The afternoon was not all that good,N to Nw probably up to 25 knots at times,on our quarter but making it a rough ride.Seemed there was some current making the waves seem higher than just a wind slop .
Pulled up outside the entrance at about 5.Quite easy to get in behind a substantial breakwater.
Surprised at the large Marina once inside.
Went over to the fuel dock to fuel up,the local Marina man turned up,seemed quite casual about it all.
Fueling finished we worked out the consumption a pleasant surprise 6.72 liters per mile at over 15 knots average,our plan had worked well by not carrying extra fuel and knocking the revs back a bit .We have enough in the tanks to get home now and a nice extra amount.Biggs will still dip with the broom handle now and then I recon.
We took the boat to the sailing club side and Mick and Bruv took the key around to the club for a shower.Biggs Cheroz and I next.There was only two showers and no light,we battled on while Biggs went back to get a better torch.Rod brought the rear after we had finished.
Went back to the boat and berthed in the main part on the town side.
Tidied up and walked the quarter mile up to the pub.It was quite modern and surprisingly big.I imagine it would hold nearly twice the people at our yacht club at least,it had the main bar with all the old entertainments,two or three serious dart areas and eight ball tables etc.multiple TVs for betting in another area,a pokies room with a serious admin bar with large scales I suppose to weigh out the coins.
The main bar had many photos of the fishing fleet on the wall.We ajoined to the Bistro as it was getting on for 8.Had a good meal.
There seemed quite a few locals in the bar and a few in the pokie room.Seemed to be a generous staff running around.I had a natter to the barman when it was my shout,he said there were 1500 locals which swelled to 15000 in the summer.
The local council man who runs the marina said don't even think of coming in here in the summer unless you have booked a berth,seemed surprising as there are heaps of empty berths now.
A fisherman showed up for a talk,they always do in these places.We learned the local cray fleet start in October ,they are all on the hard now,some fish for shark,one young bloke came by and pointed out his West Coaster boat,not much dough in sharks he said I only run her around at eight knots to save fuel.The old one told Rod the cray men are all day boaters,would not be game to leave your misses around here at night he said! Sounds like Port Arthur in the old days.
Got back to the boat after nine ,some had a night cap and some a coffee and into bed early a bit tired but all contented ,things going well and the hardest bit done we think.The forecast for Bass Strait favorable ,but you can't always trust that place.
Rod would like to leave about mid morning,no rush to get away.Will post a voyage plan a bit later.
They must have made hundreds of these boats ,everywhere you go there are heaps of them,not really suitable for our West Coast cray fishery but ideal for lots of short trips.Lunch box fishermen..
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