Well it is here, the long awaited sailing course that Lincoln and Don have signed up for. Don took an Introduction to Sailing Course last weekend, and is now willing to give this next course a try. It is a Competent Crew Course and is being help in Newport, which is an hour away from Sydney via bus. They will be sleeping on the boat Saturday evening, so sleeping bags had to be located and purchased. Lincoln left the apartment at 7.15 am to meet Don at the bus depot, as they had to be at the marina at 9.00am. The bus was leaving around 7.45am.Saturday morning saw them get on the sailboat (Beneteau 43) and become familiar with all its running gear. They then left the marina, which was at Crystal Bay, to the open waters of Broken Bay. It is here that they were instructed on how to raise the sails, which they did and then proceeded to sail further into the Bay and across the inner side of the Heads, under the direction of the instructor with each one of them getting a turn at the helm. More familiarization was then given on tacking the yacht and the proper use of the winches. They attemped to sail around Lion Island, (the island contains the largest population of little penguins in the Sydney area and is free of feral cats and foxes. It is listed in the Register of the National Estate as a breeding habitat for shearwaters and little penguins), but the wind had become non existent so they proceeded to use the diesel to continue their journey further up Pittwater. Here a quiet anchorage was found for lunch and everyone quickly ate two large sandwiches each after the hard work of the morning. After lunch the wind had picked up and off they went sailing again with a different group raising the sails and everyone again had a turn at the helm while they sailed further up Pittwater. The day concluded with trying to find an anchorage as every bay they went into had boats on all the moorings. They finally found one in Castle Lagoon with three houseboats. The beer was then broken out and a good drink
was enjoyed by all in preparation for dinner. They were off to a good start when they dropped the meat pies behind the stove and had to figure out how to retrieve them without making a complete mess of them. They were shovelled out with a paint scraper that was in use as a spatula for the frying panI also understand that Lincoln got stuck in the bosun's chair (Sunday Morning) when the winch became tangled and they could not get him down for a little bit. The winch had to be completely disassembled to free the rope. After the rope was freed Lincoln was lowered down and then had to assist in
the repair of the winch as everyone seemed to be at a loss on how to reassemble it. Once this was repaired they then hoisted the two remaining people up in the bosun's chair (30 feet up the mast). After this exciting event they set sail again, from Cottage Point, for their lunch stop, which was at Refuge Bay, and more sandwiches were again devoured. They then all practised docking the yacht under power at the trash barge moored in the middle of the bay as this was a major anchorage for people visiting Pittwater. From there they set off on their way back to the marina practising their new found sailing skills. Sailing into the harbour was a challenge as all the boats were making their way in at the same time, it was a good lesson on which vessel has the right of way. The point of departure was located and once again they docked successfully.
the repair of the winch as everyone seemed to be at a loss on how to reassemble it. Once this was repaired they then hoisted the two remaining people up in the bosun's chair (30 feet up the mast). After this exciting event they set sail again, from Cottage Point, for their lunch stop, which was at Refuge Bay, and more sandwiches were again devoured. They then all practised docking the yacht under power at the trash barge moored in the middle of the bay as this was a major anchorage for people visiting Pittwater. From there they set off on their way back to the marina practising their new found sailing skills. Sailing into the harbour was a challenge as all the boats were making their way in at the same time, it was a good lesson on which vessel has the right of way. The point of departure was located and once again they docked successfully.
Lincoln arrived home at 7.00pm Sunday night, exhausted, but having passed the course and ready to take the next one which is navigation. He is working towards his certification which will enable him to take out a 200 ton boat, 50 miles offshore. Lincoln is the avid sailor, while I love looking at the water and being close to it, but definitely not in or on it. Although I must admit that
I quite enjoy the many ferry rides we take in the harbour. Can't go anywhere in a hurry unless you get on the ferries. The rides are anywhere from 10 mins to 1 hour. The ferry shown is the larger Manly Ferry.While Lincoln and Don took this course I did my usual thing of walking in the city and wandering up and down new streets and taking in the sights.
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