Managing Warmer Weather

We find that a week in a marina is far more beneficial than the occasional 2-3 days that we've had over the last 6 months. The shorter stay is a little frantic and only sufficient to fill up on water and fuel; get a gas bottle refilled or replaced, re-provision and do the laundry. As a result, a week is something of a luxury and the pace can be cranked back a little, a bit of sightseeing mixed in plus some boat jobs accomplished.

The recent acquisition of Tweetie Pie was agreed to on the proviso that a cover be made to conceal her 'yellowness'. The Bloke was also keen to get this kayak off the rails as it was an obstruction to safe movement around the fore deck. We see heaps of boats with all kinds of things lashed to the stanchions but perhaps they have a bit more room. The Bloke was also bothered by windage and decided that a cradle was needed to secure Tweetie Pie to the coach deck. Being in a marina with a hard stand and workshop meant our week at the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club could be very productive.

It looks a bit like a body bag but here is Tweetie Pie all wrapped up for travel.

 

Sitting on the cradle.

 

The manufacture and installation of the cradle occupied The Bloke for most of the week and involved the usual visit to Whitworths which proved to be a 25 minute march away from the marina. It was an insanely hot day and it was a great relief to catch a bus back.

The sewing machine was working over-time, with a number of projects completed including the screen pictured below. The hatch above the head of our bunk is behind it and although this area is beneath our bimini, when it rains, this area gets wet. Unlike the climate in Perth and South Australia, it rains A LOT in the summer on the Eastern seaboard and our need for better night time ventilation was hampered by our preference to keep our heads dry in bed. As a bonus it's given our cabin a bit more privacy plus a bit of light blockout since an open hatch also means open curtains.

 

I was on a roll and a long planned for screen was also made for the companionway hatch. The idea for it was conceived in Portland and the components accumulated from many stops. The roll of Sunbrella canvass had been hauled back to the boat as excess baggage from Perth. The sail baton to provide rigidity, obtained in Port Lincoln and the fly screen was an off-cut bought in Kingscote, Kangaroo Island. I certainly can't claim to rush these jobs!

 

 Looking in and looking out. 

Eat your heart out flies and mozzies:permission denied!

The Bloke was not exempt from contributing to improvement of living conditions. We'd spotted that Whitworths had Caframo Sirrocco 12v fans on sale during one of our almost routine visits to one of their shops. On the 'take it while it's going' principle we had picked one up in Mona Vale. The Bloke ticked the installation off his 'To Do' list. He was super pleased too because he'd located a 12v wire run that he could connect into without the need to mouse it through. Phew.

Zofia is a production boat and Jeanneau produce hundreds annually. The yachts are delivered with different options according to a purchasers requirements. Some options might include water makers, electric winches, extra water tanks etc. What we have discovered is that ALL the pipes and wiring for those 'options' are installed during construction irrespective of the model so that as the yachts come through the assembly line, the workers simply clip in the extras as required. When installing the fan, the Bloke located one of the power runs intended for an electric winch and hijacked it for the fan. Super sneaky. It will be a while before I'll be allowed an electric winch. Meantime in my designated role as 'winch bitch' if I get a bit overheated winching in the sails, I guess I can pop below and switch on the fan!

 

How cool! 

OK Skipper, let's get out of this marina. We've worked like slaves. Time for a rest. Next stop: Port Stephens.