Scott and Rachel on Gradiva will be Cruise Contacts for this 4 to 5 week cruise along the south west and lower west coasts. Acknowledging the weather is bound to be variable and often restricting movement, the plan is to spend time in Port Davey then sail onto Hibbs Pyramid before entering Hells Gates and Macquarie Harbour then continuing up the Gordon River...... A well found vessel and experienced crew are required along with all the supplies needed as reprovisioning is not easy. Crew change would be possible flying into Melaleuca or by car to Strahan. Cruise Contacts are Scott and Rachel Poulter from GRADIVA on 0419 513 983.
A Preliminary Outline follows:
Week 1, 26/1 to 1/2 100-120nm, Jan 26th Rendezvous at Partridge Island/Great Taylors Bay. While waiting for a weather window for the south coast we make our way to Recherche bay. When the weather is good, depart for Port Davey (65nm) hopefully stopping at New Harbour (40nm) for a night.
Week 2, 2/2 to 8/2 50nm, Bramble Cove (Mt Milner / Mt Misery), Casilda Cove (Balmoral Hill), Claytons Corner (Mt Beattie, Melaleuca, OBP), Moulters Inlet & Old River, Frogs Hollow (Mt Rugby), Payne Bay (Davey River Gorge), Spain Bay (Stephens Bay).
Week 3, 9/2 - 15/2 156nm, Spain Bay to Hibbs Pyramid (60nm), Hibbs to Pilot bay (32nm) then through Hells Gates to to Strahan (12nm) and reprovision. (this leg may be earlier if an appropriate weather window occurs during week 2). Then SE to Kelly Basin (22nm) and up the Gordon River to Warners & Sir John Falls Landings (30nm).
Week 4, 16/2 - 22/2 150nm, Back down the Gordon River and into Birchs Inlet (Great Shelter), Sarah Island, Double Cove, Pilot Bay, Elliott Bay (or Hibbs Pyramid again) then Bramble Cove.
Week 5, 23/2 - 1/3 110nm, Wait for the appropriate weather, re-visit your favorite spots or catch up on whatevere we missed on the way north. The Bramble Cove or Spain Bay to Louisa Bay (35nm) and the on to Recherche (35nm), Missionary (30nm) or nearby.