2002-2005 (c) GetJealous.com, All rights reserved. http://www.getjealous.com/ddawson/rss.xml In June 2004 we bought Sherbro, a 10.5m centre cockpit Jarkan yacht.. (She is hull #5 completed in 1980 by Kanga Bertels). At that stage we had learnt to sail in dinghies at Wagga Wagga and had bought a 16ft Hartley trailer sailor named Kalinka which we sailed on Lake Hume in Albury. Prior to making the decision on Sherbro we had a survey done and she got a good report. The next step was to find a mooring on the Pittwater, a beautiful protected waterway north of Sydney. We were very fortunate to be introduced to the Avalon Sailing Club (ASC) where we have received valuable advice and support in fitting the boat out for cruising. Ron was invited to crew on racing boats to learn some of the finer points of sailing while we both enjoyed and learnt so much from sailing to destinations with the ASC cruising division. We have found the sailing community extremely helpful. The skipper of a yacht moored nearby has been like a mentor to us, accompanying us on some of our early trips and introducing us to a local couple, former sailors, who have become good friends. Sherbro has already brought us much enjoyment and pleasure and we've only commenced our journey. We're excited about our future sailing adventures and look forward to sharing that through our web site. http://www.getjealous.com/ddawson http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=623855&go=ddawson The temperature still goes down to 5 degrees at night and October is a month of strong to gale force winds but the countryside is a vivid green with brilliant contrasting foliage after the record rainfalls. The sailing season has officially opened but we"re not quite ready to head off to the d"Entrecasteaux channel just yet. A few more boat jobs and Dolores to complete her TESOL practicu... http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=623855&go=ddawson Sun, 4 Oct 2009 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=603432&go=ddawson Formerly the governor of Tasmania"s motor launch, the ‘Egeria", is off the slip and back at her berth at the Motor Yacht Club. On the first Sunday of the month the ‘friends of Egeria" meet and put in a few hour"s work on keeping it up to survey standards. It is a high maintenance vessel and the club is proposing river cruises and wedding receptions, etc to recoup so... http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=603432&go=ddawson Sun, 19 Jul 2009 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=590337&go=ddawson The southerly winds are getting a bit chilly here in Tassie but we don't mind because we're now housesitting in Geilston Bay for a couple who are moving to Adelaide and needed someone to look after the house and dogs (Dillyn and Zoe) for a few months. The house is very comfortable and is located not far from the marina so we'll be able to do some refurbishing jobs without living aboard. We have t... http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=590337&go=ddawson Tue, 26 May 2009 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=576339&go=ddawson We've been very lucky to get a berth at the Motor Yacht Club Tasmania marina in Lindisfarne. Space in Hobart marinas is at a premium, all having long waiting lists. We were able to sublet a berth for three months ie until the end of June 2009. We lost no time heading across Frederick Henry Bay, past Betsey Island (there is plenty of room to go between the island and Black Jack rock) and then in St... http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=576339&go=ddawson Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=571827&go=ddawson From Eddystone Point we had really ideal conditions, moderate northeasterlies for day hops along the east coast. Wineglass Bay was too far to make in a day so we considered St Helens. We radioed the St Helens Coast Guard but the tide was not suitable forcing us to continue on to just north of Bicheno. We chose an anchorage at Long Point which provided protection from the NE winds but the SE swell... http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=571827&go=ddawson Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=571826&go=ddawson Having studied weather forecasts for weeks and weeks in Eden, we finally saw a four day window for the crossing of Bass Strait to Tasmania. We logged on with Coastal Patrol Eden early Sunday morning March 8th, giving them our ETA as Tuesday morning at Eddystone Point at the NE of the main island of Tasmania. That turned out to be pretty accurate although the SW winds and confused swell near Gabo I... http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=571826&go=ddawson Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=568238&go=ddawson We did have some business to attend to which kept us in Eden until mid Feb. Even so, there haven't been any perfect weather windows to head south despite all the guides that say February is the best month for travel to Tasmania. We have noted a continual pattern of troughs descending from the northerly low pressure systems bringing unsettled weather across the Australian Bight to the south east. W... http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=568238&go=ddawson Sat, 28 Feb 2009 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=555279&go=ddawson Coming down from Bermagui to Eden a northeasterly was predicted but the combination of a following swell and sea combined with 20 knot winds was much higher than we had expected. It did not make for a comfortable sail from Merimbula onward. We had to bring in the genoa and put two reefs in the main sail. We did make good time, entering Twofold Bay at 2pm. The tide was out and it was still breezy ... http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=555279&go=ddawson Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=553517&go=ddawson When we arrived at Bermagui, the fishing boat we tied up to was the Lochiel. We got to know the owner and skipper, Pat, and the lads, Fish and Laurie, who are the crew. I mentioned to Pat that I"d be interested in going out with them one day, not really expecting that to happen. I think it was quite a privilege to be allowed to go out on the Lochiel Saturday January 3rd. It turned out to be a... http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=553517&go=ddawson Tue, 6 Jan 2009 12:00:00 GMT http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=546143&go=ddawson Bermagui is a great little spot. The golf course is in easy walking distance and the Blue Pool, a natural sea pool, is spectacular. Local fishermen come and go constantly with their catch which is packed with ice and transported to the Sydney Fish Market. We were rafted up to the Lochiel and another yacht, Blue Lady, which left for Geelong. We now are on a floating dock which is much better. We ... http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?action=showdiaryentry&diary_id=546143&go=ddawson Mon, 8 Dec 2008 12:00:00 GMT