'China Girl' sailing adventures

by Bluewater Cruising Yachts on 3 Jul 2017 'China Girl' was launched in July 2015 for a family of four. She is a three cabin layout with forward king sized bed, twin heads, B&G electronics, Finscan touch screen technology (which the kids can operate better than the parents!), four TVs, internet, heater, washing machine, workshop, fridge/freezer with extra drawer fridge, wine storage, liquor cabinet, lithium battery to run all the house / electronics, 600 lt of diesel, 1400 lts of water, good storage, etc. (all the inside comforts of home) onboard water. Our 'home away from home'.

Outside is just as good. The hard dodger offering an indoor / outdoor room experience, 3.1m Walker Bay centre console dinghy with a Honda 20hp outboard to push us along nicely (even for extended dinghy trips), all housed on the stern arch (even though on this version it had to be beefed up to support all the toys!). Exterior BBQ, two servery side tables to entertain, Eastport pram dinghy stowed up forward on deck which does not get in the way of the sailing when we are in port or anchored, and a 10'7' Red Stand Up paddle board with windsurfer kit for keeping fit and staying in shape. All the toys to keep us occupied.

For the first year we mainly focussed on familiarising ourselves with all the systems on the boat, and practicing our sailing skills on beautiful Lake Macquarie. This included setting up the sail lines and using the reefing system, using the staysail, launching the code zero, using the electronics and loading Navionics charts, autopilot setup, obtaining our boat licences, launching the dinghy with the 'big' 20 hp outboard, etc.

Small trips undertaken from Lake Macquarie were to Newcastle, Pittwater and Sydney which were all good shakedown cruises. As we were planning to travel north in May 2016 we set about getting all of our passage planing items such as charts, books, Stugeron seasick tablets, radio licences to operate the VHF and HF radios, internet plans, etc. And also the safety gear in order for the 'just in case' scenarios. This included liferaft, PFDs, EPIRB's, PLB's, harnesses, jackstays, man overboard recovery slings, bolt cutters, knives, torches, flares, etc and the list goes on.

Lake Macquarie to Whitsundays Return (May to December 2016)

We left Lake Macquarie on Saturday, 14 May 2016 always on a high tide out of Swansea Channel, and turned left and started heading up the coast. Fortunately, the forecast was for calm seas and light winds being mine and the kids first offshore voyage so easing us in was good. I think from memory the kids and I took a Stugeron seasick tablet (just in case) but probably more to ease the nerves. We had a good trip up. On the way we saw whales, dolphins, birds, cargo ships, fishing boats, lighthouses, beaches, beautiful coastal scenery, lots of blue water. In fact, being on the water on reflection is quite magical and does not in a way feel real. Lets face it, the perfect conditions we had were calm seas, light breeze, and sails up. Enjoying the wonders on the water with your loved ones... life does not get much better than this.

With the cockpit cushions in place made it very comfortable in the cockpit. With the clears rolled down when the sun went down we found the four of us still in the cockpit with pillows and light blankets out taking it in turn for rests through the night whilst someone was always on watch. We found sailing at night very comfortable, dry, warm and enjoyable. We enjoyed breakfast, morning and afternoon teas / snacks, lunches and dinner in the cockpit. Simple food was mostly consumed.

In the early hours of the second night I realised I was out too far in the East Australian Current (EAC), and on the screen saw a triangle (a cargo ship). At this stage I was still working out how to use the chartplotter, and on a steep learning curve. I woke David up sleeping in the cockpit. I told him there was a ship showing up on the screen but I could not physically see it. He got up rather groggily and took a look at the chartplotter. He could not believe I had awoken him. Even though he was still half asleep he was still in disbelief as the cargo ship was still 20 nm away! He laid back down and resumed his sleeping position. After more playing around with the chartplotter I managed to work out you could zoom in and out and see the distances and how close other ships were.

The most challenging thing I found was doing the 3.00 am to 5.30 am watch. I remember sitting behind the wheel in the cockpit trying to keep a lookout.

My eyes so heavy, and the head just dropping it felt like I was falling which woke me up again. I had to stand up, slap myself on the face, make a coffee and turn on the IPod for some loud music to keep me up. I was OK.

The music would get me through till 6.00 am when the sun started to rise. On Monday afternoon we had made Gold Coast Seaway and all onboard were happy.

We exhibited 'China Girl' at the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show which was a nice stopover, and where she was well received by visitors to the Show.

After the Show we made our way through the Broadwater again timing the high tide at Jacobs Well. Always fun going through the Broadwater, and we anchored at Peel Island. The kids enjoyed the walk along the beach, chasing the crabs, and David enjoyed another sail onboard 'China Rose' our Eastpram dinghy.

Next stop was Manly. We left our boat at the marina for four weeks and flew back home to attend to business, school and home duties.

This was how it was going to work for us. In between business, school and home we flew back and forth in school holidays at the most convenient times, and each time moving the boat further up the coast. From Brisbane to Scarborough Marina and Mooloolaba (to see other customers along the way).

Next challenge was the Wide Bay Bar. We had obtained the two new waypoints at the time and entered them into the chartplotter. Had a good crossing and eventually made our way to Hervey Bay Boat Harbour. Here we stayed for two weeks as it was school holiday time. We hired a car for a week, and enjoyed the sites. David even flew back home for one week to make sure everything back at the factory was all okay.

The next stops were Bundaberg, Pancake Creek, Roslyn Bay (Great Keppel Marina). We again flew back home for three weeks and returned one late night.

In the morning we planned on leaving for Mackay. The wind was probably forecast for about 25 knots which was a little stronger than I was used to but it was a southerly so behind us should be okay.

A challenging overnight sail was to be had. We both had not sailed this way before so it was all new territory for us. We left early in the morning 6am and had a good sail toward Island Head Creek. Then the decision had to be made to sail between Duke and Percy Islands (which is what we had originally intended) but as 5.00 pm drew closer Skipper David decided best to stay out in the shipping channel to avoid any obstacles such as an island (we've all heard the stories). We ended up going around the islands in the shipping channel.

By now the wind was blowing up to 25+ knots, and we had a problem with the autopilot steering settings, and the boom was gybing frequently. When the boat swung around and did a 180 degree turn it was totally disorientating in the dark, no moon out, no lighthouses, no ships. Not being able to see the waves made it more difficult. We just had to feel the motion of the boat and keep her riding the waves the best we could. Staying on course was a challenge. So here we found ourselves hand steering for about three hours with waves about 2.5 - 3m. It was great to see the sun come up again so we could tidy lines, sails, etc and get everything back under control.

We sailed past some of the anchored ships and made our way to Mackay Marina. Again, so good to get in safely to the marina when other yachties give you a hand with your lines is always a nice feeling, and them asking how did you go out there when you are looking and feeling quite exhausted. By now the wind was 30+ knots.

We were getting closer to our destination. We stayed for a week and hired the marina car to re-provision, and do some sight seeing / shopping. We also had the bottom cleaned so we could be as competitive as possible before heading to Hamilton Island Race Week.

Highlights of the trip included Whitehaven Beach, staying at Airlie Beach Marina and using the facilities especially the rock pool which the kids loved, seeing whales and dolphins numerous times, enjoying local produce and restaurants, experiencing beautiful scenery and walks, and always looking forward to coming back home after a day out exploring to our beautiful Bluewater 420 'China Girl'.

On our return trip from the Whitsundays commencing October 2016 we called back into some familiar ports but wanted to try and stop at some other new locations. This included anchoring off St Bees Island, this time came back overnight through Percys and Duke Island then making our way back down to Roslyn Bay (Great Keppel Island). At this time it was about 6am and we were in the shipping channel again, and the SW started to kick in earlier than we had expected so we were pushing into it moving about 3-4 knots but felt as though we were not making any ground. Waves were breaking over the boat so we beared away a few degrees to make it more comfortable pushing over the swell, and tried to sneak in behind North Keppel Island. After some five hours later we made it into Roslyn Bay. The weather had all calmed down again by then.

The other great stopover worth mentioning was a visit to Lady Musgrave Island. It took us about 8 hours from Pancake Creek. On the way we radioed up a cargo ship called 'Oriental Spirit' and had a quick chat to the Captain but I think he was trying to concentrate on getting into Gladstone Port and did not speak English that well. There were about 30 boats when we arrived.

We walked through the island with the sounds of nature surrounding us. We enjoyed the isolation, like being on a deserted island. In the morning when we woke the water was still as you can see by the photo. Coral as we were entering the channel was stunning.

Safely back at Mooloolaba Yacht Club we enjoyed a catch up dinner with three Bluewater owners. We called back into Manly Yacht Club and managed to get a one month berth next to another of our boats, our Bluewater 450M 'Charlie's Dream'. We left the boat here again for a month then flew back mid November 2016 to bring the boat back to Lake Macquarie. Before we left we managed a quick overnight trip to Peter and Virginia Lewis's beautiful home where the kids fed the cows, and got a small taste of what it would be like to work with animals and look after such a big property.

We set off back through the Broadwater then out the Gold Coast Seaway and was expecting a two day sail back. We were going well the first day and night then into the second day in the afternoon the wind suddenly eased then stopped for a few minutes. A group of flies which had been bothering us for the last few hours of the trip (inside and out) suddenly vanished, and all of a sudden we were hit with a 25 knot SW. We just happened to be off the heads of Port Stephens by now so thought it best to head in.

We got on the radio to the coast guard and asked about the conditions of the entrance and he advised another yacht had just made it in but to have a look for ourselves. Here we were again bashing into it. The change had again come in earlier than expected but the boat handled well. We beared off again just to give us a good motion over the waves. Big sprays over the boat again sometimes hitting the hard dodger windscreen. David had been into Port Stephens a few times so was familiar with the entrance. We pushed through and probably after 2-3 hours made it to D'Alboras Marina. Always good to finally tie up safe.

With work, school and time constraints we ended up leaving 'China Girl' here for a month. We bumped into two of our Bluewater builds here. The first being another one of our Bluewater 450M's 'Friday's Child', and our Bluewater 420 'Sabbatical II'. Both boats looking good!

Having the kids onboard still means they had to keep up with their school work, and interestingly enough they seem to have done better in their end of year school reports which is an encouraging sign. Many card games, boggle, concentration, DVD movies are watched and we try to sneak some educational ones in there. We recently watched Captain James Cook Expeditions and his adventures discovering the new world. This saw us join the Sydney Maritime Museum and a visit to climb onboard 'The Endeavour', and standing in The Great Cabin. We marveled at the bravery, skill and seamanship these sailors demonstrated (not always to their favour) and adventures they undertook which paved the way for us to travel with all the navigational aids and tools we have today. Truly amazing!

Therefore it seems that given the business, school, family and time constraints we have it appears a commitment to a part-time cruising lifestyle for us at the moment is in order.

'China Girl' had been away for seven months and it was so good to arrive back home again in Lake Macquarie until the next adventure!

Lake Macquarie to Hobart Return (January to April 2017)

'China Girl' adventuring to be continued in the Bluewater Newsletter next month - July 2017.

Hamilton Island Race Week 2016

After being invited by Andrew Robertson, an experienced, competitive sailor, and our new Bluewater 400 'Polaris II' owner to enter the Hamilton Island Race Week we thought it was a good idea to combine a few things, namely, the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show, cruising the Whitsundays, gaining some offshore experience as a family, and getting to know Andrew and Margaret better, as well test our skills and boats against one another.

We booked in another Bluewater owner, Wayne Reed whose Bluewater 400 'Leyla' was berthed at Airlie Beach Marina (not far from Hamilton Island) to help crew on 'China Girl'.

The facilities and organisation were excellent and there was plenty to do on the island for those that were not that keen to do all five races. Entry was $750.00 which included two weeks marina fees.

'China Girl' on Race 1 proved she was more than a match for her lighter sister 'Polaris II', and built a commanding lead almost all the way to the finish line when low and behold a rain squall came across the entrance to Dent Passage (finish line) not to mention a runaway yacht who could not pull in their spinnaker sailing up Whitsunday Passage whom we followed then realised too late that they were going the wrong way which left 'China Girl' suddenly missing the finishing line altogether, and battling the current to finish with now no wind.

Race 1 DNF (Did Not Finish) or Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory you might say.

Race 2 'China Girl' DNF due to light winds and against current. In fact, we were more concerned about the current taking us back to the start line until a slight wind puff enabled us to sail clear from the rocks.

Race 3 Called off due to not enough wind, however, it was an incredible sight to be amongst full on performance boats all still with wind under five knots then a whale swimming through the fleet followed by so many crews jumping in for a swim including us!

Due to the race being called off 'China Girl' and 'Polaris II' crew decided to rendevous at Whitehaven Beach to enjoy more swimming and scenery.

Race 4 'China Girl' did not start due to sorting out a shore power breaker issue.

Race 5 Forecast 25 knots from southerly direction gave us the best chance to redeem ourselves against 'Polaris II' and to finish on a positive result.

Started well as we had on all races winning the start against 'Polaris II' due to Wayne's positioning, and kept a slight lead to half way mark which was very exciting to be so close with the lead changing constantly. After which 'Polaris II' through her superior tactics reduced sail upwind which kept her pointing higher than 'China Girl' and finished some 15 minutes earlier than 'China Girl' over a three hour race.

Another thing we learned on this last race was to in the future turn off the forward sink seacock as due to healing with maximum sail up we took in approximately 200 lts of water which covered the toilet which to our amazement did not overflow into the forward cabin due to 160mm door sil height.

After pumping out with the shower sump pump during the race I immediately washed down everything with freshwater after the race, and so far pumps and washing machine have not faulted (touch wood).

All in all due to battling with light winds, currents, missing the finish line and taking on water we learnt a lot about our boat, humility, expectations and celebrating Andrew and Margaret's sailing of 'Polaris II'.

They finished 15 out of 30 in the Cruising Division four category, and were very happy with 'Polaris II' sailing performance.

Not really considering 'China Girl' as a racer, and with all the gear onboard which makes living aboard and cruising so comfortable we were pleased with her speed, however, need to work on our tactics and navigation.

And lastly, a big thank you has to go out to Wayne Reed for helping us sail 'China Girl' during the HIRW. There is no way we could have done it without him and we really appreciate his presence onboard, sharing his knowledge, teaching me and the kids about tying bowline and reef knots, the importance of checking the engine daily COBBLE, and playing UNO card game each night before bed. He made it fun for the kids with his sayings like 'if you've got an issue grab a tissue', or 'it could be worse you could have two broken legs', and lots of good, funny, stories he told about racing around the world in the Clipper Yacht Race 2011 (and winning it mind you!). Thank you again Wayne.

For more information visit www.bluewatercruisingyachts.com.