Serviced the motor yesterday. Had the devil of a time getting the old oil filter off. Changed the fuel filter. Took forever to bleed the air out of the system. Had to pump away for ages on the piddley little thumb sized priming lever. Degreased the engine and engine bay. Did some last minute shopping. Climbed down into engine compartment behind the engine using a large hatch in the cockpit. Not much room in there. Cleaned out in there too.
Saturday 23 June 2012
Today's the day setting out to go around Australia. Am as prepared as I guess will ever be. Just have to top up the water tank and jerrys. Overcast looking day.
1100: Cast off lines to catch the ebb tide.
1135: Making ready for sail - remove covers, set lazy jacks, secured hatches. Motoring on autopilot while getting familiar with the various lines (ropes).
1140: Change course easterly towards Cape Grafton. Speed 4 kts. Wind on the nose 15 kts and picking up I think.1230: Set headsail. Motor off. Wind 15-20 kts, choppy water. Boat pulling 4 to 4.5 kts into the wind. This is great! Far better than my previous boat Lowana could ever do, and not even a mainsail set. Actually making better time now than under motor. Heel angle 10-15 deg. Make a brew.
1300: Closing Cape Grafton. Put in a tack to starboard. Tightening headsail to new direction and the ring holding the sheets (ropes) to the headsail rips away, leaving the sail flapping in the wind. Looks like the straps that held the sheet-ring to the sail had perished a bit in the sun, and it was overlooked. At least can return to Cairns and get the sail mended rather than having to do an emergency repair. Turn motor back on and turn around.
1500: Tied up back in the Cairns Marlin Marina.
No comments:
Post a Comment