Ichi Ban instruments back in play

Australian entry Ichi Ban's Sydney to Hobart campaign is back on track after the boat lost crucial weather instrumentation.

Crew member Craig Garnett on Monday braved dicey conditions to climb the rigging, navigator Will Oxley said.

"Craig (went) up the rig to replace the wand we lost yesterday morning so we will have wind instruments again," Oxley said.

"It's been quite tricky without them."

The sixth-placed 60-footer, which on Monday made it across Bass Strait, is just three nautical miles behind fellow-NSW boat Chinese Whisper.

"We need to get past them through this transition period," Oxley said.

Owned by Yachting Australia president Matt Allen, Ichi Ban is on its first Sydney to Hobart outing after undergoing major works in early 2015 including a new keel fin and mast.

She is one of many boats to suffer damage in the 2015 race.

Leader Comanche has battled on with rudder and dagger board damage and second-placed Rambler has lost speed due to an immovable dagger board after hitting something in the water.

Crew on board third-placed Ragamuffin, the best Australian contender, revealed on Monday she too lost a dagger board on the first night at sea.