A refugee in Refuge Bay
24 November 2020
Steve Leicester
Paradise!
Or so I have been told! I spent my first night here Friday in 50 knots wind bombs coming down off the mountain (the winds in which another solo sailor was lost in Bass Strait). In the absence of my diesel hopeful that my new anchor wouldn't drag!
And the rest of the time arse up, heads down adjusting engine mounts in the hope of enlightening Galatea's diesel.
Alas, to no avail. So on Monday I set off in an increasing Southwester sans diesel. Tacking into Corner Inlet and it's maze of channels in a now 25 to 30 knots breeze went surprisingly well with an incoming tide making it possible. But turning a sudden corner and hooking onto the boat ramp pontoon first time, was gold. (There could be no second time!).
Boat mechanic confirmed that coupling to shaft is stuffed. Which means either lift Galatea out of the water (impossible since the Welshpool slipway inoperable since 6 months ago) or lift the diesel off it's mounts and bring it forward to get to the shaft.
A new adventurelet within the grand adventure begins....