(Chart of Curlew Island showing the recommended anchorage, take note of the sand bar out from the island)
(Our track taken from Curlew Island to Mackay)
Tuesday 29/05/2012
Well after sorting out that we will haul out here after all
I have to get all the gear organised because I had not bothered as I thought it
would be later in the year before we did this work.
I should only have to give the hull a light sand as the
diver in Brisbane stated that the antifouling paint has another year before I
really need to do anything, so I figure that the Altex 3000 antifouling that I
used last year is a good product and if I give it a light sand after a pressure
wash I can put another two coats over the top and that should last us at least
two years which will give us the time to go around Australia without having to
haul out along the way.
Last night we went out for dinner at the steak place next to
the pub with Rick and Michelle, we were all bushed from the long night awake
and a hard two days sail and no one wanted to cook. It was a good night and we
had a good sleep afterwards.
This morning we were waiting for a phone call from Rick he
was meeting with the blokes in the shipyard to decide whether to haul out with
the windy conditions, my thoughts were that the wind was a little strong. Rick
finally phoned to say that the yard had left the decision to him about hauling
out. I found that a little odd and I said that to Rick, in past years the ship
lift operator would not let you haul out
in winds above 15-20 knots because the wind pushes on the stern and side
of the boat when they are trying to settle it in the lift.
Apparently the new rules is that it is the boat owners
decision therefore if it goes pear shape it's the owners fault. Rick and I went
to have a look at the ship lift area to see what wind is blowing there and what
affects it would have. The wind was not too bad at that stage and I said to
Rick we could bring the boat around and see what it is like before you fully
commit to going in the travel lift area. I asked the travel lift operator if he
would have the forward sling in a position to stop the boat going too far
forward towards the sea wall and he said he would.
So we went back to Rick's boat and got ready to haul out, we
got underway and lined up the opening of the travel lift bay and I think the
wind assisted us in our movement forward because we went in quite quickly. The
travel lift area has pontoons each side now which makes it a little easier and
it stops the boats hitting the pylons they did not have those last year.
'Neriki' was hauled out and placed on the hard. Rick asked when I was going to
haul out and I told him Friday less wind and we may get better weather.
I went back on board our boat and made a few phone calls
regarding paint and items required. Rick had asked if I was going to purchase
the paint through the contractor he was using to do some work as he had offered
to get everything Rick needed. I said I would get some prices first.
I contacted the Altex dealer here in Mackay and asked if he
had the Altex 3000 in stock and at what prices. The agent Paul Curson said that
he had plenty and the price was $420.55 per 10 litre tin and $159.95 per 4
litre tin. I had been quoted around $450 for the 10 litre elsewhere. I told
Paul I would be there the next day for the paint one 10 litre and two 4 litre
tins.
I went to see Rick after and the price he was given by his
contractor was quite an amount above that. I think the price surprised Rick.
When we first arrived we met other sailing friends that were
sheltering here from the weather some crews that were in Island Head Creek with
us and Julie and Simon off 'Goodonya' who have been tracking us up the coast,
they said they tried to call us on the radio but we did not hear them.
So we ended up having sundowners with them on their yacht,
and a good time was had by all, I think we poured ourselves home. We had not
seen Julie and Simon since last year, they are a nice couple and we always have
fun. They got held up this year as their boat got damaged by a boat that was
alongside them in the marina. The hot water service blew up from overheating
and high pressure build up of steam, they were lucky they did not get injured.
Apparently the boat that had the problem had been sunk at one time and this
bloke bought it after it was refloated and had renovated the boat throughout
with the exception of the hot water service, no doubt that the safety pressure
relief valve did not work due to corrosion after being submersed when it sank.
All the renovations of the boat were also destroyed by what Simon has told me.
Wednesday 30/05/2012
We had organised the marina hire car for the morning. The
marina has two Holden station wagons that they hire out at $39 for half day and
$78 for all day, you can get cheaper all day prices with other car hire firms
but the half day is very attractive.
We set off as soon as we got the car and headed for the
Altex agent. Paul was very obliging person and I would recommend him for your
Altex products wherever you are. He sells the products to everyone at trade
price. The average sailor off the docks can get the products the same price
from him as what the contractors and other businesses do.
Not only that he said we need not have hired a car, he said
he would have delivered the order if we had phoned it through at no cost, he
said he often goes the shipyard after a person has contacted him to have a look
at the boats and give advice on what is required. He has also told us that if
we need any paint wherever we are just phone him and he will ship it to us at
the same trade price. He also added that if we are in a port that has another
Altex agent to still ring him first and he will contact the agent and get the
paint at his price. He also supplied me with a paint gauge so I get the right
thickness of paint on the hulls because it is important. He told me that once
the antifouling paint is mixed and put on the hull nearly 50% actually
evaporates this is the solvents in the paint, if you put the paint on too thick
the outer layer of the paint will dry trapping the solvents below the surface
this can lead to blistering and finally the paint peeling off. So it is also important not to put the second
coat on until the required time.
So if anyone wants to purchase Altex paints here is Paul's
details.
Altex Coatings, 24 Prospect Street, Mackay QLD 4740. Phone
07 4914 2557, Mob. 0414 248 717
Email. mackayshop@altexcoatings.com.au
I do not give many businesses a plug in my scribbles but
this bloke is worth a mention especially if he can save you and me a few
dollars on the paints and products that he sells.
After getting our paint and a few other things from Paul we
then went to the good old Bunning's store to by other odds and ends needed,
then went to see Dan Murphy who has a great store for the beer, wine and
spirits and by the time we finished there it was time to get the car back and
get all the gear on board. Once all that was done we went to the local cafe for
lunch.
We had a quiet night aboard with the weather being so windy
and raining.
Thursday 31/05/2012
Today Nancy did the laundry and I had to repair a pump for
the shower and just get things ready for hauling out in the morning. We haul
out at 0700 hours all going well so these scribbles will be all you get for a
few days, I am hoping to only be out 3 or 4 days, so it will be solid work the
whole time we are out.
Cheers.
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