Sailing Erica

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Time to Sail Home - January 2011

In early 2011 we prepared Erica to sail southwards from Sydney for the first time, heading home to Adelaide with owner/skipper Phil at the helm. Peta decided to fly home because the sail from Mackay to Sydney had been extremely rough in the lead up to the 2010-11 "Summer of Storms" in Queensland. The sail home was meant to be a "Boys own" adventure, with Michael and Denis joining the crew in Sydney, and what an adventure it became. We departed the CYCA Rushcutters Bay on 12 January 2011 at 0710hours, and arrived RSAYS Outer Harbour, Port Adelaide on 27 January 2011 at 1215hours. Along the way we had an extended stay in Lakes Entrance, Victoria, while Phil travelled by car to Melbourne for a funeral. After that short break, we continued homewards. The weather for this entire delivery trip varied between rough seas/no wind, rough sea/gale conditions, calm sea/fog and occasionally, some really great sailing conditions with dolphins dancing at the bow...

Very bleak day departing Sydney

Weather improved part of day one!

Finished the day with head winds and rain entering Jervis Bay at dusk

Life at Sea on way to Eden

Fog at Gabo Island - Visibility 100 metres

Sleepy Crew on last night before Lakes Entrance

Time to Sail Home - Jan 2011 - Part 2

Lakes Entrance a welcome stop when needing to get to Melbourne by car

Magic Dolphins in Base Strait

Refuge Cove - Little did they know what lay ahead!

Exiting Refuge Cove - This doesn't look good!

Wilsons Promontory in 35 Knots with Dolphin and other yacht

Surfing around the Prom - I think we are having fun?

Beautiful Port Fairy

Time to Sail Home - Jan 2011 - Part 3

Crew looking for Take Out Dinner in Robe

Last Sunset at Sea - Off the Coorong

Last Sunrise running up St Vincents Gulf - I am tired!

The Skipper had a good sleep in a warm Bed!

The Crew - Phil, Mike & Den - Sun out and sailing

Safe in Outer Harbour - Adelaide

Tied Up, Buggered and enjoying Hot Chips and a Beer!

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Erica Crew at Start of Sydney Hobart 2010

The last time Phil was at the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race was in 1981 when he was a crew member on SA competitor Adria. In 1981 there were 159 starters and even though he finished near the end of the fleet it was a fantastic experience with a magnificent spinnaker start that year. So to be back in 2010 and to see up close the changes in technology and being in the middle of the action was a highlight for all Erica's crew. Sadly Erica wasn't there but the crew enjoyed the luxury and vantage point on a very large luxury ferry which was allowed onto the race course in the Harbour.

The weather started wet and overcast but we were happy to be there catching up with our friend Kingsley doing his 28th Hobart on Chutzpah and with 3 SA yachts competing. Last years winner was from SA - Two True and regular competitor Secret Mens Business and new boat Shinning Sea. As we do this post Secret Mens Business has been announced the provisional 2010 winner so GO South Australia!

We are loving our stay in Sydney so Enjoy as we are...

Brollies and Jackets before the start

Kinglsey relaxed before his 28th Hobart

Phil on Chutzpah a 40 footer

Secret Mens Business leaves the marina

Wild Thing's tight start at our end

This was up close and exciting

Wild Oats powers off the windward side

Living Doll with man up mast early after start

Living Doll off and racing

Secret Mens getting gassed at the Heads

Phil really enjoying the action from a different vantage point

Say No More Crew in the Action

SA hope for a win Two True

SA new hope Shinning Sea going out the Heads

Sue capturing the action

Original Fisherman's squatter huts near Sydney Heads

The very happy Erica Crew on the Harbour

The best way to finish a fantastic day with the sun shinning!

Family Christmas in Sydney - December 2010

It has been fantastic to have Amy, Greg and Chris (sadly Nicole was working) fly into Sydney to share part of Christmas together. It was great fun touring around this fabulous harbour taking photo's in and around the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We enjoyed a delicious roast turkey dinner under the stars (yes good weather at last) in our marina at Birkenhead point. Then sadly after farewelling Chris off back to Adelaide on Christmas morning we enjoyed a very sunny Christmas Day at anchor in Rose Bay before finishing off with a brisk sail back under the harbour bridge. Enjoy as we certainly are...

We just love this Bridge