Day 3 Hogan Island to Deal Island

NE 5-10 kts, nil sea's. I left Hogan at around 0720 to get to Murray's Pass at slack water. I could see the Kent Group for the first hour before they disappeared in the sea mist shortly after. I would only see the Islands on two other occasions during my crossing. The sea mist lifted as I approached Murray's Pass. I went into Erith and resupplied my water and had a quick meal. I wanted to get back out of the northern end of the Pass before the current got to strong. I slowly made my way out of the Pass and once clear had an easy paddle around to Winter Cove where a pod of dolphins played. I had a small surf with about 4 ft faces to negotiate my way to the beach. I used my sat phone to gain the forecast for the next day. I believe you can get a phone signal from the saddle above the Cove. Average speed 3.8 kts.
                                                                                                                                  

 

Day 2 Refuge Cove to Hogan Island

NE 15 kts sea's 1.5m . I woke up at 0430 and had a big Breakfast. I was on the water at 0620 it was still dark for a little while. There was a bit of rebound of the rocks exiting Refuge Cove which cleared as I pushed further out to sea. The conditions became calm about two hours into the journey. I was paddling on a bearing for the first 3 hours before Hogan showed itself through the haze. It took me just under 7 hours to get to Hogan. There was a small tidal race between the twin islets going around the North end of Hogan, a bit of fun to play in. The spring on Hogan would be a last option for water and would need treatment.There is no water tank off the hut.Phone signal towards the obvious saddle.Average speed 4kts.

Hogan

Approaching Hogan

    



Bass Strait Solo Day 1,Port Welshpool to Refuge Cove

NE 15-20kts, sea's 1.5m. I Headed down the coast and stopped at Rabbit Island for a quick bite to eat. I then continued down to Refuge Cove with the following sea's. The rangers hut at Refuge Cove was closed. If using water from the stream I would recommend purifying it.  I had phone signal above the boaters camp.Average speed 4.3kts               

Refuge Cove

Port Welshpool

                                                         

Bass Strait Equipment List

Kayak, modified Rockpool Taran
Paddles - Primary Epic Mid Wing, secondary Werner Corryvreckon.
Repair kit with spare rudder blade, cables etc.
Spare spray deck and emergency hatch covers.
Power Monkey extreme solar charger.
Charts, one spare, Nav data sheet, emergency run sheet gps, compass deck, hand held, ipad.
Sat phone, phone,VHF radio,PLB, spot tracker, short wave radio.
Spare batteries
Spare paddle clothes,cag etc.
Water purifier
10 days food.
22 litres water
Camping equipment.

Total weight 52kg

Rockpool Taran modifications

I purchased my Rockpool Taran from Expedition Kayaks around June 2012 for the purpose of a solo crossing of Bass Strait in March 2013. The guys at Expedition Kayaks happily organised a test paddle. From the moment I got into the boat I liked it. It had a great turn of speed and I found it stable. I got it home and paddled it for a month in various conditions and decided on some modifications.
 Carbon Skeg  and rudder blade                               Day hatch


I have found the skeg a real advantage in large quartering seas. The day hatch has added more strength to the rear deck as well. I also installed a deck compass and and water witch sensor for the electric bilge.