- In short: We left the Tamar River on Friday 5 April, keeping a close eye on weather conditions for a safe date/time to cross into St Helens, and arrived on Sunday 14 April.
- During this trip, Robert replaced the port engine water pump, which started leaking, a diver removed what looked like crab pot line wrapped around the port propeller, and I was seasick for the first time.
- What’s next? We’ll stay here for a couple of weeks before continuing our journey south towards Wineglass Bay, Coles Bay and Triabunna.
Tamar River yacht club to Fannys Bay (5/4/2024)
- After getting fuel at Port Dalrymple Yacht Club, we left the Tamar River.
- Distance approx. 28 NM taking 5 hours.
- On this trip Robert noticed, during one of his many and frequent engine checks, that the water pump on the port engine was leaking. He kept a very close check of the engine temperature and water output as we continued to our first anchorage at Fannys Bay.
- It was very calm on arrival, as you can see from the photos below, but overnight the conditions changed and it became extremely rolly, so neither of us slept much.
- I was ‘literally’ seasick in the morning, for the first time ever!
Fannys Bay to Croppies Bay (6/4/2024)
- Distance approx. 25 NM taking 3 hours.
- The water pump continued to leak but wasn’t getting worse.
- It was very calm anchorage for the entire night and we both slept well.
- We had previously stayed at Croppies Bay, after crossing Banks Strait, and I had a swim.
- Water temperature was about 2°C lower this time!
- We were treated to some amazing colours when the sun was setting
- We stayed here for one night because we were heading around to Tomahawk Beach to be protected from westerly wind/swell that was going to pick up.
Croppies Bay to Tomahawk Beach (7/4/2024)
- Distance approx. 12 NM taking about 3 hours.
- The water pump continued to leak but wasn’t getting any worse.
- Some time after anchoring, the ketch Indi, who we had seen at the Tamar Yacht Club marina, came in after crossing Banks Strait from Clarke Island.
- We spent 4 nights here and Robert replaced the water pump, using our spare.
- I kayaked to the beach before conditions changed and it rained.
- We had a distant view of wind turbines that we would see in more detail on the next leg.
- We ate tomahawk steaks at Tomahawk Bay!
Tomahawk Beach to Musselroe Bay (11/4/2024)
- Distance approx. 24 NM taking about 4 hours.
- We passed by hundreds of wind turbines – well, it felt like 100s but actually there were 56 – although their blades were only moving slowly (ergo not so windy).
- We spent 2 nights here, a bit rolly but not enough to induce seasickness!
- I kayaked into Musselroe Inlet for a look. While out, the winds picked up, and it was a slow and bumpy trip back to Poseidon.
- The nearby Musselroe Wind Farm produces approximately 5% of Tasmania’s electrical energy needs.
Musselroe Bay to Binalong Bay (13/4/2024)
- Distance approx. 30 NM taking about 5 hours.
- We picked up a free public mooring here, provided by Marine & Safety Tasmania (MAST).
- I took the opportunity to kayak around the bay and photograph more pelicans.
- We always use our anchor drag alarm, even here. Of course, for the first time since installing the new and very loud speaker, it sounded at 2am to alert us to the possibility that we were dragging. I practically levitated out of bed and Robert was out on the foredeck with his torch in a flash, so quick in fact, that he’d forgotten to put any clothes on!!
- But no we weren’t dragging. I just hadn’t allowed a large enough radius to cover natural movement around the mooring!
Binalong Bay to St Helens (14/4/2024)
- Distance approx. 10 NM taking about 2 hours.
- We arranged with Marine Rescue for an escort across the bar and through the passage leading into St Helens. They are very happy to guide boats through the shallow and changing shoals for a donation.
- During this leg, our port engine starting to vibrate when above 1500RPM and we knew something was wrong.
- When safely at St Helens Robert contacted a diver to check our port prop. He removed lengthy piece of crab pot line and said that sometimes loose lines float under water so not visible. Thank goodness this was a simple fix. And no, we didn’t have a free feed of crabs as there was no pot attached!
- We caught up with friends who are holidaying in Tasmania and were passing through.
Pelicans
There’s something about pelicans that I’ve always loved. Because I couldn’t decide which photos to include, I made a slideshow of all of them!
8 Responses
The new “Love Boat” music is fun!
Ah, you noticed!
Oh Pam and Rob. You are making me so homesick. St Helens is one of my favourite places. We made some good friends while there for 3 months. Love the pics of Bay of Fires, magic water. If you need any info, just ask. I MAY be able to help. Keep up the great work. Enjoy and stay safe
Your travels are so good to read about, love the pics too!
Excitement overload.
So glad to read that each obstacle had a relatively easy fix.
Stay safe, stay warm.
Well done you two. Sorry to hear about the sea-sickness Pam – not a nice sensation! I saw your new ‘not quite’ mitts.
Your spare water pump came in handy.
You are in a beautiful part of Tasmania. We also have fond memories of the Bay of Fires and St Helens.
Wine Glass Bay, Tasman Peninsular, Port Arthur and Brunny Is are all to come.
Enjoy!
Ah, bringing back memories of those rocks at Bay of Fires! We loved St Helen’s and the local seafood. Have fun guys