Yay! Finally got the weather window to leave Queenscliff. Headed out to Port Phillip Heads and transited the famous RIP @ 3:30am. It was a little daunting as you couldn’t see the sea state, but choosing the right weather (5 knot northerly) and the end of an ebb tide worked perfectly. We had one inbound ship to negotiate with help from Lonsdale VTS.

We motor sailed in 5 knots & calm seas of 2-3 meter swell, dolphins playing at the bow until we were off Cape Schanck. There the wind picked up to 10-15 knots and was on the beam, great sailing.

We arrived at Cleeland Bight a safe anchorage on North & West winds where we were welcomed by Stephen & Jude from Beaujolais 1 in their dingy coming back from San Remo. We set anchor and was quite happy with our new Manson plough holding us in 25+ knot winds overnight. It was quite rolley from the swell which made it a little uncomfortable, we decided to jump on a public swing mooring once we had confirmed the depth (2m) at the Parks office in San Remo.

 

Beaujolais 1 anchored at Cleeland Bight



 

52.3 nm, 9 hrs 22 min, avg speed 5.8 kn, 15-20 kn NW, total motor sailing 3 hrs 30 min