As of this time last week, the 4 boats remaining on the annual Bass Strait Cruise (Chakana, Aquacadabra, Kirra Kirra and Umbra Luna) were had anchored in Dark Hollow, just north of Beauty Point in the West Arm of the Tamar where they remained for the next 2 nights. A visit into Beauty Point by all discovered an excellent local bakery selling lovely scallop pies, vanilla slices and great coffee. The annual Cruisers bocce championship was held and won by Kirra Kirra. On the last evening In Dak Hollow, Y Knot arrived, having sailed in from Croppies Beach on her circumnavigation of Tasmania, and joined the fleet for group sundowners – 12 sailors in all.
At 0630 hrs last Wednesday morning, the four boats of the cruise fleet headed across Bass Strait for Port Phillip, 200 nM NW from Dark Hollow. The winds did not kick in as predicted and a light SE zephyr going S and SW meant motor-sailing a fair part of the way, interspersed with an enjoyable excellent beam reach in SW 14-17 Kts, from dusk to 3am on Thursday. The otherwise lack of wind meant the sea state was calm for Bass Strait, with swells of 2-3 metres on occasion.
The fleet entered the heads at 1500 hrs and stopped overnight at QCYC for long showers and a very social debrief. A great cruise in favourable weather!
Our Guest Speaker Dinner program will recommence for 2025 on Friday March 21st, when Dan Lyon (aka Diver Dan) will let us into the secrets below the waterline with “Diver Dan’s Brighton Below the Sea”. Book now with reception for an illuminating evening.
In April, we are pleased to bring you Greg Clinnick, who will talk about Another Chapter’s 2024 Sydney to Hobart campaign. This Guest Speaker Dinner will be held on Friday 11th April and promises to be an informative and entertaining evening (this is a week earlier than usual, due to the usual “3rd Friday of the month” being Easter Good Friday).
Looking further out, in May, on Friday the 16th, we have the pleasure of John Rundell talking about this year’s Wooden Boat Festival, along with Why Knot’s voyage down to Hobart to participate in the event.