the luff I felt were potentially not strong enough and I had North’s change them to metal slides at high load areas i.e. headboard, cunningham and reefing points.  Also, we put in a third reefing point on both mainsails, I felt that there was still a lot of main left at the # 2 reef, and in Tasmania we get a lot of wind!

I live and work overseas in a post conflict environment on Bougainville Island (155 degrees E, 6 degrees S) building roads and bridges on an Australian Government funded project and unfortunately I don’t spend a lot of time in my home, Hobart.  It was always our intention that I would sail Piong Bokunani to Hobart from Windcrafts marina at Pittwater over the Christmas break hopefully with the Sydney-Hobart fleet, and we had started planning towards that goal over the second half of 2008.  

I had arranged for three crew to join me on the trip south.  Roger, a long time mate from New Zealand and Tim and his daughter Sally, good friends from Hobart.  We flew into Sydney early on Boxing Day but were immediately put on the back foot with Tim and Sally’s check in baggage lost between Hobart and Sydney, fortunately bags turned up after a 2 hour delay.  I was not a happy camper as I was keen to be close to Sydney Heads by the time the fleet came out however, that was now not going to be possible.

We finally started the engine and motored out of the marina at Pittwater at 1245 on Friday Boxing Day, we were abeam of Barrenjoey Heads heading south about two hours later in fine clear skies and a NNE of 15-18 knots. 
 

The forecast looked good for a fast Hobart Race however, for us the breeze did not really kick in hard for any length of time throughout the trip.  The first 24 hours saw Piong Bokunani in 15-18 knots of north to north easterly winds, that made for some very easy sailing with the G3 up and full main.  

At 2200 we heard a Mayday distress call over the VHF, an entrant in the Sydney-Hobart race had apparently struck an object and lost her rudder and was taking on water.  Fortunately conditions were relatively benign and all crew were rescued safely by a maritime rescue vessel.  However, there were concerns that the boat had not sunk and was submerged, a Securitae call was issued over the VHF with her last known position broadcast.  As we were north of her last known position we kept a keen look out for her but did not see anything.

Piong Bokunani sailed very well under G3 through to mid night on the first day at sea, when during a midnight gibe the gennaker wrapped and Sally and I could not get it free without dropping it.  Up went the #5 and we sailed with that rig for the remainder of the trip.

On Saturday 27th December the breeze increased marginally after a lot of sea mist early on but still stayed in the north, dolphins everywhere and generally easy sailing.  Later at around 1600 we had a strong wind gust which lasted for about 20-30 minutes but the breeze shifted to the west and blew around 30-35 knots.  The second reef went in and with the #5 up the boat handled the increasing breeze comfortably.  An hour later the wind had all but gone and with the sun setting we were making only 3-4 knots over the ground so on went the engine.

Early morning Sunday 28th December saw us in Bass Strait in beautiful conditions, 5-10knots of wind and sunny all day.  Who says it blows here?  We decided to keep the motor going and motor sailed for the best part of that day, in the afternoon the breeze picked up from the north west up to 18 knots and we made good passage under #5 and full main.  The boat was very comfortable with that rig and we were making 8+ knots slightly eased.

In the early hours of Monday 29th December we were off the Tasmanian coast in north westerlies of 20-25 knots gusting 30knots with a short lumpy sea, #5 up and second reef in the main.  It was at about 0800 that the #2 reefing line parted in the boom and we had to go down to the third reef.  I still cannot figure why the line parted, it was 12mm multi braid line and should have been up to the task load wise.  We have checked the boom for possible causes but I am not convinced that it was rubbing or chafing although it did break in the boom.

As we headed south it was very noticeable how quickly the ambient and sea temperature dropped.  We left Pittwater with the sea temp around 22-23 degrees however, at this latitude we were 6 degrees down on that and it was becoming quite cool during the day.

The breeze stayed fresh for most of the morning but swung back to the north in the afternoon and dropped back to 18-20 knots gusting up to 25 knots occasionally.  We made good passage at 8-10 knots through most of the day but the wind lightened at dusk to 10-12 knots from the north west.  We were abeam of Tasman Island at 0500 on Tuesday morning 30th December.  As the morning dawned the breeze built back up to 18-20 knots from the north.  We rounded the Island in company with two Sydney-Hobart boats and had a brisk sail past Cape Raul across Storm Bay and into the Derwent River.  

So typically the Derwent was calm and about 5nm from the RYCT marina the motor went on.  That didn’t last long as the motor died soon after starting.  No amount of trying would get the engine to go again and we required “outside” assistance to get us to the marina, that was very frustrating considering that thus far the trip had been nothing short of great.
 

We were tucked up in the marina just before midday, so the trip had been just under 4 days overall.  Thanks to my crew, Tim, Roger and Sally who made the trip for me a memorable one.

Some observations about the 430e:

1.	The #5 jib is a great sail when you are short handed, it is easier and safer to reef the main than have to go forward to change a headsail esp if the headsail is battened which does not make for furling.

2.	Our engine problems were related to dirt and water in the fuel.  I made sure before we left that we had spare filters, a spare impellor, filter wrench and a decent took kit, these are critical items in passaging.

3.	We had some frustrating problems with the GB 40 plotter in that the secondary screen at the helm would not respond to any course or operational changes.  All navigating had to be done via the main unit at the nav station.  The autohelm worked well but since arriving in Hobart has given up the ghost.  There have been software changes made but still the GB 40 is not working satisfactorily.  Sophisticated navigational aids should be well tested before embarking on extended voyages or when you intend to rely heavily on these instruments which you probably shouldn’t!

I carried two spare handheld GPS units as backup and plenty of batteries.  We also had a full set of charts on the boat but that goes without saying.

4.	We noted a possible design fault in the side decks of the Hanse.  In weather when the decks are wet I found whilst at the helm and sitting on the side deck the helmsman’s bum was always inundated.  There is little ability for water to dispense quickly away from the side deck when healed as the cockpit coaming prevents run off and the shear line is relatively flat.  

5.	While we were not tested in heavy conditions, the boat sailed very well in all conditions encountered.  What moderate winds we did have there was, pleasingly, no tendency for rounding up when healed and powered up.  In the conditions the #5 and full main combination worked well, the boat was well balanced and still had good speed in lighter conditions with that rig.

6.	Finally, I have to say a great thanks for the people at Windcraft who looked after our “baby” for seven months or so while I was overseas.  Special thanks to Allan Bridge who was always there for my many, many queries and without complaint tended to my every ask.

7.	Finally, for those interested the name Piong Bokunani comes from the Nasioi language of central Bougainville.  Roughly translated “Piong” means wind and “Bokunani” means the lady who calls, so in context the meaning is…Wind Whisperer, the lady who calls the wind.  I have had a long association with Bougainville and its people, Jane and I were married on the Island before the civil war started and our two girls were born there, one during the conflict.  A good friend Trish Trevaskis who is Bougainvillean and lives with her Australian husband in Perth suggested the name.]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,122,122#msg-122</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:51:23 +1100</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Dreams can come true</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,115,115#msg-115</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[&quot;A couple of years ago we decided we were tired of life in London,&quot;explains Andrea.&quot;We wanted to do something completely different.&quot; So they sold everything,took a six month's sailing course , bought a Hanse 531 and set sail for the other side of the world! 

This young couple from Europe have an aptly named website http://dreamyachting.com 
where you can read all about their trip.Andrea &amp; Gaby Sciutto have just arrived in the Bay of Islands in New Zealand on board their Hanse 531 called Pointzero. They left Italy in November 2006 and spent several months in the Med before crossing the Atlantic.
Andrea is originally from Italy, and Gaby is from Slovakia, but they met while both living in London 10 years ago, and were married in '02.
Hansedownunder welcome Gaby and Andrea and wish them an enjoyable stay on this side of the world.]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,115,115#msg-115</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:18:28 +1100</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>Fly South to Hobart</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,110,110#msg-110</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Extracts from the log on Fly South , as sent to Windcraft by Sailcraft are attached.]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,110,110#msg-110</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:31:18 +1100</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>Hanse 370 Delivery to Hobart Logbook and photos.</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,109,109#msg-109</link>
      <author>Sailcraft</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Dear Forum, 
I was unable to post our Logbook and photos of our eventful trip to Hobart. If you are interested, feel free to email me and I will email the file to you. 
Kind Regards
Michael Barrett
PH 0414777982
www.sailcraft4u.bigpondhosting.com
Email scyd@bigpond.com.au
SAILCRAFT YACHT DELIVERY]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,109,109#msg-109</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:17:05 +1100</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Hanse 370 Delivery to Hobart</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,108,108#msg-108</link>
      <author>Sailcraft</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Recently we were invited to deliver a new Hanse 37E , &quot;Fly South&quot; from the Windcraft base at Bayview to Hobart. This was the first time we have worked for a broker offering a free delivery to the purchaser. Due to a poor weather window to Hobart we invited the new Hanse owner (Neil), to sail on another trip with us being an Oyster 53 from Yeppoon to Sydney. What a great plan this was as we spent an extra week with Neil which was a joy to say the least, especially when holed up in Mooloolaba on Melbourne Cup Day, best save that story for a later date. Once we boarded Fly South to start our journey we were all happy to be rid of the lovely but very complex Oyster 53. Fly South was a dream with all the right gear and everything kept simple especially the self tacking jib. On day one Neil kept begging to try his new pink MPS, my reply was, &quot;how fast do you need to go Neil, what's wrong with 8.5 knots easy sailing?&quot;. We don't often use an MPS or spinnaker due to making our life harder, less sleep and possibly hand steering but Neil had his wish granted down the Tasmanian East coast with the MPS and single reefed main we were screaming along at an average of 9.3 knots on a beam reach. This was the best 12 hours of sailing I have had in years in part due to the very easy and direct steering system. I believe our client enjoyed the trip far more than most as he had absolutely no financial pressures in regard to weather delays and breakdowns on the delivery or return fares home for the delivery team. I have also posted some log book entries and photos of the trip.
Michael Barrett
PH 0414777982
www.sailcraft4u.bigpondhosting.com
Email scyd@bigpond.com.au
SAILCRAFT YACHT DELIVERY]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,108,108#msg-108</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:10:49 +1100</pubDate>
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      <title>Re: Where are Anteater Blues?</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,100,101#msg-101</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Hi John,

Last we heard Anteater Blues had been shipped back across the Pacific to Queensland, and the plan was to sail up and over the top back to Perth.

Kind Regards,
Team Windcraft]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,100,101#msg-101</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 06 Sep 2008 10:26:19 +1000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Where are Anteater Blues?</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,100,100#msg-100</link>
      <author>Swagman</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Anyone know if Robbie and Phil made it back to Perth or did they get hung up elsewhere?

We last saw them in Bequia, Caribbean, for Xmas 2007, but heard they were still in the region later in the season.

Any news would be good.

JOHN]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,100,100#msg-100</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:11:00 +1000</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>Moksha's Messages In a Bottle - East Coast Trip</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,91,91#msg-91</link>
      <author>Richard108</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Currently we are on a journey up the east coast of Australia from Sydney to the Whitsunday Islands (Great Barrier Reef)on our 540.  My kids (hardly kids at 19 and 21) have created a blog of the journey.  If anyone is interested it can be seen at 
 
http://mokshasmessages.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2008-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&amp;updated-max=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&amp;max-results=7

Regards Richard 

Moksha&quot; 540 
Pittwater, Sydney, Australia]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,91,91#msg-91</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:46:10 +1000</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A Good Catch</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,86,86#msg-86</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Take a look at the catch aboard Mulle Mulle, a Hanse 54!]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,86,86#msg-86</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:23:05 +1000</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>Hanse 370 - Pittwater to Port Douglas</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,82,82#msg-82</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[On Thursday 17 January 2008, Tim Preuss and his crew set off from Pittwater, ultimately bound for Port Douglas on board &quot;Ann Sea&quot; the Hanse 370 that he proudly took delivery off just before Christmas. We wish Tim and crew fair winds and calm seas and hope to keep you informed of their progress here on the forum.

To view some photos of the vessel and crew please visit http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/html_pages/index.php?page=forum_annsea.inc]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,82,82#msg-82</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:30:14 +1100</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>Hanse Te Kouma Coromandel Xmas 2007</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,81,81#msg-81</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Happy New Year from New Zealand Hanse owners.

To view photos visiti http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/html_pages/index.php?page=forum_nz.inc]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,81,81#msg-81</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 09 Jan 2008 10:42:18 +1100</pubDate>
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      <title>ARC - Top Results for Hanse</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,77,77#msg-77</link>
      <author>Swagman</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Hi All,

Good results all round for Hanse in this rally - for which each yacht is assigned a handicap and have results calculated by Cruising and Racing Divisions.

Anteater Blues (Only Hanse in the Racing Division) - Oz registered, Oz skipper got 6th in her division.
Gertha 4 - UK registered, Brit skippered 371 got 3rd in her division.
Windshear - UK registered, Brit skipper 411 got 2nd in her division.
Swagman (us) - UK registered, Oz skipper got 1st in her division.

Plus Taima, a new 640 who could not start on time due to engine issues, got away over a week late.  Her skipper Thomas said they did the corssing in just over 12 days - which had they started on time and done same speeds, would have seen them leading flat our race boats (like Venomous - Farr 60) and giving the 2 x Volvo 60's a run for their money.

Cheers
JOHN
blog at www.yotblog.com/swagman]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,77,77#msg-77</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 26 Dec 2007 01:01:40 +1100</pubDate>
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      <title>ARC Atlantic Rally - Mulle Mulle</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,76,76#msg-76</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Mulle Mulle is a Hanse 540e owned by Australian Hans Peterson, that has just completed the ARC Atlantic Rally. You can also view some photos of their trip at http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/html_pages/index.php?page=forum_mulle.inc

St Lucia

 

Hi

 

We have arrived to St Lucia after 16 days and a couple of hours. We are very happy with or time and sail. The four of us really had a great time together. And time went so fast. With watches, sleep, eating &amp; cleaning the boat etc the days just disappeared. We also did some fishing we got a tuna that gave us food for several days and then Oskar got a Mahi Mahi and a couple of days later he got a 1.5 meter Marlin. We had it up to the boat. We lost the gaff a couple of days earlier and we had so much food left so we cut the line. Oskar worked for 20 minutes with the rod we had a 50 pound line with a large octopus leeward. His arm was very sore after. 

Johanna took my stitches the 5 of Dec. Had two stiff drinks first.

We left Las Palmas the 25 Nov with 20-30 N/NE the first couple of days once south of the island we more or less followed the rhumb line to St Lucia. We left 28.10 North and 15.13 West and 3000 nm later we arrive in 14.04 North and 60.56 West in St Lucia. The water is 29 degrees and air temp is even more. We didn’t get proper trade winds but we had N/NE to start with and later E/SE and all the time between 10-30 knots. We went through quite a few squalls and most of them went well. Last night at sea we went through one more but that one was a bit different. I and Oskar were asleep Johanna and Susanne where at the helm. They were flying along at 10-11 knots with the wind in at 60 degrees and 15-20 knots of breeze with full sails. They saw the squall on the radar but thought that we can just sail through like the others. The wind changed 180 degrees and increased to 40-50 knots in 20 seconds. We had a boom preventer that saved us from an accidental jibe but we broke a block and had a tear in the loft line of the main. Talking to other boats here in St Lucia I think we escape with not too much damage.

Overall I think this is one of the best things we all done in a very long time. The feeling of achievement when we saw main land after 16 days and arriving in Rodney Bay and being greeted on the jetty with fruit basket with Rum bottles in them and Rum punchs is something we will remember for a very long time.

If you ever get the opportunity to participate in one of this Ocean Rally’s (it’s not a race) jump on it is fantastic. 

Sending some photos but it is very hard to capture the ambience that is here and all the stories in the bars.

 

Cheers Hans]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,76,76#msg-76</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:27:08 +1100</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>ARC Atlantic Rally - Anteater Blues Update 4</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,75,75#msg-75</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Hi Peoples
 
Well we are here, arrived Tuesday night after a fairly torrid day &amp; night before.  We were 2nd over the line in our Division only by less than an hour or so, and are proud of how we did.  We were caught in what they are calling a microcell the last night out, which was some sort of effect from a cyclone forming off Costa Rica (Olga).  Was very strange with the wind swinging 360 degrees and us unable to sail out of the centre of the thing!  We were like its magnet for hours on end. Lost time and nece line honours, but Gigi deserved their win absolutely.  We truely believe they outsailed us as a group, as they kept kites up all night and pushed constantly, where we had a couple of slacker days.
 
Was a fantastic experience crossing the Atlantic in race mode!!!!  Everyone on board is terrific and very happy to be here (not sure how they really felt yesterday morning about being happy though).
 
As you can imagine by my comment above, Tuesday night was very celebratory, and yesterday was spent recovering and cleaning up the boat.  We have a bit of damage, crinkled the boom the last night, and a bit of spreader has broken off.  Josh is up investigating as I keyboard.
 
Will send a newsy email soon, as much to do at present as we need everything wanted here to be ascertained and ready to order by tonight so we don't miss Friday despatch from Australia.  Want to be out of Rodney Bay and moving southward by Wednesday.
 
Take care, thanks for following our voyage.  Please send any further emails to our personal email addresses, as we won't use Shannon's as a forwarding agent until we are next on the satellite system.
 
Cheers
 
Robbie, Phil, Ian, Tony, Josh &amp; Alistair
The Anteater Blues Team - Go The Blue!!]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,75,75#msg-75</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:12:17 +1100</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>ARC Atlantic Rally - Anteater Blues Update 3</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,74,74#msg-74</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Hi All

We are currently jybing as our wind is dyeing.  Position is 15 40 N  52 29 W and we have 499 n.miles to go which is a great reason to celebrate.   We are wallowing in no breeze, having sailed well through the night, and to the nw of us yachts are being hit by ferocious storms and squalls with some reporting 45 knots over the deck with gusts to 56.  Our strongest wind was consistently the night before last of 30 with gusts to 35 -38.  All are well, the boat has had no damage, and we are frolicking (well wallowing at present) to the finish line. 

It is now Day 14 and life has taken on some sort of weird rituals and routine.  We are working on UST so 8.00 am is about 2.00 am in the timezone we are in, and life evolves on from that moment.  Its when we report to the weatherman. 

Looking back over the last 10 days it is hard to remember what happened when, and email writing has not been the top of our list.  I am going to copy below for those who are interested our daily morning and night reports to Bruce the Weatherman, which wll give some insites into what has happened each day. 

We are heading back north to try and catch some wind lines and keep ourselves in the race without putting ourselves into the squalls.  We see a boat on the horizon running a spinnaker so we have made the great assumption that it is Combat, so the racing gloves are on and we are strategising (another word for bullshitting) our tactics. 

Hoping to arrive St Lucia Tuesday, all going well.  Happy Sailing 

8.12.07

0800

The night is dark but the heavens are alive with a multitude of stars..  Very few clouds around, There has been some squall activity around, and we've reefed a few times through the night but nothing too severe. 

We have torn the f/n damaged blue kite again - not happy given brand new UK Halsey one -  (f'n Chinese goods) - so wll never use them again - and it was same price as made in Australia one - so at dawn up with the purple and hold it as long as we can.  Two boats lights have arrived on our horizon tonight, so looks like company into St Lucia.   Don't know who they are.

 

7.12.07

2000

Had a good day up to 1200 today with 192 nm to St Lucia.  Everyone very tired, so have just sailed with yankee, staysail &amp; main, reefing as necessary as squalls come through. 

Today has been easier than last night (would need to be wouldn't it) but there are occassional big thunderheads around.  Fortunately we have not been clobbered full force.
 

0800

Its 0800 utc and the night is dark and stormy.  Lots of clouds around, dark and high as well as on horizon but can't really describe then accurately as cannot see them.

A very large &amp; stormy weather system.  Have had line squall after line squall coming through, so have been put through our paces.  All the men and boys are rather exhausted and we all have had very little sleelp.   But that is sailing!  On On as they say. 

6.12

2000 

Have had a good day, fair winds and breeze, no squalls or weather or holes.  Have had the large purple spinnaker up all day.  Still thinking about tonight!

Sun is just starting to sink into sky.  We are having curried chicken for dinner with rice, potatoes &amp; peas.

Gigi is level with St Lucia at todays reporting, so must now turn right.  We are making as many things up about each other when one is off watch, you wouldn't believe the heinous crimes and misdeeds we are all committing.  Friends beware!!  

We saw a double rainbowone this mornng.  Why are the colours opposite?  I say because it is a mirror image, Josh has a theory about physics and such like.
 

0800

Well it is getting later earlier and earlier now.  We had a reasonable night, the wind has sat around 16-20 knots, with the odd surge to 22-24 but nothing stronger.

It is stll dark, there are a few clouds around and lots of bright stars. The sun hasn't made an appearance yet.  We are waiting for our dawn shower, but only a few spits on us to date.  

We are hoping for a good day and hope to have picked up the bit of ground we lost to noon yesterday when the last skeds came in.  Can't compare to cruising boats now as they are all starting to use their motors, and really we are only interested in Combat, GiGi and Rosinante (it is so far behind we can't calculate what it might do, just doing extremely well on handicap.  Can only hope they park.)   Just keep on keeping on as the saying goes!
 

5.12

2000

Well our 10th day at sea, and I think we are all starting to get a bit tired.  Lost a bit of ground yesterday, we parked longer than anybody else obviously.  3rd over the line, but Rozinante has a killer handicap and could easily win being 6th over the line.  But then that's IRC racing.   Still not many miles in it between the 3 leading boats and 1000 miles to go, so is anybodies race.  We are in there trying which is the best we can do.  We are just jibing as I type this and the sun is setting. 

Today we eat the last of our fresh vegetables, tomato with breakfast and cabbage with black bean beef &amp; noodles for dinner.  Still have some fruit and a couple of avocadoes, but tomorrow it is to the tinned vegetables. Great incentive to get there fast I think. 

 We had to get the kite (broken &amp; home mended one) in a few hours ago, as a line squall with a water spout was heading straight for us, and every time this afternoon we tried to put it back up the breeze picked back up to above what we thought was its new limit.  as held so far, but Josh is worried that its cut with stess points in wrong position (Chinese kites - who would do it?  No using HL again) Buggar!! 

0800

Its another cloudy morning in the mid Atlantic.  We started moving last night around 2000 and the winds have been reasonably consistant, with a couple of squally patches.  We are heading NW at present, not ideal but the best we can do. 

No2 less than 10 miles between the 3 lead boats in our division we suddenly are highly competitive as we can perceive the possibility of a close finish to this race.  We have consistantly built up miles each day and at noon yesterday were very close to 2nd.  We are 3rd overall, and by our calculations 4th on handicap still, so we are after a place obviously now!  V. exciting.   

4.12

2000

We have had a lovely day bobbing around the no breeze dead calm mid Atlantic, going back and forth where we have already been.  Can only hope everyone else is in the same situation and we haven't lost too much time on our competition.  Passed the 1/2 way mark, anything can stlll happen.  Just shows you never can tell.  We had our 1/2 way celebration of roast lamb &amp; champagne, so just as well the breeze is v. light.  Mind you wouldn't have gotten into the champagne if we had any sort of breeze.  And it did taste yummy!!

Tonight looks to be much of the same, although in the last 15 minutes a breeze has started to come in and we are moving again, so there is some hope Horatio!
 

0800

All on board are well. A reasonably light night ghosting along average speed of about 6 - 7 knots with yankee, staysail &amp; full main.  Very pleasant.   Have just put up code zero overnight was too tight.

Of the 3 boats we are competing for with Combat is nearby (a Beneteau 40.7), the Rozinante is about 100 miles behind on similar latitude (and with a fabulous handicap but sailing in a different weather zone) &amp; Rozinante is 100 miles south of similar longitude (also different weather pattern).  Should make for an interesting finish.  On our reckoning we are 2nd or 3rd line honours, and 4th on handicap.

 

3.12

2000

Tony is wearing a clean white shirt, he definitely has scrubbed up the best today.  Read the riot act and made all shower, whether they needed it or not!  We didn't catch a fish and we nearly ran into a wave buoy around 9.00 am this morning mid Atlantic.  Passed 20 metres to port of us.  We have all been wondering if it was the half way point (alas the chart tells us it is not so) there to cheer us on? Half Way - Hoorah!! Not yet unfortunately.!  Josh wants to know how they anchor a wave buoy in 4000 metres of water, we are all saying with 4001 metres of chain but he has all sorts of other theories? 

 

0800

Last night's sailing was superb - reaching in 10-12 k doing 8+ k.  FRED at the helm.

We have had three consecutive days where the log has recorded more than 200 nm through the water.


2.12

2000

A weird day with wind all over the shot, and we had a spinnaker split at two seams in 18 knots which was most unexpected given it is meant to hold to 30, and is brand new from Halsey Lithgard.  (After ordered found out they manufacture in China - wouldn't have ordered it if the had disclosed that earlier)  We are suspecting a manufacturing fault, but no help to us now.  We have repaired with tape &amp; stitching and are hoping we can nurse it through as it is our only kite good for over 22 knots.

Have just put it up again for the night as is a little too strong for the other.

 

0800

We ordered peking duck but it didn't arrive. The chinese delivery man obviously couldn't find us! 

Its been a good night and the breeze has swung markedly in the last 1/2 hour around the compass but seems to have settled this last 5 minutes on around 90 degrees.

 

1.12

2000

Friday night at Disco Ant was a bit of a fizzer initially but heated up to a frantic pace in the early hours.  We are looking forward to further fun tonight.  

Had another a good day, consistant wind all day but gusting just a little high for spinnaker work, so yankee, staysail and 1 reef in main. 

0800

We gybed the boat around midnight as were putting too much west in the course, and are now 20 miles south of our rhumb line.

 

30.11 

2000 UST

We are all excited about our Friday night at Disco Ant.  All dressing accordingly in the height of Atlantic fashion 

Another great day, spinnaker running all day.  No crashes today or races to take down the spinnaker.  Is freshening this last hour so have put up yankee &amp; staysal for the night.  No drama at dinner time tonight and I managed a first at sea, cooked a roast beef &amp; roast potatoes with salad.  

 

0800 UST 

A good night and the boat and crew all behaved well.  Wind was consistant with the occasional fall away to less than 15. 

Position 25 45.2N   28 32.2 W

 

 

Cheers to Everyone

 

Robbie, Phil, Josh, Al, Tony &amp; Ian

We're doing those Anteater Blues Rolls.]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,74,74#msg-74</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:23:04 +1100</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>ARC Atlantic Rally - Anteater Blues Update 2</title>
      <link>http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,72,72#msg-72</link>
      <author>Forum Admin</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Hi All

Well it is now Day 4 and we are settling in well.  We have had some tense moments, some hilarious moments, some major stuff-ups and things are now starting to fall into place well.  Josh &amp; Alistair are running the boat as sailing masters and doing a brilliant job.  Our 7th hand is Fred the auto pilot.  At present he is a friendly reliable electronic device, although yesterday when he caused the spinnaker wrap - the person on the sheet is taking no responsibility - he was the other type of Fred.  Our 8th hand is the invaluable crystal ball known as Bruce the Weatherman. 

Surprisingly you can't take a brand new boat, put brand new sails on it, take it on 1 test sail with a crew that hasn't sailed together for 3 years and perform perfectly.  In our dreams we did, but reality bites of course.  And racing is very different to the cruising Phil and I have done this last 12 months with just the 2 of us running the boat.  Our spacious boat is now full of gear, food and bodies, not the sparce and beautifully modern bedsitter we've been use to. 

Last night was excellent, we ran until 3 or 4 this morning when we dropped the spinnaker as it was up to 20 + knots and ran until daylight.  First night without parking which was a definite plus.  As the wind dropped this morning, up went the blue spinnaker which is still going well.  We are all happy and feel like as a team it is molding together.  We all slept reasonably well last night and are happy with the last 24 hours.  We have been paralleling a boat for the last 20 hours so will be keen to know who it is when we get the position report later tonight. 

First night was sprightly with winds in the 30 knot range, and then sailing totally into a hole and parking for several hours.  2nd day we had some spinnaker dramas as we tried each one out, and sort to establish their parameters in what breezes and how they performed to polars (design criteria of the hull to angles &amp; wind speed for the uninitiated).  

Phil did our first crash under the smaller blue spinnaker day 2, so we had to get it down in a hurry, at night of course.  Was actually not his fault (but we aren't telling him that) as we pulled one of the factory fitted brace fittings right out of the deck.  We were all stuffed and tired that night so sailed under headsail &amp; main until we could assess the damage and devise a strategy to deal with it.  Same day we also had a problem with the lewmar wheel, with the welds in the hub breaking.  Al our practical guru with engineer Ian's advice, did a running repair, and we suspect the other wheel is going the same way as it is getting very sloppy.  Another super Al fixit  &amp; advisor Ian job to be undertaken at some stage.

Ian has the highest speed on the clock - much to Al, Josh &amp; Phil's trying to discredit him - on 15.8 knots.  He only saw recorded 15.7 on the log, and the log shows 15.8, so each of the other 3 are trying to claim the highest speed is theirs.  Tony and I as adjudicators have decided it is definitely Ian's prize at this stage.

Third night the breeze rose from 15 knots to 25 knots in 5 minutes flat, then as soon as we had the spinnaker down, decided to drop away to 5 - 8 knots, so once again we were parked for a few hours in the early hours of the morning. Yesterday's drama was a wrap of the spinnaker around the forestay.  Al won hero of the trip with a quick ride up the mast in the climging harness to free it in 25 knots with a squall approaching.  We saved the spinnaker and managed to get Al down in tack, with Josh holding the helm very steady and unflappably during the exercise.  The prize for stupid statement went to Robbie, who casually looking up through the forward head hatch, went back and said &quot;hey guys, you do realise there's rather a big wrap around the forestay of the spinnaker don;t you&quot;.  I won't repeat what they said to me, but my little sensibilities were rather injured. 

While provisioning we stocked up on bimbo bread &amp; muffins and bonka coffee, so Tony promptly decided all were happy with breakfast now they can have a bimbo and bonka.  I'm not so happy, as bimbo's have no appeal to me at all!  Tony has to get the prize for domestic blindness as last night while I'm juggling the microwave, frypan, salad bowl and scraps basket the boat does a roll and I'm arms, legs, body &amp; other parts keeping everything on the port side, he looks up at my scream for help, glances in my direction and casually goes back to reading his book.  Ian raced down the hatch to the rescue, body bouncing the salad falling back onto the bench.  I'm sure it would be a brilliant move in some type of football code. 

Meals have been very healthy, we bought on masses of fresh fruit which we are eating our way through and meals to date have been lasagne, prawn risotto, beef stew &amp; mash &amp; Chicken, mushrooms &amp; chinese noodles.

The beef stew wasn't a great success as the wind suddenly came up with our largest spinnaker up &amp; we were broaching, 2nd crash to Josh, and all the food got dumped in the sink as it was all hands on deck for 1/2 hour of excitement.

First thing overboard was the scissors in dock in Gran Canaria prior to leaving when Tony dropped the scissors.  So there he was running around the chandleries 2 hours prior to race start looking for a new pair.  We have the tiniest boat scissors in existance, but at least we can cut sailcloth when needed. 

Phil earned the title today of YMB.  His day to be Yacht Mother's Assistant, but Josh has renamed him as he'd just come off watch, just got to sleep, and he was rained on by an open hatch, then splattered with water as Phil cleaned the cockpit, then he was rumbled in bed as Phil got out the vacuum and the whirring of the cleaner started.  Ian was up in a shot also, thinking what noise is that, what's gone wrong with the boat, very strange noise.

We'd love to hear from anyone, so send any replied to Shannon.  Keep them brief &amp; no attachments and be aware that anything coming in is completely open to all including Shannon, me &amp; whoever happens to read the emails.
 

Cheers to Everyone 

Robbie, Phil, Josh, Al, Tony &amp; Ian

We're doing those Anteater Blues Rolls.]]></description>
      <category>Cruising Info and Stories</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.hansedownunder.com.au/forum/read.php?12,72,72#msg-72</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 01 Dec 2007 08:31:57 +1100</pubDate>
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