Over last few weeks we have had the pleasure of so many firsts for us.
Having completed the 390 nautical mile delivery of our new to us boat, "TRANSIT" is now berthed at her new home.
The start of the trip north was spectacular if not eventful, enjoying the day passages on the inside of South and North Stradbroke Islands, Moreton Is and coastal leg to Tin Can Bay with a stop in at Mooloolaba, ducking behind Fraser Island and continuing through the Great Sandy Straights.
A fourteen hour slog into an increasing breeze on the nose all the way across Hervey Bay, determined that the boat would be staying in Bundaberg, 93 NM short of our destination, until the weather improved.
A few days later saw a possible weather opportunity, so a mate and I drove back down to Bundy to sail the rest of the way.
My parents who were the previous owners and had been helping to deliver the boat, had also headed home due to the weather, so this was going to be my first time as the real skipper and would require an overnight run to tie in with our plans.
With an early afternoon departure from Bundy we hoisted the main with one reef in, unfurled the headsail, switched off the engine and let the autopilot follow our plotted course up the coast. A consistent 8-12 knot breeze over our starboard beam all night, left us plotting our position and keeping watch until dawn when the wind disappeared. A concern with the dripless prop shaft seal slowed our progress under power into Gladstone Harbour, but mid afternoon saw us lining up for my third approach into a berth and TRANSIT's new home. My first 2 insurance claim-free berths had occurred earlier in the trip (Mooloolaba and Bundaberg marinas)
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For our first time sailing together, my wife, daughter and myself planned a sixty NM round trip to Pancake Creek incorporating an overnight stay on the anchor there.
Up at the crack of dawn we backed out of our berth and headed down the harbour,the wind was light and on the nose for the trip so the motor was run all the way with a couple of hours motor/sailing, which allowed for a good test run of the prop shaft seal assembly I had machined up.
Dropping the anchor in time for lunch left us with plenty of time to jump in the dingy and explore the beach in the afternoon.
An early night and early rise left us with time to explore some more in the morning and assist a grounded yacht before final preparation to head home.
A fabulous full main and headsail sail home in nice weather was the perfect way to finish off our first weekend away. Another incident free berthing always helps to keep the shine on the memory. Thanks to who ever mentioned - APPROACH THE BERTH AT THE SPEED YOU WANT TO HIT IT.
Now enjoying spending plenty of time on the boat waiting for the next chance to take her out...
FIRST AS OWNERS.....so proud
FIRST AS SKIPPER.....not so scary
FIRST DOCKING....... up to #4 now
FIRST OVERNIGHT PASSAGE.....moon lit sailing, perfect
FIRST AS FAMILY......what it is all about
FIRST SAILING.....silence
FIRST WEEKEND AWAY.....no phone coverage
FIRST AT ANCHOR......independance/freedom
FIRST IN CONTROLLED HARBOUR.....tick that one off the list
FIRST entries of many in our log book.......WIP
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So Many Firsts
