Thread: The Grey Seal Huon Seal

Still thinking about that cray boat Rob? Why not trailer HS over to Tassie for the next WB festival and do some sailing etc. in that area before parting with HS? At the same time, have a good look around for the cray boat that is probably what you really want where you are. Rick

Sorry m2c1lw , somehow I missed your post.
There is a bloke in Portland who has been building a Eun na Mara for 10 years , I think.
I really hope I see him sailing it.
And yes , I believe there is a boat out there "with my name on it".
Something like the Sam Devlin Oysta would be great , a 30 ft double ender aft wheelhouse motor sailer.
Rick , there is at least one small fishing boat motoring over to the WBF from Portland.
The bloke , a life long fisherman built it himself and reckons he is going to motor it over.
He is the bloke that sailed a 23 ft 'couta boat down to the WBF early this century , sailed around the island too , then sailed it back.
I think I'll be sticking to the ferry , if I've still got HS.
I'm keeping my eyes peeled , don't worry , for boats.
Regards Rob J.

I got a nice big envelope yesterday in the mail , from the people from AWBF , with a heap of flyers for the 2011 festival .
And on the front of the flyer , is a painting of a boat from the last festival .
Huon Seal !.
Actually she is a much better boat than she was then , and we are still fishing with her , under sail and drifting , as we come in to winter.
I still have a bit of trouble getting on to her from the tender , but have put my name down on the waiting list for a tie up mooring , if and when they became available.
She needs a bit of a scrub up , lots of fish scales on her , and that will come soon , when I bring her home.
The 2011 AWBF is gonna be free entry , and much bigger than previous years , if anyone is interested in a flyer , let me know , and i could send one out.
Regards Rob J.

I've taken HS out for a bit of a motor , as there was a fair bit of gunk on her bottom , particularly her prop .
I took her out last week , I think Friday , and initially when I put her in to gear , we went nowhere.
But eventually I cleaned the prop enough to get her underway , and build up a few more revs.
On that day , the swell was really choppy , big , with no rhythm , often it was like being in an elevator , going up and down.
Today was a lot better , initially at least , but then it started to gust right up , so I headed back in.
The prop is clean though !.
She should be joining the PDR in the shed , in a couple of weeks.
Rob J.

And another thing , solar panels.
I was having a yarn with another yachtie (can I call myself that yet ?) out on the moorings , and he was showing me his solar panel , a Projector SPA 400 , roughly $700 worth.
If a bloke was to get one , how could you secure it ?.
I was thinking I could perhaps have it in the cockpit , at about seat hight , so that it wouldn't be readily visible from outside , and perhaps bolt it in some way to the seat frame .
Any suggestions ?.
You can see what I have to work with , in the aft part of the cockpit in post 27 .
I'm trying to think of a clever way of securing a board between the seats , at the back , without drilling hopefully , or putting projections out that would cause bruising.
Rob J.

Perhaps , if I can find one of those flexible solar panels , I can stick it on to the curved companionway cover.
Are they still made ?.
Regards Rob J.

Originally Posted by dopeydriver

Perhaps , if I can find one of those flexible solar panels , I can stick it on to the curved companionway cover.
Are they still made ?.
Regards Rob J.

I was going to suggest that Rob I believe they are common in the 4wd mob not sure of the outputs and the only issue maybe securing against storm damage.

Mike , I'm sitting here now , doing some searching on the internet .
I don't think I'll have any problem getting something to fit the bill , and yes , I've just been thinking of a discreet wooden surround , to give it a little protection.
The other thing I want to make sure of , is that it continues working , in partial shade.
I'll see if I can find a photo of the projected spot , for the panel.
Regards Rob J.

This shot shows it well enough .
I figure the grab handles on either side would protect it there , perhaps just a strip fore and aft would help to protect it too .
Regards Rob J.

I have found a Solar Technology 10w flexible solar panel that is 357 x268 that should do the job.
I just have to go measure the cover , and see if it will fit.
Rob J.

I have measured the area I intend using for the solar panels .
It's 840 long , and 705 wide , so I have enough room for 2 maybe , one for each battery.
I've been managing at least 1 sail a week over winter , which I'm pleased with , but a few observations.
Its just good to be out on the water.
Winter sailing is a bit limiting , not wishing to spend hours on a tiller , out in the rain .
A wheelhouse would be good , and the rain would be much less of a problem.
I've given up trying to sail by myself , trying to get the gaff up , so I don't put it up , I motor sail.
The Lombardini has proven to be a little beauty , tiny for its 13hp , which is more than enough for most conditions.
I took her out yesterday in 20 knot + winds , and I had to give her more revs , to push in to those winds and sea , but it was there , always enough power.
Coming home I used the headsail and jib , and it steadied her nicely , and gave us another knot , with reduced revs.
The foresails I can handle easily.
But it just gets me thinking , what a waste of a great boat ! , I need to be on a little cray boat style motor sailer , with its wheelhouse , stand up room , strong engine , and ability to sail a bit , without me testing the hands too much.
And then it won't be one day a week out on the water , it will be 3+ , even in winter !!.
I'm waiting on the shed builder to come back and build me some heavy duty shelving for the shed , and 2 big work benches , then HS comes home , for a scrub.
It would be nice if I sold her , while she was out of the water !.
Rob J.

I'm not a nautically inclined feller but I got to say I'm jealous, a very classy lady indeed and a damn fine job!

G/Day Dave.
Yes , she is classy , and its easy to fall in love with her.
I've done everything you would do for a classy lady , I've made sure everything was absolutely right for her , whatever the cost.
But she is wasted on me , she isn't meant to be motorsailing around , on foresails , she should have that high peaked gaff up , and going for it !.
Still , I've been a lucky boy , knowing her !.
Regards Rob J.

Rob, your observations re motor sailer are pretty close to the mark. I still manage nearly evey second weekend on Wavedancer and get about 3 or 4 hours of painting done. Even with the no main motor and only the little 10hp outboard I still get to most of our cruising club happy hours. If I pick the wind and tide right to get the most out the furling head sail I can manage 3 to 4knts but the big stick boats up here on Pittwater can be a bit of a worry.
One big draw back of the bigger boat is that you will need a big truck and crane and $$$ to get it home
Ian L