Delphian Travelling North 2007

In April, we decided to head north for 2007, to cruise the boat north ourselves with the aim of participating in Airlie Beach Race Week and then Hamilton Island Race Week in August.
Leg 1: Melbourne to Sydney
We left Melbourne eventually on 28 April in good weather, three-up, with our friend Tim Little on board heading directly for Eden. Weather was fine, some sailing but mostly motoring after we rounded Wilson’s Promontory. It was eerie but beautiful going through the oil rigs and we ran into heavy rain and saw a water spout off the Prom. Eden was a short stop to refuel, catch a few ZZZs and then we left for Sydney. We motored most of the way directly into a head wind up the coast. We arrived in Careel Bay and picked up a mooring at 3.30am on 3 May.
High points: the water spout and the lovely warmer nights spent on deck looking at the coastal towns as we travelled.
Safety points: We did a two hour watch one-up, wore a PFD and were always tethered to the boat at night.
Trip 2: Sydney to Brisbane
Departed Careel Bay on June 24 into lumpy seas, having missed the worst of the east coast lows which brought storms along the coast and grounded the Pasha Bulka at Newcastle. Along with Glenda and Anton Lindeman, our crew, we were praying for no more lows. Overnight at Port Stephens was lovely at Nelson Bay Marina and we explored the walks and the town. Having left Port Stephens heading for Coffs Harbour, we were expecting 15-25 knot winds and were looking forward to an overnight sail. What we encountered was 40 knots which blew up late at night and we were about 14 miles offshore. After taking a real beating under reefed sails, we were hit by a huge wave which filled the cockpit and caused the starter motor to turn on while the engine was running, consequently leaving us with no motor. Glenda was pitched out of bed and the microwave oven smashed to the floor. As we would have made Coffs in the dark next morning, we called Port Macquarie Coastal Patrol who agreed that we would be better being towed in there, despite the bar. We arrived safely under tow in Port Macquarie at 6pm just on dark, thanks to the very professional actions of the Coastal Patrol. After three days of repairs we were set to complete the trip to Coffs which was uneventful.
High points: Great entry at night into Coffs Harbour – well lit, but where were all the bananas? Could not buy one anywhere. Whales! Saw quite a few on way to Coffs,
Safety points: Reef down, keep a keen lookout, travel closer to the coast to miss the strong current, call for assistance when required.
Departed Coffs July 2 for Southport and spent two lovely days in idyllic conditions, surrounded by whales travelling up the coast. Wind 10-12 knots, seas calm. The genoa halyard broke in freshening winds so we pulled the genoa downstairs for the night and used the staysail. Running repairs conducted next morning after passing abeam of Cape Byron. As we were heading up along the Gold Coast in the early morning, we passed a Navy Minesweeper, so I texted my nephew Simon who responded that he was indeed on board en route to Sydney. Funny world:) Lovely weather as we entered Gold Coast seaway and tied up at the Southport Yacht Club for the night. Last leg was a wonderful trip to Manly, Brisbane up the Broadwater, where we had to navigate keenly to pick up the depths. Arrived at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Manly on 4 July where Bruce Kellermann greeted up warmly.
High points: Whales, whales and more whales. The Broadwater is wonderful cruising.
Safety points: Look out for whales:)
Trip 3: Brisbane to Airlie Beach
Left Manly, Brisbane on 23 July after lots of warm, much appreciated hospitality from Bruce. This leg we are joined by Tim and Doris Little who did the West Coast of Tassie with us last Christmas. After very chilly conditions in Brisbane, we headed straight for Mooloolaba across Moreton Bay, followed in the distance by the USS Kittyhawk. We tied up to a pontoon in one of the canals outside a house owned by a friend of Tim’s. As we cruised up the coast, we encountered amazing whales, stopping at Tin Can Bay, Gary’s Anchorage in the Great Sandy Strait which was magnificent and where we met with Garry Anderson and crew on Esprit from Sandy YC, We continued on to Ungower and Bundaberg where we called in on a friend of John’s and were givent the royal tour of the district. There were dolphins in the marina! Pancake Creek saw us bitten by sandflies, then onto Middle Percy Island where we visited the A-frame and identified momentos of skipper John's previous visits, a real treat. Mackay saw us enter the real cruising grounds with an anchorage at Newry Islands – a really beautiful spot. Goldsmith Is was windy but lovely and then we reached Airlie Beach.
Airlie Beach Race Week
Delphian lined up with six crew – Althea and Foxy, Doris and Tim, Cecilie and Skipper John for 6 races in the Cruising non-spinnaker division. The races took us around the islands of South Molle, Denman Is, Pioneer Bay and through many fast running tides and tricky conditions. Our theme song as we left the marina each day was “It’s a beautiful morning” by the Rascals which we danced to on deck as we headed out to the start line. In shorts and blue Delphian t-shirts, we had a ball in excellent conditions, some strong breezes, flat green water, whales and great tussles with boats like Lady Hawk and Fish Frenzy. Excellent organisation, amazing race courses, professional management of results and handicaps and fantastic entertainment each evening enabled us to make lots of friends and celebrate our efforts each day.
High points: Our starts were magnificent! Having the Fox on board as tactician was wonderful.
Safety points:
Hamilton Island Race Week
With 216 yachts entered, Delphian left the flotilla of rafted yachts each morning and headed out into Dent Passage. The first race we were not recorded as starting or finishing, along with half of the fleet, so tempers were on edge by late afternoon. What a balls-up for the organisers! We realised that we were the “gun boat” with the toughest handicap, despite being the oldest and heaviest in the division. Handicaps were a liability from the start and did not change unless you finished in the top three, an impossibility for most boats to improve. As the week went on, things did not improve in racing terms – timing mistakes plagued all classes and generally the organisation was much below par.
High points: Line honours in one of the races ahead of True Colours, a Bavaria 44, an incredible effort for a boat of our age and weight. Magnificent crewing!
Safety points: Watch out for whales:) and for people in light-weight boats who try to come down on top of you:)

Cruise down the West Coast of Tasmania

"West Coast of Tassie? You must be nuts! That's the roughest stretch of water on the planet!"
Yes, we know, but we just had to try it...after all John's grandfather used to captain steamships into Strahan on a regular run from Melbourne in the 1920s, and in the 1950s Cecilie's parents lived at Hells Gates, the entrance to Macquarie Harbour, so you can see there was no getting away from it - we just had to go there.
December 26th 2006, Delphian left Sandringham for QCYC before heading out into Bass Strait. Judy and Martin Greasley joined us as crew for the trip to Strahan. After leaving Queenscliff on 28th December, we made out way across Bass Strait in smooth seas and a nice little breeze, bound for Three Hummock Island where we anchored overnight in Windsock Bay after about 20 hours sailing.
Judy and Martin pictured at left with wild and woolly Bass Strait in the background.

Leaving Three Hummocks, we passed to the north of Hunter Island before heading south for Strahan. Around the far north-west of Tassie we encountered 25-30 knot north-easterlies on a confused sea. Delphian relished in the conditions reaching 10 knots with a reefed main and staysail.
As the breeze dropped off everyone had a steer and loved the conditions. Seas became more regular as we passed Cape Grim and the austere landscape of huge wind turbines. Smoke pinpointed many fires on the West Coast as we sailed past. The winds lightened during the night and the moon shone on a glorious sea as we motor-sailed down the coast, accompanied by pods of dolphins. Dawn saw us drifting around outside Cape Sorell waiting for first light to enter Macquarie Harbour through Hells Gates. The water was boiling with huge schools of bait fish in the early morning light. With charts, plotters and binoculars out, we made out way slowly towards Hells Gates, picking out Entrance Island, Bonnet Island and desperately trying to find the small leads on the surrounding headlands. Delphian glided slowly through the glassy water, past Dave and Marce's house on the headland overlooking Hells Gates and moved calmly up towards the Training Wall under Wellington Head.

We navigated the channel and the marks up to Strahan Harbour and were met by Peter Longhurst ('Cocky') who helped us tie up and then told us we could have the end berth when the big Wilderness Discovery cat went out for two nights. This friendly introduction to Strahan was typical of what we were to encounter throughout our stay there. Judy and Martin departed at Strahan, and were replaced by Doris and Tim Little, all from the Sandringham Yacht Club in Melbourne. Jo Murray and Nick Parrott also joined us for the trip down to Port Davey. It was an overnighter in pleasant conditions and we arrived at Port Davey in the early morning light.

We headed in past Breaksea Island and motored up past Schooners Cove and under Mt Rugby, passing incredibly beautiful scenery in such stillness. We had decided to anchor at Clayton's Corner where we would meet up with Magic the next day. We pumped up the rubber duck and motored up Melaleuca Inlet to where Deny King's home used to be. We visited the airstrip, the bird hide where counting for orange-bellied parrots was underway and walked around the small settlement. The Magic crew came over for a meal the next day, in 38 degree heat. The deck was so hot, one couldn't stand on it, so we all ended up in the water for a swim. Few people believe that we went swimming in Port Davey:) We also visited Government House where the Claytons used to live.

We headed off in company with Magic back to Strahan and had an uncomfortable night in 30-40 knot SW winds on a confused sea, and were very glad to head back inside Hells Gates the next morning at daybreak, with Magic.
A trip up the Gordon River took us the next day into truly beautiful wilderness country in misty light rain, as we made up way up the harbour to the river entrance. Graham, Leigh and Tom from Magic joined us on board for a spectacular trip. Entering the river at about 1.30pm, we motored slowly up the river, through deep holes (30 metres deep in places), up pst Butlers Gorge and tied up at St John's Falls where we walked up the track to see the Falls. We finally tied up across the river at Warners Landing, heading downsteam in an eddy for the most beautiful night's rest. Of course, a crayfish entree eas followed by a roast dinner with 6 vegetables and the mandatory bottles of fine wine:) A magnificent morning flowed into spectacular scenery as we made out way back down the Gordon in idyllic conditions. It was only when we arrived back in Strahan that we realised that we'd missed a huge storm in the harbour.

Westernport Cruise

In February 2006, Delphian joined 14 other cruising yachts to enjoy the pleasures of Westernport Bay, Victoria. The cruise was organised by Darrell Morrison, Commodore of the Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club and participants came from yacht clubs around Port Phillip Bay. It was a great opportunity to learn about tides in Westernport environment, with the first night spent at anchor at Flinders where a reception BBQ was hosted by the sailing club.
The cruise continued to HMAS Cerberus where the Commodore welcomed the yachts which rafted up against the wharf. Normally Cerberus is off limits to civilians, so it was a real treat to have a look around the base and to have dinner in the Officers' Mess. Getting in and out of there was interesting, as it has a huge tide fall and looks so different at high and low tides, bringing home the importance of following the correct marks.Hastings Marina was a further two night stop, with dinner organised in the local marina restaurant. Hastings is quite a big marina and staff there made us really welcome.
We moved up to Yaringa, a place that boats of Delphian's size would normally not consider, and it was rather disconcerting going in at low tide as you'll see from the photo. We managed to get into a pen without touching the bottom, although others ahead of us did. What a fantastic place - excellent restaurant which we really enjoyed and many other marine businesses tucked away behind the trees. As the channel is about 40ft wide and Delphian about 47ft long, we wondered how we would go getting out, but with the help of the marina staff and about an 8 point turn, springing off the piles either side, we managed it well.

A lay day back at Hastings brought wind and many put off the day sail to Rhyll, preferring to enjoy a few drinks on Delphian....quite a few people and quite a few drinks:) Wonderful stories and life experiences were swapped, many becoming larger than life as the night wore on.Delphian left Hastings and headed straight for Queenscliff, while many of the other yachts anchored for the night at Flinders. A most enjoyable cruise in company where many friends were made. The cruise was followed up a few months later with a reunion dinner at RYCV.

North Coast Cruise of Tasmania

Xmas in Melbourne is worth escaping, so on December 27th 2006, we packed up the boat and headed off on a cruise to the northern coast of Tasmania.There were 5 of us, John and Cec, Shane, Theresa and Emilie. We spent the first night at Queenscliffe before heading out through the Rip next morning at 11am slack water. This was to be one tide ahead of the Melbourne-Launceston yacht race. We knew we'd have company on the way down so we settled into the first day's sailing which was magnificent. About 11pm the wind increased, along with the seas, so we furled the heady, put up the inner staysail and furled in some of the main. As 40 knots and high seas hit us, we were snug and comfy, with the boat handling the passage on auto-helm. Skipper went to bed and in the wee hours, Theresa and I found ourselves alone on deck. Some people say they don't like night sailing, but if I can't see the swells and the wind, the better I like it. Delphian is a nice boat to be on in seas - the waves hit the high sides and only a few come high enough to run down your back inside your jackets:) We arrived at Beauty Point about 6.30pm the next evening after another good day's sailing, during which we didn't see one of the other race entries, although many of them had arrived ahead of us. Delphian was tied up to the public pontoon near the Wyuna, on which John's grandfather spent a good deal of time.

Three days later, we escaped the good fun, humour and imbibing with the yachties and left for Devonport. The sail along the coast was wonderful in light winds and calm seas. We were greeted at the mouth of the Mersey river by a motorboat, and when they came alongside , I recognised my brother-in-law and nephew! During 3 days of high winds in Devonport, we went to Cradle Mountain, saw wombats and echidnas, enjoyed Boat Harbour and spent time with family.
As the wind dissipated, we left for Stanley.
One of the guys on Tango in Devonport said "Look out for the Burnie boys". Gee, was he right! A big pod of dolphins came shooting around the boat off Cooee and we have wonderful photos of them diving and jumping all around us.
Stanley is interesting in that it has a 3m tide fall, so as we tied up to the jetty, we were mindful that within a short time, we'd be way down below the wharf top.

Shane had one goal and that was to catch crayfish, so he bought a licence, had 3 tanks on board and was ready for anything when we headed off for the Hunter Group. We anchored for the first night in Shepherd's Cove on Hunter Island, then in the morning crossed the channel to Three Hummock Island and cruised past the old homestead up to the next bay with the Five Sisters rocks. It's not marked on the map. A magnificent bay with good diving, lots of great walks, tranquil swimming in turquoise water:) The crew donned wetsuits and went diving for dinner - returning with abalone, but no crayfish.
We spent 3 idyllic days relaxing in wonderful conditions, experiencing the wildlife and exploring the islands. There was only one other yacht there, so life was rather wonderful.We ventured down to Cave Bay on Hunter Island and went for a bushwalk through the scrub. We left in beautiful sailing conditions and had a lovely day's sail until the wind dropped out into the night. At 11pm I decided to make a stew, to give ussomething to do as we motored through the night. We hit the Rip at Port Phillip Heads on slack water and headed for Sandringham. Our ten day cruise was over with a shock when we realised that we'd hit the hustle and bustle of Melbourne again, but wonderful memories will always remain.

Sydney to Melbourne

Delphian was purchased in Sydney, and after a month of wonderful living on the boat, moored at Rose Bay, we began the trip home to Melbourne on January 17 2005. On board were John and I, Marce, Jo and Nick, ("the family"), and we had a fantastic time.
As we sailed out of Sydney Heads, eating salad sandwiches that would later come back to haunt us ("I'm never eating cucumber again!"), we headed for Eden. All the crew were sick on the first night, except the skipper, and as the weather abated and we neared Eden, spirits rose and we were welcomed into Eden by schools of dolphins.

John saved twins from drowning in Eden, when their stroller blew off the wharf, so we all celebrated in high style and marvelled at how talented the "skipper" was.

We left Eden and headed for Deal Island, an idyllic place where we encountered magnificent weather. Check out Marce lying in the green water where Nick caught abalone. We walked up to the Lighthouse Keeper's houses and discovered in the museum a Visitors' Book containing numerous previous entries from Dad and from John who'd been there before too.

We left Erith and Deal Islands and set sail for Melbourne. In benign seas, almost glassy conditions at times, we were visited by a curious whale who came to within 10 feet of the boat, rolled over and looked at us, as well as huge schools of dolphins which accompanied the boat for about half an hour.

The trip through Port Phillip Heads was heralded by a cough and splutter from the engine, whilst a container ship passed by - I was so busy transferring fuel that I didn't even see it:) However, we completed the trip up the bay to arrive at Sandringham on Australia Day at 5am .

Delphian's Trips

We've done some wonderful cruising on Delphian...join us on some of the photo trips.

Delphian, a McIntosh 47, by American designer Tim Kings, was built in GRP by Hansa Yachts and Schiffbau in Taiwan in 1988 for owners in Hong Kong where she was cruised and raced extensively. In 1998, Delphian left Hong Kong for Melbourne, but then relocated to Sydney until she was purchased by Cecilie and John in November 2004.

She is a genuine long distance cruiser and her below deck space and light is unique, fitted out in teak. As a result she is comfortable, with air-conditioning, refrigeration and ice-maker, and is an exceptional blue water cruising yacht. She performs well under sail and has competed successfully in performance handicap racing.