Thread: The Grey Seal Huon Seal

I went for a run up the Fitzroy river today in the tender , pushed by the little Yamaha.
Initially she felt very twitchy , but I soon learnt to keep things smooth , and the little 6ft 6 tender was fine.
Tomorrow HS goes down to the yacht club yard.
Regards Rob J.

yeah i guess its 50 years old

HS is in the yacht club yard , and drawing plenty of attention there.
The auto-electrics bloke worked on her yesterday afternoon , and is doing a first rate job , which is pleasing.
He does most of the electrical work for the boaties in the area , and the commercial fleet , and knows what he is up against.
Unfortunately he didn't finish though , hopefully that will happen on Friday.
I'll be raising the mast again on Friday too.
Rob J.

Just sitting here reflecting on yesterday afternoon.
The electrician has seen the guts of a lot of boats over the years , but he was impressed with the way Garry has set up HS.
In particular the water filter for the raw water.
And the fact it , and the primary fuel filter are visible and easily at hand.
He has a few boats already , by the end of the afternoon he was thinking of adding to the fleet.
The bad news for yesterday was that my wife blew up the car , east of Warrnambool.
Its too worn to fix , having 480,000 on the clock , so somehow I've got to get it to the wreckers , and think about a replacement.
Bloody cars !.
Still , it takes the heat off me , and the money I'm spending on HS.
Rob J.

Well , the mast is up , the engine is wired up , in fact everything is except the chartplotter and auto tiller.
Hopefully the people from MTU will fire up the Lombardinin next week , and then we are away !.
Regards Rob J.

The MTU people from MGB are going to be at HS at 0930 on Thursday , to do the start on the Lombardini .
Its getting close now !.
Regards Rob J.

Today we got the rigging sorted out on HS , and took her out twice , a short sail in the morning , and a longer sail out to sea in the afternoon.
I went out with an experienced sailer , and he loved her "she is such a lady".
It was good though , out with a similar sized 'couta boat , 2 beautiful gaff rigged wooden boats.
Now the balancing act , how to spend as much time as possible on her , without letting the garden go too much.
Regards Rob J.

So, how is the new engine?

The new engine is fantastic Ian , quiet , strong , no vibration.
The front of the cockpit is useable now , its much much better than before.
But ya know , we sailed it twice today , and sailed off and on to the mooring.
I didn't even start the engine.
But I'm not complaining !.
The sailing was just beautiful , awesome !.
Regards Rob J

Wondeful to hear that you've had her in before Christmas Rob, though am very sorry to hear about the car problems!!

How about a few more photos though mate??? I'd like to see the full cockpit now that it's all set up and particularly want someone to get a photo of you on the tiller now that she's all sorted!!!

Meanwhile I hope all's well down there, any plans for Christmas???
cheers
Greg

Thanks Greg.
I thought I'd posted the latest on the cockpit , maybe I'll wait till I get the seats painted for the next photo.
A photo of me on the tiller ?, mate , all you would get is a BIG idiot grin !.
We are going down to Werribee to our sons for a day to be with some of the family for Christmas , but apart from that I'm gonna be here , or on HS.
On Saturday I went sailing with a mate on his 28ft Tasmanian yacht , it was very enjoyable , but I came back a bit bruised.
Yesterday we did the same thing on the smaller HS , and it was smooth , and easy , very relaxing.
The seating too has gone from being uncomfortable , to quite good , with the new engine box.
But best of all its easy enough to handle the sails single handed , all from the cockpit , it tracks straight , its very well balanced and easy to sail.
To my way of thinking its good for a new person to sailing like me , but it also amply rewards good sailers.
Everyone seems to get pleasure from her , and thats good , I've always got experienced sailers more than happy to go sailing with me on her.
My wifes car , yes , its a problem , but I'm sure she will find a replacement , in time.
The trouble is , she wants a $40,000 car for $20,000 !.
Regards Rob J.

I have to "run in" the engine , so I took HS out today , as a "motor fishing boat".
We found a nice steady cruising stead at 2300 RPM or thereabouts , and she handled the open sea very well .
Surprisingly , she handled the sea even better flat out (3300) in to a sea , and breeze , but 2300 seemed better , for the engine at least
We had intended doing some fishing , but pods of dolphins had other ideas.
We gave up and motored back again , she slips through the water very well , leaving little wake.
And I got us off the swing mooring , and back on again myself , which pleased me.
Its all good , I'm going down to her again tomorrow again.
Regards Rob j.

Sailing today , in 15-20 knot winds , gee she is a beauty to sail.
We got to measure her performance against a 28 ft yacht , and HS easily outsailed the bigger boat.
She just does it all so well , a real pleasure to sail.
I've got her doubled up on another boat now , so the electrician can finish the job on her .
Regards Rob J.

One incident from today that brings a chuckle.
We decided to try a paravane today , while we were sailing.
No hits , until we were ranging up alongside the bigger boat , and BANG , we had a bite !.
HS was left to her own devices , and just tracked straight past the other boat , while we got the Salmon in !.
Too easy !.
Rob J.