MacKay Marina

Modern marina at Mackay

High pilons and floating docks to accommodate the 15 foot tides

MacKay Marina

Sept 9 2015

As you can see from the title of this blog, we haven't seen any of Australia yet except the boatyard. But that was the purpose of this week, to get boat jobs done in a place with good supplies and expertise. Four of our boats are hauled out in the yard and the work has been steady since Fri for us. Joyful hasn't arrived yet, and Bluewind crew returned home to Brazil before they tackle their list. Ruy had the flu on the passage here and hoped to get some rest first.

This has been the best haulout yard we have ever  been in. The cockpit looks out over the Coral Sea and Harbour entrance with a good breeze to keep things comfortable. We can watch the tugboats bring in the freighters. The two main products shipped are sugar cane and coal. Instead of the usual ladder we have a staircase with a platform and railing to enter the boat. The washrooms are nearby. Also there is a bar and several restaurants often with entertainment. It has been great to cleanup, relax and visit in the evenings.

Of course, I'm missing the most important part of a boatyard-the jobs being done. At 7:30 each morning all the trades people who were supposed to show up were here and getting to work. We had a pretty long list and as expected it has gotten even longer as they check out the boat. One new project is replacing a seal for the prop shaft which was wearing on one side. We got the bow and stern gelcoat and paint damage repaired from 2 encounters with a dock. With that and a serious desalting and polishing by the pros, the hull looks better than it ever as. Several coats of bottom(anatifouling) paint are next. The sails have been sent away for repair. The head has a new thru hull that closes now. The leak in the dinghy has been found and is waiting for patching. Rob worked again on the steering cables to get the wheel centered. The forestay needed removing to fit in the travel lift. In that process we found some fittings getting loose .New parts have been ordered for deck pieces that have cracked, as well as new lines for ones too badly chafed. I have mostly been cooking and cleaning. It is a good chance to be more thorough with lots of water available.

The town of MacKay (pronounced mackeye) is about 6 km away. We have been in briefly to the mall to buy food and a few other things .Before we leave here we will need to rent a car to reprovision. We are in Queensland, the sunshine state. It hasn't rained yet this week and the farmers are experiencing a drought. There are acres of sugar cane in the surrounding land. The big tourist area is 40 miles north- the Whitsunday Islands.

Our tourist time will be a visit to New Zealand. We have flights for tomorrow, Thurs afternoon and returning Sun Sept 20th. We had hoped to spend a few days in Sydney on the way back but decided we won't have the time. The rally is scheduled to be in Tual, Indonesia Oct 14. Before then we have the 860 mile trip to the Torres St and then 640nm to Indonesia. We'd like some days to wait out bad weather and some evenings anchored to sleep. We will be seeing the Whitsundays and Cairns along the way. Dan and Becky have a few ideas of things we should see near Wellington. Looking forward to it!