In October we decided that we would buy a boat, something that we had been thinking of for a few years but had put off, “it costs to much”, “we will do it in a couple of years when we have built the extension”, “we will buy a little one and try it out”.

But this year a few things happened to make us realise that the now is the best time to get shit done.  Will broke his wrist and the resultant nerve pain has meant 9 months of discomfort, pain and medication, it is only just improving.  Will went to Iraq to work in Mosul, it was a life changing experience in terms of realising how lucky we are in Australia.  Life can be over or change in a moment in most places in the world.  We both spent time working back in Central Australia, a place of extremes; poverty, cultural conflict and beauty.  A friend was diagnosed with breast cancer.  We finally had paid off the mortgage and had a base to work from over the next few years.  All these experiences encouraged us to just spend the money and buy the boat we wanted, we may not have the health or the physical ability in five years to follow that dream.

So on Wednesday we finally took ownership of our yacht, at 41 foot she is bigger enough for the two of us to be very comfortable on while still being able to sail two handed.  Since we have no real idea how to sail we hired a professional sailor to help us deliver the boat from Newcastle to Geelong.  Hopefully we will learn some skills on the way!!!

 

 

It is the wrong time of the year to travel down the East Coast of Australia, it is lobster season and lobster pots dot the ocean.  The wind is going in the wrong direction and is changeable.  So we are going to try and avoid the pink bits on the map below!!

 

 

 

So first things a quick safety check of the boat with Darryl before we head out to sea.  First fault discovered was no 12V power working.  A review of the wiring diagram showed me nothing except a whole lot of wires that go everywhere.  A phone call to the two marine electricians was not fruitful, both were out of town.  A phone call to Newcastle Auto Electrics across the road and within 10 minutes there was a electrician walking down the marina.   He showed us were the fuse board is and reset the fuse.  Bob’s your Uncle, fuse reset and 12V power restored and as a bonus they didn’t charge us!!!  Merry Christmas.

2nd problem identified was a missing port light, unfortunately this was discovered at 5.05 pm.  Fortunately we had a spare bulb, so set to changing the bulb.  At the last moment as we were putting the cover over the bulb the whole thing popped off and slowly sank to the bottom of the marina… it was now 5.20pm the marina was approx 20mins drive from the nearest shop that may sell a new port light.

We were spewing, jumping into a cab with fingers crossed that Bunnings might have a red sealed light.  As luck would have it Supercheap was having a members night and had stayed open late, so we got some trailer lights and spare globes and hurried back to the boat.  With some bush ingenuity we hobbled together a waterproof trailer light, Darryl the skipper was suitably impressed with my handiwork so we were ready to go to the yacht club for a good dinner before sailing at 0500 on Friday morning.

As a heads up, Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club is a beautiful marina, small but good showers and toilet block.  Plenty of cafes within walking distance, probably don’t bother eating at the yacht club!!