Antipodean Boats Connection

[Typhoon]

Re: Oz Connection

If / when you go to Lord Howe... make sure you do a scenic flight and include Balls Pyramid. Its amazing. I've flown around it in a Cessna and seen it from 35,000+ feet as well. Its doubly impressive from the Cessna. If you book to go out, enquire about climbing Mt Gower. I didn't get up that one, but did get up to where the Providence Petrels come in on Mt Lidgard. The remnants of the Catalina wreck are worth a look too.

Ball's Pyramid is even more impressive trolling around it at 4kts. The boat ride/fishing trips are worth every cent, it's kind of mind blowing watching a depth sounder go from 10-20ft in the lagoon to 2-3000ft+ in 30 seconds as you leave the lagoon. Touring the island itself is equally impressive.
I've never seen so many large, easily caught fish in my life. Out for 2 hours, a dozen Kingfish (20 to 30lb each) and a couple of sharks.

[RFNK]

Re: Oz Connection

Yep, disappointing but there'll be other opportunities. And yes, I'd like to walk up that mountain, take a flight, see all those big fish - all that! The boat was owned by an Aussie so if he brought it back into Oz, there was no GST. This meant that the sale couldn't go through until the boat was in Oz. I'm pretty sure the broker (here in Oz) was worried that the prospective buyer might be put off or something could go bung on the trip, so he encouraged the owner to just get it here ASAP. But yes, as you say Rob, it would have been a great way to get to know the boat. C'est la vie!

Rick

[Duncan Gibbs]

Re: Oz Connection

Don't worry Rick. When I get Erica built one of the first voyages I'd like to do would be to cross The Ditch stopping at Lord Howe along the way. So you're officially invited! SWIMPAL says she'll fly and meet me there!

[Duncan Gibbs]

Re: Oz Connection

Ahhhhh.... The 3rd movement from Mahler's 4th... Lovely stuff... I feel all relaxed now.

[RFNK]

Re: Oz Connection

Don't worry Rick. When I get Erica built one of the first voyages I'd like to do would be to cross The Ditch stopping at Lord Howe along the way. So you're officially invited! SWIMPAL says she'll fly and meet me there!

Thanks mate! I'll print that and get you to sign it in a couple of weeks! Hopefully we'll have the Twister going by then too so we might be able to turn it into a regatta. The Folkboat would be capable of doing that trip but you'd have to be a masochist to enjoy it.

Still looking okay for 17 March by the way? Will the trailer brakes work on the Camry? If all okay then I'll be able to drop the trailer back at Pittwater on the following Saturday.

Rick

[WX]

Re: Oz Connection

Peter is away doing more sanding and should be back online Friday.

[WX]

Re: Oz Connection

Don't worry Rick. When I get Erica built one of the first voyages I'd like to do would be to cross The Ditch stopping at Lord Howe along the way. So you're officially invited! SWIMPAL says she'll fly and meet me there!

A Qantas sailor eh?

[WX]

Re: Oz Connection

I think Lord Howe would a good test for one's navigation skills. What is it, two to three days, probably closer to four days (in Redwing)? 354 NM in a direct line from Tweed Heads. I think you'd probably have to clear through Brisbane or Coffs Harbour though.

[RFNK]

Re: Oz Connection

I think Lord Howe would a good test for one's navigation skills. What is it, two to three days, probably closer to four days (in Redwing)? 354 NM in a direct line from Tweed Heads. I think you'd probably have to clear through Brisbane or Coffs Harbour though.

You shouldn't have to 'clear' at all. What makes you think you would?

Rick

[WX]

Re: Oz Connection

You shouldn't have to 'clear' at all. What makes you think you would?

Rick

I figured because you'd be exiting Australian waters but you wouldn't be because they extend for two hundred miles. I assume the radius would also be around Lord Howe. I think I would check anyway because of changes bought about because of "Queue Jumpers".

[Portland]

Re: Oz Connection

I'd like to do it one day , but I'd need a bigger boat than HS.
I know there are people that say you could sail it to NZ , but I'm not one of them.
Rob J.

[RFNK]

Re: Oz Connection

I doubt that the fittings on a Dragon trailer are going to work on a Camry. Won't it have a 4 ton breakaway setup?.... or something?

I have no idea. Duncan thinks the trailer has electric brakes but I don't know if that"ll connect to the Camry setup. If it just has a regular mechanical brake then it should be okay. I'm not towing the Dragon - just the trailer and a pile of wood.

Rick

[Duncan Gibbs]

Re: Oz Connection

Still looking okay for 17 March by the way? Will the trailer brakes work on the Camry? If all okay then I'll be able to drop the trailer back at Pittwater on the following Saturday.

Still looking good Rick and the electric brakes are linked to the brake light lines in a flat, seven pin plug, so there should be no dramas there. The return location is... erm... Windsor. I hope that's not too far out of your way. Have they upgraded Windsor Road yet? Last time I went up it it was a single carriage country road being used like a six lane highway!

[RFNK]

Re: Oz Connection

Windsor! That's a long way from Pittwater! No problem, I'll take it out to Windsor. That's good news re the brakes - I do have that plug on the Camry. Thanks!

Rick

[rufustr]

Re: Oz Connection

Do some calculations Rick.

The towing capacity of s Camry is 500 Kg unbraked and 1200 Kg braked.

A dragon trailer will weigh perhaps 800 Kg unloaded (my car trailer does) leaving you 400 Kg for load if the brakes work.

Your insurance will be void if you exceed those weights and you have a mishap.