The prime objective on doing the Vanuatu race was to sea trial Dekadence in a short handed configuration as preparation for our major goal of the Melbourne to Osaka Yacht Race.

We didn't make it to Vanuatu which was disappointing but not a major issue for us as we did achieve over 1000 nautical miles and 8 days of sea trials which was more important.

The 8 days clearly identified that if we had of started the race to Osaka we would never have made it as we had major issues with handling the main in strong winds and major electrical problems both of which were non fixable on the water.

We lost the autopilot which was unable to be repaired after two days so we had to hand steer the boat for six days. You reckon two handed sailing a boat like Dekadence is tough with an autopilot, you should try it six days without one!

Add to that getting hit with a 50 knot storm and unable to drop the main after a lazy jack had jammed in a car resulted in major damage to track and main sail, hence our return to Sydney.

This turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the rest of the race was very light with boats becalmed for days. We were on a tight time frame anyway so for us it was a good outcome.

All problems are fixable and we will be well prepared for our trip to Osaka in March 2007. We are both looking forward to the event even more and are even more determined than ever to make it. Peewee and I have now done 4,000 plus nautical miles together two handed sailing and love it. We are looking forward to arriving in Osaka.

Dekadence is a fantastic boat and with a few modifications she will get us to Osaka in safety.

We will keep you updated on our progress as we sail north to the Whitsundays to contest Hamilton Island Race Week.

Phil and PeeWee

UPDATE 7 JULY 2006

Well, it never ceases to amaze me - what next???

Having sorted out the sail/rig issues early this morning, not a particularly comfortable night, but nevertheless, the seaworthiness of the boat being well and truly tested - everything sorted, start engine, start making way towards Sydney and the engine has stopped.

Headed for Coffs Harbour, at 1145 am this morning, and now making Newcastle as at 1750 pm this evening, with a Trysail up and hoping for the wind to abate enough to get a headsail up and make better time back across that horrible Australian current.

Reported to have a very awkward seaway and wind from almost the wrong direction, the boys still have plenty of humour in the circumstances and are making their way in to shore as expediently as possible.

For all concerned, they are both physically well and in good spirits for the situation they find themselves in.

Please, if you have been sending the boat emails, we are deleting them from the inbox so that only crutial information needs to be uploaded as they are currently preserving as much battery life as possible. Thanks.

Will post a further update when we hear more...

Squirrel...

WITHDRAWAL FROM RACE

It is an absolute b...ch that I have to post this entry. A short time ago I received a phone call via the Satellite Phone from Dekadence and they are having to withdraw from the race.

Currently sitting in 35-40 knots, having just been hit by a 50+ knot squall which has done irreparable damage to their Main Sail and Carr System.

Once they are able to sort the boat out again and get the Main Sail down, they will be heading to Sydney at the first opportunity.

All appropriate Authorities have been informed and are aware of their position and circumstances.

I will update the site when I get a further communication.

Squirrel...

EMAIL FROM DEKADENCE RECEIVED 6 JULY 2006

Hi, haven't much time at moment - phone wouldn't connect last night. Works in morning. Have been making good progress since late yesterday averaging 7 to 8 knots - both getting tired after hand steering 12 hours a day.

We are about to replace pilot unit - will be a big job and still try and sail boat. Hope it will be worth it.

Conditions good - 12 to 20 from SW, so making good progress - current favourable, now making some ground!

No way we can compare performance of crewed boat to 2-handed, we can only go on other 2-handed boats, we are starting to do better and it is 3 times harder with no auto pilot to booot so overall we are going ok.

Will contact again after auto pilot job finished.

Catch you soon - back to salt mine.

Phil and Pee Wee (Uncle Fester)

Day 5 - (6 July 2006)

After another 24 hours, the boys have collected another place, currently sitting 10th overall. With 1,374.94 nautical miles still to race, I'm thinking at this point - the extra food we made to test for longetivity on the delivery home may just be a blessing in disguise. Despite the on-board issues they have had to sort out to date, one thing is for sure - they will not go hungry!

Wtih a current ETA of 16 July, it is certain they will be hoping for some stronger running breeze in the days to follow.

Hoping to get further communication from the yacht today, however still haven't had an update as to whether the Autohelm is now fixed... Squirrel...

5 July 2006 @ 2:00pm - update

Have heard from the yacht via Satellite phone - all improving aboard just one more piece of equipment to fix now..... The Autohelm!! Somewhat vital, but not stopping them! Stay tuned for the next update!.... Squirrel...

EMAIL FROM DEKADENCE RECEIVED 5 JULY 2006

Life on Dekadence - day one

Started day very casual no stress and that is where it ended, left dock just fine late, but no stress until we ran aground near South Channel - chart plotter error Navionics Chart says 6 metres water ... nup 2.9 metres - spent next hour digging furrow to get out and did.

On way down channel to Portsea GPS signal carks it .. great! this end of bay no GPS after running aground already ... may have contributed to earlier problem???

Made start one hour late, but hey started - could have been worse, trip out heads sloppy seaway but away - until a whale decided it liked us - we missed it by less than one metre, what next?? Wasn't game to make any rash statement by now...

Trip to prom was fast - 18 to 25 knots SE just sprung shitty seaway f-----g cold but making good progress. Around prom, 2.00am navigating rocks full of confidence in our backup gps. Solid 15 knots broad reaching all good. Spoke too soon - 4.30am start engine - no charging batteries, AWESOME - Osaka revisited, take deep breath slash wrists and continue.

Conditions - 10 knots reaching, nice day, bad mood, pulliing out possibility, 8.00am found solution to voltage problem, fixed .... Technology and Yachts don't mix - like a non-drinking partner to a Yachtie ha ha.

Rest of day 8 to 10 knots, SE calm seas all good, moods better, batteries full, away again generallly in direction of Vanuatu trying to get out of current.

Hope for peaceful night touch wood

To be continued..... Phil and Pee Wee

Day 4 - (5 July 2006)

It has been a slow 24 hours. At 5.35am this morning the boys have gained another 2 places in the fleet overall and are now in 11th place with 1,520 nautical miles to go.

The fleet is well split with half the boats opting to hug the Australian coast and the other half well out to sea. Dekadence is currently sitting well to the seaward side of the Rhumb line.

With predicted Westerly winds of up to 30 knots to approach the fleet today, we may see some monumental changes to the positioning. To date, handicap positions are way too close and are changing each Sked.

No news is good news from the Dekadence - they are still heading out to sea and on to Vanuatu!

Day 3 - (4 July 2006)

Overnight the boys have made up three places, currently sitting in 13th place at 5.35am this morning. They are now 33 nautical miles S of Malacoota and one of the furtherest boats out in the fleet, staying East of the Rhumb Line.

It has been light and flukey with some boats opting for hugging the coast and others making sea room - will be interesting as they start to stretch their legs away from the coast of Australia.

Will post any further updates from the boat as they come to hand. Distance to go 1,608.81 nautical miles.

At 2135 last night (9.35pm) Dekadence was at 38 37S 148 14E (94 nautical miles SW of Malacoota), holding position 16 in the fleet. They had completed 201.33 nautical miles towards the finish with a serious amount of the race still to be completed, a mere 1,669.87 nautical miles left on the dial!!

Game On!

Day 2 - (3 July 2006)

The boys are sailing WELL!, reported to be approximately 20 nautical miles East of Wilsons Prom in a Southerly breeze at 8am this morning when they were able to phone through a position on the Satellite Phone - obviously having been in more favourable winds than were first predicted.

Last night saw an awkward messy seaway, with 20-25 knots and some much needed catch up time. Unfortunately, they have been plagued with some continued gear failure which has seen the Skeds being difficult up until today, but the news is good - with some elbow greese applied, the Skeds will again follow and the campaign continues.

Today, with a calmer seaway and a lower wind range of 10 knots from the South, a great opportunity to sort out the boat and continue to work on making ground on the rest of the fleet.

Both Coombsie and PeeWee are enjoying the sailing as anyone who loves this sport can only appreciate too well.

Off and Racing !!! - (2 July 2006)

After a slow start to the race, a minor gear failure being the culprit, Coombsie and PeeWee were off and chasing their fellow competitors. They were both in great spirits regardless, knowing that each day will take them one step closer to their end goal.

The first Sked is due at 2105 (9.05pm) tonight, so we will wait to see how the game of cat and mouse progresses.

Stay tuned for further updates... Squirrel