8th Jan 2014
What’s in a Name
Just arrived in Hopetoun on
After crossing Bremer Bay to Peppermint Beach, in search of more
protection from expected north easterlies, then sitting out hose winds for a
day and a half we all turned our attention to the next port of call.
From the outset we were doubtful about the weather forecast that
predicted the north easterlies would
drop off ready for a strong south westerly change in the early afternoon. What
to do? The forecast promised us a few hours to get anchors up and travel the 10
or so nautical miles to a new anchorage at the dubiously named Doubtful bay.
We had a radio meeting, as the wind was far too strong to consider
going anywhere by dinghy.
I thought that as there would not be enough time to get resettled
any where else during the wind change, that we might be better off to stay
where we were. Zofia’s crew, had decided that they would run the gauntlet of
the wind change and Urchin had considered going back to John Cove on the other
side of Bremer Bay, as we had been quite cosy in there during a south westerly
wind.
This lead to a half hour or so of radio silence while various
thoughts, ideas and strategies were cast about on Easy Tiger and I dare say,
the other boats. Leanne made it clear that she was in favour of moving around
to Doubtful Bay, but I was still, well, doubtful.
We referred to the Western Australian Cruising guide, re-reading the
description of Doubtful Bay as a good anchorage in southwest winds. When we
studied our compass (the right way around this time) it looked highly likely
that we would be unprotected from the 20 to 30 knot southwesters predicted if
we stayed put.
So we broke the radio silence to inform the other two boats of our
decision to head to the new anchorage and found they had reached the same
conclusion. it was agreed that when the northerlies die down enough to get our
anchors up we will hoof it round to Doubtful bay in the morning.
Next morning around 8am, all felt the wind have abated enough to
move. I was a little doubtful as to whether we had jumped the gun a bit, but
knew we wouldn’t find out until around the point or headland to get a true
indication of the conditions.
Luckily, the other boats left the anchorage first, as our anchor
witch set Leanne and I off at each other once again. Yes that’s right it’s and
anchor witch not switch or winch, because it’s performance casts a spell over
the rest of our day.
Then we found out about the conditions. 3metre, steep swells off one
bow and 20 knots of wind off the other bow. Yuck. It wasn’t long before Eva on
Zofia fought her way down below to their radio. They were turning back. They
would head for John Cove on the other side of Bremer Bay. Urchin crew suggested
going back to where we started at peppermint beach, but Zofia was already on a
bee line. The Easy Tiger crew weren’t on speaking terms yet, still under the
spell of the anchor witch. Leanne was skippering and had the boat turned away
from the onslaught in a flash.
Seems that none of us had twigged that the swell for the day was
going to be easterly. We wanted to go east to Doubtful bay. It was like an
irresistible force meeting an immovable object.
With conditions now behind us, we sailed back towards John Cove at a
leisurely pace and quite comfortably. Recovery all round. Zofia, who motored in
to John Cove first, then came out as quickly as they went in. They reported
that the massive swell in John Cove would make many a surfer happy.
We poked our bows in and also saw the big swell running right
through the bay. We did see one corner that would have been ok to park in, but
it was also a recipe for another spell from the anchor witch. So we agreed with
Zofia’s crew that it was not for us.
So what to do? Motoring around the bay all day until the wind
changed seemed like a very expensive option. We were headed away from Bremer
Bay and it seemed that we could bear the heading that we were on, so continued
on for a while. Then it hit me. We should head back to Doubtful Bay on a
tolerable heading until the wind changed, which would push us there once it was
from the south west.
As we made our way back towards Doubtful bay, the wind change did
kick in. Just when we didn’t need it. We came through a gap between 2 islands,
and WAM. 30 knots of now south west straight into the face. I was doubtful that
we would be able to get the anchor on to the ground at all in this wind.
Also, where we needed to anchor was very shallow. This would be
tricky as our anchor chain needs the weight of the anchor to pull it out of the
locker. Here the anchor would be on the ground and therefore have no weight on
it. I would have to man handle the chain out the front quickly in order for the
anchor to have enough chain on it to set.
After a couple of attempts we got the anchor set. Without
communication too, as I couldn’t hear a word Leanne was saying due to the wind,
and didn’t think she could here me either. Also the anchor witch didn’t come
out to play.
My only stress then was that I was sure we had anchored on what
looked like rock. I spent the night awake, becoming more and more doubtful
about whether we would be able to retrieve the anchor, or whether I would have
to dive down and get it away from the rocks.
Our 5.am departure time could not come around quickly enough.
Fortunately it was an impeccable anchor retrieval and a lovely brisk sale
through to Hopetoun. Leanne even managed to catch 2 Bluefin tuna along the
way. One didn’t quite make it on board, but the other was filleted and in the
freezer in a flash.
I “hope” this destination will be very pleasurable for us. We “hope”
that the weather will be in our favour on Monday to make a big jump to
Esperance.
So what’s in a name? After
our Doubtful Bay adventures, I look forward to giving Cape Catastrophe a wide berth, avoiding Point
Avoid and never going near Shipwreck Bay.
 |
| Dusk at Doubtful Bay |
No comments:
Post a Comment