I had done a lot of racing and coastal sailing, but not for a good few years. I wanted a different experience to sail off shore to see what it was like. The trip out to Elizabeth Reef and Lord Howe island and down to Hobart was a 14 day expedition opportunity not to be missed.

After 12 hours of seasickness I got my sea legs and have been fine since through some pretty rough weather. The leg out to Elizabeth reef was relatively uneventful with, it seeming, we were the only ones on the ocean. Arriving at Elizabeth Reef and seeing the first signs of breaking water in the middle of the ocean was a surprise and one that has caught out a few vessels in the past.

There was a large sand cay on the north end however we continued around the east and anchored in the main entrance to the reef. We were welcomed by several turtles and a number of Galapagos sharks (up to 20).

Some adjustments were made to the mast (that was resettled a few days earlier) by Jason from the bosuns chair and then some of us got to go up the mast for a look over the reef from 70 feet up. We manage a short walk (30 feet) around a nearby small sand cay at low tide, and it all felt very remote - not another vessel in sight.
Leaving Elizabeth Reef we sailed south downwind during the night with a building wind and hand helming (rather than autohelm) due to the rudder angles. We arrived at Lord Howe Island in the mid morning in a strong northerly and tucked in through the reef into the western lagoon. Rain and strong wind bullets all day and into the evening but a great meal ashore was had (thanks David). The next day the Sun came out and treated us to a fabulous day on the Island.

We were forced to stay overnight as the harbour master / police man would not allow us to leave the lagoon between sunset and sunrise.

The next morning we left at high tide and sailed out, heading towards Hobart, passing by the stone megalith of Ball’s Pyramid - a dramatic stone sculpture.

Motor sailing was the main propulsion for the first 48 hours as we headed towards an amended stop in Eden as B crew on deck with their motto “Boring is good” they were not keen on the uplifting wind and sea state!

We had a 24 hour period of strong winds and close hauled sailing which tested the crew with lack of sleep. The sight of lights on land and the last run into Eden and sheltered calm water was welcome.

Time to recoupe and refuel via the Jerry cans and a wet trip for Gerrit and Jason with some very strong bullets of wind. Did I not mention that since putting the mast back on in Southport we had had no wind instruments.

After a rest we set off at 8:00pm to start the trip across Bass Strait (without wind instruments) with some lovely sailing down the Green Cape. Then started a very slow and windy 15 hours of tacking into a building southwesterly on the nose - slow progress.

Morning brought winds lightening and backing to the north with us jibing down wind. The afternoon brought a building northerly with the wind on the quarter of up to 25 knots and SOG of 12.07 knots - champagne sailing. Dolphins and albatross were a regular feature as well as the occasional sunfish. In fact the whole trip we had been accompanied by birds, with one blue footed booby spending the night on the coach roof before leaving in the morning. When the sky’s were clear the stars have been amazing with the moon rising progressively later and getting smaller, to be a sliver.

We got bashed on our way to close the coast of Tasmania and chose to anchor in Wine Glass Bay with a solid 5 hours of 30+ knots hampering our progress (and a motor that kept getting clogged fuel filters).

Jason and Iain kept us safe and got us to anchor at 4am. Calm water but whistling rigging in the gusts.

We had reached the coast of Tasmania and protected waters on the east coast.
A short 7 hour motor sail from Wine Glass Bay, passing through Schouten Passage, on our way to Triabunna was calm and straight forward (but with a filter change again (no. 6). Fish and chips in Triabunna and more fuel before spending the night at the dock. Off this morning to Fortescue Bay before a short wait for the weather to get around Tasman Island and the last run into Hobart.

Why did I do it - I wanted to test myself and get to remote locations by boat that few people would have been to (Elizabeth Reef). I wanted to see Lord Howe Island (and will be back but in a plane). I wanted to see what 4 days and nights continuously at sea would be like with no stops and no way to get off. I have done all these things now.

Would I do it again ? - honestly probably not further than 20 miles from shore or below 31 degrees south offshore. I think coastal cruising will suit me better with an anchorage each night and a horizontal galley. It’s be fun sharing the adventure (wind, rain, swell and waves) with the crew of Silver Fern.