EXPEDITION NEWS

[Rob Blackburn]

We have returned from our family whale watching expedition having set a new world record for the amount of stuff that a CS 20 can carry.

http://homepage.mac.com/blackburns/Expeditions/PhotoAlbum80.html

When I packed the yoghurt maker at the harbour I knew we were in with a chance for the title but the final clue was the amount of tinned spaghetti that we brought back. Don't anyone ever ask the question... Can a CS 20 take my family and camping gear.

Had a great time, got close to the whales and the camping was good and the boat was terrific.. eliciting favourable comment from all and sundry. No credit to me, the designer and builder should bow.

We came home on a 15-20knot NWester and the final broad reach was at 6.0-7.5knots with all the gear and the family. We had a 5.25 hour broad reach. You only dream of such stuff.

Shall put the photos in order and put them up in a day or two when I catch up.

Rob

[Guest]

Truely a picture album for all to view, both in art and natural beauty. Thanks for the visit to your world. Its sometimes a shame that so many of the likes gets buried over time. THese pictures could motivate others to enjoy the same "illness" not treatable by internal medicines.

[P Doug (WA)]

Great pictures, can't wait to see more. What a beautiful country.

[Joe Nelson CS#35]

Great pictures of a great trip!

Question...do you have any trouble with catching any of the running rigging on the motor when tacking or jibing? I am decking the aft but am thinking about making a motor cut-out with a self draining splash well. Wondering if a horse would be helpful to keep things out of the motor.

[Rob Blackburn]

The mizzen sheets do get tangled up in the motor at times but I can't see a way around that. I would prefer to be out there untangling the gear stick than sitting at work... if you know what I mean.

Having done time before the mast on a Laser(sic), you get into the habit of checking the sheet after you tack, the good thing being the fact that you won't capsize this boat as a consequence of your inattention.

I actually get more tangles from the two cleats I bought for the stern. They annoy the hell out of me as the sheets will tangle on them before the motor. I have since seen ones that click up and down to avoid this.

The bit I really enjoyed on the trip was sailing the boat with only the mizzen in the centre hole. It really went well and took any urgency out of the sailing. We came back from some big sand cliffs with a gusty NE wind and had a very relaxed sail, still averaging about 75-80% of the speeds we would have got. You could have done better with a big hairy crew and both sails but with the kids it was a dream. Also went out with Alex one afternoon and got 7.4 (GPS) on a reach in a strongish breeze. Really efficient. It was funny actually as a bloke and his wife watched us take a mast out and move the other from his yacht and on our way back he called us over to discuss it. It turned out he used to live in the next street about 8 yrs ago. Small world etc but it was still amazing. We then bought a cook book off them as that seems to be all they are doing now.. sailing and researching a cook book for sailers who have no fridge or oven but do have a pressure cooker.

Rob

[rlchenry]

Stunning. Absolutely stunning.

[Richard Whitney CS#70]

What a great way to travel around Fraser Island. It is on my list of places to visit (abit far to bring my boat across the Tasman). I am planning camping trips with my wife and two girls so it is interesting to hear how you went. Good idea to use one sail to take the pressure off.

[Rob Blackburn]

We could do a boat swap like a house swap?

I would love to sail around Auckland.

Rob

[Brian Watford]

Beuatiful pictures! I think I am ready to move to Australia!