G' Day Tony G,

Summer in the bus was far too hot and humid to work, I spent four months doing absolutely nothing too strenuous. I entertained three lots of overseas visitors, two lots of "Pom’s" and a mob of Yanks. Sort of an enforced holiday. Then I had to have a holiday to get over the holiday, so I went bush, Byfield Forest, for a couple of weeks, no worries about sharks, the croc’s ate them all!

Then it was bac to the blood boat yeard -- Mate, I didn’t paint the mast at all. Looked OK. Bits of corrosion here and thee and it had a red tip which was peeling, so I slapped a bit more red on. I have a question for you – what the hell is H.V.L.P? Looks like a mispelt cry for assistance.

Mast step is a veneered wooden block with a hole in it to accommodate the mast. A crane pulled the mast out and all was found to be dusty and solid. I found a dime under there and replaced it with a millennium gold medallion. The dime now resides in the maroon velvet bag the medallion came in.

The eye bolts go clean through the deck. Handy tie down points, just wish they were stainless.

Everything was as is when I got the boat. I just pulled it all apart to see if it was "stuffed."

The furler is functional rather than pretty. It too came with the boat. They were being turned out by some yachtie in Arlie Beach -- heavy duty aluminum drum -- nothing fancy, works OK and I like it . . .no, I really like it. Oh, OK! I wouldn't live without it.

The doghouse (seahood & dodger) -- Very scientific that job -- a bit higher and a bit wider than the old canvas pram hood. I made two sides first out of scrap ply. Matched the angles with the cabin front and stuck ‘em on with lots of "seahold" and straps. Laminated some beams. Stuck them on. Made the front panels, made the garage for the companionway hatch and stuck a roof on it. Turned out surprisingly well. Not bad at all for a mug amateur. Wouldn’t do to run a tape measure over it, Mate. I just had to be able to lean on it. Then my mate Gwult (?) fiber glassed the bloody lot and the shipwright painted it.

I do have a sliding gooseneck and I don't know the height of the boom off the cabin top off hand.

Correct on the head. It's a one push button macerating head.

Thanks Tony, I reckon she looks great too. The Stainless is rather good, isn't it. It's full of sticky fingerprints, etc., now tho'.

I’m not planning any epic voyage mate, my main driving force is protection from the elements. I will be living on board a lot of the time. I’ve lived on board for 2-1/2 years or so in the past and I know what wuld make life more pleasant.

The blood boat yard is going through a bit of a change (as they do). It's more of a boat park now. People ring the yard and their boat is in the water when they get here. He's packing them in like sardines, I can’t even walk round my boat at the moment. Like I said, "Bloody Boat Yard."

There isn't an off season here mate. Winter is the pick in the tropics, just bloody perfect at the moment. I may be able to launch soon. Just in time for the cyclone season. Still great sailing weather, but a lot of exciting bits.

Hope I satisfied your curiosity. All the best to you too mate,

Geoff

PS - more photos soon . . .