The Adventures of Captain Ray Penson
Sailing Yacht Truce
As we progressed south the wind played fickle tricks and the tide and currents toyed around with us. With no firm destination planned in the South Gili islands I just went with the best wind angle, as we got closer to our destination the wind selected Gili Sudak as our destination. I decided to tuck in around Gili Sudak, through a reef fringed channel. There we would be protected from the north westerly winds and in calm water.
Of course, the reality of cruising an area or coast is often different from the perceptions. This was very true of my cruise inside the Barrier Reef. I started the voyage in Gladstone, Queensland and finished the Barrier Reef section In Siasea, just around Cape York in the Gulf of Carpentaria, amazingly still in Queensland – Australia is a big place.
Late afternoon, we anchored in 20m just off the beach at Kilo. The children watched from the beach and by the time we had settled at anchor they had found a leaky canoe as transport to Truce. They had mango and coconut to trade for pencils and biscuits.
The idea of making fresh water from seawater on the boat is very appealing and adds another level of independence to cruising. But such a luxury comes at a cost - money, space, added complexity and power. Being mainly single handed with a small yacht my freshwater requirements are modest, most off the shelf water makers didn’t fit with my needs. So, I thought why not look at making one to fit the boat and my expectations.
My new years resolution last year was to “Drink more different types of Beer.” I am happy to report I have largely been successful in this endeavour. It has not been an easy task. The breweries have conspired against me by producing an increasing number of craft beers at an alarming rate. Keeping up with... Continue Reading →
Moving day arrived, Thursday the 25th of February, the forecast is for S’ly winds, eager to get moving we let go the sternline and were motoring out of North Port before breakfast. As we motored out of Chalky Inlet the weather was brooding and overcast, everything on board still wet from the overnight rain. The... Continue Reading →
Only one hundred and twelve miles sailed yesterday. The wind has been quite light from astern and that’s the best we could do. The good news, the distance made good is all in the right direction towards Hilo. Light winds from astern mean plenty of rolling. Truce and I are now well accomplished in the... Continue Reading →
The alarm woke me at five this morning. The brain said get up, the body said just thirty minutes more. The brain won. I put the kettle on for a cuppa and had a look outside, flat calm in Sausalito anchorage and the sky starting to lighten in the east. By five thirty the anchor... Continue Reading →
The Adventures of Captain Ray Penson 