Day 1 - 9 April 2017 - final day loading gear

We loaded our remaining gear on the yacht with help from some friends. The yacht is filled to overflowing with gear and food. We are able to fill the water and fuel tanks and we are now ready to leave.  Or ... so we thought.

Weather report this morning, 10 April 2017 has a strong wind warning off the coast. Wind is expected to be strong today Monday and Tuesday. As a result we will have to postpone our departure until Wednesday when the weather is expected to improve. Fingers crossed. We will have to spend today strapping down the scuba tanks on the deck and celebrating William's birthday!

Preparations continue

House is again full of gear and packing materials as we get ready for the trip. We plan a trip out to the yacht tomorrow to load and store gear and food onboard and check the most recent repairs. During a recent trial run with some colleagues from work, one of the aerials was damaged and went over the side. It is unclear how this occurred. This was repaired and we now need to run final tests on all the systems.

We have also had a canvas bag made for the inflatable pool and two stainless steel cages to hold additional gas bottles from the stern arch/railings.

Aim is to head out on Sunday 9 April to do a final run of gear and then stay overnight for an early start on 10 April 2017 for the first leg to Nelson Bay (subject to suitable weather). Weather report is predicting large seas on Monday or Tuesday, so the proposed start on Monday 10 April could be delayed to avoid those estimated 6m seas.

Not long now and we are almost set to go!