North West Cruisin'
May 2014
Colin and I started our North West Cruisin' adventure on May 13, 2014. The plan was to sail from Fremantle to Darwin and back, though after experiencing how long it takes to get anywhere, and how the weather and mechanical problems can sabotage your plans for days or weeks at a time, we modified our ambitions as we went. The trip was two years in the planning, though for Colin it's been more like 30 years. He's been dreaming of a trip through the Kimberley since he had his first yacht in the '80s, a 17ft Redjacket. He's now sailing a 42ft Beneteau named FATBLUESKY (read as Fat Blue Sky or Fat Blu Esky, hence the nickname "The Esky") which he shares with his brother Bink and sister Fiona, and he's living the dream!
For more photos and stories of our North West Cruisin' adventure check out the Ship's Log and Captain's Blog on Colin's website at: http://www.fatbluesky.net
Blog also included below...
Colin and I started our North West Cruisin' adventure on May 13, 2014. The plan was to sail from Fremantle to Darwin and back, though after experiencing how long it takes to get anywhere, and how the weather and mechanical problems can sabotage your plans for days or weeks at a time, we modified our ambitions as we went. The trip was two years in the planning, though for Colin it's been more like 30 years. He's been dreaming of a trip through the Kimberley since he had his first yacht in the '80s, a 17ft Redjacket. He's now sailing a 42ft Beneteau named FATBLUESKY (read as Fat Blue Sky or Fat Blu Esky, hence the nickname "The Esky") which he shares with his brother Bink and sister Fiona, and he's living the dream!
For more photos and stories of our North West Cruisin' adventure check out the Ship's Log and Captain's Blog on Colin's website at: http://www.fatbluesky.net
Blog also included below...
CAPTAIN'S FIRST BLOG:
GETTING READY TO HEAD OFF
20/4/2014
This is the first test blog. At the moment we are planning to leave in the last week of April or first week of May on our sail up north of Western Australia through the Kimberley. So far everything is on track, although in recent days there have been a few hiccups. We tore the mainsail on a shakedown trip to Rotto the other day, so have ordered a new one from Geoff Bishop at UK Halsey Lidgard. Geoff makes great sails and has promised to try and get a quick turnaround even though he is on holidays in Vietnam at the moment!!
Other small issue is our new Alternator and smart regulator don't like each other and aren't talking, so the alternator has got very hot under the collar and I have disconnected the two. Alternator is on a complete holiday and refusing to charge at all! So will await the advice of Captain Hill the electrikery magician when he returns from Easter Break.
Finally, waiting for the autopilot motor to be rebrushed and a few bits and pieces to come in from over east and the US before we can get through the final list of jobs. The major exercise is to rewire the engine control panel with all new gauges and a new chart plotter. Fingers crossed that will all go according to plan over the long weekend!
GETTING READY TO HEAD OFF
20/4/2014
This is the first test blog. At the moment we are planning to leave in the last week of April or first week of May on our sail up north of Western Australia through the Kimberley. So far everything is on track, although in recent days there have been a few hiccups. We tore the mainsail on a shakedown trip to Rotto the other day, so have ordered a new one from Geoff Bishop at UK Halsey Lidgard. Geoff makes great sails and has promised to try and get a quick turnaround even though he is on holidays in Vietnam at the moment!!
Other small issue is our new Alternator and smart regulator don't like each other and aren't talking, so the alternator has got very hot under the collar and I have disconnected the two. Alternator is on a complete holiday and refusing to charge at all! So will await the advice of Captain Hill the electrikery magician when he returns from Easter Break.
Finally, waiting for the autopilot motor to be rebrushed and a few bits and pieces to come in from over east and the US before we can get through the final list of jobs. The major exercise is to rewire the engine control panel with all new gauges and a new chart plotter. Fingers crossed that will all go according to plan over the long weekend!
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