Another crew member, Bryan, gave me the low-down on what I was meant to do. I had helmed before but it was a LONG time ago and never on a 40ft cruiser racer and this time the sea looked a lot bigger. “Okay” he said, “you’re aiming for the point in the distance but a bit off it - so you won’t hit it - good advice I thought! And.. you have to keep the sail full of wind, don’t backwind it”.
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| View of The Twelve Apostles on the return trip from Port Fairy |
Easier said than done. I began. Far out, I cursed to myself as the boat was moving about. As I settled into the helming position the bow would dip and I could see where I was meant to be steering and then the boat – all 40ft of her- would begin to sway and rise in another direction and we were no longer on the course. I moved the wheel and tried to get her back on course and then I noticed that the sail - a tri sail - was about to backwind. Then there’d be the patient comment from someone in the cockpit ”go back up wind” - or was it downwind?
There was only so long they’d let me steer off course or back-wind the sails, which would make a loud crack, before I’d alter the course yet again. Then Bryan suggested that I make small alterations to the movement of the wheel rather than larger movements. Bit by bit the boat and I came together with the sea in a harmonious way. As time went on there would be longer gaps between the angry snap of the back-winded sail. You know ‘you’ve got it’ when the other crew onboard look relaxed and one by one go below with a few comments of approval directed to the novice on the helm! Brilliant! I thought; I’ve done it!
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| ORCV Commodore , Don Frazer at the helm of Dry White on the retrun trip from the Port Fairy race |
I have sailed once before on Dry White with Don Frazer and Simon Dryden and had been receiving Simon’s emails about upcoming races as I was on the mailing list. I wasn’t particularly thinking about going ocean racing but wanted to complete something a bit longer than the Thursday evening bay races. I emailed Simon and asked if they ever took people on board for the return leg and got a reply in the affirmative. This is all part of the ORCV's plan to encourage novice crew to join the fleet on the cruise back home after each race and gain some valuable experience and confidence.
I left my car at Sandringham and caught an early train to Port Fairy. The sailing was a brilliant experience. I’ll dot point the plusses;
o Dinner with the crew that night
o Leaving the Port
o Realising that I felt okay with the movement of the sea
o Waking later to the sun drenched view of the coast line near the Apostles
o Helming
o Great company from all the crew
o Food regularly heated and passed in my direction
o Realising how well this boat moved over the waves
o Being out in the middle of nowhere
o Marine nature at its pristine best
o Thinking with amazement at the first sailors to the area without charts
o Waking at night to motor sailing along the great ocean road part of the coast
o Excellent company
o Unbelievable view of the moon dappled sea
o Helming at night
o Seeing the stars
o Being warm
o Entering the heads at night
o Great warm food and wonderful company
o A glass of wine when through the heads
o Seeing a black wave and realising it was a dolphin alongside the boat
o Learning about all aspects of sailing from navigation to helming
o Feeling of accomplishment
I am grateful to Don, Simon, Bryan and Ash for welcoming me aboard Dry White for the return trip on the 2012 Port Fairy race and to Sue for the loan of some extra clothes.
Story by Paula Ewington.
