The Grey Seal Huon Seal

[dopeydriver]

I got out today , it was supposed to be a 5.1 metre swell , but it seemed much more than that .
And I copped some real beauties side on in front of the reef , luckily I had given myself plenty of room.
Little HS was really rocking , so much so I forgot about the trolling for a bit , and angled HS up and over some huge swells .
Plenty of fish , tomorrow , I hope to go out again with Leckie ,trolling under sail.
Regards Rob J.

[dopeydriver]

The local rag had some photos of Southern Right whales cavorting in the harbour , and I realised the photo must have been taken very near , or on HS. www.whalemail.com.au .
This time of year sitings are common.
Rob J.

[dopeydriver]

A pretty fair winters day today, after so much wind and rain , I decided to take HS out .
A couple of times I wondered at the wisdom of going out , it got pretty blustery , but overall , it was a sail for the senses.
And nothing else .
No fishing , no trolling , just let the senses take it all in.
Rob J.

[dopeydriver]

An absolutely glorious day today , too still for sailing , but perfect to bring HS out for a quick clean.
And I was lucky enough to have help from a very experienced "crew" , some of the most experienced yachtsmen in the town , to help me get her on the trailer , and the mast down.
Hopefully it won't be too long , and she will be back on the water.
Rob J.

[dopeydriver]

I'm getting lots of "visitors" since I parked HS close to the highway .
Men wanting to know what it is , etc etc.
Its great for the ego !.
Rob J.

[dopeydriver]

I've always resisted the idea , but I might put a couple of winches on HS , to help little old me to get the gaff up .
I have her for sale , but no-one seems interested , so if she is replaced here , she will probably go to my son , who would probably appreciate them also.
Rob J.

[dopeydriver]

YIPPEEE !!.
I just got a call from Garry Stewart , I can take her down to him tomorrow , and see what we can do about winches , too.
Hopefully she will be back on the water soon.
Regards Rob J.

[m2c1Iw]

Good news Rob

BTW I keep buying lottery tickets.

[dopeydriver]

Well Mike , I'll let you know when she is back in the water , and perhaps you and your better half can come over for a weekend.
You and I can do some fishing under sail , and the women can do their own thing too.
Regards Rob J.

[m2c1Iw]

Look forward to it.

[dopeydriver]

Well I got HS down to Port Fairy easy enough , and backed it in to in front of his boat shed.
The old compass bearing is out , a new one ordered.The engine /shaft allignment is also to be checked , in case something has shifted.
And a section of toe rail is to be replaced , it was broken when I bought it , my repairs haven't worked .
Garry showed me a boat plan he is about to use , to construct a boat for a local.
Its a ships boat , I think thats the title , from 1793 or some such.
There are a few in Portland and Port Fairy who row the old life boat , thats 10 oarsmen , or the whaleboats , so this will give them a new toy , older even in design than the lifeboat , which is over 150 years old.
Regards Rob J.

[dopeydriver]

Garry and I also discussed the problems I am having getting the gaff up .
We discussed a winch/winches , and yes , a pair of electric winches would do the job easily , but be way overkill.
So , we are going to try a pair of cleats .
That way it will be easier to haul on 1 halyard at a time , and if my hands lock up , I won't lose what I have already got up.
Thats the theory anyway , anyone got thoughts on that ?.
Rob J.

[dopeydriver]

Well , I went down to Port Fairy this morning, and things are happening !.
The toe rain is fixed , beautifully.
The compass bearing was delivered while I was there , and I've taken it and the bearing holder to an engineering shop , to have the holder machined out to the metric size of the compass bearing.
Cleats ordered , and some rigging hardwear .
The ships boat he is making next is 26 ft , with 6 oarsmen , and a sweep , and will be made out of the Phillipine Mohogany he has had delivered .
It will be interesting to watch its progress.
Regards Rob J.

[dopeydriver]

The compass bearing is back in , looking very good !.
More work to be done , including putting "prop speed" on the prop , but I should have her home later in the week.
I forgot to mention that the ships boat , besides having 6 oarsmen , will have a lug yawl rig , similar to the way they set up the Port Fairy lifeboat , for the trip to Portland for the Admella regatta , a couple of years ago.
Regards Rob J.

[dopeydriver]

I got the name of the product to be used on the prop wrong.
Its prop shield , NOT prop speed.
Anyway , I put the "prop shield" on today, and some base underwater paint.
Yesterday Garry checked and adjusted the engine alignment.
Tomorrow hopefully the cleats for the halyards will be installed , and we are done !.
Just bring her home , paint her , and put her back in the water !.
Regards Rob J.