A call from Solquest ,have a problem,need to change the fuel filters and would like to take a sample from the bottom of the tank,do you have a better pump.Ours will not suck enough.
Fortunately I had an old Caterpillar oil change pump on board and took it over,a sample was pumped out into an empty wine bottle,plenty of them on hand.
Garth and Rod changed the engine filters also for good measure and they got under way an hour later.
As we travelled down between the fish farms towards the channel I saw Stormbreaker emerging from an unfamiliar place,she seemed to be in the channel but as we drew closer I realized she was to the South of it.On consulting my plotter it seems she was in Betsey Bay for the night.A lot closer to the entrance and quite cosy for the SE wind we had.Must follow it up sometime.
Transferred the crew boat to boat,we are getting quite good at it now ,they put out their fenders on the port side and we go along side.A bow and stern line are all that is required as we try to be on the windward side.One person each end tends the lines.The crew pass across with all their stuff ,quite a lot if going for an extended period.
Out round Cape Sorell and into a 3 to 4 meter SW swell with an 18 to 20 southerly wind.
Well Josh wanted it rough and today he got it.
Solquest was pitching and rolling as one would expect.Good get that Gilly!
We elected to tack out to sea to see if we could get a little calmer water,Ben put the Tuna lines in and after about half an hour trolling we came about and could lay Sloop Rocks.
We bashed and banged our way down there and decided to go in and have a spell and wait for them.The Petuna a cray boat from Hobart was anchored there and lying quite well.
We motored up a bit more but as usually is the case she was anchored in the best place ,hard bottom where we were.We went back and anchored inside her.After a while we noticed a small ab boat tucked away in a little cove,quietly going about his business .
We had Solquest on the radar and as she was not making much progress I called up Rod.
Not doing too well out here he advised,down to two knots at times.
We are going to persevere for a little longer for the cameras and then turn back.Would take till 8 to get to Hibbs at this rate.Josh has some good footage though.Ross getting drenched and Mathew on the foredeck clipped on looking like a farmer at sea,seemingly enjoying the experience.He has lost his seasickness problem.Exuberant as ever on the camera.
We waited a while and had a cup of tea.After a while we saw them turn back and up anchored to follow,consulting the chart and observing the breaking seas it seemed to us you you can go quite safely inside the Sloop rocks.Will ask someone one day.No real need to do so though.
We left for Pilot Bay ,thought we would buzz them at 25 knots in a big following sea.
Slowed down as we approached Cape Sorell and put the lures back in when we jibed,to round the Cape.Not even a touch.We have heard they are about but very selective on which day they run.
Anchored in the shelter of Pilot Bay and waited for their arrival,they were not far behind.
Josh called up to say they were filming the making of the hard tack biscuits and could Ben bring the cray pot over for Nick to set on camera.
We had some lunch after Ben had put the net in to get bait or whatever was about.Nothing on the fishing lines.
Ben pulled the net and caught a large Elephant Shark and a Perch.Good said Ross we will clean them and use the rest for bait.
We had heard they were good eating but I always let them go ,their odd looking trunk nose putting me off and their smooth skin,no scales.
All that was accomplished and Ben ferried the crew back to the boat,Gilly and Gary decided to go ashore to film the sun setting taking the Phantom.Gary wanted to try and fly it in some wind!
Well it sounds like he found its limits.It was going out to sea when he turned the GPS homing back on and it returned with difficulty.No way you would get any photos like that he said.
Then another first Gilly had wandered off so he had to catch it with one hand while flying it with the other,sounded like it was a bit hairy.
We had dinner,made plans for the morning and into the bunk about nine after watching Josh's last production in Mexico, The eating of the hottest chili and his description of the aftermath a revelation,these foodies!
Solquest heading for Hells Gates.A rather benign day.
Down a big one.Masterpiece returns to Pilot Bay.
The forecast for the morning is a lot better.
Should be "off the air"until Tuesday evening.
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