A WEEK OF REFLECTIONS AND REBUILDING!

G'day all,from the land of Galleycat!
The YOT has now safely returned to Townsville after cruising between Rattlesnake,Herald and Magnetic Islands over the past week.The morning after my last update saw the wind pick up to a steady 20knots leaving dinghy fishing firmly off the agenda. So knowing I had to leave Rattlesnake very early the following morning I chose to set off for Magnetic Island a day early.  This meant taking the YOT straight into the stiff South Easterly for a 14 mile trip.A true test of the Yot's capability to head to windward.Kenny always say's a gentleman never goes to windward! As we all know,
                                                                                                     "I'm no gentleman!"

The weather made for a rough yet steady paced trip with the Yot taking all in itz stride.This didn't last long however with an annoying squeek coming from the port rear quarter pod.After leaving the autopilot in charge I ventured out onto the rear deck to find the support bracket for the rudder had come loose with one bolt gone and the second now very loose.Not much I could do until I parked the YOT safely in the shelter of Magnetic's West Point.

After starting the genset and setting up the vice and angle grinder,I made a temporary support bracket to hold the rudder bearing firmly onto the rear pod.
This bracket worked well so once again I set off into the wind and slop for another mile run to a coordinate that Carlo had given me,a nice lump just north of the Island. After anchoring the Yot up current,I set about catching a nice feed of Nannygai. The fishing went well and lotz of great sized fish making their way aboard.The wind however kept on blowing and about 8.30 at night I decided "enuf waz enuf" and headed for the shelter of West Point. Sleep came easy and next morning I checked my repair job and

set out for the return trip to Townsville.
After returning Ken and myself set about the "small" task of rebuilding and redesigning the entire rudder support system as itz lack of servicability was a real concern.So after removing the kitchen and cutting 3 layers of decking and the side of the Yot away, we finally got to the back of the rudder support bracket (not really logical).So what was once a working kitchen and Yot is now a cut away version of itz former self with the new rear deck and support for the new redesigned rudder brackets my focus for this coming week. This might seem a drastic step and in any other boat yard it would be a major rebuild but the confidence that comes with the arrival of Ken and his knowledge mean I feel confident enuf to start this task and look forward to a completed stronger Yot very soon. We have now finished fibreglassing the Nydiaplast sheets for "Kenny's Kampa" and will soon form the mould for the fibreglass roof (pergola) and as part of the rear deck rebuild we will be securing the supports for the six poles that will support the pergola.
I'm also planning to make the side wall of the kitchen enclosed and change a few of the kitchens basic functions.The  sink needs to be reversed and new taps fitted to the fishing bench as the current layout sends water everywhere but where itz needed. The fishing bench also needs shelving and racks to keep the fishing gear that I'm using secure in rough weather.
But all in all despite what seemz like a huge a huge task it should make the the overall YOT a better live-aboard fishing platform and fingaz crossed it won't be long b4 I'm back out on the water with rods bending and reels screaming hopefully I'll be near the Gr8 barrier reef sooner rather than later.
As a side note it appears that many of your commentz are not getting through to the blog at this end it seems that unless you enter your comment as "annonymous" author it doesn't arrive here.Just include your name in the text area  so I know who's comment it is.I'm going to check this out through the next week and will have an answer soon I hope. In answer to the many requests to come back to W.A for Christmas I don't know if it'll be possible but if the stars and moon align perhaps I'll get there. Also I'm sure I'll be sailing the islands off Queensland for the foreseeable future with the Whitsunday Islands firmly on the agenda.I can't begin my trip Northwards and across the top end until Easter at the earliest.This is to avoid the ever present risk of cyclone which is now the season that is upon us over here.
So for now I'll get back to the task of rebuilding the rear deck area and getting ready for my next big trip on the big blue ocean.
Live life
Captain Felix

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAM!

G'day All, On this truley special occasion (wkoa) (I'm guessing 8 arms) TODAY is Cameron's birthday HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SON!
I last saw Cam when he was just 3 years old and Today he turns 10. In celebration I've buggered off from Townsville and am currently anchored in the shelter of Rattlesnake and Herald Islandz.
WOW wat a buzz!
Special note for Mermaid "The starz are amazing,here!"

I left town this morning around 11am once the YOT floated, itz amazing to leave harbour switch the donk's off and still arrive at a chosen destination(wkoa) a steady SE wind had the YOT with all three WFT's cruising towards Herald Island at a steady 5 knots (not that fast in my old life but plenty quick enuf to get where I'm goin!)The stereo took over from the donk's and a stereo silence descended over Galley cat, Man itz different!

 2 and1/2 hours after leaving, Herald and Rattlesnake Islandz came into view! Always a good thing! After consulting Google Earth I decided I could slip between the 2 Islands and anchor behind the sand spit at the southern end of Herald. The chart showed 2 meters of water but I had

11 meters as I passed between the Islandz.I've anchored about 200meters from shore in 5m of water.

After arriving it waz thyme 2 explore so I loaded the dinghy and set off, lures in tow around the island (NO FISH) but still a worthwhile trip I've picked out my fishin spot 4 tomorrow mornin.After returning to the YOT I noticed a big sign on shore, so I headed off 2 investig8 I guess they don't wan't 2 many visitors as the RAAF plainly made it clear that your not supposed to be on the island  (it'd be a good idea to make the sign big enuf to ready from the water!) I've headed bak 2 Galleycat for a special Birthday Dinner 

Spud shed cube roll served medium rare with garlic and basil cream sauce,mashed kumera and potato, steamed silverbeet and melted cheese with black pepper,honey mustard carrotz and a corn cob with melted butter.I have 2 ask what the peasantz are eatin 2nite! Here's 2 you CAM!

Dad made a special effort to contact Tony this week and YES he's still alive! So 2nite I'm playing TONY's MUSIC on the puter and drinking a special batch of FELLIXER bourbon thatz been put aside for this special occasion! (still no fish)

The guy's with the planes and bombs will be here Thursday morning so I have to be gone b4  6.30am.

I'm basically figuring on a couple of dayz here then off to Acheron Island for a quik fish B4 heading back 2 Town for a major break with the mast coming off and the new PERGOLA being fitted to the rear deck area.

This trip has already shown a few deficiencies in the overall concept but nuthin the can't be fixxed B4 I leave Town again.

Tony this is AWESOME MUSIC!

Lotz of 80's with a hip hop beat.

Itz taken a full year but Galley cat is now a workin YOT that will over the next few month's stretch her legs towards the GR8 barrier reef and the Whitsunday Islands,the next major trip is to the Palm Islands and maybe the Hinchinbrook channel. But 4 now I'm more than happy 2B celebr8ing rite where I am!

Big Ash has been on the fone a couple of timez this week and it seems there is more work than you can poke a stick at if you need it! Congrat's Ash !

The yard is as busy as always with a couple of big 

jobs that will need attention upon my return but 4 now I'm happy in the knowledge that the YOT floats and can acheive what it waz designed 2 do!

Now itz thyme to sort out the little teething problems and improve the overall concept,squidding lights,more substantial dinghy mooring facilities,wind protection 4 the outdoor kitchen and a complete rethink on refridgeration! All in All nuthin 2 major but still a few itemz that'll need 2 be looked at when I head back to Townsville later this week.

This last weekend saw the YOT parked off Cape Clevland again as I needed a break from everyday routine and as my autopilot belts didn't arrive until Monday morning, I decided 2 head 4 familiar territory.

 I just got "spooled" 230 meters 20lb braid gone in a blink ,fuk knows wat it waz! But I've rerigged another rod and I've just noticed a heap of squid hanging around the rear deck fishing platform so itz thyme 2 say goodbye to friendz and family M- I- C- K- E- Y  M- O -U -S -E !

Ciao FROM RATTLESNAKE ISLAND FNQ!

Captain Felix!