The Project List

There is always something to be done on a boat. Currently we are at the stage of getting the boat sealed up properly to keep the water out and adding the necessary items to allow us to be self sufficient.

1. Replace the hatch just in front of the mast as the Perspex is broken along the support hinge. Unfortunately this was not picked up in the survey as it had been covered by grip tape. It was a rude surprise to find the bedding soaked the first time we left the boat without the bow cover on.

2. Re-bed the stanchions. There are signs of leaks from these and we have confirmed at least one to be dripping when it rains.

3. Convert our walker bay dinghy to be a sailing dinghy. There is a sailing kit available for about $1000 but I have decided to rig it with optimist gear so that the kids are familiar with the optimist rig, when and if they choose to race. It will also stow more neatly.

4. Purchase and install a solar system. I'm thinking 800 to 1000 watts should be enough. This should equate to about 180 amps per day based on 40% production for 4 hrs and then 80% for the remaining 4 hrs per day. Using a worse case scenario of 8 hr long days.

5. Repair or replace the hatch for the sail locker in the bow. It is leaking in the rain so I can only imagine how bad it would be in the ocean with waves crashing over it. The frame seems to be bowed so the seal is poor. Maybe I can use the parts from item 1 to repair the bow locker hatch. Mmmmm?

It would also be nice to do the following

- Increase the battery capacity.
- purchase a dodger
- buy an outboard for the dinghy
- New rod rigging


I'll be posting on the blog as each of these are completed.

A perfect Sunday

We had our good friends Adam and Claudine Tucker and their two boys Jean Luc and Benjamin out on the boat last Sunday. It was a perfect day for all involved. The kids played and swam off the back of the boat. Really they watched their fathers take a dip and where then ferried into Milk beach for a play in the sand and a swim. A trek along the beach front and rocky foreshore was an adventure for the kids. Olivia and William had the best of times and are already planning for the visit that includes sleeping on the boat. Bunk allocations have already been made.

We had the intention of fishing but that never really eventuated other than trolling a lure on our way to Milk Beach.

Adam had some fun with his new iPhone 5 and took some panorama photos. So hopefully they can be displayed in our blog properly. Apologies if it doesn't work.