Mike Mitchell adventures.

[Dingo]

I copied this text from another post to keep the other post on topic.

I'm heading up to the boat for the first time later this week. There is still quite a bit of work required to be thoroughly seaworthy. Mostly, fixing or replacing the engine and replacing the rigging stays (the four heavy wires that keep the mast in place).
Then sail her to Victoria, slip her to dryland, and do some work on the hull. So, 2 to 3 months yet but just getting started will be great and very exciting. 👍
I've already purchased a leather backpack for travelling to and from the boat, a sleeping bag to use until the main cabin is clean and a roving Star Link kit for internet access at sea. ($AU178 a month! The hardware was less than 1/2 price though).

You must be very excited hoping that your first sail to Victoria is a pleasurable trip.

[Mike Mitchell]

Leaving today, Thursday 9/2/2023 about 10 AM. Well, I'm running late as usual but here's an example of the logistics:

Bus #850

James Street Dandenong to Dandenong Station - Pay by Myki

Departure  10:04 AM Thu, 9 Febuary 2023 - Arrives 10:14 AM

Metro Train

Dandenong Station to Southern Cross Station - Pay by Myki

Departure  10:23 AM Thu, 9 Febuary 2023 - Arrives 11:12 AM

SkyBus: Southern Cross Station to Tullamarine: Nonstop - $18

Departure 11:35 AM Thu, 9 Febuary 2023 - Arrives 12:10 AM

Jetstar: Melbourne Airport to Ballina Byron Gateway Airport: Nonstop - $220

Departure 1:15 PM Thu, 9 February 2023 - Arrives 3:15 PM local time

 1:15 PM Melbourne Airport (MEL)  Travel time: 2 hr

 3:15 PM Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (OOL) Jetstar Economy Airbus A320 JQ 464

Booking reference: NMR2MD

Grayhound: Ballina Tamar St Bus Interchange: Many stops - $60

 6:45 PM Tamar St Ballina, NSW - Arrives 8:55 PM

Grayhound GX422

NOTE: Bus arrives after marina closes, may need alternate transport or hotel in Ballina ($175) or Yamba ($229). TBC See also NSW Translink #144: Departs 6:10 AM Arrives 8:15 AM

This is the sort of complexity that put so many other buyers off the boat. It's a long trip, wish me luck. 🤷�♂️🤷�♂️

[Mick Lindsay]

I hope all goes well Mike, see you soon back on the forum.

[Dataman]

Hope the trip goes well. 

[Dingo]

I hope you are relaxing in Ballina or another motel somewhere and your trip was uneventful.  Good luck

[jave808]

All the best Mike!!

[tazzduke]

Good luck Mike and smooth seas 🙂

[Mike Mitchell]

Thought I'd best check-in. The flight was cancelled and they put me in a nice hotel. 4 AM start, then a cab back to the airport. Ended up on the Gold Coast, so all my travel plans were shot.
Completely exhausted by this stage, along with carrying my two carry-on bags. 🤦�♂️ Small airport bus to Ballana Terminus. Fortunately, the bus to Yamba was running late and the bus driver knew a trick so I could book a seat with a credit card after the trip had closed. 👍

Got to Yamba Marina with just enough time to pop out and have a look. It's bigger than I thought. It has some problems I didn't expect and lacks some of the problems I had expected.

One of the staff at the marina has come up with a plan to fix the most important things but it means moving to a more "work" related marina. Yamba caters for some huge yachts, the ones that don't always have sails". As well as trawlers. 👀 Now the prices make sense.

I'll find out on Monday if the boatyard can take it on and how long and how much!

Meanwhile, I'm stuck in Yamba Central accommodations, which includes the Wobbly Chook Brewery and Restaurant. 

It's taken two days of nice meals, good alternate beer and air-conditioned sleep, to overcome the exhaustion and sunburn - now I can climb the stairs without my calves feeling like they are on fire!!

[Mike Mitchell]

It looks like everything is going ahead on the 1st of March. The 'new' yard will send their tug to tow my boat back to their place.

Did I say why they couldn't fit it in earlier??? They bought a new 900 tonne boat lift. This is a 50 tonne lift, about the size they'll use on my boat and needed time to assemble it and spread out all the parts.

They'll spray down the hull to clean off the marine growth and check for hull damage and other urgent repairs, Hopefully, they will be able to fix the engine - a replacement is $AU20,000.    I've started the registration process, which is only $92. Must be the cheapest thing on any boat. Looked into getting a Victorian boat licence online, and now it's just a matter of when the next session is.
Hopefully, I'll be able to start cleaning the interior and move on board when it gets to the new boatyard. It's a nice hotel and all but it's like paying rent at home, here and for the boat. Okay for the short term, but a month is a bit much.
Oh, started planning the route back on one of the navigation apps. Hmm, discovered I have to learn how to use the app first. Still, it has Yamba and Gippsland Lakes in it but the route is overland! I'm sure that's not right.

[Dingo]

Are you getting the hull painted with anti fouling stuff to keep the groth off ??  What type of licence do you need for a sail boat, just a normal one or do you need to become a Captain??

I watch a lot of Youtube videos, lots of time on my hands, of people that travel the world on Motor and sail yachts. 

Best of luck with the haulout and the licence.

[Mike Mitchell]

I might get it antifouled. It just depends on how much work has to be done. If there are just a few rust scrapings, I'll wait until it's back near home and do it myself. If there are heaps, the hull will be mostly stripped and it would be very cheap to get the yard to put a bit more antifoul paint on it and be done with it.

I was surprised that there are no licence requirements for sailing but if the motor is used, then one is needed for that.

It's getting exciting and a little anxious with the boat being lifted in the morning. Trouble sleeping, hence the post at 1:15 AM 🤦�♂️😁

[Dingo]

Well it's 2 PM the next day so I hope the haulout went well and they didn't find too many things wrong.

[Mike Mitchell]

The boat's out of the water and on a hard stand. Getting all the work done that's needed below the waterline.

The engine looks like it may be too far gone. A new one is way too expensive. So a bit of reassessment is needed. Anyone have a budget priced Fordson 75hp tractor motor sitting around?

[jave808]

Hi Mike

With regards to the engine, could you retrofit something else in?  Your boat doesn't use a "gearbox" as such, true? So a diesel with around the same cylinders and capacity should make enough power.

[Mike Mitchell]

Yes, that's an option. The mountings would need to be changed and perhaps a new coupler from the engine to the shaft or gearbox. It requires that for forward, neutral or reverse.