Thread: The Grey Seal Huon Seal

Well Rob not sure how you cure the twisting problem with sheets and halyards but trailing would get the kinks out for a while. If you are not using Spectra already it maybe worth trying. I have found it resists twist better than braid and for halyards it's a better bet anyway.

As for fishing I picked up a plastic bait board the other day that rail mounts and is quickly removable using a single wing nut from the Boating Camping and Fishing mob.
Caught my first Snapper last weekend out off Victor Harbour about 4kg, great fun. Mind you it was a ounce a season session no waves and about 5kts, just as well too because we were out in a 15' tinny. No good this weekend it's blowing 35 at the moment. However plan B is into the shed boat building so it's not all bad.

Well Mike , I'll check with my sailing mate about Spectra for the halyards , ropes and rigging is his caper.
There is a new BCS franchise in Warrnambool , I might check them out for a plastic bait/cutting board , see if they have something suitable for HS.
I too had intended sailing today , but the forecast is for 30 knot winds and 5 metre seas .
Where we go we often get gusts coming through pretty hard , that seem to stand you on your head , and keep you there for a while , so we decided to give sailing a miss today.
The 5 metre waves aren't so bad when they are all coming in a line , and you can set yourself for the most comfortable course , but sometimes they seem to come from every which way , and its a bit wet , and a not very enjoyable sail.
As to the alternative YES ! , I'm looking forward to the day I can wonder in to the shed , and work on boats .
That time is getting closer , here are a couple of photos of progress thus far .
Victor Harbour , what a beautiful spot !.
What is it like from a yachtsmans point of view ? , maybe I could take HS there some day.
Regards Rob J.

Now that's what I call a shed.

Rob, a ramp has been built at the bluff which makes launching a breeze and in good weather it is great sailing off the south coast. Just need to be watchful but you would know all about that where you come from. Kangaroo Island and the area around the tip of York peninsula is not too far away and is a fantastic cruising ground . Not to mention the fishing, there in nothing like wrestling a monster King George Whiting on the deck.

Sounds great Mike !.
My wife isn't a sailor , but I'm sure she would be happy in Victor Harbour town.
How about mooring ?.
Hmm , lots of research to be done , as the last time I went through there the idea of sailing a yacht was still a dream.
But , I'm thinking of Robe , Kangaroo Island , Port Lincoln , the Coorong perhaps , any advise on those places ?.
Would there be any chance of finding someone with local knowledge to crew HS with me ?.
Regards and thanks Rob J.

Hi Rob, the shed's looking great.

G'day Rob

The Coorong might be a bit 'iffy' for GS/HS. I'd need to take another look at my
chart, but IIRC there are some shallows in the northern end that might be a
problem. My chart is a bit old now, but I figure the limestone reefs aren't going
to move much.

Robe, Cape Jervis (opp. Kanga Is.), Wirrina (Normanville), O'Sullivans Beach &
NorthHaven (Adelaide), Pt Lincoln, Stansbury & Pt Vincent (Yorke Pen.) all have
good launch facilities. Not sure about mooring. I canoe. Mooring is not
something I take notice of... Google Maps might be your friend?

cheers
AJ

Thanks Bedford , yes , I believe the shed is going to be a real asset , for Leyla and I.
She gets the western end with the mezzanine and balcony , and wood stove.
AJ , I've had the pleasure of spending some time around the Coorong a couple of years ago , and I'm aware of its problem.
But I'm hopeful , ever hopeful , that by late winter things will be on the improve .
If not , if local wisdom is that its too shallow , I just won't go there.
I do have a new and strong diesel , so if needs be I can just motor , I only draw about 2 ft 6 then.
I also have a chartplotter on HS , which is very handy.
As to launch ramps , well there are launch ramps , and there are launch ramps.
I need one that gets deep quickly , and moorings , I need more depth than your modern trailerable fishing boat.
I did some ringing around yesterday , mostly unsuccessfully , but I did get to talk to a local fisherman at Port MacDonnell , and he told me how to negotiate their shallow waters , and where to moor.
Thats a good start !.
Regards and thanks Rob J.

Well , an interesting day.
I had intended sailing , although the sea was big , and sloppy.
But first, my retired mate and i were going to fix the peak and throat halyard .
Fine !.
When I got there , bloody hell , I wasn't sure how the little tender would go , with waves 1 metre+ !.
Anyway , we took both tenders out , it was a bit scary , with 1 up it was ok , but with a passenger I reckon the seas would have been too much .
Anyway , then to the halyards .
We got the peak halyard down , tossed it overboard a few times , and then put it up again.
It seems ok.
Tried the same with the throat halyard , got it down ok , straightened out , but when we were putting it up again , disaster , it jammed on the top block , and separated from the light rope we were using .
My mate rowed over to his boat and got his bosuns chair , but there was no way either of us could pull the other up.
So , he went home , and I went to see another mate , the bloke I sail Fridays and Sundays.
His work is fishing nets , and rigging type stuff.
He has a young kid working with him after school , when I went to see him , he suggested , because of the seas , that the kid and I motor HS around to a sheltered , floating pier , and then we would get the kid up in the bosuns chair .
It worked ! , and quite quickly !.
Now I'm itching to try HS sailing again , but we have about a week of really crappy weather (for sailing) coming up.
But , for you experienced people , is it necessary to have a swivelling block at the peak ?.
It seems to me , and my pea brain , that a non swivelling block would not allow the twist we have been experiencing.
Any comment ?.
I'll put up the photo again.
Regards Rob J.

I have no experience at all in these things Rob, but non swiveling blocks would be worth a try.

Thanks Rufus.
I think I will give it a try.
I won't know , if I don't give it a go !.
Regards Rob J.

I have delved in to my library.
John Leather in "The Gaff rig" doesn't deal with this situation directly , but the illustrations seem to me to indicate non swivelling blocks.
The magnificent book "First Home" which deals with gaff/gunter/lug sailed 'couta boats describes the blocks used "in the day" , and describes how they were built , to orientate the blocks correctly , which suggests to me that they didn't want the block twisting around.
My rigger mate made the observation that all of the blocks used on HS are swivelling , maybe there are some that would be better off not having that ability.
Anyone have any more thoughts on the subject ?.
Regards Rob J , on a wet day , that should be spent sailing.

AD sent me this this morning (thank you Andrew).
I'd really like to take HS back next year , she is a much better boat than she was in 2009.
Just gota sort out the peak and throat blocks and halyards , and try and make it easier for this arthritic to get the yard up !.
Regards Rob J.

Rob,

Thanks for sending me that link.

There are some wonderful boats on that site.

If only my budget and lifestyle were not so constrained.

To tell the truth, your experiences with Huon Seal are inspirational and I don't aspire to any more than a Nordic Folkboat or a Grey Seal.

Please keep posting about your adventures.

I'm sure there are lots of silent followers.

Yes Rufus , a fascinating boat , that "Apollo Duck" boat , but too much trouble for me.
I'm feeling very frustrated at the moment Rufus .
Little HS is a hell of a lot of fun to sail , but I'm really restricted , by my arthritis.
If I can't make her more manageable for me , without spoiling her with winches , I'll have to sell her , and get something easier (and no doubt without her character) , if i want to stay on the water.
That is why i was looking around , at other boats.
Regards Rob J.