First post of 18/01/2026.
So finally after my trip north in 2023 I have decided to do a trip of around 75 days south towards Sydney. I hope to get to Botany Bay but will be aiming for Sydney at least. We leave in around three weeks on 9/02/2026.
I will have two other yachts accompanying me, not Top Hats, but Greg, from my 2019 trip north, and William, both who have H28's, so a similar size.
In preparation I have painted SEAKA's deck in Norglass Weatherfast Premium Enamel and Slip Resistant paint. In reality as SEAKA is 57 years old and the gelcoat was a bit thin in places. I came off the local slip in the Camden Haven Inlet on Friday with new Altex No 5 anti-fouling. I have also built a new exhaust mixer for my Nanni 10hp diesel inboard. The original one had collapsed completely and I was lucky to spot the problem before I went on a trip.
So our sailing plan is like this, with time spent at each place dictated by weather etc:
Camden Haven to Forster. Broughton Island. Port Stephens. Newcastle. Swansea. Lake Macquarie. Broken Bay. Port Jackson. Botany Bay. Port Jackson. Broken Bay. Swansea. Lake Macquarie. Newcastle. Port Stephens. Seal Rocks. Forster. Camden Haven.
I am planning on contacting as many Top Hats as I can during this trip.
I will add photos over the next week.
