Magnificent cruising grounds...oh...waters

Sashimi is with the Tuna only, don't-drop-the-hyphen! Dolphins and
whales are our mates.

(And don't take any notice about racing, it is just an excuse to cruise
together, especially on the return trip.)


http://www.sail-world.com/2006m2v/ or www.melbournevanuatu.com

*Dolphins, Whales-no Propulsion for Coast Huggers*
Extract
....
The boat has encountered about fifteen pods of dolphins and had the
pleasure of six whale sightings which Dryden sees as indicative of
Australia's conservation policies. 'In all our extensive travels
(on Helsal II) we have never seen as much wildlife as we see here. The
cheeky dolphins have been chasing us at night as well, when you can't
see them but just here the splashes.'
....
By Jennifer McGuigan, Melbourne , Wed 5 Jul 2006

*Tuna Sashimi in the Parking Lot*
Extract
....
On the up side for today - all the crew got to sit around in the sun
with T-shirts and Shorts - this is what we like.

'With all the discussions today about our slow progress in the race so
far - the thought off running out of food is becoming a possibility.
Because of our slower boat-speed and the potential food problem, one of
the crew - Boxhead - who is an avid fisherman, suggested that if he
were able to drop his line of the back of the boat in for an hour or
so, there was a good possibility he would catch a fish.

'An hour later, sure enough, there was a fish on the line. He dragged
in nice 6kg Stripy (Striped Tuna), got it on board and poured some
whiskey down its gills and after some fierce kicking for about 40
seconds - the fish stopped kicking and was bled, and carved up for
Sashimi entrée.

'The rest of the fish was soaked in a brew of oil and whiskey then
cooked and served as the special Catch-of-the-day.
....
By Rob Kothe, Wed 5 Jul 2006
*Speedup for Melbourne -Vanuatu fleet*
....
Last night the Volvo 60 crew dined on Tuna steaks, from a striped tuna
caught from a trolling line, as the big boat eased her way softly north
east. However fish might be off the menu from here on. As the westerly
wind strengthens, the boat is speeding up and the only thing she'd
catch on a trolling line now would be barracuda.
....
Mid-winter is still T-shirt weather on the Great Barrier Reef. A great
time to go north to enjoy the sun and surf, delicious food and tropical
weather.

By Rob Kothe, Thu 6 Jul 2006

Solo Thesailor
http://sailingstoriesandtips.blogspot.com

One boat sailing up from Australia to Vanuatu reported the keel hitting
a sunfish (see the link below). Does anyone have any experience or
sighting of what a sunfish looks like?

Also a few other boat reported some fish, one was said to be one and a
half feet long, and squids landing on the boat. Does this happen a lot
and would these be certain types of fish and not others? Thanks.

Extract:
They have since pulled the hydraulic rams out of the boat and sent them
back to the manufacturer and on Tuesday had clear enough water to see
the keel was damaged right on the nose of the bulb. 'We sent a
professional diver down someone who does this all the time and he said
it was definitely a Sunfish*.' Coleman says 'in fact he brought up
some Sunfish skin from the keel.'
* Sunfish The ocean sunfish vies for the title of strangest fish in the
sea. Its Latin name, Mola mola , means millstone. Recorded up to two
tons, this gentle giant inhabits all tropical and temperate seas.
End Extract from http://www.sail-world.com/2006m2v/

Solo Thesailor
http://sailingstoriesandtips.blogspot.com