Sail Pittwater and Beyond

Majestic Pitttwater is a terrific place to sail.  To the west it is bordered by unspoilt national park with several walking trails and sheltered beaches while to the east is the peninsula that is Sydney’s splendid northern beaches from Newport through to Palm Beach and Barrenjoey lighthouse.

If you sail north along the length of Pittwater, which takes between one to two hours, you enter the mouth of the Hawkesbury River bounded to the east by Lion Island and Barrenjoey Head. As you head west, going up river and leaving Pittwater behind, on your port side is the aforementioned national park with small, quiet beaches and various walking trails while on your starboard is the sleepy village of Patonga and, a little further on, a sheltered beach with a sport and recreation centre.  You can turn north and continue up the river as far as the railway bridge near Brooklyn or, if you prefer, stay on a westward heading and explore Cowan Creek.

Cowan Creek

From here you are spoilt for choice.  Near the confluence of Cowan Creek and Hawkesbury River you have three bays, Refuge, Yeomans and Jerusalem Bays.  Each is quiet and sheltered with a variety of attractions.  Both Rufuge Bay and Jerusalem Bay have walking trails  while Yeomans Bay is secluded and easily missed.  For those seeking complete stillness and isolation you could do worse than head up Smith Creek where the last bay has very few moorings and all you can hear is the birds.  Alternatively you could stop for a delectable degustation meal at the Cottage Point Inn.

The Boat

Sail stunning Pittwater in Sha Meduza, a Hunter 38 sloop launched in 2007. Hunter yachts are based in Florida USA and, as you should expect from an American boat, this boat is beautifully fitted out with a well thought through layout and excellent fixtures and fittings.  In 2005, one year after the first of this model was produced, the Hunter 38 won a prize for the best performing cruising yacht under 40 feet.

Sha Meduza is equipped with a furling headsail and the main sail is corralled with lazy jacks for convenience.  She has a Yanmar 40 hp diesel for use when there is no wind or manoeuvring at close quarters.  Cockpit instruments include wind speed and direction, log, depth sounder and a Raymarine GPS with nautical maps.

Facilities

The cockpit can seat eight comfortably with seating for a further four on the transom.  There are overnight berths for seven and, during daytime, ten can be accommodated easily.  There is a two burner gas stove with oven and two fridges, one with a freezer compartment.  Hot and cold water is on board with a two bowl sink and drying cupboard.  Plates, mugs, glasses and cutlery are provided.  The saloon is commodious with comfortable leather seating and a decent sized table.  A separate navigation desk is equipped with a Raymarine GPS console and two-way radio.  There is a single bathroom with shower, basin and toilet. In the transom a deck shower is provided for those who have returned on board from a swim in the pristine waters of the area.

Entertainment is provided by a radio / bluetooth music system in the cockpit and a TV and DVD player in the saloon.  A selection of DVDs is provided or you can bring your own.