Busy Wait for Sevice

Hanging about in the Coomera River off The Boatworks has been relaxing at times seeing as the pressure to actually get here was gone. Some tranquil moments set up a lovely day and it's become increasingly social. There are quite a number of other cruisers here that we know.

Early morning calm

Weekend hot air balloon flights overhead

It's not all been peace and quiet though, on weekends and a public holiday in particular, we endured all manner of craft ripping up the waterway. The most annoying were lots of kids in 'tinnies' revving and cavitating the outboard, creating both wake and noise. Inevitably there were ptocessions of jetskis too. Grrrr! To top off the waterway-highway experience, a seaplane traveled so near we could wave to the pilot.


The Bloke took the opportunity to service the engine. In return for tutoring a nearby cruiser on the set-up and use of an IridiumGo satellite communication device, he received a lesson on how to service the heat exchange, how to drain and change the coolant plus re-assurance from this marine engineer that he was doing all the right stuff. Chemicals that had been recommended for the heat exchange task at a trade talk were scoffed at. Everyday $1.99 white vinegar would help dissolve any nasty build-up in the heat exchanger. What a cracking DIY tip!

'Sophisticated' hoses!

   Inspected contents   Everything went smoothly despite the not quite ideal 'afloat at anchor' situation. Temporarily being enginless meant we were a bit vulnerable if the anchor were to drag. We took a calculated risk based on the weather prediction.

Having access to a car through fellow cruisers, meant that all the required oils and lubricants could be easily obtained. The fellows were in their element. While the companionway steps were off for the service work, I leapt at the opportunity to go shopping with some other girls rather than be trapped below while the work was in progress. The best part was that with this job behind us, we'd be ahead of schedule AND way ahead of budget. The quote for getting the job done by a tradie was horrendous!

  The Bloke uncharacteristically in his overalls while topping up the gearbox oil.  His preferred attire for 'engine work' is generally his newest available white shirt!