GOLD COAST 150600ZJAN12 SKED

Posted byRichard HewsonPosted inUncategorized

LAT 06 49.0N
LONG 122 05.3
DTF 1160
ETA
COG 295 SOG 6.5

SKIPPERS BLOG

After passing the Celebes sea gate yesterday Gold Coast Australia is in the cruise phase up to the re-start gate at the top of Borneo.

The cruise phase is a very relaxed way to travel compared to the way people are used to living onboard Gold Coast Australia. Calls for trim the sails have been replaced by calls to put the kettle on and make another coffee, sail changes are replaced with revolution changes for the engine, watches are down to an 8 watch system as opposed to a two watch system, and if the weather is poor on deck, people are able to head off down below and find shelter rather than weathering out the storm.

We have been sailing past some beautiful tropical islands along the way and the temptation to stop off and anchor for the night in a perfect bay with our own perfect beach is enormous. Unfortunately we are only conducting passage and do not have visa’s for this part of the world so we can not stop and will no doubt have to come back to cruise these waters another day.

The cruise phase allows us to do some maintenance on the boat and we are utilising the time effectively. Given our sail problems over the last couple of weeks all sails are off and will be thoroughly checked over and re-enforced, halyards are being repaired from chafe, winches serviced, pumps serviced, and a number of other items checked and serviced.

It is defiantly not all work though, and come knock off time we will stop the boat while we do our daily engine checks, go for a swim and meander close to Derry for a chat and exchange of books and gifts.

Come race re-start Gold Coast will be once again ready to win!

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Published by Richard Hewson

Richard Hewson is a Tasmania-based ships captain, marine surveyor, and experienced sailor with a lifelong connection to the sea. With experience in project management and vessel commissioning, he has operated and raced a wide range of vessels—from dinghies and Maxi yachts to tankers, icebreakers and research vessels. Richard has competed in major offshore events including the Sydney to Hobart, Fastnet, Middle Sea, and Transatlantic races including the Mini Transat. In 2012, he skippered the winning yacht in the Clipper Round the World Race. He has sailed to every continent and explored all corners of the world from Antarctica to south pacific atols and recently completed a three-year family voyage from the Netherlands to Tasmania. Richard holds a Master Class 1 (unrestricted), RYA Yachtmaster Ocean, Engineering (1200kw) and commercial diving certifications, and is an AMSA-accredited marine surveyor. He is also affiliated with the Australasian Institutes of Marine Surveyors and is passionate about all things that float.

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