Sundowners here’s my story, mate... July Sea By Jodie Rossiter, SY Yun Khan was shitting myself so badly - didn't I trust the boat? He asked. Hmmm, I think it's that I don't Well. It didn't take long for those visions of rough sea trust the weather, and horror stories always spring sailing to become a reality. Waking up in Nara Inlet, to mind in stressful times, increasing anxiety. It is we heard the wind spooking outside, that spiralling, indeed true that you suffer most by fear of what whistling sound of high speed winds whirling out you will suffer. This leads to endless suffering! there somewhere. <strong>The</strong>re was also quite a swell in But, if I have to believe in something, it better be Nara itself. the seaworthiness of my boat. And the embracing arms of the sea. We had almost reached Hannah Skipper Sascha thought we should leave early (rather than wait for it to pass!), so we motored out before we Point when conditions started to ease. even thought about breakfast. <strong>The</strong> dinghy did a nosedive and flipped over. Are we idiots or what? We obviously didn't learn any Nah, it looked rough. A strong southerly pushing waves lessons the first time (yes, this had happened straight into us. A small jib and engine was the most we before). <strong>The</strong> engine was underwater for what could handle. I guess other combinations would have seemed like too long for any outboard engine to worked; we did see plenty of main sails up, but I think come up still sound. I thought the fuel tank had considering the conditions and our experience, it was sunk. Actually a part had snapped off it, but the comfortable enough. I love the comfort got just by looking tank itself was bobbing along. <strong>The</strong> floorboard came at a small sail area and the hammering snore of the out. <strong>The</strong> paddle. Two life jackets. And the anchor, diesel engine, 18HP it may be! Sascha headed for Hannah Point with the waves which was tied to a cable, which was tied to the outboard. coming side on. I huddled close with Phoebe (our three Sascha dropped the jib and we turned the boat and a half year old daughter) and Mao (our cat) to stop us back. He managed to right the dinghy so the sliding from one side of the cockpit to the other. We have engine finally came up for air. He then performed a cockpit with 'living space' an impractical idea it seems a couple of stunts in an effort to get the floorboard to us now, but it was our first rebuilding project! and the rest of the stuff. With only the floorboard, paddle and lifejackets still at sea, he made me turn Personally, had I been at the helm, instead of huddling again and again into these bloody waves, kid and with the girls, I would have opted for waves from behind cat clinging to my ankles. By the third failed for a little while, then tacking back, or even heading south attempt at reaching the scattered items, I thought it of Hannah Point, and being pushed up a little bit later wasn't worth it for a floorboard. By now the paddle anyway with winds from behind. and lifejackets were long gone and I just wanted to go home (although I was home). At one point I But - what do I know? I'm not sure if my view is clouded saw Sascha slipping down the deck with a small by hindsight, or if it was a strategic feminine navigational claw anchor, which I thought he was going to use plan. Whatever, I still think sailing has got to be easier to get the floorboard, but he was thinking about the than I think now! But it was a fantastic learning long gone lifejackets. Visions of man overboard experience to have the boat rolling about like that. Know started to bother me, I mean if we couldn't get stuff your belly, know your boat. back on board, how could we get a man back on board? Sod the floorboard and the $80 life Our logical man at the helm, Sascha, couldn't believe I jackets. Let's get out of here. I need a drink. STITCH IT AWL THE HAND SEWING TOOL FOR MEDIUM TO HEAVY MATERIALS Sailcloth, Canvas, Webbing, Leather, Awnings.... A MUST FOR ANY CRUISING YACHT! 316 stainless construction Waxed thread on spool from $47.95 STITCH IT AWL www.stitchitawl.com Order by phone, mail or online Australian made Ph/Fax: (07) 4946 4407 email: ironworksw@aapt.net.au P.O.Box 1238 Airlie Beach QLD 4802 From TCP # 17 Past Hannah Point conditions eased considerably. We sailed back to Airlie nice and relaxed as if we'd just been for a breezy breakfast sail. Sascha fiddled with the outboard alongside in the dinghy. We were lucky this time. He dried the spark plugs and did his mechanical engineering thing and hey presto it's running. Although twice in the short time after, the engine has cut out on me. Luckily both times I was still in the marina, because, try as it might, my brain does not process engines. <strong>The</strong> first time there was no fuel. Ha! Despite looking foolish, someone kindly towed me to the fuel dock. <strong>The</strong> second time was a little more dodgy. I was on my way back to our anchorage at around 2am after dropping friends back at the public pier. <strong>The</strong> temporary fuel line connection (the original had snapped when the dinghy flipped) came out of the fuel tank, cutting (der) the fuel supply to the engine. I drifted a little to one of the marina arms, using my arms to paddle (remember it was lost at sea a few days earlier!). Amazingly, and possibly because of my drunken stupor, I realised the problem and was able to fix it. I started the engine again, but wasn't confident of getting safely back to the boat, so - sweaty palms and shaky knees at the thought of being arrested, I nicked a paddle from a tender to one of the tourist boats, just in case! I returned that in the morning, Sascha incredulous at my story. He'd passed drunkenly out the night before and had no idea what was happening to me, or that I'd been gone for more than an hour on a 5 minute trip! <strong>The</strong>se learning curves are steep! POST SCRIPT: We now take the outboard on deck when we sail. We have also gone far beyond Nara Inlet. We've taken friends out sailing, even my parents. Only last week we were pounding through waves and Sascha was moaning at a small flap in the main, to which I screamed “it doesn't matter, I'm having fun!”. A big wave came over and we all got wet (Sascha slapped head side on by it - hee hee!). We are still only cruising in the Whitsunday area - it's the only chart we've got but are debating whether to head to Townsville early December, or Mackay, for work, or whether to stay in Airlie Beach til April. It's not easy being free. Jodie, Phoebe and Sascha have gone a bit further since this was written! Coming to Mooloolaba? Need work done? Check us out! Boat Building • Repairs • Maintenance www.wrightboats.com.au We are a family business who take pride in our work & our service to customers Shed 2 #12 Orana St. Buddina, QLD. 4575 Ph/Fx: (07) 5478 0750 Mob: 0414 745 276 email:info@wrightboats.com.au
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