I'd day dreamed before I got there of the perfect combination of tide and wind sweeping me NW from Eddystone to Cape Portland then WSW across Ringarooma Bay to Waterhouse. I then measured the distance, 70+km, gulp and thought 'that'll never happen'.
Hah, the elusive sea kayakers dream of perfect conditions!
Somehow it all came together, maybe if you day dream enough, dreams do come true.
The forecast promised light to moderate South Easterlies backing steadily around to eventually a strengthening North Westerly late in the afternoon. I’d better be sure to land at Waterhouse before then, the thought of plodding against a 10-15kn at the end of a long day was not attractive. Let’s work back from a planned landfall at 4pm.
The tide too matched the dream. Navionics predicted the flood stream in the middle of Banks Strait starting about 9:30am, I suspected I would be getting a lift with the tide along the coast before then. Tidetech confirmed this, indicating I’d pick up the flood stream off Cape Naturaliste, Musselroe Point section of coast about 8.00am.
My float plan for the day. Features I'd be passing, as I’m not using paper maps, timing and the odd bearing if needed.
‘Would it be too dark?’ at 5am I wondered? I knew it would be too dark to see the compass but would it be light enough to make out the coast ahead? It was, just.
There was no discernible glimmer through the clouds in south eastern sky but a waning moon lit a glistening path ahead. I could just make out where the darker grey strip of land petered out between the differing shades of lighter grey of sea and sky. Small dark shadows flitted ghostily across the sky in front of me, shearwaters silently heading out to sea.
So, on the water at 5am, sail up, rollicking along with the 8-10kn SE wind, the forecast was spot on, so far. Aiming for the vague difference in greys ahead and appreciating winter Wednesday paddles for the familiarity of paddling in the dark.
A stop in glorious sunshine at Musselroe Pt for a cuppa and couple of big cheese, peanut butter and salad rolls setting off again and I was still ahead of my planned schedule.
From there the flood tide picked up strongly. Perfect timing to be whisked up the coast early on the flood stream, there was only one noticeable race and associated overfalls and jobbly tidal water off the unnamed point just north of Little Musselroe.
Another stop on Cape Portland for coffee and cake and to consider the crossing to Waterhouse Point. The wind had now backed to the NE, lighter but still a sailing breeze. An hour ahead of my schedule and the flood stream near enough at its peak I left for Waterhouse Point, a bearing of 235deg leading the way until land ahead could be seen.
Years ago Lynne and I had crossed Banks Strait to catch the flood stream around Cape Portland where we stopped for lunch and then wondered why we were moving along so well crossing Ringarooma Bay. Ah duh, of course the flood stream but so strong despite such an open body of water. Tidetech, was predicting ~0.6kn north east of Waterhouse Point at the end of the flood.
The crossing went smoothly, a quick stop for a stretch and a muesli bar every hour and suddenly the beach was close enough to be picking a spot to land. The wind though backed west of north a touch too far and I had to take the sail down. So close but so far from having sailed the whole day.
3pm, an hour ahead of plan and the celebratory wee dram before the drudgery of lugging gear and boat up the beach.
What a day, a perfect day.
