A mate (recent owner of another S&S34 Suzenda) and I took Morning Bird out Friday night to practice some night sailing. After departing Broken Bay at about 1.00pm in a NE at 10-15kts we set up the Fleming wind vane and headed out on 090-110. We had full sails including the stay sail (a St Jib) on the inner forestay, i.e. we were cutter rigged.
In superb conditions we averaged over 6 kts with the Fleming vane steering, had a feed and talked boats.
At approximately 2230 40nm off the coast east of Sydney heads and about 45nm back to Barrenjoey we did a 180. With the wind now just forward of the beam we were skating along at over 7kts. Mike got his head down till midnight while I marveled at the milky way and the phosphoresence. Mike came up while I went below for a rest and we averaged 7.5kts for the next couple of hours.
A little bit bouncy at these speeds but superbly balanced and the Fleming steering better than a helmsman.
The wind died off as we approached the coast a bit south of Barrenjoey so we motor sailed in, picked up a mooring at Coasters at 0530 or so and got a couple of hours kip before tidying up on the trip back to my mooring.
A bit tired for the weekend but brisk sailing at night, short or single handed, is a buzz that makes it worthwhile. I do love the S&S34, what a great yacht.
Windvanes are a bit addictive. I reckon mine steers 95% of the time I'm at sea. NE must have been fresher on the South coast. I headed out Saturday into a 25 knotter. Had one reef and would have gone for the second but decided it was too bumpy for fun.
We had max gusts in the high teens, mostly around 10-15.
I only use the vane on longer legs. Around Pittwater the tiller pilot comes into its own.
Its always windier down here. My son was racing at JB and they had gusts to 30 knots. Wiped out most of the dinghies racing.
I use my windvane even in the river but the constant wind variations mean it is only for a short period if I want to leave the helm for something. I have an old tiller pilot but the separate head unit needs work! would be handy in that situation.
Nice one MB.
I enjoy night sailing too, its unavoidable too on some sections of the NSW coast if you want to go somewhere.
Getting proper rest & getting out of the elements(going into the cabin) & making hot food/drinks is the key to making it enjoyable.
Have also found it is much more relaxing on a full moon, easier to make out the shape & size of other vessels & the outline of the coast etc.
A short video clip I did while night sailing:
