A Sunset Sail on Port Phillip Bay

[@DanielSmith-vp5vn]

Also from a noob. Been told to steer under motor with the tiller rather than engine if you can lock the engine in straight. Worked better for me.

[@VentureOffroadAustralia4x4]

Thanks. Doesn't seem to be the case with our Ultimate. Not sure why. I also worry about dragging the rudder because it hangs so low.

[@dougfairweather]

Thanks for my sailing fix for today... You guys always seem so "chill"... Cant wait to see you next time! Doug, Cairns... FNQ. PS: Lots of nice blue sailing water up here!

[@VentureOffroadAustralia4x4]

Thanks Doug. We do love FNQ but hadn't really considered it for sailing. Crocodiles would be a concern for me. Can you recommend any spots?

[@user-tq1sp5ly9l]

Great little sail guys. Wasn't expecting that acknowledgement 😂 Lachy.

[@VentureOffroadAustralia4x4]

Credit where credits due. Thanks for the tip.

[@user-tq1sp5ly9l]

@@VentureOffroadAustralia4x4 glad it helped. We are hoping to take out boat out to peel next weekend. First time since fixing up the trailer... Can't wait

[@VentureOffroadAustralia4x4]

Enjoy your sail. I'm a little jealous of Queensland weather and all the islands you habe to explore. You did a great job upgrading the trailer.

[@user-tq1sp5ly9l]

@@VentureOffroadAustralia4x4 thanks Barry. I sure pumped some money into it. Will give it a good test tomorrow. 👍

[@lukewilliams9082]

I’ve been putting a little lanolin in my sail tracks. Makes raising and lowering the main a lot easier. Went with lanolin due to its naturalness.

[@VentureOffroadAustralia4x4]

Thanks for the tip. I've been using silicone spray but its still very squeaky.

[@svlittlegem24]

G'day. Go form Brisbane to karngal on Merton island than if you are comfortable head north to moolllabar, then double island point wide bay bar with the incoming tide and no windor very light wind, then head up to garys ancourage than moon pt and cross over to urangan to resupply the boat than continue north with stops at the main ports. Good luck and fair winds. Ps, Cheack out navionics. Best time to go is from augast to november than go home as it will be cyclone season. Gerard.

[@VentureOffroadAustralia4x4]

Thanks for all the suggestions, that would be a great sail. We are using Navionics and find it accurate and easy to use. Happy sailing.

[@sailingseriously2035]

Just discovered you guys. Enjoying and totally get your attraction to sailing. There is something special about getting a boat working to its optimum with no mechanical powder. I’ve lived it the Whitsundays, that is the water you are looking for. Trailables are ideal up there. We sail now on the Gippsland lakes. Sensational. Ian

[@sailingseriously2035]

Just saw your earlier vid on the Gippsland Lakes. 🤣🙄👍🏻

[@VentureOffroadAustralia4x4]

Thanks. Yes, learning how to use the power of wind is great fun. The Whitsundays is definitely somewhere we'd love to explore. I wasn't sure if 18ft is big enough to safely negotiate those waters, particularly if conditions turn bad. We've only been to the Gippsland Lakes once and really enjoyed it. Hopefully we'll get back there this summer. Maybe we'll see you there.

[@sailingseriously2035]

@@VentureOffroadAustralia4x4 Firstly, your boat will suffice. Totally weather dependent like anywhere. The thing about there is the amount of places to hide. The Whitsunday passage can get up at times. We sail out of the Loch Sport Marina. Let us know if you are heading down. 👍🏻

[@RobertSmith-jl4yw]

It's the contrast, mate. I love my cars, including my (petrol) 80-series Land Cruiser, and engines in 'planes, trains and so on, but boats? No. Only sail. I accept the need for a small outboard for round the harbour. I have the same trouble with potential cruising grounds in SA (Sunmaid 20), so will try Port Lincoln and region, but I suspect we'll be doing the long tow to the Whitsundays or to Tassie. I did a lot of hydro surveying round Tasmania and it's wonderful. Maybe an idea for your search?

[@VentureOffroadAustralia4x4]

I think you're right about the contrast. Both methods of travel are really enjoyable for different reasons. The Whitsundays and Tassie would both be great spots to take the boat. It's part of the beauty of trailer sailers. Take it where ever you want.

[@MrToranaGuy]

I'd hazard a guess that sailing around the top end, anywhere from the coast of FNQ all the way around to the top of WA would be a good winter escape, but a long car haul to get the yacht there.

[@VentureOffroadAustralia4x4]

Yeah even Brisbane isn't bad in winter. The towing can be draining but if the reward is worth it I'm up for the challenge.

[@MrToranaGuy]

@@VentureOffroadAustralia4x4 I've got a mate who was crazy enough to tow his Seaway 25 all the way to QLD to sail the coast up there, It's a big heavy & wide trailer yacht. I surely wouldn't do that, but with a smaller yacht like yours, and a reasonable timeframe to tow it up, the journey up would be an adventure even before you launch it.

[@VentureOffroadAustralia4x4]

Yeah I agree. We towed it to Brisbane last year and other than the state of the Newell highway it was a pleasure to tow. Handy to have a bed setup ready each night too.

[@ianb4801]

You make me homesick, “damn you”… Really though, I sold up and flew to Europe, from Melbourne, one-way, to learn to sail (at 63YO), to see some of the world and to escape much of the madness of Melbourne. Yep, even old fools can learn to sail, but seeing how light your lines are makes me wonder that learning on a 38 foot boat, nearly always single-handed, is an expression of senility in itself. Still, 10,000 solo miles later, several times dealing with Biscay, some calmer times in the Med., a solo Atlantic crossing putting me currently in Panama, tell me that I’m doing OK. But the Canal and the Pacific await me. A huge bonus, while at Gosport, in the Mecca of UK sailing, was to have a chat with Sir Robin Knox-Johnton - when he was aboard Suhaili too. As to clear blue waters in a trailer-sailor, Sealer’s Cove might be possible, setting out from Port Franklin or nearby - with stable weather. Beyond that, The Whitsundays maybe? I’m not that keen on coastal setting though, much preferring open ocean where there aren’t even countries; life is simple, although maybe brutal, out there. Care to keep in touch? Maybe you’d like to see sailing on a boat where every damned thing is heavy? Not one to offer too much advice, because the low key way you sailed here seems perfect, but two things maybe? 1. That headsail leach fluttering away like that is reducing the sail’s life. Maybe it’s just a trimming issue, getting the leads in the right place, but having a leach cord helps mop up the rest. Maybe having a sailmaker add a leach cord might be useful? 2. Watch out with those bunt lines when reefing the main; I don’t have them even. Just all to easy to over tighten them when reefing and causing wear that way; also possible to shred your main if you forget then when shaking out a reef. IfI’m bothered by the loose sail flopping on the boom, I simple tidy it up with a sail tie or two - making sure I don’t over tighten them. Also “dumb” to forget about them when it matters too. In anyway, it’s infectious seeing you have fun sailing the “low tech” way. More strength to your arms.

[@VentureOffroadAustralia4x4]

That's one hell of an adventure you've embarked on. I always thought you only stop learning if you choose to. You're never too old. I like watching others sail the oceans but think I'll stick to the relative safety of lakes and bays for now. Please do stay in touch though. Thanks for the tips. I'm wondering if the headsail leech flutter is just age, I think the sails are original making them over 40 years old, so a leech cord may help. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment, I always enjoy the feedback. Happy sailing for the canal and Pacific.

[@DougGeary-h7h]

Port Stephens nsw. Beautiful water way, lots of littles coves to check out, sail out the heads to Broughton island if the weather window is good, if not take a cruise up the Myall river and check out a collection of connect fresh water lakes. All from the one boat ramp. We Love 4wding camping sailing call us up if you come up this way.

[@VentureOffroadAustralia4x4]

Thanks for the tip. I have been looking at Mayall Lakes. I imagine spring, summer and autumn are the ideal seasons to visit. What do you sail/drive?

[@RobertSmith-jl4yw]

Not warm in Tasmania in Winter, though!

[@VentureOffroadAustralia4x4]

More a summer destination for me 🥶

[@DanielSmith-vp5vn]

Worst job. Putting sails up. Second worst taking them down knowing the sailing is ending.

[@VentureOffroadAustralia4x4]

Our little Ultimate 18 isn't too bad for rigging and getting the sails up. Agree with it been sad taking them down, knowing the sailing is coming to an end.