Here is part 2 of the report of the recent trip to Jervis Bay
by Chris and Suzanne Daly on "Reliance"
The Southerly change arrived as forecast on Sunday afternoon (8th) with a classic cold frontal cloud. It was time to leave our protected Northerly anchorage and head for Hole In The Wall (Darling Road). That was pretty much the last of the sunshine for the week.
Tuesday promised to be a good Southerly with 20/30 knots, so Monday was our lay-day with walks on the beach past Scottish Rocks and Hole In The Wall.
On Tuesday morning the wind at JB was light SW so we reached North until the wind started to build from the South.
Soon it was two reefs and poled-out headsail and 2-3 m swell - ideal surfing conditions with regular speeds in excess of 10 knots and a maximum sustained 16.5 knots with >30 knots of wind. The dolphins joined in the fun at the peak of the wind and swell. They were leaping out of the water and playing Kamikaze with the bow as well as riding the waves beside us.
We made the 64 mile passage to Jibbon in around 8 hours and arrived ahead of the forecast SW gale, which blew all night.
Another lay-day with a walk into Bundeena and then out to Jibbon Head around sunset for some interesting photos.
The sail back to Pittwater on Thursday was wet and squally and we sought refuge in America Bay where even the sea eagles looked water logged.
Jervis Bay makes a nice short coastal cruise destination with the intermediate stop at Jibbon Beach allowing the trip to be made in two easy legs. The key for short and exciting passages is to wait for strong NE winds heading South and Southerly winds for heading North. We made a similar trip after Christmas and did the whole 100 mile passage from JB to Pittwater in 12 hours. Unfortunately we won't be heading to Tassie this year. So far, the VDL circumnavigation fleet is having remarkably benign weather. We have many fond memories of our '08 Tassie trip.
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