Antipodean Boats Connection

[PeterSibley]

Sail went up for the first time today.

Wonderful Gary !!

[shamus]

Did the sail work?

[WX]

Did the sail work?

Put it this way, if I hadn't been tied to the wharf I would have been sailing.
There's still some bits to add and some fine tuning to be done but that will require some sailing.

[shamus]

Come on mate, we're waiting for the video of the water foaming along the lee side ....

[WX]

Come on mate, we're waiting for the video of the water foaming along the lee side ....

So am I but lack of funds and too much wind for rigging has slowed me down.
I need 8mm and 10mm rope (at present I'm using anything just to get her moving) and another 2-3 blocks. I asked one of my yachtie nieghbours if he had any spare blocks. He's been meaning to replace his 12mm halyard blocks for a while and has the new ones, so he's going to give me the old ones. The stresses on my rig are no where near as severe as his. Next weekend should see the rigging finished and who knows...maybe a trial sail.

[johnno]

Okay, so the Vikings are on NOW on SBS

[Larks]

So am I but lack of funds and too much wind for rigging has slowed me down.
I need 8mm and 10mm rope (at present I'm using anything just to get her moving) and another 2-3 blocks. I asked one of my yachtie nieghbours if he had any spare blocks. He's been meaning to replace his 12mm halyard blocks for a while and has the new ones, so he's going to give me the old ones. The stresses on my rig are no where near as severe as his. Next weekend should see the rigging finished and who knows...maybe a trial sail.

It's a little way off, but you ought to get yourself up to the next Boaties Market at Victoria Point Gary, next one is 21st April.

http://www.vmr.org.au/boaties-market.html

[Phil Y]

Theres often second hand line and stuff on ebay too. several lengths of spectra right now

[WX]

It's a little way off, but you ought to get yourself up to the next Boaties Market at Victoria Point Gary, next one is 21st April.

http://www.vmr.org.au/boaties-market.html

I've wanted to go to that for a long time. I actually have some stuff I'd like to sell or trade.

[WX]

Theres often second hand line and stuff on ebay too. several lengths of spectra right now

I've been buying rope through RopesGalore online. The prices are good and freight is free. It's the old story of not enough $$ in the kick to place an order. If it doesn't rain and isn't scorching hot on Thursday and Friday I'm in with a chance at earning what's needed.
Looks like I could be doing my first mast climb next weekend, I need to remove a lashing on the topping lifts.

[PeterSibley]

YOUR GOVERMENT , SURVEY RESULTS !

Crow Mortality-rate Study A recent study has found over 200 dead crows near Ceduna South Aus., and there was concern that they may have died from the Avian Flu virus. A Bird Pathologist examined the remains of all the crows, and he confirmed the problem was definitely NOT Avian Flu, to everyone's relief. However, he was also able to determine that 98% of the crows had been killed by impact with large trucks, and only 2% were killed by car impact. The State hired an Ornithological Behaviourist to determine the disproportionate percentages for the large truck versus car kills. The Ornithological Behaviourist determined the cause in short order. When crows eat road kill, they always set up another crow as a lookout in a nearby tree to warn of impending danger. His conclusion was that the lookout crow could say "Cah", but he could not say "Truck."

[Phil Y]

So funny

[WX]

My Karma ran over my Dogma.

[Larks]

I've wanted to go to that for a long time. I actually have some stuff I'd like to sell or trade.

It's worth the effort, but if you can stay in Bris' the night before all the better as it's best to be there by about 5.30am to set up if you are selling, buyers will be crawling over your gear the second you pull up. In winter they all have torches and headlamps to get in before anyone else and bag the best bargains.

If you want to wander around looking for bargains take company, but if you want to avoid temptation go by yourself. When I went up I couldn't really leave the ute as I had a heap of gear to sell, but the guys either side of my were saying they spent more than they made because they had wives and mates with them so that they could get around to the other stalls (mind you the guy with his wife said that it was his wife doing all the spending...)

But it's a great market and well worth the effort.

[WX]

It's worth the effort, but if you can stay in Bris' the night before all the better as it's best to be there by about 5.30am to set up if you are selling, buyers will be crawling over your gear the second you pull up. In winter they all have torches and headlamps to get in before anyone else and bag the best bargains.

If you want to wander around looking for bargains take company, but if you want to avoid temptation go by yourself. When I went up I couldn't really leave the ute as I had a heap of gear to sell, but the guys either side of my were saying they spent more than they made because they had wives and mates with them so that they could get around to the other stalls (mind you the guy with his wife said that it was his wife doing all the spending...)

But it's a great market and well worth the effort.

I find my biggest problem is working out what price to put on something. Did you just guess a price or did you use some standard such as new price?

[WX]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-2...ff-tas/4473120
Why would you abandon your yacht in favour of a liferaft that's designed not to go anywhere?
His mast broke but there's no report on whether the yacht is still afloat. The logical course of action I believe would have been to rig a jury rig and stay with the yacht.

[Larks]

I find my biggest problem is working out what price to put on something. Did you just guess a price or did you use some standard such as new price?

I used my Whitworths catalogue as a guide and depending on the condition of gear priced it accordingly and that seemed to work. A few things I put a price that I'd be happy to part with it for, ie an old battered bronze prop I priced the value of the scrap plus 20% (and got that), but most stuff I just took a punt to try my luck with the idea that I'd rather get something than nothing but would let it go rather than take it home again and most people were pretty happy to bargain. I did have a few things I stuck to my guns where I was confident of the value or just didn't want to give it way and I generally got what I wanted.

In the end it worked out to be a lot of fun and it was pretty easy to get a feel if things were overpriced or not. You really just need to split things into "if I don't sell this will it go to the tip?" and "if I don't get what I want for it I'm happy to take it home".

[Larks]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-2...ff-tas/4473120
Why would you abandon your yacht in favour of a liferaft that's designed not to go anywhere?
His mast broke but there's no report on whether the yacht is still afloat. The logical course of action I believe would have been to rig a jury rig and stay with the yacht.

Simple answer is "Never step down to a liferaft!"

It doesn't matter how low in the water a yacht might be, as long as it is still afloat it is easier to spot than a liferaft.

[WX]

Simple answer is "Never step down to a liferaft!"

It doesn't matter how low in the water a yacht might be, as long as it is still afloat it is easier to spot than a liferaft.

My feelings on the matter as well. Was it the 1978 Fastnet where 15 sailors died because they abandoned their yachts? Most were found still afloat days later.

What's the stall fee Greg?

[PeterSibley]

Simple answer is "Never step down to a liferaft!"

It doesn't matter how low in the water a yacht might be, as long as it is still afloat it is easier to spot than a liferaft.

A mate abandoned his cat about 18 months ago, 200 miles off Venezuela, it was on fire though and getting very warm. He left with his dog, no papers, no money, no radio .... in his jocks and Tee shirt.

But with a bucket of Good Luck.

He was picked up by a fishing boat 2 hours later.

He has another boat now and is back at sea.

His new boat, a Ryton 38 . $25,000 in Holland, a new diesel and Coreten " steel construction.



His dog.

[WX]

A mate abandoned his cat about 18 months ago, 200 miles off Venezuela, it was on fire though and getting very warm. He left with his dog, no papers, no money, no radio .... in his jocks and Tee shirt.

But with a bucket of Good Luck.

He was picked up by a fishing boat 2 hours later.

He has another boat now and is back at sea.

Very lucky indeed.

[Larks]

My feelings on the matter as well. Was it the 1978 Fastnet where 15 sailors died because they abandoned their yachts? Most were found still afloat days later.

What's the stall fee Greg?

$10.00, but no need to book, just get there at about 5.30 and join the vehicle que to get in and set up. The web site says gates open at 6.00 but they seemed to have been open for a while when I git there at about 5.45 (or whenever it was that I got there). There's plenty of room for plenty of vehicles so no need to panic if you're not there early, but the busiest time seemed to be first thing, then nothing for a while until normal "after breakfast and weekend papers" time.

[m2c1Iw]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-2...ff-tas/4473120
Why would you abandon your yacht in favour of a liferaft that's designed not to go anywhere?
His mast broke but there's no report on whether the yacht is still afloat. The logical course of action I believe would have been to rig a jury rig and stay with the yacht.

One report I saw suggested hull damage so it may not be afloat and did you see the pic of the boat another one of those downwind flyers that float better upside down.

[purri]

Another one eh. Shades of Moitessier(?), that French woman, Bullimore etc.

I remember that the French said SOLAS prevailed but one was much closer to South Africa than OZ, the equivalent distance from France to Brasil!

COmpulsory insurance and bill them all!

[WX]

One report I saw suggested hull damage so it may not be afloat and did you see the pic of the boat another one of those downwind flyers that float better upside down.

I noted the hull shape and I really don't like it, snap a keel and you're buggered. I don't like reverse sheer either, it seems to be all the go with cabin cruiser and multihull design these days...Trekka being the exception.

[brucemoffatt]

A good start to the week. I cut up a 3600 x 1800 x 18 particleboard sheet into the bits for the building frame. Apart from handling a single sheet that heavy it all went OK. I'm hopeful of having he frame assembled and squared up with the hull bottom screwed down to it by the end of this week.

Bruce, finally starting to feel like a boat builder.

[Phil Y]

Its gonna quick now bruce-the way you've cut up all the pieces already.

[skuthorp]

Gary, I've got a collection of smaller blocks, sail management stuff, some from a paper tiger rig. Mixed Fico and Ronstan. Think any of that might be any good, it sounds like you want something a bit heavier.

I've spent the day up and down an extension ladder, harnessing my self to big trees, and lopping branches with a chainsaw. I'm rather stuffed mostly from the concentration on safety, angles and repetition of steps in the safety process.

[brucemoffatt]

Gary, I've got a collection of smaller blocks, sail management stuff, some from a paper tiger rig. Mixed Fico and Ronstan. Think any of that might be any good, it sounds like you want something a bit heavier.

I've spent the day up and down an extension ladder, harnessing my self to big trees, and lopping branches with a chainsaw. I'm rather stuffed mostly from the concentration on safety, angles and repetition of steps in the safety process.

If that gear is too small for Gary let me know if you want to sell any to me for Romana. I'll have to start thinking about tackle for the mainsheet, hallyard, downhaul, topping lift and reefing lines soon.

Bruce

[WX]

Gary, I've got a collection of smaller blocks, sail management stuff, some from a paper tiger rig. Mixed Fico and Ronstan. Think any of that might be any good, it sounds like you want something a bit heavier.

I've spent the day up and down an extension ladder, harnessing my self to big trees, and lopping branches with a chainsaw. I'm rather stuffed mostly from the concentration on safety, angles and repetition of steps in the safety process.

Thanks Jeff but my requirements are 10-12mm blocks. I think I have it covered anyway.

[skuthorp]

Bruce the stuff I have is 'scrounged' and surplus to my requirements, incredibly most of it would have gone to the tip if I hadn't put up my hand. Got a couple of sails and other stuff from the same source. I might have to take a few pics and email them to you and Gary.

[Larks]

One report I saw suggested hull damage so it may not be afloat and did you see the pic of the boat another one of those downwind flyers that float better upside down.

Reports are now saying he jumped into the liferaft because he lost his mast, no indication that the yacht was sinking or sank.....???? If that's true he's a bloody imbecile!!!

[RFNK]

If that gear is too small for Gary let me know if you want to sell any to me for Romana. I'll have to start thinking about tackle for the mainsheet, hallyard, downhaul, topping lift and reefing lines soon.

Bruce

I've got a bit of spare gear Bruce which you'd be welcome to have. Let me know when you know what you want and I'll see what I can find. David's got a bit of stuff too so if I haven't got it I can always steal it from him.

Rick

[johnno]

Re the French sailor, as I've been following with interest the current Vendee Globe, I was also interested in this guy. Perhaps with the ways news services carry stories while they're hot and then drop them, we might not find all the truth behind what happened. Certainly the reporting to date from supposedly reputable news services (do I include the ABC as reputable or not???) has been amateurish and incomplete. For example, have a look at this story and its cover pic! I won't tell you what's in the pic because it will spoil the surprise. http://www.thenewstribe.com/2013/01/...outhern-ocean/

I searched around over the weekend, and found out a bit about him but didn't write it down and so don't remember the details. Also he doesn't speak english and most of the information is in french, so I struggled at times. The guy has a website here (http://alaindelordtourdumonde.fr/), from memory has sailed across the Atlantic a number of times, and prepared his boat well to attempt a solo non-stop circumnavigation following the Vendee Globe route. He was trying to equal or better a couple of similar ventures in similar boats. He left in around October I think.

He seems to have prepared his boat well, and seems to be an experienced sailor. When the rescue services first made contact, he was apparently just dismasted and was apparently going to try to jury sail to Hobart. Like Mike, I read a report that he later suffered hull damage and then set of his epirb. It's been virtually impossible to get informed descriptions of what happened after that, even from the rescue services media.

I watched a very sensationalist report from the Orion, and some video of the rescue shot from the Orion with an audio track which seemed to me to beat up the difficulty of the rescue. Just like every doco these days is peppered with 'will I survive this (fill in whatever applies here..jump, dive, swim, ride, climb...)", the reporting of this event doesn't seem to match the reality so much as match the expectations.

Back to the Vendee, it is interesting that the British sailors in the event are now saying that the new French boats have stood up to amazing punishment this Vendee (I've been following it every day for the last two and a half months) not only across the southern ocean but in the Atlantic as well, with a good 6 or 7 of them averaging (yes averaging) above 23 knots or so. I have a lot of admiration for these guys and girls, even though I'm not normally much interested in racing or attempts to beat others' records.

[Larks]

I think you may have forgotten a link to the story John?