Back in MacKay

Bill Worthington - our new crew member

MAGGIE on her way to launch

Golum in Wellington airport

   

Back in MacKay

Sept 25 2015

This past week we have been back in the marina. We have spent more time and money than we had expected here. But the boat is in good shape now. Yesterday we launched from the yard to a slip. Despite my poor first attempt to dock in the wind, it feels good to be back in the water. The unexpected repair was to raise the engine as the mounts were letting it sink which affected the prop shaft angle. Sails, stays, organizers, hull, swim ladder, dinghy all had work done.

The biggest change this week for us is the addition of crew again. Bill moved on board yesterday. He has been crewing for Joyful from the BPO Florida start. Ann has been having issues with her heart so she and Jeff are withdrawing from the rally here. Bill wanted to continue with the BPO. It is too soon for Joyful to have made alternate plans yet but they will likely stay in Australia for awhile. They arrived from Vanuatu after a boisterous trip while we were in NZ. We will miss them.

 It took a day for me to empty out the back cabin. It is amazing how you can spread out into the space you have. We felt we could handle the Aus. and Indonesian trips on our own but not going on from there into the Indian ocean. But 3 people certainly make the work load lighter. Bill is helping Rob get the sails back on while I write this. And there are lots of overnight and longer trips in the next legs.

Tahawas and Chapter 2 also launched yesterday. Tim from No Regrets returned from the US yesterday where he has been since we were in the Tuomotos. He, Zeke, and Zeke's son, Jessie, will be doing the next trip to the end of Nov.  Blue Wind crew are not back from Brazil yet. All are likely to be leaving in the next few days. If today goes well we hope to get going in the morning, Sept 26.

The Whitsunday Islands are a day's travel north of us. That is a large, popular cruising area that we look forward to seeing. Unfortunately it won't be long enough. We would like to stop at Cairns, a few days further north. Otherwise we need to stay moving. It is 860 nm to the north tip of Australia. And another 640nm to Tual, our first stop in Indonesia. We need to be there at the latest, Oct 14.