Bass Strait Updates
Trip Notes for 1 March 2006
From Emita to Killiecrankie (Flinders Island)
;)
Our first waypoint for the next day — Craggy Island is 1/3 to Deal Island
;)
...and the same photo without mega-zoom: even our first waypoint is hardly visible.
We wake up to no winds. Leave Emita at 10:20am. Paddle through big Marshall Bay, stop at Roydon Island for lunch. I find giant Abalone shells and collect two for home. Around Cape Frankland with the outgoing tide, just after slack. A big island shows up in the distance, I am convinced it is Deal, although I later learn that it is only Craggy Island, 22km away. We have another welcoming squadron of dolphins at Killiecrankie Bay, they swim upside down under our boats to check us out. Arrive in Killiecrankie Boat Harbour at 3:30pm, just 15 mins after the strong S/E has kicked in (lucky us that this wind didn't come through earlier). Set up camp on lawn near a water tap and a toilet. Send message home, saying that we can see Deal in the distance — well, this is not true is was Craggy, sorry for the wrong message. It actually gets my spirits pretty down for a while when I learn that we have to paddle 3 times as far the next day.
Catch up with local fisherman and business man Alan W who also finds us a rod to replace a broken tent pole. Alan takes my letter to home to post it with the next mailman on Friday. He encourages me that the forecast for the next day is just about perfect for the big crossing to Deal. I am really touchy since all around us the forecast is up to 30 knots and 3-4 metre seas, albeit from the right direction, S/E. Everyone is a little tense for the big next day. We do food preparations, clothes, things to have handy in the cockpit on the long day (it took other kayakers up to 14 hours for the crossing; we can only hope that we'll make it in less time). In bed late at 10:20pm.
Stats for the day
- 31 km in 5h 10mins, including 1h 10 break.
- Average speed (excl. break): 7.75km/h
Text message from Claudia
Arrived Killiecrankie 3:30pm, Alan W. a very nice guy. To Deal Island tomorrow. Deal Island very visible in distance — good to see the destination. Last days in headwinds improved endurance, tailwind tomorrow.
Notes on the Weather (Issued at 11:20am on Tuesday the 28th of February 2006)
Recent Events:
A ridge of high pressure extending from the Bight, through Bass Strait into the Tasman Sea brought settled conditions to all areas, apart from the west and far southwest where a few light showers were reported. Moderate to fresh westerly winds were reported in most districts with lighter winds in the east, and stronger winds on the southwest coast. Cloudy to overcast skies were reported in all districts except for the northeast where partly cloudy skies prevailed. Moderate swells were reported on the west and southwest coasts with low swells on other coastlines.
Minimum Temperatures during the 24 hours to 9am:
were generally between average and a few degrees below average in northern, eastern and central districts with minima close to normal in the Derwent Valley and through the west. The southeast was the only district with above normal minima, where temperatures were mostly a couple of degrees above average. The lowest reported temperature was 4 degrees recorded at Liawenee, Lake Leake, Fingal and on Mt Wellington.
Rainfall during the 24 hours to 9am:
A few light falls were reported in the west and southwest with no significant amounts reported elsewhere. The highest reported fall of 2 millimetres was recorded at both Rosebery and Port Davey.
Coastal Waters Forecast (Issued at 5:00 am EDT on Wednesday 1 March 2006)
Central North Coast, Stanley to the Northern Tip of Flinders Is:
Wednesday until midnight: Southwest to southerly winds 5 to 15 knots, tending east to northeasterly during the day then increasing to 10 to 20 knots later. Seas to 1.5 metres. Westerly swell to 2 metres, becoming confused late.
Thursday: East to northeasterly winds 10 to 20 knots, possibly 25 knots at times offshore in western parts. Seas 1 to 2 metres. East to northeast swell to 1 metre.
Friday: East to northeasterly winds 10 to 15 knots, 20 knots offshore at first. Seas to 2 metres. East to northeast swell about 1 metre.
East of Flinders Island, Northern Tip of Flinders Is to St Helens Pt:
Wednesday until midnight: Southeasterly winds 10 to 20 knots, tending more easterly later at similar speeds. Seas 1 to 2 metres. Confused swell near 1 metre tending south to southeasterly.
Thursday: East to northeasterly winds 10 to 20 knots. Seas 1 to 2 metres. East to southeasterly swell near 1 metre.
Friday: North to northeasterly winds 10 to 20 knots. Seas 1 to 2 metres. East to northeast swell near 1 metre.
Victoria East Coast, Wilsons Promontory to 60nm east of Gabo Island:
Wednesday until midnight: Southwest wind 10/15 knots shifting east to southeasterly in the afternoon and increasing to 15/20 knots, then tending east to northeasterly at 15/25 knots at night. Seas to 1 metre increasing 1 to 2 metres later and locally reaching 3 metres at night. West to southwest swell 1 to 1.5 metres decreasing below 1 metre. Easterly swell to 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 2 metres.
Thursday: East/northeasterly wind 15/20 knots, reaching 25 knots offshore. Seas 1.5 to 2 metres reaching 3 metres offshore. West to southwest swell near 1 metre. Easterly swell to 2 metres.
Friday: East to northeast wind 15/25 knots tending north to northeasterly and easing 10/15 knots in the west. Seas 2 to 3 metres decreasing to about 1 metre in the west. Easterly swell to 2 metres.