After what will be 3 1/2 months since the yacht was
launched here - on the 22nd November - we are finally about to leave the dock -
and head out for our first motor around the Bay.
As you know we've been quite happy to stay put -
doing very little really - and enjoying the mere fact of being afloat - (after
all these years of yachtbuilding and cutting) - and the pleasant dockside
life. The permanent power lead from the boatyard to the yacht - has
been the biggest factor in remaining - and to be able to operate everything
on board just as you do at home - has been the biggest reason we're still
sitting here.
It is effectively just like being at a serviced
marina - at no additional charge - for all this time - so naturally we've been
in no hurry to go - until they said it was time. There's no
doubt we should have been doing a lot more welding, grinding, and boatbuilding -
and whatever else - while we here - particularly I suppose - getting those
plates all around the hull too - but it wasn't to be.
It really makes no difference to the job of putting
on the plates - whether we are here - tied to the dock - or out on a
mooring. Provided the day is calm - it's still a matter of doing it
all from the dinghy in the water - at the side of the yacht - positioning and
bonding up - plates and bolts - and someone doing up nuts inside. So
- one way or another - it will be done -- here or there.
The reason we're moving out at around 7.30am on
Saturday - has all to do with tides - the mooring being available to use for a
while - and the yard wanting to bring other ships in here.
The high tide on Saturday morning - will peak at
8.30 am at 1.72m - which is still not the 1.8 - 2m - we would like to have - but
is the highest for another 3 weeks. That additional water should be
enough to see our nearly 10' (3m) underwater draft - floating free of the muddy
bottom right here - where you've seen us sitting at low tide.
But even if we are still dragging a foot or so of
keel in the mud here - initially - we should still be able to get out
OK. Anyway - Cliff tells me that he will tow the yacht out - rather
than try and turn it's 75' around by hand in this narrowest part of the
channel, at the dock.
Once we are out - and in full floating depth - I
intend to take the yacht for a good motoring run for several miles up Botany Bay
and back - just to see that the engine and drive systems are all operating
properly. The yacht engine has never been run under full
operating load for any period - in it's life with me - and has only ever had
numerous test runs on land over the years - and here in the one
spot.
While everything appears fine - and the yacht
certainly moves forward and back - as the gearbox is engaged and the
propellor turns. We certainly need to see what happens - when
motoring around under normal operating conditions.
And as I intend to frquently 'drop the mooring'
and take the yacht for a run somewhere
for a dive - or a fish - or just a sightseeing
trip with friends
then we certainly need to have the
motor, 'fully operational'.
So - from Saturday morning on - THIS is where
the yacht will be
So - if you're coming for a visit in future - you will need to let me
know
then call me - so that I can come in and pick you up - in the runabout.
regards
from
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 11:26 PM
Subject: YACHT WILL BE LEAVING THE DOCK at 7.30am SATURDAY 5th
APRIL
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