Back on the Tasman Sea

15 December 2024

Back on the Tasman Sea

Time in port is always appreciated by the crew. The full nights of sleep, possibilities to explore the area around and plenty of time for maintenance and painting. But going back to sea is the thing, that makes every sailor happy! The rhythm of the days is set by the watch schedule again, work needs to be done when the wind changes and the motion of the ship rocks everyone around.

After sailing out of the Derwent River at Hobart we passed some spectacular landscapes on the coastline of southern Tasmania. Cape Raoul with its high and dramatic rock pillars was a beautiful sight! After that we left the coastline behind and in the more constant winds off the shore we hoisted most of the fore and aft sails and sailed into our first night on the Tasman Sea again.

In the early morning hours the wind was predicted to shift towards the west. And surely just around the predicted time it did. This meant we had to sail a downwind course towards New Zealand now. So with the first day light we swapped out the gaff sails, fore stay sail and inner jib for the forecourse. Now we are gently sailing with only the square sails up and enjoying the tranquillity of life at sea. There has been regular visits of dolphins and albatrosses on our first day at sea.