Miyazaki Marina

July 22, 2010

Saeki to Miyazaki Marina : 86 nautical miles

Japan Self Defense Forces

The Hyuga open sea is very dangerous off shore under strong wind.

There is no available port between the Miyazaki port and the Saeki port about 80 miles.

The Miyazaki Marina is located on a river. The river is sallow and narrow. When a tide is low , the Miyazaki Marina has no channel from the sea. The chief engineer of the marina come to lead for us. We followed him... but difficult!

He lead us like surfine.  He was pushed by the wave from leftward and moved to the right quay. That was a amusing boat show! But.. I had to do that!

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Succeeded!!

We could stay in a Hotel and had dinner while we left the Lukia in Miyazaki marina.

Kyusyu Saeki Harbor

July 21, 2010

Matsuyama to Saeki : 77 nautical miles

08:00 Dearted from Matsuyama

14:00 Saeki Harbor

We were tired very much.

The journey from Matsuyama to cape Satamisaki was truly comfortable.

A Minor 29 DC is able to cruise linearly as if she runs on rails.  I took this photo from the Lukia standing on aft deck while auto pilot system automatically steered her. The linearity was an effect of the minor 29DC's single engine and keel. I think it is an big advantage of the Minor 29 for a long cruise. 

Satamisaki peninsula

I selected the route of the east side of Kyusyu  for arriving Yakushima.

It was more dangerous than the route of the west side of Kyusyu Island especially in the summer season. But it is very shorter route than the west side, and we could saved time and money.

The wave was 1.5m off shore of Kyusyu.

We reached Saeki Harbor at 14:00.

Saeki port is a very good Harbor, and has been historically famous also.

The Self Defense Force of Japan use this harbor. It's a kind of navy harbor.

Fuel to Lukia by myself.

We were very tired because of lucking nutrition and wanted to go hotel,  but didn't go.
Because we could not moor Lukia at the safety place.

Lukia has no air conditioner, it was hot night and mosquitoes attacked us all the night. We were swung by the waves which were made by some boat after passing us. I miss a hotel.

Matsuyama

July 20, 2010

Teshima to Matsuyama : 90 nautical miles

07:30 Departed Teshima

10:30 Stop in Tadotsu port for fuel 

16:00 The Matsuyama Port

 

I departed from Teshima island using the radar in the fog.

We had to stop for the fuel in the morning. My wife, Mami searched a fuel station by internet.

There is no fuel station in the Marukame harbor.

Mami found a fuel tank car in the Tadotsu port and arranged it for fuel.

In Tadotsu port, an old  fisherman talked to us about his experience. A Japanese human-powered boat had a single oar attached to the stern in the old days. The old fisherman could freely move  around  on the sea with a single oar.

One day, a rich man asked the old fisherman to take him fishing on his boat. The old fisherman refused, but the rich man asked him again and again. Finally, He agreed, and went to sea with the rich man.

Suddenly a storm came in and  the waves became choppy. The rich man was very afraid and said, "Help me!".
He calmly took his oar and rowed powerfully with his own strength. At last, they went back to the shore. After that, the rich man never again asked the old fisherman to take him on his boat.

The story he talked to us was very interesting, but we had to go. We departed from Tadotsu port.

We passed Seto Bridge.

Kurushima Strait

Because of the tide, the current in Kurushima Strait changes direction from time to time. To pass through Kurushima Strait, you must use the designated route. This rule, which changes which channel to pass through from time to time, is a worldwide rarity.

We passed through Kurushima Strait when the current was south.

We passed Kurushima Channel. God job Lukia!

We reached to the Matsuyama port.

We had to refuel in this port. We could find a fuel ship mooring near the gate of the port.

Mami cooked octopus which were given in the morning. It had been long time after last cooking in a boat.

There is huge tidal range in Matsuyama port. We could not climb up to the top of the quay if we didn't use a stair. We could borrow it from the fuel station.

The water tank was almost empty. I brought water with reserve water tank by walk. Bringing 70 litters water from public bathroom to the Lukia in the dark was heavy duty.

I took a shower on the aft deck. There were twinkle stars above us.

Teshima Island

July 19, 2010

Ikeda in Shodoshima to Muroo in Teshima : 10 nautical miles

We unloaded Kayaks from the Lukia and  walked about on the sea on the kayak.

Kayak is suitable on the shallow sea. You can find something living under the sea while you are paddling kayak. They are never found in your power boat.

 

We stranded to the tiny island a shrine is constructed.

No fuel station was open on holiday. It was not good tactics to move around for searching fuel station on the sea. 

In the afternoon, we moved to the Teshima Island where a resort hotel exists. It was a short cruise.

We stayed at the Amore Teshima Resort.

It was a typical holiday boating.

 

Naruto syodoshima

July 18, 2010

Wakayaya Marina Naruto Muroo Port : 64 nautical miles

In summer season,  On the off shore of Awaji Island, big wave occur when strong southward wind meet northward current at spring tide. It was that time.

Naruto Strait is on of the most famous place for big swirls in Japan.

The tide makes rapid current with swirls from Setonaikai to Pacific ocean.

On the Naruto channel, there are many floathing ships for the tourist,  you should attend the movement of them.

 

When we passed there the current reached at 8 knots.

Naruto Channel

Passing Naruto channel is the first experience for me. As it was more better to follow another ships I thought, I waited to follow another boat who entered into the channel.

I carefully selected  the course watching the movement of the boat for a sightseeing.

Sugoi! I thought Setonaikai was looked higher than Pacific ocean. We had to go as if we went up the stairs on the sea.

It was not difficult to control the boat on such a rapid current, it was eerie, because Lukia didn't get speed while accelerating the engine.

There was a big swirl in front of her.

We went to the Shodo Island next.

Muroo port
Many tourist rode on Kayak.  We wanted to ride too. 

It was windy. I was likely to mistake to hit Lukia to another boat pushed by wind.

There was no room in a hotel near by there, we went to the bed in a boat.

I could supply water to Lukia.